Plenty to Give [Plenty, FL 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Lara Valentine

  “Come in.”

  He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. This was between the two of them. He held out the coffee mug.

  “For you. I thought you might like some coffee with your apology.”

  She took the cup from him and sat on the bed. He wanted to sit next to her, but wasn’t sure he was welcome at the moment.

  “You’re here to apologize?”

  “I am.” He nodded. “I acted like an ass. Nothing was your fault. None of it. This guy is a professional who has fooled me on more than one occasion. If you hadn’t let him in the house yesterday, he would have found another way. That’s who he is. He’s a sneaky son of a bitch and I should have known he’d retaliate in some way. I just never thought he’d come to the house. Or send someone who works for him to the house.”

  “You don’t think the man I saw was Jean-Luc?”

  “You described him as young. I never pictured Jean-Luc as young. He’s pretty wily and knows his way around the seedier parts of the internet. Seems like it would be someone older. I could be wrong though.” He’d sure been wrong lately.

  “I guess that makes sense.” She nodded, and then looked up at him. “I accept your apology.”

  It sounded stiff and formal and not like she loved him at all. He still had work to do. She was staring at the area rug as if it fascinated her. It was a lovely rug with red and green, but it didn’t rate that much studying. He knelt down next to her.

  “Beautiful, I’m really, truly sorry. That’s the Mr. Hyde in me that comes out every now and then. I shouldn’t have taken things out on you. It was wrong and it was a douche bag thing to do. Please know how sorry I am. I really need your forgiveness and I’m not too proud to beg for it.”

  She looked up at him and her eyes with shiny with tears. “It hurt. You saying those things. It just…hurt.”

  He picked up her cup and placed it carefully on the nightstand before taking her hands in his. “I’m so sorry, babe. I’d rather hurt myself than hurt you. I’ll do everything I can to make this up to you if you’ll let me.” He paused. “Sami and Becca stopped by this morning.”

  Sadie’s eyes went wide and her skin paled. “What did they want?”

  “They heard about what happened and they told us a few things they thought we should know.” He squeezed her hands, suddenly cold in his. “We know about your family. How they treated you. We’d never treat you like that, Sadie. I swear. We love you. I love you. We want to make a life with you, if you let us. Can you find it in your heart to give me a second chance?”

  Her lips were trembling and the tears were starting to fall. “I was going to tell you. Someday. Eventually. It’s all just so horrid. My parents never wanted me. They blame me for my brother’s death.”

  Meyer gathered her up in his arms, and to his relief, she clung to him, her head on his shoulder. “We want you, beautiful. We want you very much. You didn’t kill your brother. You did everything you could, but ultimately, it wasn’t your responsibility to save him.”

  She nodded. “It’s what I was born for.”

  He stroked her curls. “No, babe. You were born to live a full life. You were meant to fall in love and have your own family. You are not an extension of your brother. You are a person in your own right. It’s sad your brother didn’t live, but you are alive and dear God, I am so grateful for that.”

  He held her while she cried, sitting on the bed and placing her on his lap. Hopefully, these tears were cleansing tears. It sounded like she had been carrying way too much baggage for way too long. She sniffled and reached for a tissue as the tears dried up.

  “I’m so tired of crying about this. It doesn’t change anything.”

  “Then change it yourself. Go talk to your parents. Tell them how they made you feel.”

  She pulled away from him. “Are you kidding? I haven’t seen or heard from them since I left home the day after high school graduation.”

  “Then it’s time, don’t you think?” Meyer shrugged. “It won’t change how they feel or who they are, but it might make you feel better. Talk to them. Tell them they screwed up and missed out on having a terrific daughter. Ask them the questions that have bothered you.”

  Sadie frowned. “What if they won’t answer them?”

  “At least you tried. At least you can move on with your life and know you had your say with them. Get some closure for yourself.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Sadie chewed her lower lip. “I’m not even sure I know where they live. They could have moved.”

  Meyer smiled. “I think we could probably give you a hand there. We’re pretty good at finding people, you know.”

