by Kathryn Shay
“What’s SCR?”
Seth said, “State Central Registry of Child Abuse.”
“I guess. You won’t find anything about me on either of them.”
“Are you prepared to take Parental Training Courses?”
“Yes.”
It took a while to finish the questions, then the man looked over at Johnny. “Mr. Cordello, why do you want to foster these children? You’re 21. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”
“I wanna live that life with those two kids. They were ours for practically two years. Both Grandma and me love them.” Tears came to his eyes. “I was in foster care. I know what it’s like. And I get sick at the thought of them in the system. Please, Mr. Clark, send on my interview, let the committee decide, and put in a good word for me.”
Clark’s face softened. “I may do that, son.”
* * *
Finn studied his family and friends from the side of the large apartment his father had owned and willed to his kids. Since both he and Hayley worked in New York, it made sense to share the place until she met her fiancé and moved in with him. The space was big enough for a good number of people to come and celebrate the birthday boys—him and his cousin Seth. When they were little, they had parties together at the lake.
A woman came up to him. A beautiful woman.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
“I am. I was surprised to get an invitation.”
He sipped his scotch and watched her.
“Finn, why did you invite me?”
“We called it quits but said we’d remain friends.” He smiled at her. “I miss you, Valerie.”
“I miss you, too. I wish you hadn’t ended it.”
“We couldn’t keep going like we were. With you still married.”
“That’s what you said. Happy Birthday, Finn.” The mayor of Hidden Cove walked away. Her hips swayed in the black pencil skirt she wore with a fancy white blouse and those high heels that drove him crazy.
He decided to find Hayley and Paul and threaded his way through the group in the living room. More people were in the dining room and kitchen and some had even spilled into the living spaces of the suites, as he’d left those doors opened. He bumped into someone. “Happy Birthday, Finn.”
“Hey, Millie. Thanks.” The manager of Fitzgerald’s, his bookstore, was young for the position but she’d been with him from the beginning. In that eight years, she’d worked her way through a college degree in literature and a Masters’ Degree in business and became…invaluable to the business. Sometimes, that bothered him. “Are you having a good time?”
“I am. Everybody from the store came, and we’re having fun. Are you?”
“It’s fine being thirty-five.” He cocked his head and for some reason added, “You’re a baby in comparison.”
Her face heated. He noticed she had eye goop on and her cheeks were rosy. “Got it. You’re ancient. I have no idea why you’d let me manage your store.”
“You’re doing a great job.”
“For someone so young.”
She stared at him for a few seconds, shook her head, and started away. “Have a good night, Mr. Casella.”
“Not so fast.” He pulled her back by the sleeve of the glittery top she wore with sexy palazzo pants. Hayley had called the style.
“I offended you. I’m sorry.”
“I hate it when you say things like that to me.”
“About being young?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll stop.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “Good. Again, Happy Birthday.”
He watched her walk away, a feeling of…something close to loss in his gut. Hmm, he wondered what that was about.
* * *
Seth practically swallowed his tongue when Julianne walked into the apartment with Alessia. The two women had been best friends while he and Jules dated but lost touch afterward. But during the burglary thing, they seemed to get closer. Which still didn’t explain why she’d come to his party in New York. Last week, she said she didn’t want to see him anymore.
Rafe, his oldest brother placed his hand on Seth’s shoulder from behind. “Hey, look, Julianne’s here.”
“I have no idea why. I didn’t even know she was even invited.”
“Ali gave her name to Hayley.”
He couldn’t stop staring at her.
“You got it bad, Seth.”
He snapped, “Christ, I’m doing the best I can.”
Rafe wrapped his arm around Seth’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean anything mean by that.”
“Sorry, I’m sensitive about her. Gideon and I had a long talk about that the other day.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s a good listener when he wants to be.”
“I know. Did it help?”
“Yep.”
Kate joined them and slid her arm through Rafe’s. Now, six months pregnant she glowed in a white lacy dress that accented her round baby bump. “Happy Birthday, Seth.” She kissed his cheek.
“Thanks.” His gaze dropped to her stomach. “Is she moving?”
“Uh-huh.”
The idea delighted him. “Can I touch her?”
“Sure, but you might not feel it.”
He put his hand her stomach. Kate grasped his wrist and pressed it in. He waited. “Oh, my God. She kicked.”
“She does that all the time.”
When he drew back, he swallowed hard. “I want what you guys have.”
“We want that for you too.” Rafe’s gaze strayed across the room. “Why don’t you go talk to her?”
“Yeah, I think I will.”
Embarrassed by his show of raw emotion, Seth headed for Julianne. She and Ali had moved to the kitchen near Finn’s suite. As he got closer, he saw she’d curled her hair and wore a purple dress he’d never seen before. It clung to her. And had little cutouts all across the top and down her arms. “Hi, you two.”
Ali hugged him. “Happy Birthday, little brother.” Then she squeezed Julianne’s arm and walked away.
Julianne surprised him and leaned over and kissed his cheek, too. Her sexy scent wafted through him. “Happy birthday, Seth.”
