Diving Into Love (McCallister's Paradise Book 2)

by Rhondeau, Chantel

  When Sydney's office is trashed and she receives a threatening message, she's certain Matt must be responsible. After confronting him, however, she learns there is more to this man than is apparent at first glance. There's something about his eyes... besides, who can resist a man who helps homeless people get back on their feet? He seems to truly care about people and swears he would never hurt anyone.

  Together, they work to uncover the identity of the person threatening Sydney, and Matt seems determined to keep her safe. Questions remain for her, despite the excitement Matt brings to her life... Does he care about her for herself, or is he more interested in her family money and what that could mean for his charity?

  Chapter 1

  “Is this torture ever going to end?” Sydney McCallister looked across the table. “Aren’t you bored stiff?”

  Sierra Burns laughed, her curly red hair flying in the breeze coming off the ocean. “I’m okay. Besides, look at Quinn and Larissa. They’re so happy.”

  Resting her elbow on the white tablecloth, Sydney set her chin in her hand and stared out at the middle of the beach. All the wedding guests were having the time of their lives dancing to the upbeat music. Her oldest brother, Quinn, looked handsome in a white tux, a stark contrast to his black hair. If anything, his bride was more radiant than he was.

  Larissa’s face glowed a healthy pink and her smile stretched so wide it was practically the only thing noticeable. She’d bunched her wedding dress into her hands, not worrying about the sand getting in the fabric or the wrinkles she put in it. Her hair had even grown out nicely the past few months to where it was nearly shoulder length.

  Sydney nodded but sighed. “I’m happy for them, but they should leave for their honeymoon cruise so we can get out of these ugly bridesmaid dresses.”

  Sierra looked down at herself. “They aren’t that bad. I like the straps. And at least she asked us to be in the bridal party.”

  “Yeah, but her best friend picked the color. She looks like a chocolate goddess in this green. I look like a pasty ball of snow that got thrown up on.”

  “You do not. You look beautiful.”

  “Yeah?” Sydney challenged. “Then why hasn’t anyone asked me to dance?”

  Sierra rolled her eyes. “They’re scared. I think it’s the sign on your forehead that says F-off.”

  “I’m not telling anyone to fu—”

  “Shhh...” Sierra cut her off and looked down on the ground between them to where the baby chair rested. “Ryan’s not sleeping, and he’s starting to talk now.”

  Ryan was one man Sydney could be happy with. Her nephew seemed twice the size he was when she visited two months ago. It almost made Sydney sad to go back to New York next week. How big would the baby be before she made it back again?

  Sydney needed to stop being bitchy and focus on something good. “I’m happy you guys are doing so well, Sierra. I really am. Parker said Ryan likes the new house.”

  Sierra smiled tenderly at Ryan’s head. “He’s sleeping through the night already in his new room. He’s the smartest kid, really. He says ma-ma and da-da, and just the other day, I swear he said ba-ba. My kid’s a genius.”

  So much for the initial fear Sierra had about helping Parker raise his son. If Sydney didn’t know better, she’d think Sierra was Ryan’s real mom. Now, if only her brother would do the right thing and marry Sierra, that family could be secure.

  “Why didn’t you guys get married today?” she asked. “We could have made it a double wedding.”

  Sierra wrinkled her nose. “Why? You worried about having to sit through this again sometime?”

  With a chuckle, Sydney shrugged. “Maybe a little, but I’m really happy Parker found you. Just like Quinn and Larissa, you and Parker are made for each other.”

  And that was a depressing thought. Her older brothers had both found their perfect mates, and yet Sydney was still in the rat race, never finding anyone she could really fall for.

  “Are you okay, Syd?” Sierra rested her hand lightly against Sydney’s shoulder. “Parker said you were bringing a guy home to meet everyone this week, and then you showed up alone. What happened?”

  “Turns out, New Yorkers can be assholes. I should have known better than to date someone from that city.”

  “It makes sense to date there though. You spend most of your time in New York working on the charity.”

