The Apple of His Eye

by Stacy Dawn

  “No, cancelled. Brad thinks it will be an all-nighter.”

  Shane had half a mind to go over to that meeting and knock a little common sense into his friend. The man needed to seriously get his priorities straight.

  He felt Eden's gaze on him and turned to find her lips tilted up along with her chin.

  “What's with the face?” she asked.

  Shane held a hand out in confusion. “You're telling me you're okay with this?”

  “Why shouldn't I be?”

  “I don't know, because you're getting married tomorrow.” He scraped fingers along his jaw. “And from what I understand, you haven't seen each other in over two weeks.”

  “You're focusing on the romance angle again, Shane. Brad is good at his job. It's not my place to tell him when to work and when not to.”

  In silent agreement, they continued their way back to the hotel.

  “Speaking of jobs, what will you do after you're married? Are you transferring here, or will Brad be the one moving?”

  “Well, we spend a fair amount of time in each city so moving doesn't really matter. Keeping both places will save on hotel bills and expenses.” Her head tilted as though she were contemplating the idea.

  Shane rubbed the back of his neck in bewilderment. “In other words, you haven't discussed it yet?”

  “Of course we have,” she admonished. “We, uh, just haven't decided on a strategy yet.”

  “A strategy?” Shane laughed at the absurdity of her words. “I'll tell you something. If I was married, I'd expect to live with my wife, not to mention hope she'd be home most nights for supper and a little cuddling by the fire—if you know what I mean.”

  If possible, her cheeks grew even redder. He knew he shouldn't tease her, but he couldn't understand how two people who planned to spend their life together, arranged or otherwise, had no concept of actually being together.

  Hmm, maybe all Eden needed was a little lesson in what a real marriage entailed. The knowledge couldn't hurt, and if looked at the right way, might even benefit Brad, too, in the long run. And though he wasn't an authority himself, he knew of a few people who would definitely fit the bill.

  “Brad's delay is probably a good thing, gives me a chance to catch up on some work,” Eden commented as they reached the Hilton's front entrance.

  Not if I have anything to do about it. “You're going to waste your free time in the Big Apple working?” he taunted with a grin.

  Her laughter came out in misty puffs. “You sound like Leah.”

  “She sounds like a smart lady.”

  “Well, thank you for taking me around this afternoon. I guess I'll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

  With a contemplative gaze, he stared at the hand she held out. When he moved to take it, her hand fit perfectly into his larger one, the heat baking his palm in decadent sensuality. Even so, Shane held fast, not quite finished with her yet. “What about dinner?”

  A twist of her lips gave way to a lift of one slender shoulder. “I'm sure they have room service here.”

  “If you remember to order it.”

  She gave him a shrewd glance.

  “I know Brad, remember?” And you’ve proven you’re too much like him. “When he's caught up in his work, everyday things like meals and laundry usually get forgotten.”

  “I never forget to do my laundry,” she replied with a jerk of her chin.

  Encouraged by the tilt of her lip hidden behind the mock affronted tone, Shane squeezed her hand. “Ah-hah. So you do forget to eat.”

  “Maybe occasionally,” she reluctantly agreed.

  Ah, a concession—now we’re making progress. “Tell you what, why don't I take you to dinner? At least I'll know you're fed, and my conscience will be cleared that I took care of you for Brad.”

  “I don't need to be taken care of.”

  She tugged her hand backward, but he held fast. “Everybody needs to be taken care of sometime.”

  “Not everyone,” she noted brusquely.

  “Fine, everyone needs to be fed sometime.”

  A heavy breath puffed out her silky bangs. “Okay, you got me on that one.”

  “I know a great little place that makes delectable home-style dinners and amazing apple pies for dessert.”

  Chewing her lip, she dropped her gaze to her jacket. “I don't know. I'd have to change clothes first.”

  “No need.” He squeezed her hand. “Trust me. You're perfect just as you are.” A flash of surprise crossed her face before a stern mask covered her emotions.

  “All right,” she finally conceded, her hand tightening around his in challenge. “I'll agree to a quiet, early dinner if you promise to drop me back here immediately afterward so I can get some work done.”