“Thanks.” He wouldn’t dissemble with her. Even when he cheated, he never lied about it if she found out. “I’m surprised you’re here.”
“Ali and I are spending time together again. She asked me to come.”
“I see.” Fuck, how could that stupid comment hurt so much?
Julianne looked around. For an escape? “Come into Finn’s sitting area with me for a minute?”
That wasn’t what he expected.
They went inside Finn’s suite and she closed the door. She faced him squarely. “I came because I wanted to, Seth.” She moved in closer. “I wanted to be here for your birthday.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Are you staying in town?”
“Yes. But we’re leaving early tomorrow. Ali has to get back for her kids.” She shrugged. “We were supposed to stay and trek around the city streets but her mother-in-law called and said Petey wasn’t doing well.”
“Are you at the Hyatt next door?”
“Uh-huh.”
“They put the family on the same floor.”
“Ah!” She opened her small purple purse that went over her shoulder with a chunky gold chain and pulled something out—a small square, wrapped in tissue paper. She handed it to him.
“Hey, the invitation said no gifts.”
“I bought this for you after you were stabbed. Then things got crazy and we weren’t getting along again. So I decided to give it to you tonight.”
With her in front of him, he unwrapped the gift. A chain. Something on the end. He picked it up. He raised his gaze. “A St. Christopher’s Medal?”
“Yeah. He’s the patron saint of safety from harm and evil lurking around. I suppose that’s stupid, now, when you’re better and Legal Aid got an alarm system. But I was upset at the time.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing’s necessary. It should slip on right over your head.”
He donned the medal.
“Tuck it in your shirt tonight. I don’t want to have to answer questions about it.” She turned to go.
“Jules?”
He picked up the medal from his chest. “This means a lot to me.”
She watched him for a minute with longing in her eyes, then left.
Jesus. He sat down on the chair to assimilate what happened. After weeks of brushing him off, why had she come here, given him the medal?
Movement on the other side of the room interrupted his thoughts. Was someone else in here?
* * *
He walked out of the shadows, dressed in a waiter’s uniform pretending to be one of the party’s catering staff. This time, he chose bigger glasses. He whipped them off and the blond wig, and smiled. “Happy Birthday, Seth.”
Shock flashed across Seth’s face and he bolted up. “Oh, sweet Lord. Ronan?”
“Yeah.”
“What…who…why…”
He laughed at Seth’s stammering. “Close the door, again, will you?”
Seth did what he asked, and Ronan dropped down on the sofa. His cousin joined him. “First off, I’m sorry to overhear yours and Julianne’s conversation. But I came in here to leave something and then you two did, so I dropped back into the shadows.”
“No worries. Remember how we used to tell you everything about girls and stuff?”
Ronan’s shoulders hunched and his stomach contracted. “Yeah,” he said in a gravelly voice. “I do.
“I came to wish you and Finn happy birthday.” He clapped Seth on the back. “It’s good to see you.”
“Same here. We all miss you. Since you’re disguised, I’m assuming you don’t want others to see you. But I’ll go get Finn.” He started to rise.
Ronan dragged him back down. “No. I brought him a present. As I said, I was going to leave it here, but I want you to give it to him, now that I’ve talked to you.” He handed Seth a square velvet box. “I, um, already gave you yours.”
“Not that I want anything, but what did you give me?”
“Think about it.”
Seth frowned, deep lines forming on his forehead. They made him look older. Finally, light dawned on his face. “You paid for the alarm at Legal Aid.”
“As I said, Happy Birthday, buddy.”
Seth nodded to the package. “You should give this to Finn. He’ll want to see you.”
Ronan’s heart clutched in his chest. “Do you know what happened at the hospital when you were hurt?”
“Yeah, Hayley told me. But she said he was sorry about what he did.”
“I can’t take the chance of spoiling his night. Give that to him at the end of your party.”
“I don’t…”
“Seth, it has to be this way.”
“Ronan, you must be close to New York or Hidden Cove. To know about this party. To show up in Hidden Cove when I was hurt. Why are you staying away?”
“I’m not ready to reveal my whereabouts.”
“Why? If it’s about your childhood or your parents, we can help you with that.”
“Not yet. But, but soon.” He hugged Seth, making him remember what it felt like to have cousins. “Goodbye, kiddo.” He stood, hesitated a bit, then put on his disguise and walked into the kitchen.
And out of their lives, once again.
* * *
“Who’s that guy that your mother’s talking to?” Julianne asked Alessia.
“I have no idea. He’s really attractive for an older man.”
Julianne smiled. “Yeah, he is.” The stranger was dressed in a suit, like many of the attendees, with dark hair that was graying generously.
Alessia’s eyes danced like they used to when she was young. And Julianne was very happy she’d sought her friend out and started to re-establish their relationship. They’d gotten together twice now, and it was so special so when Ali encouraged her to come to this party, and promised to spend the day in New York with her, she’d acquiesced. “Let’s go over and find out.”
“Let’s.”
They made their way through the crowd and reached the couple. Carmella smiled broadly at them. “Hello, dears. It’s wonderful to see you two together.”
