Pages of Passion

by Girard, Dara

  Noreen shook her head.

  Darren grabbed a dish towel and dried his hands. “Because he wants to be liked. That’s his survival strategy. For years he lived in fear that his cousin would send him away as others had, but he made sure that Undy liked him and that others did too.” Darren folded up the dishrag and placed it on the counter. “The reason why I’m telling you all this is because he cares about your sister and he wants to be part of your family. Your rejection will hurt him—he won’t admit it, but it will. Just give him a chance. He may seem slick and shallow to you because he’s quick to smile and crack a joke, but he’s solid.”

  “He’s also lucky to have a friend like you.”

  Darren shrugged then took a step toward her. “I make a good friend.” He looked down. “I’m not sure this is the right time to ask, but would you like to have coffee sometime?”

  Noreen wanted to refuse him, her feelings so raw that she didn’t think she could go out ever again. But she liked him. She liked his quiet energy and serious, sweet gaze. Maybe in time she would forget Michael. “I’d love it.”

  “Great,” he said and Noreen felt her flagging spirits lift a little.

  Unfortunately, the man she wanted to forget burst into the room and looked at them with an unreadable look. “Sorry to interrupt,” he said solemnly. “Darren, we need your help hanging a garland.”

  Darren hesitated, sending his friend an odd look. “The three of you can’t hang a garland?”

  Michael waited and a tense silence filled the room.

  Noreen leaned toward Darren and said in a loud whisper. “You’d better go before he has a tantrum.”

  Darren smothered a grin then walked to the door that Michael held open. “Okay, I’ll save the day.”

  “My hero,” Noreen teased in simpering tones before she blew him a kiss.

  Darren shook his head then left.

  Michael shot Noreen a glance, but she couldn’t read whether he was annoyed by her comment, her behavior or something else. She’d never seen that look on his face before. It was implacable. However, it didn’t stop her from seeing him as a child desperately wanting to be liked so that he wouldn’t be sent away. She imagined him charming clients so that he could make enough money to clear his cousin’s bills. As she watched him she wanted to erase him from her heart, but all that Darren had said only made her love him more. Noreen steeled herself against her unwanted feelings and met his hard stare with one of her own.

  “Did you need something else?” she asked him with more coldness than she’d meant to.

  Michael blinked and something wary and vulnerable flickered in his eyes before it disappeared. “No, thanks,” he said in a light tone that seemed false then he turned and left.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “What’s wrong with you?” Darren demanded when he met Michael in the hallway.

  Michael looked blank. “What do you mean?”

  “You and I both know that you don’t need my help to hang up some stupid garlands.”

  Michael started to walk past him, but Darren grabbed his arm and shoved him against the wall. He held up his thumb and forefinger in front of Michael’s face. “You are this close to getting everything you want. In the other room is a beautiful, sexy woman who loves you and this is the start of a new life for you. Don’t mess it up. I just finished trying to make things better between you and Noreen.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. Tell me what’s going on. What happened to the Vaughn charm? Okay, so her sister isn’t as funny and bubbly as Arlene, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a jerk.”

  Michael hung his head in disgust. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just…” He let his words trail off.

  “It’s what?” Darren pressed.

  “Nothing. Forget it. Let’s go.” He pushed himself from the wall and walked away, effectively ending a conversation he didn’t want to have. His friend was right. Something was wrong. With him. He’d discovered something about himself he’d never wanted to admit: he was a bastard. He thought he’d changed. He thought he was ready to settle down and not need the high and thrill of the chase. He’d been convinced even when his cousin wasn’t.

  “You? Settle down?” his cousin Undy had said as he lay in his hospital bed, recovering from surgery for removal of kidney stones. “No way.”

  “It’s true,” Michael said, leaning forward in his chair. “I’m a taken man.”

  “Taken for a ride maybe. But every ride has to end.”

  “Not this one.”

  “You’re going to run out of gas and want to switch make and model. You’ve never been able to stay in one place long, especially when it comes to women. If you get too comfortable, you’ll bolt. Remember, you tried with Joy and got antsy after only a few months.”

  “I’m different now and Joy wasn’t the one.”

  Undy sniffed. “If a woman like that can’t keep you satisfied—”

  “Arlene is the woman for me. We understand each other. You’ll know it when you meet her.”

  Undy was quiet a moment then said, “I want to believe you, but as I look at you, I know you can’t change. You’ve never stayed constant with anything. You tried college and left. You tried staying with Joy and didn’t. You even tried to retire from your work and couldn’t. You’re meant to be a free agent. Marriage isn’t for everyone, and for you it will feel like a noose around your neck.”

  Michael faced that fact now as he helped Arlene string lights around the mantel. For months he’d thought about Arlene and proving his cousin wrong. He’d bought the island property they had talked about one day while lying on the beach, imagining how she would look when she saw it. He’d kept tabs on her and learned that she’d moved in with her sister.

  He hadn’t planned to “disappear” but after the way things ended on St. Lagans he wanted to take time and plan on how he would enter back into her life. The moment he’d stepped into Noreen’s house he’d felt right about coming to her first and then he’d seen Arlene. After so many months she was still beautiful and her fun, sexy self. But what let him know his timing was perfect was the fact that she was still wearing the necklace he had given her.

