by Cat Schield
“So you want her to stay longer?” Ethan asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Grady is happy.” Paul spoke with deliberate care. “Because he thinks his granddaughter is back.”
“I thought you were worried that he’d get too attached.”
Paul let out a frustrated sigh, hating that he found himself trapped between a rock and a hard place. “That ship sailed the moment we didn’t tell Grady the truth.” He paused and drank his beer, picturing his grandfather by the pool the day before, the amused fondness in his gaze as he watched what he thought to be his three granddaughters.
“I don’t know,” Ethan muttered, sounding more like Paul than Paul at the moment. “The longer we let this go the more we risk the truth coming out. Grady might never forgive us if he thinks we tricked him.”
Paul couldn’t believe the way the tables had turned. Usually he was the one sounding the alarm. “He’ll never know.”
“He’ll never know?” Ethan echoed, looking doubtful. “What’s gotten into you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were dead set against her pretending to be Ava’s daughter at all. Next you’ll be suggesting she should stay permanently.”
Ethan’s remark was a hit Paul didn’t see coming.
“Now that’s a really bad idea.” Paul trusted that he could keep his attraction hidden for another week or two, but pretending she was his first cousin wasn’t a long-term solution. In fact, it was more like endless hell. “We can’t keep lying to the whole family about her being Ava’s daughter.”
“About that...” Ethan stared out the windows that overlooked his expansive back lawn. “We’re no longer lying to the whole family.”
Ethan’s statement was a streaking comet along Paul’s nerve endings. “What does that mean?”
“It means that Mom ran into Taylor English the other day and she had a lot of questions about how Lia’s mom came to adopt her.”
“Do you think Taylor suspects that Lia’s not Ava’s daughter?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. Mom shared her concerns with Dad and he was worried. So...” A muscle flexed in Ethan’s jaw. “I told Dad the truth.”
“Damn it, Ethan.”
“He suggested running another DNA test,” his brother retorted in a reasonable tone that Paul found irritating. “And I was able to explain what we’re doing and why. It took some convincing, but I reminded Dad that Grady was on the verge of slipping away from us before he started believing his granddaughter had returned.”
Paul sputtered through a string of curses, until the revelation of what Ethan had not said sank in. “He knows we lied about Lia, but he hasn’t told anyone?”
“He hasn’t told Grady,” Ethan said, his precise wording catching Paul’s attention. “But I’m guessing he told Mom.”
“And his sister?”
“I don’t think so,” Ethan said. “Can you imagine Aunt Lenora keeping that secret to herself? She might be able to avoid letting it slip with Uncle Wiley, but she talks to the twins about everything.”
“Okay.” Paul rubbed his temple where a dull ache had developed. “So, you explained the plan to Dad and he was willing to keep Lia’s true identity a secret?”
“For a few days.” Ethan finished his beer and set it aside. “So you can see why it’s probably not a good idea to ask Lia to stay longer.”
“Just one more week can’t hurt,” Paul said, convinced he couldn’t make a decision about Lia in a few days. “I’ll talk to Dad.”
Ethan looked doubtful. “You should also check with Lia. She’s pretty keen to get back on the road.”
“Speaking of that,” Paul said. “I think we should revisit how much we’re paying her.”
Ethan studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Okay. But I thought you believed she was only in it for the money.”
Paul made a dismissive gesture. “That was before I got to know her better.”
“How much better?” Ethan demanded, his eyes narrowing.
“Well enough,” Paul retorted, unwilling to expound on the time he’d spent in Lia’s company. He pivoted the conversation back to something he was comfortable discussing. “She can’t leave town without a truck to pull her camper. I’ve been thinking that our grandfather’s health is worth a whole lot more than a brand-new truck, don’t you?”
“Okay. Let’s get her a truck with all the bells and whistles.” Ethan got off the couch and headed for the beverage cooler. “Just don’t be surprised when she decides against sticking around longer after she has the means to leave.”
Ethan’s warning plunged deep into the heart of what had been bothering Paul for days. He didn’t want Lia to disappear out of his life. The free-spirited nomad had entangled him in her quirky web of metaphysical nonsense and selfless generosity. Where he kept to himself and focused on business, she told fortunes, spread joy and showered positive energy on everyone she met.
He had yet to decide if being complete opposites would work for or against their romantic future. Since meeting her, Paul had begun noticing the concerns of those around him. He’d spent more time with his family in the last week than he had in the last few months. While he’d done so initially in order to keep an eye on Lia, as his suspicions about her faded, he’d realized how much he enjoyed interacting with his family.
“Do you think the lack of a vehicle is the only thing keeping her in Charleston?” Paul asked.
“That’s always been the impression she’s given me.” Ethan paused and regarded Paul with raised eyebrows. “Has she indicated that she’s ready to give up the road?”
“No.” And that was the problem. “But you’ve known her longer. I thought perhaps she’d mentioned what it would take for her to settle down.”