  “As soon as you're ready to leave, I'll bring you back.” He held up two fingers against his head. “Scout's honor.”

  Chapter Four

  “Where are we? This doesn't look like any restaurant I've ever seen.”

  “Restaurant…restaurant? Nope, I don't recall actually saying the word restaurant.”

  Eden blew out a frustrated breath. Was this man ever serious? She should have heeded that little warning sign back at the hotel. The one that felt an awful lot like little heated shockwaves invading her arm when he took her hand.

  Still, she didn't balk then nor at the fact he headed out of the city because she simply assumed Shane had a favorite eatery in mind. The doubts didn't creep in until he maneuvered his oversized truck into an older residential area. Now, turning into the driveway of a two-story home complete with white gables, dread filled her chest. The row of cars lining said driveway did not help. “You could have warned me.”

  He hefted the gear into park and leaned his arm over the steering wheel. “Don't worry. Everyone's welcome at the house.”

  A smile filled with mischief lent an endearing boyish beam to his already handsome face and quickly took the edge off her discomfort. If she ever bought into the romance angle then Shane, with his good looks and amiable personality, would be the perfect specimen.

  The temperature in the cab of the truck escalated a few degrees as he continued to study her. Turning to open the door, Eden mercifully breathed in the cool, late-afternoon air and stepped off the running board. She felt a little like running herself, though she wasn't quite sure why. Crowds, that must be it. Yes, with the count of cars surrounding them, her discomfort rose. She'd never been very good at meeting new people. Even new clients initially gave her a measure of anxiety.

  “Don't look so scared, they won't bite. Okay, Jamie might, but he just got his teeth recently.” Shane winked and put his hand on her back to propel her forward.

  The weight of his touch reassured her enough to walk through the door he pushed open.

  A feminine head instantly popped around the doorframe at the end of a long hallway. “Shane! Just let me get the roast into the oven, sweetie, and I'll be right there.”

  “Take your time, Mom,” he called back.

  Mom? Her body stilled. This is his parents' house? Talk about a cheap date.

  Shane's hand shifted from her back to her shoulders. “Here, let me take your coat.”

  Eden held the collar. “No. It's okay.” See, I knew this was a bad idea.

  “Come on. Relax. You'll have a good time, I promise.”

  Reluctantly, she relinquished Leah's coat for Shane to hang next to his in the closet by the door. Eden pulled her purse strap higher on her shoulder and crossed her arms over the material against her chest. The whole afternoon, she'd had the security of the borrowed jacket. Without it, she felt all her previous wardrobe concerns peeled back by the top she'd chosen from Leah's re-packing job. Back at the hotel, she'd thought the long sleeve, novelty, jersey T with red sleeves and white bodice cute and fun. Exactly what Leah urged her to be. Now, faced with a crowd of strangers, the glittery red apple with a chunk taken out of it and the words 'BITE ME' above, smack dab between her breasts, only made her feel worse than
ridiculous.

  What I wouldn't give for my navy business suit and glasses to hide behind right now! Why did Shane even bring her here anyway?

  “Relax. The shirt's cute. I like it,” Shane’s low voice whispered in her ear.

  She shivered as his breath snaked down, shedding a trail of tingles along the nape of her neck.

  Just then, his mother bustled out of the kitchen.

  Shane shifted to Eden's left, accepting the motherly hug with one arm while keeping the other securely on Eden's shoulder.

  Almost as if he knew I wanted to bolt, she chided herself.

  “Mom, this is Brad's fiancée, Eden Rossi. Eden, my mother, Marilyn Gallagher.”

  Up close, there was no mistaking the resemblance of playful brown eyes beneath thick hair laced with silver strands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Gallagher.”

  The older woman gently batted Eden's outstretched hand away to reach in for a boisterous hug. “Call me Marilyn, please. Why, you're practically family!”

  Thin arms tightened around her as strongly as the hauntingly familiar perfume. An old brand of sweet gardenias that she hadn’t been around in years…many, many years.

