The Billionaire's Heart

by Christina Tetreault

  And as much as he loved Erin, he hadn’t planned on having a child with Amber. It had simply happened.

  Erin’s innocent question had him thinking about the future and topics that rarely entered his mind. No question about it, he not only wanted Leah in his life forever, but he also wanted children with her someday.

  Another clap of thunder exploded, and the warm body pressed against his side moved. Leah’s eyes opened and met his as lightning lit up the room again.

  “Wow, that was loud,” she said, her voice laced with sleep.

  He brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “I’m surprised some of the other ones didn’t wake you.”

  “I can usually sleep through anything. Did the storm wake you?” Leah put an arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “No, I was still up.”

  The weight on his shoulder disappeared and Leah propped herself up on one elbow. “Something wrong?”

  “Just thinking about tomorrow.” And you. “Erin didn’t bring it up tonight, but now that the question is in her head, there’s a decent chance she’ll realize you never answered her today. When she does, she’ll ask me instead.”

  “Honestly, I’d rather have her ask you than me.”

  For the moment the room was again dark so he couldn’t see her face, but it sounded like she was smiling.

  “Are you going to answer or try to change the subject?” she asked.

  “I’ll answer because she’ll keep asking.”

  Then he’d ask her a question of his own. After seeing them together, he expected she’d be happy about Leah becoming her stepmother soon, but he still wanted to ask. Afterward they’d visit some jewelry stores, because at some point in the very near future he was going to need a ring, and he wanted Erin to be a part of the selection process.

  Slowly the storm moved away, and Leah fell back asleep with her head still on his shoulder and an arm across his torso. But even with Leah next to him, Gavin remained awake, staring into the darkness and considering the how and when he should propose once he had a ring in hand. Even if they found the perfect one tomorrow, asking anytime in the next week or so was out. He wanted the moment to be memorable but low-key and, most importantly, private. As much as he adored Erin, he didn’t want her around when he asked Leah, which meant whatever he decided on would have to wait until she was back in Providence with her mom.

  Eventually Gavin forced his eyes closed and drifted off to sleep. Thoughts of his and Leah’s future followed him.

  ***

  Gavin skipped breakfast but sat at the counter and drank coffee while Leah ate a bagel slathered with cream cheese. At the moment, they had the kitchen to themselves, but although it was early, at any minute Erin might come running in, eager to first redecorate with the things she and Leah bought yesterday and then go on today’s outing.

  He’d intended to take her hiking since they missed out on it Monday when Gigi showed up. Now he was reconsidering. He had no idea how long Erin’s room would take, and he wanted to do some shopping of his own today, which was something else he didn’t know how long would take. Gavin wouldn’t settle for any old ring. It needed to suit Leah’s personality, so he might be visiting a lot of stores over the next few days.

  Gavin was making a mental list of all the jewelry stores he was familiar with when Leah came back from refilling her coffee and sat down. “If you can get her to wait, I’ll help Erin with her room when I get back tonight,” she offered.

  He’d never hung a curtain in his life. Gavin was confident Leah had never done it either, not that it mattered. Getting Erin to wait until tonight so Leah could help wasn’t happening. Even getting her into bed last night without putting her new sheets on first had been difficult. She even told them she’d sleep better with the unicorn sheets on the bed than she would with the gray-and-white striped one on there now.

  “We’ll manage,” he replied. “I know you took yesterday off, but is there any way you can take the seventeenth and eighteenth off?”

  He should probably make sure the cabin he wanted to rent was available before he asked, but if it was when he called, he wanted to be able to book it. He’d been renting the small cabin up in Maine for years. He’d even asked the current owners, a married couple in the early sixties, if they were interesting in selling. They’d declined but promised to let him know before they contacted a real estate agent, because they would be ready to sell in another two or three years.

  Overlooking a lake, the cabin was isolated from everyone. He went there once a year to just get away from the city and life in general. Never had he brought anyone along, not even Erin. Gavin wanted to share it with Leah.

  “It shouldn’t be a problem. Why? What have you got planned?” she asked.

  “Maybe nothing. I’ll tell you tonight.”

  Assuming he found the perfect ring in the next week, the cabin would be a perfect place to propose. Even if he didn’t, two nights alone there with Leah would be wonderful.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gavin hated when his visits with Erin came to an end. It was no different this time. Today was their last full day together. Tomorrow he’d bring her back to Amber in Providence, and until Thanksgiving he’d be back to seeing Erin only every other weekend.

  Disappointment wasn’t the only emotion affecting him this time around. Healthy doses of excitement, nervousness, and something bordering on dread had taken their turns over the last two or three days. Right now dread pressed down on his chest.

  Leah insisted she didn’t care that Harry would be at Piper’s party. While he knew she wouldn’t make a scene, his half brother was another story. Often the guy didn’t think before he opened his big mouth. Gavin worried he’d say something and create an uncomfortable situation for all of them, but especially Leah. Unfortunately, other than keeping her as far from Harry as possible, there wasn’t much he could do today.