  The memory of walking into her apartment last week and seeing Timothy screwing her assistant was still fresh and painful. What was wrong with the man? It wasn’t like Sydney was terribly old at twenty-six. Sure, her assistant was twenty-one and blonde, whereas Sydney’s hair was a mousy brown, but she’d never even suspected Tim was interested in the younger woman. She was ready to introduce him to her family, for shit sakes. What kind of dick did that?

  “Tim cheated on me.”

  Sierra’s eyes widened. “What a jerk.”

  “That’s mild for the words I’ve used, but yes, he’s a jerk.”

  She appreciated the sympathy. She hadn’t had a lot of time to bond with Sierra, but the woman had a good head on her shoulders, despite her past history of being abused.

  Out on the dance floor, Sydney watched as Parker danced with one of the resort’s waitresses.

  “Doesn’t that bother you?” she asked, wondering why Sierra didn’t worry Parker would cheat on her with as much as he flirted.

  Sierra looked over her shoulder and then shrugged. “Someone has to watch Ryan during the party, and Parker’s a social butterfly. I don’t care if he flirts with them, as long as he comes home with me.”

  “Well, I have a problem with it. A man needs to spend time with his woman.” Sydney reached into Ryan’s chair, unbuckling the straps on his seat and pulling him into her arms. “I’m taking this baby dancing. You go out and get your man.”

  Sierra hesitated, obviously not sure she wanted to be separated from Ryan.

  “Seriously? You’re worried about me watching him? I’ve got this.” Sydney jerked her head in Parker’s direction. “Go. We’ll be out there in a few seconds and you can keep an eye on him if you really want to. Parker needs to flirt with you, no one else.”

  “You’re right. Okay, I’ll do it. Thanks, Syd.” Sierra slipped off her dress shoes and raced across the sand.

  Sydney watched, satisfied when Parker immediately stopped dancing with his current partner and headed for his true love.

  Maybe Sydney had issues with romance, but at least her two older brothers were happy.

  Ryan yawned, but stared up at her, his dark blue eyes seeming inquisitive, not afraid of the virtual stranger holding him.

  “Hey, kiddo. You ready to dance with Auntie Syd?” She stood up, bouncing him slightly in her arms. “Let’s rock this joint and show those men I don’t need them. I’ve got the cutest man here anyway.”

  * * *

  By the time the party wound down, Sydney was exhausted. She’d sleep well tonight, that was for sure.

  Parker walked up beside her, taking Ryan from her tired arms. “Thanks, sis.” He kissed her cheek. “Sierra insisted we keep Ryan with us and that I enjoy myself, but I really wanted to spend the afternoon with her.”

  Shaking out her arms, she nodded. “Happy to help, but that kid’s getting way too big to hold for very long. I need a smaller one.”

  Parker shrugged. “We’re trying for a smaller one, trust me. Every night.”

  “Ewww.” Sydney punched his shoulder. “I don’t want to hear about that, you pervert.”

  Parker threw his head back in laughter, and Ryan squealed happily along with him, screaming, “Da-da, Da-da.”

  “See?” Parker asked. “My kid knows I’m funny.”

  It was probably a good time to change the subject. She was glad his relationship had turned out well, but thinking of him and Sierra... No. Just no. “When is Quinn and Larissa’s jet leaving to take them across to Hawaii?”

  “Soon. That reminds me, they want us to meet them at the airpor
t. I guess there’s something they have to tell the family before leaving. Wanna catch a ride with Sierra and me?”

  “If you promise not to talk about making babies again.”

  Swinging back by the table to grab their shoes and Ryan’s seat, they met up with Sierra and headed toward the road where the solar-powered cars waited.

  One good thing about owning an island resort, the staff would take care of cleaning up the party mess. However, Sydney didn’t think any of them would complain too much about having to work. November was always a slow time for the island, and the McCallisters had made the decision to close it down for the week of the wedding. The fun and festivities had lasted five days, and the employees, as an extended part of the McCallister family, were there enjoying every bit of it.