  Eden’s eyes drifted closed. She could almost grasp her mother's memory strong and clear as if she were the one hugging her exuberantly in the kitchen doorway after school. More images played across her mind, ones she had tucked away, but didn’t quite remember when, for they were the best memories of her mother—laughing on the playground swings, making birthday cakes for her father that looked more like lopsided mountains that hockey pucks. Every hug, every touch, every loving caress.

  Instinctively, Eden’s arms matched the intensity of the encompassing hug she received from Shane’s mother. She hadn’t felt this overwhelming sense of acceptance and affection in a very long time and gloried in its simple serenity.

  Whatever reason Shane had for bringing her here, she didn’t even care anymore, only thankful for the precious, recaptured moments.

  “Maybe you should give Eden a second to breathe there, Mom.”

  Eden blinked back the slight sting behind her eyes and smiled.

  Marilyn’s laughter filled the small entranceway, but she only released her far enough to hold Eden at arm’s length. “It’s just Brad and Shane have known each other since grade school,” she gushed. “He's like another son to us and I’m so happy for you both!”

  With the way she talked so fondly of him, she wondered why Brad had never mentioned Marilyn or the Gallaghers before?

  Shane's arm jarred her slightly as he reached for something in his pocket and extended it toward his mother.

  “What's this?” The excitement in Marilyn’s eyes shot out like fireworks as she opened the envelope. “Tickets to Wicked! Oh Shane, you shouldn’t have.” Even so, she bounced up on tip-toes and threw her arms around her son’s neck. “Now your father will have to take me.”

  Shane chuckled and leaned in to kiss his mother's cheek. “Happy Birthday, Mom.”

  Birthday? Great, not only am I an uninvited guest, I'm an uninvited guest without a gift for the hostess—and on her birthday!

  He'd done it to her again. The glare she directed over her shoulder was met with a simple shrug and wide grin. Easy for him to say. She would deal with Shane later, but with one glance to the motherly figure, Eden knew exactly how to correct his obvious oversight.

  With the cherished gardenia scent drifting around her like a blessed gift of her own and Marilyn's open-hearted reception still warming her body, Eden slid out the small box wrapped with a silver ribbon. “Happy birthday,” she said with a heartfelt smile, handing Shane's mother the box.

  The older woman's eyes softened as they met hers. “How sweet. You didn't have to do this.” She opened the package, crushing the box lid to her chest at the sight of the cameo. “Oh, Eden! It's beautiful.”

  Caught up in another tight squeeze, precious memories poured in on her, and tears stung her closed eyes.

  “Thank you, dear.”

  No, thank you. “You're very welcome.” More than you'll ever know.

  Shane's mother pulled away to pat her cheek. “Brad is a lucky man. You'll fit in here beautifully.” The rare mother-daughter moment lasted long enough for Eden to fear the tears wouldn’t stay locked behind her eyes.

  Fortunately, Marilyn returned her focus to the cameo and a quick spin. “I can't wait to show your father both of my gifts!”

  Warm hands settled on Eden’s shoulders turning her to face a broad chest. She clenched her jaw, afraid to look up until she had some semblance of control. When she did, Shane's eyes were unusually serious.

  “You didn't have to do that.”

  “Yes, I did.” Not that he would ever understand.

  His gaze didn't waver.

  Eden soon became uncomfortable, not from his stare, but because of the way her insides quivered beneath it. Taking back control, she raised a brow and stared him down. “No thanks to you, of course. Again, you could have warned me.” She batted a hand against his chest for emphasis only to find the joke on her when its solidity magnetized her palm to his shirt.

  Warm muscles rippled under her hand as the even beat of his heart picked up pace. Apparently unaware of what his body was doing to her, Shane chuckled and dispelled her accusations as if all the cares of the world slipped right off those broad shoulders.

  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be that unfettered by life.

  “Come on, Red. The rest of the family will be in the den.”

  “The rest of the family…right.” How could she have forgotten all the cars in the driveway? “And exactly how many would that entail?”