Ethan hit him with an odd look. “Why are you so interested?”
“It’s just...”
Asking Ethan for romantic advice was harder than he expected. Paul didn’t have a lot of practice putting his feelings into words. Nor was he good at sharing what was bothering him. That he wanted to try was another example of Lia’s influence.
“Are you asking because you’re attracted to her?” Ethan asked.
Feeling cornered, Paul kept his expression neutral. “She’s pretending to be our first cousin.” Yet he couldn’t deny that it was getting harder and harder to avoid letting his feelings for her show.
“She’s not our first cousin, though,” Ethan countered. “And once the truth comes out the situation will get even more complicated. She’s not going to want to stick around.”
“No one will blame her for the testing service getting it wrong. Let’s just see if she’ll delay leaving for another week.” Seeing his brother’s worried expression, Paul added, “For Grady’s sake.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Ethan said. “But you need to be clear about what you want. Lia isn’t someone you can toy with until an exciting project comes along that takes all your focus and energy.”
“What are you saying?” Paul demanded, bristling at his brother’s criticism.
“That if you’re leading her on, you can do a lot of damage in a very short period of time.”
* * *
Even though Ethan had invited his brother to go fishing, by the time their conversation concluded neither one was in the mood to take the boat out. Instead, after Paul left, Ethan wandered into his home office and contemplated the second genetic testing kit he’d ordered, but hadn’t yet used.
As much as he wanted to satisfy the ever-intensifying craving to connect with his biological family, he recognized the revelations could come at a cost. Not only did he risk upsetting the people who loved him, but also he could be opening himself up to disappointment and heartbreak. Ethan couldn’t explain his pessimism over the outcome, but recognized that not taking the test left him no better or worse off than he was at the moment.<
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And after watching Paul struggle with his fears and desires concerning Lia, Ethan was even more wary of throwing himself into an emotional maelstrom.
When he’d introduced Lia to his family as Ava’s daughter, the last thing Ethan had imagined was that Paul would complicate the situation by developing feelings for her. Paul was too logic-driven to appreciate Lia’s spiritual nature and too skeptical to ever trust her motives for helping them. Then again, physical attraction was a powerful thing and could lead to an emotional connection. Even in someone as jaded and pragmatic as Paul.
While Ethan enjoyed seeing his guarded older brother thrown off-balance, concern for Lia tempered Ethan’s satisfaction. Although she claimed that traveling around so much kept her from getting too attached to those she met, Ethan sensed that this time was different. If Lia fell for Paul the way he appeared to be falling for her, she’d throw her heart and soul at him and if Paul didn’t wise up, she might end up hurt.
Turning away from the complicated and messy ramifications of his actions, Ethan focused on the trio of good things that had resulted. Grady’s improved health. The healing rift between Paul and his grandfather. And one that Ethan hadn’t expected, but found himself grateful for—the renewed connection with his brother.
Ethan hadn’t realized the cost of pushing Paul away until the scheme with Lia had brought them together again. Setting his fingertips on the genetic testing kit, Ethan shoved it away. Maybe it was time to appreciate the family who loved him and not chase something that might not be out there.
* * *
The Sunday morning after Ryan and Zoe’s wedding dawned as clear and golden as so many others Lia had experienced in her sumptuous bedroom. Despite her late return to the estate, she was awake with the sun. On a typical morning, she would bound out of bed and begin her day with yoga on the terrace overlooking the lush garden. But today didn’t feel typical. Her mind raced, but her body felt sluggish. She curled herself around a pillow and clung to the glow from the previous night with Paul.
Three short days from now the news would break that she wasn’t Grady’s granddaughter, freeing her from the lies and obligations keeping her in Charleston. In the beginning, with Paul treating her like a criminal, Lia had dreaded the deception and longed for the moment when she could get back on the road. The sheer size and elegance of the Watts estate, not to mention the rules and traditions that operated within its walls, had been overwhelming. She wasn’t used to being around people so much and missed the long hours of solitude to meditate or read or daydream.
But one thing that all her traveling to new towns had instilled in Lia was adaptability. Her acquaintances and jobs were constantly changing. So she’d learned how to function within the tight-knit Watts clan with their frequent visits to check on Grady, outgoing natures, busybody ways. And to her surprise, she’d started to enjoy the fun-loving twins, the kind mothering of Lenora and Constance and even Paul’s unsettling presence.
Confronted with the reality that she would soon be leaving it all behind, sadness sat like a large stone in her stomach, weighing her down. Yet she couldn’t deny there was relief, as well. Living with the lie that she was Grady’s granddaughter made her anxious and her attraction to Paul complicated everything.
With her emotions seesawing with each breath she took, Lia struggled to maintain her usual equanimity as she ate with Grady on the back terrace. She knew his family credited her with his daily improvement, but Lia put the credit squarely on his shoulders. His determination was only matched by his enthusiasm to try anything she’d suggested. The singing that had worked in the beginning hadn’t been the only method to help him communicate. She’d created a notebook of common words and phrases that he could point to, which sped up conversations and eased frustration all around.