  Before long, they pulled into the airport’s parking lot. Sydney’s younger brothers, Brad and Shane, had driven over with their parents and they all headed through the doors.

  “Looks like we beat Quinn here,” Sydney observed.

  Parker glanced at her in the rearview mirror, a smile lighting his eyes. “Maybe they stopped off for a quickie.”

  “Parker!” Sierra clearly disapproved, judging by the tone of her voice. “You’ll be sorry you talked like that when your son’s first real word is quickie!”

  Sydney couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, Sierra. I think I bring out the worst in him. He probably doesn’t act this way when I’m not around.”

  Shifting to look into the back seat, Sierra smiled. “It’s fine. I’m just jealous. You’re all so close. I wish I had brothers and a sister like you all.”

  Sydney squeezed Sierra’s shoulder. “You might not have married him yet, but we are your family now, Sierra. What happened to you before doesn’t matter. You’re one of us.”

  Parker caught Sierra’s hand in his and kissed it. “Told you so. Everyone feels that way.”

  Sydney hoped one day Sierra would truly be able to get over what her parents had done to her. However, after being tossed down a flight of stairs, thrown through a glass coffee table, and whatever other horrible things her parents had done, Sydney understood the woman’s hesitation to trust how much the McCallisters cared about her. She’d learn. This family had a way of closing ranks and sticking together.

  “I’ll get Ryan,” she told the lovebirds. “There’s Quinn and Larissa right now, with Larissa’s parents, so you were wrong, Parker. We’d better hurry inside.”

  She unbuckled Ryan, who had switched to saying Ma-ma and reaching for Sierra.

  After climbing from the car, she passed him over. “He wants his mama.”

  The smile on Sierra’s face was worth giving up holding her nephew.

  They walked into the airport building at the same time as Quinn, Larissa, and her folks, stopping for another round of hugs and congratulations.

  Larissa squeezed Sydney extra tight. “I don’t think any of this would have happened without you, Syd. Thanks for knocking sense into your brother last year when I got sick.”

  “No problem. Sis.”

  Larissa grinned. “I like that.”

  Once everyone quieted down, Quinn held a hand out to his new wife. “Come here, beautiful. Let’s tell our news so we can head out.”

  She hurried to his side, her smile still as large as it had been all day. “We have great news, and we wanted the family to know first.”

  Quinn kissed her forehead, his smile rivaling hers. “We’re having a baby.”

  The room erupted into another round of congratulations, although their mother was cautious and didn’t join in. “Are you healthy enough for a baby, Larissa?” Susan asked.

  “We already talked to my oncologist,” Larissa said. “Everything’s fine. Looks like Ryan will have a playmate soon enough.”

  “Yeah, Susan,” Elaine, Larissa’s mother said. “All of Larissa’s lab work has been clean for months. This is really great news. We’re going to be grandparents!”

  With this reassurance, Susan stepped forward and hugged Quinn and Larissa. “You’ll be wonderful parents.”

  Sydney didn’t miss the happy tears in her mom’s eyes. The only thing lacking, as far as the elder McCallisters were concerned, was a ton of grandchildren running around the island.

  Good thing Quinn and Parker could solve that problem. The way things were going, she’d never find someone to have kids with.

  Chapter 2

  Matthew Coleson checked the McCallister Family Charity Fund website again, reading the list of grant recipients. Gripping the mouse so hard it made his fingers ache, Matt wondered how the jerk in charge of assigning grants could pass him over. Did no one care about homeless people anymore? Some of them were veterans back from Afghanistan and needing a hand up to get back on their feet. Didn’t Syd McCallister care?

  Once again, Matt clicked over to the “Contact Us” page, even though by now he had the phone number memorized. For the past week he’d called every day, several times a day, but the line always went to a voicemail box and no one had returned his calls.

  They awarded three grants to art galleries. Three. Couldn’t one of those have been given to him instead? With the cutbacks in his governmental grant, Matt would be lucky to keep the doors of New Beginnings open past April.