  “Nothing serious.” Shane turned her around and urged her down the hallway. “There's my dad, Art. My sister Charlotte and her husband Matt. They have Jamie and Jessica. Then there’s my brother Steve, his wife Alice and their three....”

  A stampede of feet exploded around them as four miniature bodies whooped by.

  “—hellions,” he finished with a good-natured bellow to the minions. “The fourth one in that pack looked like Bobby Gibbles. He lives with his grandparents two doors down.”

  Eden's steps faltered, but strong hands propelled her forward as he continued his attendance call.

  “I think the twins are home from college for reading week. Sometimes Cynthia brings her latest beau. I saw Uncle Leo and Aunt Maddie's Ford out there, too, which would mean my cousins Sarah and Dean are here too.”

  Eden didn't even try to assimilate the names, however she did automatically calculate the numbers. Twenty, including his parents. Twenty people she didn't know and whose decibel level grew in leaps and bounds as they reached their destination.

  “Shane!”

  A large man with matching chin dimple approached them and slapped a hardy hand on Shane's back.

  “How's it going, Dad?”

  The silver-haired man turned to include Eden with a friendly grin as Shane made the introductions.

  “Glad to have you here. Marilyn is just tickled with that pin you gave her.” He aimed a stern eye on his son. “You, on the other hand, mister, just cost me a night in the city.”

  Shane grinned. “Gotta stay on Mom's good side or I’ll never get another apple pie.”

  His father gave him a good-natured glare then swung his hand toward the crowded room. “Come on in, Eden. Take a load off.”

  “Thank you,” she barely managed to say before side-stepping another miniature Gallagher launching himself into Shane's arms.

  “Uncle Shane, did you see the hockey game last night? Man, I can't believe that winning shot!”

  “Tell me about it. If the Rangers keep this up, we just might make it to the Stanley Cup this year.”

  Eden smiled at the exchange. The child obviously adored his uncle, and Shane looked just as smitten. She bet when he finally settled down into his romantic marriage, he'd have children with the same sandy brown hair and dimple in their chin. Her smile grew at the image. No do
ubt he'd be an attentive father and an even more attentive husband.

  A swallow lodged in her throat. Whoever captures this cowboy’s heart will be one lucky woman.

  Shane turned and winked, causing a sudden burning in her cheeks at the fear he might have read her mind.

  Luckily, he simply hiked a thumb her way and spoke to the child. “Clay, this here's Eden.”

  The hazel-eyed boy offered a shy hello then bent his forehead to his uncle's. “She your girlfriend or something?”

  With a laugh, he set the child down. “No, sport. I'm not that lucky.”

  During the exchange, she nipped at her bottom lip. Cute as it was, Shane's words caught her attention more. She didn't have time to dwell on them, though, because someone else beckoned, and they were both quickly swallowed within the family folds.

  Shane's hand clasped firmly around hers and kept her grounded enough to smile as he introduced one family member after the other. Within moments, names and faces all meshed together. Though she had a head for figures, remembering names always eluded her.

  Eden welcomed the break from the introductions as she found a seat on an empty couch. Two of the earlier stampeders knelt at the coffee table before her. Both blonde-haired girls, one colored with bright markers while the other played hairdresser on a chunky doll.

  She turned at the light hand on her arm.

  A young woman about her own age offered a compassionate smile. “Don't worry. You get used to it.”

  Eden appreciated the woman's apparent understanding and fought hard to remember her name.

  The brunette chuckled. “Alice. Steve's wife.”

  “Right. Sorry.”

  “Don't be. Trust me though, once you've been here a few times, you don't even notice the decibel level anymore.” She sat on the chair adjacent to the girls. “How long have you and Shane been dating?”

  “Oh no. We just met today.” Of their own accord, her gaze drifted to where Shane poured two glasses of white wine at a small corner bar.

  “Yeah, he works fast. That Shane's a lady-killer.”

  “No, no,” she disputed quickly, ignoring the heat in her cheeks. “We're engaged. I-I mean I'm engaged.” The words stuttered out through a dry mouth. “To his f-friend, Brad.”