Grady had improved to the point that he intended to join the family for dinner that night. Leaving him to rest, Lia took a taxi to a nearby discount auto sales lot where she’d identified a truck that she hoped might be a good fit. The price was higher than she’d anticipated paying, but she was running out of time to find something that could pull Misty. Unfortunately, when she got to the lot, she discovered that the vehicle had already been sold, and nothing else they had would work.
She was on the verge of heading back to the estate when Ethan called her. When she explained what she was up to, he offered to act as her chauffeur.
“How was the wedding?” he asked as she slid into the passenger seat of his bright blue Mercedes twenty minutes later.
“It was beautiful. The ceremony was so heartfelt and romantic. I cried.” She sighed at the memory. “Silly, isn’t it? I don’t even know Ryan and Zoe, but all I could think was how they belonged together.”
A lump formed in Lia’s throat as she recalled the way Ryan had looked at his bride. The love between them was like a stone tossed into a pond, rippling out from the couple to touch all the guests. She trembled as she recalled a moment during the vows when Paul’s gaze had found hers amongst the well-wishers. The fleeting connection had sent a shock wave through Lia from head to toe.
“They really do,” Ethan agreed. “It’s as if everything that they went through created a one-of-a-kind connection between them.”
Lia nodded. “That’s what Paul said, as well.”
“Paul said that?” Ethan blinked in surprise.
“I know, right?” She laughed. “It doesn’t seem like him at all.”
Ethan considered that for a moment. “I think his emotions go deeper than he lets on. He just needs someone he cares about to start breaking down his walls.”
Lia didn’t know how to respond, so she fidgeted with her phone. “While I was waiting for you to pick me up, I found a couple options at a dealer west of town.”
“We can check those out, but I have a friend who owns a dealership and can get you a deal on something brand-new.”
“I can’t afford brand-new,” Lia insisted.
“Paul and I discussed that and we’d like to help you out.”
“That wasn’t part of our original deal,” she murmured ungraciously, as she revisited her mixed feelings about accepting the dress from the twins.
Obviously neither Paul nor Ethan understood that she didn’t welcome the handout. While part of her acknowledged they perceived their offer as helpful, Lia resented being treated like a charity case.
“Well, we’d like to alter our original deal.”
“Alter it how?”
“We were wondering if you could stick around another week.”
For days she’d been bracing herself to leave on the date they’d agreed on. Lia contemplated Ethan’s offer with a mixture of relief and dismay. As much as she wanted more time with Paul, this increased the risk that someone besides Dallas might suspect something was going on between them.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked. “Grady is doing so much better. I don’t think there’s any chance that his health will be impacted when he finds out I’m not Ava’s daughter.”
“I agree with you,” Ethan said. “This was all Paul’s idea.”
Tears sprang to Lia’s eyes, forcing her to turn her gaze to the passing landscape. She knew better than to read too much into what Ethan said. Paul might only be thinking of his grandfather’s welfare and not have more personal motives.
“Is something wrong?”
She grasped for some explanation that would convince Ethan of the folly of her staying longer and recalled her conversation with Dallas the night before. Given how tight the twins were, how long could they count on Dallas to keep their secret?
“Something happened last night,” she said.
“You don’t say.”
His tone was so sly that Lia blinked her eyes dry and turned to look at him. Something about his knowing grin sent a spike of anxiety straight through her.
Did he know? She and Paul we
re playing a dangerous game.
“Dallas knows I’m not your cousin,” she blurted out, hoping to distract him.
“Oh.”
“Just oh?” She’d braced herself to deal with his dismay. “Why aren’t you more upset?”
“I guess that means the jig is up.”
“Not yet,” Lia replied, her frustration rising at his casual manner. Living in fear of being found out for nearly two weeks had taken a toll on her nerves. “I talked her out of telling anyone by promising it would only be a few more days before we tell Grady. So you see why we can’t keep going with this.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Ethan said. “Maybe if I explain and let her tell Poppy we can go a little longer.”
“What if I don’t want to stay?” Lia murmured.
“Is this because Paul didn’t ask you himself?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” But even as she denied it, heat surged into Lia’s cheeks.
“I knew it,” Ethan said, looking concerned. “I knew something was going on between you two.”
“It’s not like that.” Even as she spoke, Lia could see that protesting was a waste of breath.
“It’s exactly like that. Paul is attracted to you. And it looks as if his feelings are reciprocated.”
“Well, yes. But it’s just...” She’d almost said sex. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Are you sure?”
Lia fidgeted with her phone. “We’re not in the least compatible.”
“Here’s where you’re making assumptions. Has it occurred to you that he doesn’t need someone who’s like him, but someone who balances him? Someone who’s lively and impulsive and knows exactly how to get him out of his head?”