  Five months and then what would he do? He couldn’t just turn them away. These people needed help.

  Typing the number for the charity fund into his cell phone, Matt pushed send and held his breath.

  After three rings a woman’s voice snapped, “Hello?”

  He was so surprised someone answered, Matt wondered if he called the wrong number. “Um, uh, is this the McCallister Family Charity Fund?”

  “Yep.”

  Classy. Their receptionist was a real people person.

  “I was wondering if I could talk to the man in charge of giving out grants.” Matt did his best to stay pleasant, even though he’d like to scream and rant about how they needed to help him.

  “The man in charge?” Laughter came over the line. “I think you’ll be waiting a while to speak to him.”

  She was laughing at him? That did it. “Look, ma’am. I don’t know if you value your job, but you might treat people a little better. When Syd McCallister hears how rude you are, he’s not going to be happy.”

  “You look, mister. I’m terribly busy. Can you just say what you need? I’ll pass the message along to the man.”

  “I’m Matthew Coleson, and I wanted to talk to him about why my program didn’t get a grant.”

  “Of course you do. That’s all any of you want, more money. Is it a wonder I went to my brother’s wedding and didn’t check messages all week? I don’t have time for this. I’m sorry your charity wasn’t chosen,” she said in an impatient voice. “The McCallister Family Charity gets thousands of proposals each year and fund as many as they can. Better luck next year.” The line went dead.

  She seriously just hung up on him? Before, Matt had felt desperate and panicked. Now he was pissed. Sure, it would probably be better to cut his losses, but it was the principle of the matter. The McCallister name was respected all around the country—their island resort popular and considered a première vacation spot.

  If Syd McCallister learned how his staff treated people, he’d probably be appreciative to learn his good name was being disparaged by the receptionist. If that happened, maybe Matt could use his gratitude. A nice, fat grant would be a good way for the man to say thank you.

  Grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair, Matt stood and slung his arms into it. It was his last option, so hopefully it would work.

  An apartment on the first floor of New Beginnings served as his office and the clubhouse for the tenants. This place was used for the participants to meet with counselors, get tutoring help for college work, and use the computers set up in the kitchen and living room. It worked out well, though Matt wished he had a real office and better places for the tenants to learn.

  Tables set up like desks in the living
room did the job well enough, though. Generic paintings of mountains and lakes gave the space a calming atmosphere. No one had complained, at least, not so far. The apartment’s second bedroom served as a private area for counseling sessions. When they held Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the evenings, it was convenient to have the kitchen right there to serve refreshments. Things could be worse.

  Well, they would be worse if he didn’t get some money coming in to keep the building open.

  He rushed from the office through the hallway and into the restroom. A quick check in the mirror revealed his light brown hair was still in place and no food was stuck to his face from his hastily eaten sandwich at lunch.

  The door opened, and Mel Parks walked in. “Oops, sorry. Door wasn’t locked.”

  “You’re fine. Just checking my hair,” Matt assured him. “I’m running out to that charity place. I finally got them on the phone, but she was rude. I’m going to force them to deal with me. Can you keep an eye on things here?”

  “Sure, boss. And I hope you can change their minds.” Mel shook his silvered head. “Stop paying me, at least until more money comes in. I’m happy to tutor for free.”

  Matt clapped the older man on the shoulder. “I know you are, but you’re an important part of this team and I need you here long term. These folks need marketable skills so they can get out of here with good jobs and the ability to get homes of their own. Besides, even if you tutor for free, that doesn’t change the fact that I can only pay the rent on this building for a few more months.”

  “That soon?” Mel sucked in a loud breath. “What about the families living here?”

  Closing his eyes, Matt’s heart ached with sorrow thinking about them. New Beginnings had four large apartments on the fifth floor with two families living in each. It was Matt’s goal to keep families together and off the streets.

  He knew from experience the streets were no place to grow up. Even for kids with parents who loved them and did their best to keep everyone warm and fed.