  Sadie rubbed her wet cheeks and smiled. “I heard something about that. If I want to talk to them, and I’m not saying I do, but if I did, I’ll have you search for them.”

  Meyer picked up the coffee cup. Luckily, it was still warm. “Drink your coffee and then let’s head downstairs. It’s Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad have been trying to be scarce around the house until you and I made up but she’s probably ordering Logan around in the kitchen as we speak.”

  Sadie giggled and Meyer’s heart flipped. He loved this woman with all his heart. “We better get down there then. This is my first real Thanksgiving.”

  He shook his head. Sadie could have turned out bitter and cruel, scarred by her parents’ callous treatment. Instead, her trials had made her strong and compassionate.

  “Then it’s going to be the best Thanksgiving ever. Let’s get the turkey in the oven, babe. I’m planning to be hungry later.”

  They linked arms and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The sounds of the holiday were all around. His parents and Logan in the kitchen, the parade on the television, and Sadie’s laughter as he told her a corny turkey joke. Thank heaven she had forgiven him. He wanted a future with her and today was only the beginning.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Who are they? Holy smokes, they are hot.” Jillian pursed her lips and studied the three gorgeous men who had entered the diner. It was their usual Monday night at the diner and everyone had managed to be there—Cassie, Jillian, Becca, Ava, Leah, Sami, Lacey, and Sadie. At the rate they were adding people, they were going to have to make a reservation for a special table.

  Lacey cringed. “They’re the businessmen bringing the Halloween product manufacturing to Plenty. I interviewed with them this morning.”

  Sadie studied the three men from behind her lashes. All three men had wide shoulders and tight butts in their blue jeans but still managed to look distinct. Two men had dark hair and the third was a blond. One of the darker-haired men had a scar on his cheek giving him the look of a pirate. He was also a few inches taller than the other two. The blond had a mischievous expression. She bet he was the prankster of the group. They were laughing and joking as they sat down at a table across the room.

  Becca nodded. “That’s them. Told you they were hot.” She sighed. “Nobody listens to me. How did the interview go? Did they give you the job?”

  Lacey groaned and rolled her eyes. “They said they’d get back to me before the end of the week. I doubt they’ll hire me. I blew the interview big time.”

  “What happened?” Leah asked. “I’m sure it didn’t go as badly as you think.”

  Lacey’s cheeks were tinged with red. “I was a blithering idiot. I could barely answer a question.”

  Ave frowned. “Why? What kind of questions did they ask? They didn’t ask anything illegal, did they? They’re not allowed to do that.”

  Lacey buried her face in her arm and shook her head. “The questions were fine. It’s them. They were so handsome I could barely speak.” She peeked up at them. “I’m mortified.”

  Cassie’s eyebrows went up. “Is our little girl becoming a woman? You’ve finally met men that interest you. It’s about time. Go get ’em, girl.”

  Jillian laughed. “I can see having some trouble putting together sentences with those men in the room. They’ve got some damn fine asses
in those jeans.”

  Lacey’s mouth drooped. “They smell good, too. I was a mess, a complete and total mess.” She shook her head. “I’ve been around good-looking men before. There’s just something about those guys. They said nice things about my portfolio but I think I’m stuck being the newest teller at the bank.”

  Becca sipped her iced tea. “You’re a great artist. I’ve seen some of the things you’ve done. I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you think it was. They probably expected you to be nervous. Relax.” Becca smiled. “They’re buying the old Booth estate.”

  Lacey, Leah, and Sami snapped to attention. Sami sucked in a breath. “The Booth place? But it’s haunted.”

  “Haunted?” Sadie laughed. “There’s no such thing.”

  Leah’s eyes were wide. “I thought that once, too. Then I took a tour of the house during one of our historical festivals. Let’s just say I believe now.”

  “Did you see an actual ghost?” Lacey asked. “I’ve never been inside the actual house, but they say a woman haunts the house and the grounds.”