  “It’s a little late for an April Fools’ joke,” Leah said to the person on the other end of the line.

  When the device had rang and she checked the screen, she’d merely said it was her brother, so he didn’t know if she was talking to Curt or Brett. He guessed it was Curt but only because since he’d known Leah, Brett had never called her.

  Gavin checked the side mirror before switching lanes and listened to Leah’s half of the conversation.

  “You’re serious?”

  Whatever information her brother was sharing, Leah was having one hell of a time accepting.

  She listened to the caller’s reply. “Let me know what I can help with. And I’ll come and visit soon.” Leah ended the call and returned the cell phone to her purse.

  He didn’t want to be nosy, but his curiosity got the better of him. “Is everything okay?”

  Leah’s face scrunched up in confusion, and she scratched her head as if still trying to comprehend what her brother had shared. “Yeah, that was Brett. He’s entering the special election for Senator Brown’s seat in Washington.”

  Considering the number of politicians in her family tree, he didn’t find the news surprising. But she did.

  “When I saw him in June, he didn’t say anything about leaving active duty. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. And he’s never said a word about wanting to go into politics.”

  He didn’t tell his sister everything, but a life change like Brett had made did seem like something you’d share with your siblings. If the guy hadn’t, Gavin guessed, Brett had his reasons. “Where did he move to?”

  The late Senator Brown was from Massachusetts. If Brett was running in the special election to fill the spot left open by the senator’s recent death, he had relocated.

  She dropped her hand back in her lap. “North Salem. He bought a house there a few years ago but hasn’t spent much time there. It’s a cute little town. My cousin Jake’s wife is originally from there.”

  He’d never heard of it, but considering the name, it must be located on the North Shore near Salem, a city
probably everyone in the United States was familiar with thanks to the famous Salem Witch trials in the early 1690s.

  “Brett wouldn’t joke about running for the Senate, so I know he’s serious. But I never would’ve expected it from him. One of my cousins, definitely, but not him. He doesn’t need it, but I offered to help out with the campaign.”

  Having the last name Sherbrooke already gave her brother a leg up over whoever he ran against, and they both knew it.

  “Are we almost there?” Erin called from the back seat. Until now she’d spent the ride from the city to his dad’s home in Stamford, Connecticut, with her head buried in a book while she listened to music.

  Hoping to avoid traffic, he’d avoided the highways as much as possible. While it made for a more enjoyable ride, it also made the trip slightly longer. “About another five minutes.”

  “Modern contemporary” described the architecture style of the home his dad built eight years ago, and at least from the outside it resembled several of the houses near it. While not Gavin’s preferred style, he didn’t find anything distasteful about the exterior.

  The inside was another matter entirely.

  Thanks to Kerry, his dad’s fourth wife, ostentatious and gaudy were the only two words in the English language that adequately described the home’s interior. Since she was only a year older than him, Gavin couldn’t think of the former beauty pageant contestant and model as his stepmother. And while she was sweet and seemed to be a good mother, Kerry decorated homes the same way she dressed: to draw attention.

  Piper opened the front door and gave him a quick hug and a hello before turning all her attention to Erin. “I’ve been waiting for you to get here,” she said to Erin, who, although neither girl ever thought about it, was technically her niece. “I have to tell you something.” Piper grabbed Erin’s hand and pulled her toward the staircase.

  He didn’t think his half sister could have anything left to tell Erin. Since she’d been with him, Erin had talked to Piper on the phone almost every day. Even when she was in Providence with her mom, they talked a few times a week.

  “I bet it’s about a boy,” Leah commented.

  “She won’t even be eleven until next week.” He didn’t know what Piper needed to tell Erin, but it didn’t involve a boy.

  Leah chuckled softly. “Wait. You’ll see I’m right.”

  Dad and Kerry had been married for almost twelve years. To date it was the longest any of Dad’s marriages had lasted. Yet even after twelve years, Gavin found it awkward when he introduced Kerry, a woman young enough to be his father’s daughter, as Dad’s wife.

  Linking their hands, Gavin started toward the back of the house. In the summer, his dad’s wife liked to entertain outside around the pool. “Have you ever met Kerry?”

  “Nope, but I met your dad once,” she replied.

  He was about to tell her a little about his father’s wife when Kerry opened the glass door and stepped inside.

  “Gavin.” She moved straight toward them, her large breasts barely contained in her bikini top and a sarong tied low around her waist exposing her flat, well-toned stomach. And even from several yards away he could see the large diamond belly ring sparkling in her navel.

  Kerry wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the mouth. Beside him Leah stiffened, and he wished he’d told her all about Dad’s wife last night.

  “Piper’s been driving me crazy wanting to know when you and Erin would get here,” she said, dropping her arms back to her sides.

  He didn’t need to look. He felt Leah’s eyes shooting laser beams his way, demanding some answers. If the roles were reversed and some guy planted one on Leah’s lips, he’d be demanding answers too.

  “Erin didn’t want to get out of bed this morning,” he explained before he cleared his throat. “Kerry, this is my girlfriend, Leah.”

  This is Gavin’s stepmom? She picked her chin up off the floor.