Sliding her arm around Julianne, Ali said, “I feel exactly the same way.”
Carmella gestured to the man. “This is Judd Lewis.”
“Hello, Mr. Lewis,” Ali said. “I’m Carmella’s daughter, Alessia.”
“Call me Judd, Ali.” He transferred his gaze to Julianne.
“I’m Julianne, a friend of the family.”
“She lives next door to me,” Carmella interrupted. “She’s like a second daughter.”
“I understand. Some of my children’s friends are also family to us.”
“Where are you from, Judd?” Ali asked pointedly.
“Up—”
He was interrupted by Finn, who tugged on Ali’s arm. “Come over here, Ali. We want to have a cousins’ picture.”
Reluctantly, Ali left. Julianne stayed. “You’re Carmella’s friend from upstate, aren’t you? She goes to see you every summer.”
Carmella raised a brow and chuckled. “How did you guess, dear? Everyone is supposed to think I just met him here at the party.”
“Judd called Alessia by her nickname. And you’re so secretive about your vacation every summer and in the clouds when you come back. I thought maybe you’d seen a…suitor.”
Judd touched her arm. “Julianne, Carmella wishes to keep our relationship from the family. We didn’t come to the party together. I met her here as a guest. I hope you’ll abide by her wishes.”
“I’d never do anything to hurt you, Carmella.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m just not ready to share this news with the children.”
“Fine by me.” She kissed Carmella’s cheek. “Have a lovely evening.”
As she moved to the crowd, Julianne saw Seth come out of Finn’s suite. What had he been doing in there all this time?
* * *
When the last guest left, Finn, Seth, Hayley and Paul sprawled out on the couches. “Whew,” Hayley quipped. “A lot of talking and socializing, but it was fun.”
Finn didn’t join in. Hayley noticed. “What’s wrong, Finn? Was the party too much for you?”
“No. I enjoyed it. Truthfully, I was thinking about celebrating our birthdays with Ronan. And what fun he made them.” He gave a rare grin. “He took us to the circus one year.”
“And to a ranch on the outskirts of Hidden Cove to ride
horses once.”
“None of which Bridget approved.” He gazed out the big windows in the front of the apartment. “I wish Ronan had come to our party. Paul thinks he’s local and keeps tabs on us. He could have known about it. Could have come.”
Seth cleared his throat. “He did come.”
“What?”
“What?”
“What?”
“I’m sorry to ruin your good moods, but I had to tell you. Ronan came in disguise as part of the catering staff. I was in your suite, Finn, talking to Julianne and when she left, he literally walked out of the shadows to speak to me.”
“Goddamn it!” Finn bolted up and started to pace. “He wished you a Happy Birthday, and not his own brother? What the fuck is wrong with that guy?”
Seth saw tears in Hayley’s eyes. His hand sneaked across the cushion to grab hers. “He asked me to say hello to you and Hayley. Tell you he loved you both.”
Finn sputtered, “Big fucking deal.”
Seth stood and went to a drawer where he’d stashed the present Ronan had given him. “He told me to give this to you.”
“What?”
“It’s a birthday present.”
“I don’t want anything from him.”
“Please, Finn, open it.” Hayley’s voice was tremulous.
Finn studied
her and must have seen how upset she was. “Fine.” He took the package from Seth. When he opened the lid of the box, he stared at the contents. His face paled.
“What is it?” Hayley asked.
“Dad’s watch. I remember he taught me and Ronan to tell time on it, years apart of course. How he’d show me what each button would do. I loved that watch because I got to spend time with Dad doing that. It was missing after the funeral. I wanted to hang on to Dad through it. And my brother had it all these years.” His voice cracked on the last words.
Hayley stood and crossed to him. Put her hand on his shoulder. “Maybe he needed it more than you. And if that’s true, he doesn’t need it anymore.” She whirled around to face Seth. “So why doesn’t he come back to us?”
“I asked him to make himself known. He said no. But he would, soon.”
Hayley went back to the couch and collapsed into the cushions. “I’m so tired of being mad at him.”
Still holding the present, Finn crossed and dropped into a chair. “Me, too. I know I punched him at the hospital, but I wish he’d come to see us again.”
“It’s a mystery to me why he doesn’t.” Seth didn’t know what else to say.
“Yep,” Finn snapped bitterly. “Just like our dramatic brother.”
* * *
Back in their Hyatt Hotel room, Ali and Julianne changed into Victoria’s Secret pajamas and sat on their respective beds. When they were teens, they loved the store’s nightwear and still did.
Ali brushed her hair while they talked. “I’m sorry I can’t stay tomorrow. My mother-in-law thought she could watch the kids for two days but Petey’s being a jerk.”
“Don’t worry about it. We can come to New York again.” Julianne gave her a reassuring smile. “Ali, I’d be glad to help out with the kids if you need a break. Or have a date.”
“What’s a date?”
“You could find somebody else, honey. You’re a beautiful woman.”
Ali shook her head. “I already had the love of a lifetime. I won’t get another. But that’s okay. I want to concentrate on college and a career.” She yawned. “Even if I wanted to date, I don’t have time.”