  Leah shook her head. “No, but some strange things happened while I was there. Doors opening and closing for no reason. A flowery smell in long, abandoned rooms.” She shivered. “It was creepy. I can’t believe they bought the place, haunted or not. It’s a dump.”

  “They’re signing the papers tomorrow at the bank and renovations start the day after,” Becca said.

  Cassie slapped her forehead. “Now this morning makes total sense. Chase was goofing around about wearing Ghostbusters costumes. I thought he was just being funny. He and Zach are doing the renovations. They were talking about a big, historic house they were going to start this week. I swear having a baby has zapped every one of my brain cells. I need more sleep.”

  “It gets better,” Becca assured her. “I actually get an entire night’s sleep now.”

  Jillian held up her hand. “No horror stories.” She patted her burgeoning waistline. “I’m hoping for a drama-free pregnancy.” Jillian elbowed Ava. “When are you getting knocked up? I thought they wanted you barefoot and pregnant the day you got back from the honeymoon?”

  Ave sighed. “They’re really putting on the full-court press. I want to have some time with just the four of us. Brayden is already planning a nursery. You know, since he recovered from cancer, he’s basically gone after life and doesn’t hesitate. He’s always saying life is too short. Maybe’s he’s right. Maybe we should just go for it.”

  Sami patted Ava’s hand. “Don’t let them bully you into it. If you’re not ready, well, you’re not ready.”

  Sami turned to Leah. “Are you ready? Do you have any news for us?”

  Leah giggled. “Let’s just say we’re practicing. I’m ready for a baby and, hopefully, it will only be a matter of time.”

  Sadie laughed. “This is a prolific bunch. I’m starting to worry there’s something in the water here in Plenty.”

  Cassie grinned. “Watch out, there might be. Those two men of yours look pretty happy these days. Any wedding bells we need to be aware of?”

  Sadie felt her face get warm. “No wedding bells. Things are going well, though.” She shook her finger at Becca and Sami. “Despite some slight interference from these two busy-bodies. We’ve worked things out and it’s all good. It was the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had. I adore Meyer’s mom and dad. I’m sad they left this morning.”

  “They seemed really nice,” Sami agreed. “They would be good in-laws.”

  “Stop it. Stop trying to push me into marriage, just because you’re getting married.” Sadie laughed.

  Sami pouted. “It would be fun getting married at the same time. Now we just need to find some men for Lacey.”

  Lacey shook her head but Becca nodded to the three men on the other side of the diner. “Winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

  “I can’t go anywhere with you people.” Lacey buried her face in her hands. “Why don’t you just throw me on their table naked?”

  “That idea has merit,” Jillian teased. “Men like the direct approach.”

  “They’re too…too…” Lacey seemed at a loss for words. “They’re too good looking.”

  Leah grinned. “Can you have too much of that? Seems like a good thing to me. Now if they were jerks to go with it, it wouldn’t matter how good looking they were.”

  Lacey took a drink of her water. “Good-looking men like that don’t fall for girls like me. They just don’t.”

  Sami’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? They’d be lucky to get you.”

  Lacey shrugged. “Men like skinny women. Nothing about me is skinny. I’m short and dumpy.”

  Becca smacked her glass down on the tabletop causing heads to swivel in the diner. “Bullshit. You’re curvy, that’s all. Lots of men like curves. You also have gorgeous, thick hair and pretty blue eyes. Stop putting yourself down.”

  Lacey tried to smile. “Yes, ma’am. I just wish I was tall like my sisters.”

  Leah wagged a finger under Lacey’s nose. “I love your sisters but you are not them. There is a man or men out there for you. He won’t care what size you are. The only size he’ll care about is your heart.”

  “Fine,” Lacey said. “Can we change the subject? Are they any closer to finding this Jean-Luc guy?”

  Jean-Luc was the fly in the ointment. Sadie sighed. “No one has seen him around town. I know Ryan has his deputies looking but he seems to have disappeared. In the meantime, Meyer spent all weekend restoring his files and data.”

  “Are you up and running now?” Jillian asked.