  At least half her friends and several of her former boyfriends had stepparents, so she’d met plenty of stepmothers. Never had she been introduced to one who was about her own age and dressed like this for a family party. Or one who kissed her stepson on the lips.

  “Piper said you were bringing your girlfriend.” Kerry looked her way. “It’s nice to meet you.” Rather than extend a hand, Kerry hugged her, leaving Leah no other choice but to reciprocate.

  “Erin told Piper all about the day she spent shopping with you. From what Piper shared, it sounded like you two had a lot of fun. And now Piper is begging to redecorate her room again. We did it last year around Christmas.”

  Leah wondered if the girl’s bedroom was as over the top as what she’d seen so far of the house.

  “Your dad and Gigi are outside. I’m going to get another mimosa. Do either of you want one?”

  When they both declined, Kerry sauntered off, reminding Leah of a model strutting up and down the catwalk. She waited until the woman was out of earshot before she spoke. “That’s your father’s wife?” It was an unnecessary question, but it still slipped out.

  Considering Piper’s age, it made sense Gavin’s stepmother was younger than his father. However, she’d expected to meet a woman maybe ten or twelve years younger than Donald Kincaid, not a woman young enough to be his daughter.

  A sound she couldn’t label escaped him before Gavin spoke. “Yep. There’s a considerable age difference between them. But somehow their relationship works. They’ve been together twelve years. Their marriage has lasted longer than all of Dad’s other ones combined.”

  Maybe the fourth time’s the charm.

  They joined Gavin’s dad and grandmother outside. At the moment they were the only ones there, but the white tent set up suggested a lot of guests were expected for this afternoon’s party. Whether they were all family members or Piper’s friends was anyone’s guess.

  “Before the guests arrive, I’d like to speak with you,” Donald said after greetings were exchanged. “Assuming you don’t mind of course, Leah.” He smiled at her, causing him to look even more like an older version of Gavin. “Business matters. I’m sure you know how that goes.”

  Oh, she knew all too well. Countless times Dad or one of her uncles had needed to address work-related issues in the middle of parties and family gatherings.

  Gavin appeared ready to protest, but she spoke up before he could. “I don’t mind. Really.”

  “We’ll keep each other company and get to know each other better,” Gigi added. “We didn’t get much of a chance to talk when I brought Erin home.”

  Gavin still looked torn between discussing business and sticking by her side. Finally, he squeezed her hand gently before letting go. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched the two men walk away already in conversation.

  “Excellent, they’re gone,” Gigi said. “Now I can tell you all about what a wonderful man my grandson is—not that I need to I’m sure. But he is my favorite grandson, and I’d be remiss in my grandmotherly duties if I didn’t make sure you knew just what a great man he is.”

  Her own grandmother might have a favorite grandchild, Leah really didn’t know, but if Grama did, she never let it be known.

  Gavin never spoke about any cousins. If Gigi’s only two grandsons were Gavin and Harry, it was no big surprise Gavin was her favorite. “How many grandsons do you have?”

  Gigi patted the chair next to her. “Five. And I have three granddaughters. Gavin is the oldest of the group,” she answered before launching into what was clearly one of her favorite topics.

  Leah listened patiently as the older woman sang Gavin’s praises. Eventually Piper and Erin found their way outside. When Erin spotted her and Gigi sitting together, she pulled Piper over to them.

  “When can we do another cooking lesson?” Erin asked, hugging her great-grandmother.

  “I’ll check with your dad and see what works,” the older woman promised. “Have you introduced Piper to Leah yet?”

  They’d met briefl
y while she was dating Harry, but Leah wasn’t sure Piper remembered.

  “Piper, this is Leah. She’s Dad’s girlfriend.” Erin took care of the introductions.

  “I thought you were Harry’s girlfriend?” Piper asked.

  Great, she remembers meeting me.

  Both Erin and Gigi looked as confused as Piper.

  “We, ah, we dated for a little while, but it didn’t work out. We weren’t a good match.” Talk about the understatement of the century.

  “Piper has a new trampoline. We’re going to use it. Do you want to come?” Erin asked, apparently satisfied with Leah’s explanation.

  She remembered the exact last time she’d used a trampoline. It had been at her uncle’s house. Despite the heat, she and her cousins Courtney and Juliette had started a backflip contest on the trampoline. Her first attempt went fine. Somehow on her second she missed the mark and landed on the ground, breaking her arm in two places. She hadn’t stepped foot on a trampoline since. Leah wasn’t going to break that record today, even if it would make Erin happy.

  “I’m going to pass today. But have fun.” And be careful. She kept the rest of the sentence to herself.

  The girls ran off to another part of the estate, leaving Leah alone with Gavin’s grandmother.

  Gigi folded her wrinkled hands on the table. “Were you and Harry together long?”

  It really was none of the woman’s business, but Leah preferred not to be rude either, especially since Gavin held the woman in such high regard. “No. We were only together for about two and a half months. We broke up on April Fools’ Day.”

  And he played one hell of an April fools’ joke on me that day.