  Yet something was off and he didn’t know what. Her sister Noreen’s guarded glances bothered him. Her cool replies and refusal to spend any time with them in decorating the house grated his nerves. Her opinion mattered to him, no matter how much he didn’t want it to. But what he found most disturbing was how Arlene’s sister had become an alluring challenge. That was wrong. He was supposed to be over those feelings. What was wrong with him? Yes, they were identical twins, but the way they dressed and acted made them complete opposites.

  But for some reason Noreen didn’t just entice him as a challenge; she intrigued him and he hated that. Arlene was all that mattered and yet at times when she smiled at him it was as if he was a gallant knight who was the answer to all her dreams. Or like a child who was confident that she’d never be hurt again. Michael hadn’t noticed that look before and he found himself uncomfortable in the role she’d given him and he wanted to run.

  When Darren disappeared to join Noreen in the kitchen, all he could think about was what his friend was doing and if he’d had better luck thawing the ice queen than he’d had. When he couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer, he’d gone into the kitchen and saw them together. Instead of being happy for his friend, he’d been struck with an irrational jealousy. Why had Noreen chosen Darren to offer her soft smiles and tenderness? Why did she make Darren feel like a guest and make him feel like an intruder? And why did he care? How come Noreen was suddenly making him see his best friend as a rival? What was wrong with him?

  His ego was the problem, Michael tried to convince himself. He was so used to making people like him, that failure wasn’t an option. Considering Arlene’s history with men, he couldn’t blame Noreen for not trusting him. And the way he’d met Arlene hadn’t been under the best of circumstances. He had to accept that it woul
d take time to win Noreen’s acceptance, but he didn’t plan on making Arlene’s sister liking him or not a reason for not going forward.

  Michael took a deep breath and looked over at Arlene as she held up two ornaments to her ears and pretended they were earrings, making Vince and Darren laugh. Ever since they’d met on the cruise he’d dreamed about nothing else but their future together, and he was going to make sure that came true.

  “You’ve outdone yourself, Noreen,” Vince said as they all sat down to dinner.

  She’d made too much food, but cooking had kept her busy so she didn’t mind. The table was filled with roasted chicken, mashed potatoes (both white and sweet), dinner rolls, salad, fish cakes, broccoli and cauliflower, sliced ham and cranberry sauce.

  “I may never leave,” Darren said, taking a seat across from her.

  Michael didn’t say anything as he sat at the table and Noreen did her best to ignore him, but that was impossible when she was forced to sit next to him. She had a small circular table because she rarely entertained and her thigh brushed against his.

  “Sorry the table isn’t bigger.”

  “Don’t worry,” Michael said. “Arlene and I are used to being crowded together.” He reached for the fish cakes at the same time Noreen did, his hand covering hers. He yanked his hand away and looked at Arlene. “Remember that lunch on St. Barnaby?”

  “Oh yes,” she said. “That was fun. Show everyone the picture of the property you bought.”

  Noreen placed two fish cakes on his plate.

  He stared at the food in front of him. “Maybe another time.”

  Arlene nudged him. “Please.”

  He reluctantly pulled out the picture and handed it to her.

  She wiggled in her seat like a happy child. “It’s so beautiful.” She held the photo out to Vince. “Look, Dad.”

  He studied the photo, impressed. “How much?” Noreen kicked him under the table. “I mean, good choice.”

  “I’ve never seen Michael so determined to get something,” Darren said. “You should have seen his face when he closed the deal.” He smiled at Arlene. “Now I know why he was so eager.”

  Arlene blushed and Noreen blinked, surprised that Darren’s comment affected her sister like that. “Dad, show Noreen.”

  Vince handed Noreen the photo and she barely glanced at it before handing it back to Michael. “Very nice.”

  Michael shoved the picture back inside his pocket. “How do you know?” he asked in a low voice. “You didn’t look at it.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Forget it.” He took a bite of the fish cake. “This tastes good.”

  “Thank you. I’m sure Arlene’s taste better.”

  His jaw twitched but he didn’t respond and Noreen regretted her comment. She was being petty and unfair. “Just wait until you try her sugar cookies. You’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven.” After she said the word heaven, heat stole into her cheeks when she remembered their first night together.

  Michael appeared to remember too, because he became still. “Good,” he said, keeping his gaze focused on his food.

  Noreen decided to focus on eating as well and she tried to be nonchalant when his leg or arm brushed against hers, but an electric thrill shot through her each time. She knew he couldn’t help it because he was a big guy and the table was small. She promised herself that she would buy a long dining table tomorrow. Fortunately, no one noticed her discomfort.

  Her sister sparkled and Noreen caught Darren watching her, which was no surprise, but what did surprise her was when she caught her father staring at her. At the end of the meal, Noreen stood and began to clear the table. Michael stood too. “Let me help you.”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “It’s no problem.”

  Noreen yanked the plate from him. “I said, I’m fine.”

  Michael sent her an odd look and sat down.

  She looked at Darren and softened her tone. “But thanks anyway. I want you all to just enjoy yourselves. I’m here to serve.”