  “We are.” Sadie nodded. “But Meyer is convinced Jean-Luc has proprietary data. It could make things difficult for Logan and Meyer.”

  Cassie shook her head. “All this computer stuff makes my head hurt. How do you keep up with it?”

  Sadie laughed. “I just nod like I understand what Meyer is talking about. It’s what Logan does as well.”

  The waitress started setting plates of hot, delicious food in front of them. Sadie had ordered the lasagna tonight and the smell of tomatoes and garlic wafted up, making her stomach growl with hunger.

  Ave picked up her fork. “I hope you find him soon. It’s disconcerting to think there’s a cyber bank robber hanging around Plenty.”

  Sadie couldn’t agree more. The sooner Jean-Luc was found, the sooner they could go back to having a normal life.

  * * * *

  Logan bit into the pizza, cheese oozing onto his chin. Plenty had some of the best pizza he’d ever tasted. It was Monday night poker at Ryan and Jackson’s home, although Jack was on duty at the fire station tonight and Mark and Travis were home watching baby Noah. Meyer was shoulder to shoulder with Logan, standing at the counter with Ryan and Zach.

  “Damn, this is good,” Logan said in between bites. “I want their secret.”

  Zach laughed. “Charlie swears she’s taking it to her grave. Our only hope is one of her kids takes over the pizza place and carries on the tradition.”

  “She has kids?” Meyer asked. “I had no idea.”

  Ryan nodded, helping himself to another slice. “She has two daughters. They’re in college right now. They’ll be home at Christmas time so you’ll probably see them around then.”

  Zach shook his head. “Bobbi isn’t in college anymore. Didn’t you hear? She dropped out. Became a model, just like Charlie was years ago. Bobbi pissed off her parents big this time.”

  “That girl always was a handful.” Ryan sighed. “If there was trouble hiding, she always seemed to find it. Hopefully, she’s straightened up. I know Charlie was pulling her hair out when Bobbi was in high school.”

  “Wild?” Logan asked.

  Ryan chuckled. “Wild and beautiful. Too beautiful. Both those girls were too pretty for their own good. At least Tedi seemed to have some common sense. Bobbi had a death wish.”

  “She was a risk taker?” Meyer reached for a potato chip.

  Zach grinned. “Not intentionally. She just alway
s seemed to be mixed up in whatever was going on. Sweet girl, but she lacked judgment when it came to people.”

  “Have you heard from Pierce and your men yet? Have they found out anything about the couple who owned the house where the servers were found?” Ryan asked.

  Logan shook his head. “They’re flying overnight. We’ll talk to them tomorrow. They’ve got information on the couple’s family we’ll be checking out.”

  “Do you think there’s a connection?” Zach popped open a beer.

  “I do,” Meyer replied. “Of all the unprotected networks out there, and let me tell you, there’s a bunch, people don’t know shit about setting up a bulletproof firewall, why this couple’s system? There’s something there. I just know it.”

  “I’ve sent out his description, but the problem is he sounds like every man. Five eleven, early twenties, dark hair and eyes. Shit, he could be half the county population.” Ryan grimaced. “What we need is a photo.”

  “A photo that doesn’t exist. Qualities of great criminals,” Logan said grimly. “The ability to blend in. Look and act like everybody else no matter where they are.”

  “I wish we’d had more luck with the artist rendering using Sadie’s and your parents’ descriptions. There was just too much conflict.” Ryan sighed. “The problem with eyewitness testimony is it’s notoriously unreliable.”

  “My mom may not have the greatest eyesight, but I’d bet on Sadie’s description any day of the week. She’s sharp and observant,” Meyer declared.

  Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think I should pass out that drawing of the man Sadie described then? It was very different from the description from your mother. That’s why we scrapped the idea of passing them out. Too many differences.”

  “I’d do it.” Logan tossed his empty bottle into the trashcan. “What can it hurt? I agree with Meyer. Use Sadie’s description. She saw him up close. Brenda had just showed up at the house after a long drive and was fussing in the kitchen. Sadie probably got the better look at him.”