  Noreen hurried into the kitchen, piling the dirty dishes on the counter.

  “What a load of crock,” her father said, entering the room.

  “Crock?”

  “Yes, all that you just said out there.” He gestured to the dining room with his thumb. “I don’t know what you have against the boy, but he’s just trying to be friendly.”

  “I know, but he doesn’t need to impress me. Arlene likes him—excuse me—loves him and apparently so do you.”

  “Yes, I do. I’m a player so I can easily spot them. He’s not one. He’s for real and I think he’ll treat your sister well. He’s certainly better than the other scum and deadbeats she used to bring home.”

  “I know.”

  “Of course, that’s not good news for you.”

  Noreen looked at him, curious. “Why not?”

  Vince walked over to the counter and rested against it. “Because you’re in love with him.”

  Noreen turned away, unable to face her father, her heart racing.

  “You can’t fool me, Noreen. I see the way you look at him. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Does he know how you feel? Did she steal him away from you or something?”

  “No. It doesn’t matter. Arlene has him. Besides, there wouldn’t even be a competition.”

  “You’re just as beautiful and wonderful in your own way.”

  “Don’t start with me, Dad. To you, all women are the same and you get bored, but you’re not an exception. Most men are happy with whatever woman they get…at least for a while.”

  “Stop being a hypocrite.”

  Noreen stared at him. “What?”

  “You heard me. You’re not afraid that men think all women are the same—you’re truly terrified that they don’t. Otherwise you’d go into that room and take Michael for yourself.”

  “I—I,” Noreen sputtered, unable to find any words.

  He held up his hand. “Be quiet for a moment and listen. You think all men want women like your sister, but you’re wrong. Just like women, all men aren’t the same. For most of my life I’ve been an arrogant bastard. Women came easily. They still do. I never married because I got all that I wanted without the complications and legalities. But it’s funny—when you get older, family starts to mean more. Besides, I hate seeing you hurt. You’re my daughter, Noreen, and you’re somebody special.”

  “Dad,” Noreen said, not wanting to have this conversation now.

  “I know we don’t see eye to eye, but I love you. Your ex was no good. I’m glad he’s gone. I’m happy Arlene’s going to make me a grandfather. But I’d be just as glad to read your latest book.”

  “You never read my books.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “They’re romance,” Noreen said, baffled. “You don’t read romance.”

  “I’ve read yours. You can blame your grandmother for that. When she was in the nursing home I would go and read to her and she only wanted your books. I read one and got hooked, and after she died I continued reading them because they made me feel good. Your stories are about men with honor and integrity. Traits I didn’t possess. They were, and still are, fun escapes. They taught me about love.

  “I have had lots of fun but it was selfish love. Just like my father. And I raised three sons with the same values, men who go through women like water and are never satisfied. As you and your sister grew up, I came to see you for the women you are. I think somehow I’m being punished, because I hate to see my daughters treated the way I’ve treated other men’s daughters. I have two daughters I cherish and hurt. One who tries to find love anywhere she can and another who’s given up on it completely. Even when it’s staring her in the face.”

  Noreen held back tears. “He belongs to Arlene.”

  “Maybe, but Arlene doesn’t look at him the way you do when you think no one is watching.” Vince was silent a moment then said, “You switched places,
didn’t you?” When she didn’t respond immediately, he grinned. “Yes, you did, and for the first time it backfired. Go. Tell him how you feel.”

  “There’s no point.”

  Vince stood in front of her. “I know I haven’t been a good father—”

  “It’s okay, Dad. I’m okay, really. I don’t want him. I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone. I’ve got my friends and my career is back on schedule. I want to see my sister happy so I can get on with my life. Now please go back to my guests while I figure out dessert.”

  Vince kissed his daughter on the forehead then whispered, “You lie as well as I do,” then left.

  Once he was gone, Noreen gripped the counter and shut her eyes. Was she that obvious? Too much was at stake. Arlene’s happiness. Michael’s trust. It would be better when they left. Hopefully that would be soon and they would decide to elope.

  Noreen filled a pot with water to begin preparing dessert. As she lifted the pot out of the sink she heard someone enter. “Do you have more advice, Dad?”

  “No,” Michael said.

  Noreen kept her back to him and gripped the pot tighter. “Oh. Did you need something?”

  “I want to talk to you.”

  “So talk,” she said in a thin voice, feeling emotionally exhausted.

  “I know you don’t like me.”

  Noreen spun around. “That’s not true.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  Michael held out his hands. “Let’s not argue about it. I understand why you wouldn’t trust me, whether you want to admit it or not, but I don’t care what you think about me right now. But I do care about Arlene and how she feels and you’re hurting her and I won’t allow that.”

  Noreen’s mouth fell open. “You won’t allow that? How dare you come into my home and tell me how to behave? Where were you two months ago when my sister came back with a broken heart? Where were the notes or letters or emails letting her know where you were or how you felt? What about a phone call or at least a message?” Noreen’s voice trembled as tears gathered in her eyes. “Where were you when she woke up from a nightmare or called your name out in a dream? You weren’t here to pick up the pieces, but I was.”