But between her head and her toes, there was a revolution going on. Somehow, the new dress looked even more outrageous than it had in the store dressing room. The fit was perfect at the waist. The hemline was elegant, flattering her legs. But the top? Holy cow. She looked like a Victoria’s Secret model. Breasts that had never been more than a B cup now thrust up and out in all their rounded glory.
How had she not noticed before? On maternity leave, her clothing of choice had been T-shirts, nursing bras and sweatpants. Her biggest goal during the first six weeks had been not to burst into tears more than once a day. With her hormones all over the map, she had felt frumpy, overwhelmed and inexperienced.
Noticing that her breasts had morphed from barely there to bountiful hadn’t been on her radar.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she made one last pirouette and put a hand to her fluttery stomach. For better or for worse, it was showtime.
Eleven
Dylan ran a finger inside his collar, trying to loosen his tie without removing it and starting all over again. What had his mother and Zoe been thinking? He hated wearing a tux. The more formal dress reminded him that he was a Kavanagh and thus on display to the community all the time. Dylan didn’t want to be anyone’s role model.
He much preferred the comfort of his jeans and cowboy boots. In his role at the Silver Dollar, he could pretend he was like all the rest of the working stiffs. But tonight, dressed in an expensive European-made jacket and trousers that he wore as seldom as possible, he felt as if he were playing a part. Liam wore dress clothes effortlessly. In fact, Dylan sometimes wondered if his older brother had his boxers starched and pressed.
It was no picnic following along in school behind the sibling who excelled at everything. Liam’s academic awards and accolades had taken over his bedroom bookshelves by the time he was sixteen, along with an equal number of sporting trophies.
Dylan had his own ribbons and medals and letterman jackets, but he would have traded it all for just one visible, pen-on-paper acknowledgement that he had a decent brain.
Shaking off the stupid childhood trauma of never measuring up, he pulled the car around front, turned on the AC and moved Cora’s infant seat from Mia’s vehicle to his. Since they were both going to be dressed to the nines, he wanted to pamper his date in something other than his utilitarian, though expensive, pickup truck. The late model Mercedes had been a gift from his mother, a reminder that he was one of the family no matter how hard he tried to pretend otherwise.
The Kavanagh wealth made him uncomfortable. Especially since he was the only one in the family with no discernible talent or passion. He didn’t excel at anything.
As he walked back through the front door into the house, he stopped dead in his tracks. Mia had just stepped into the living room. When she saw him, she halted as well. “Hello, Dylan.” Her voice was polite...cool...no inflection at all.
Despite her somewhat chilly greeting, his temperature shot through the roof and his mouth dried like a snowflake in Death Valley. The woman standing in front of him was no longer merely an attractive female with whom he’d had sex. She was a goddess...or an angel. He couldn’t decide which. Dark, shiny hair tumbled artfully onto white shoulders. Deft, completely natural-looking makeup accentuated her eyes, making them bittersweet chocolate instead of the lighter, milkier variety.
Dangling earrings fabricated of some clear, faceted material caught the light, drawing attention to her swanlike neck. Her lips were red. Sin-red. A shade to match her dress and make a man shudder with desire.
But it was the single glittery bead at the top of her bodice that caught his attention. The small piece of glass was attached to a zipper that ran the entire length of the dress. All a man would have to do is tug gently, but inexorably, and in seconds the woman would be naked.
He cleared his throat. “You look very nice.”
A small frown creased the space between her eyebrows. “So do you.”
Gertie, toting the baby on her hip, came in from the kitchen at that moment, rescuing Dylan and Mia from their awkward conversation. She whistled. “Lord, have mercy. You two clean up real nice. See, Cora. Look how pretty your mama is. And my boy, Dylan. Why, if I was forty years younger, I’d take a run at him myself.”
Dylan kissed Gertie’s cheek and the top of Cora’s head. “You’re good for my ego, but don’t go overboard. You know you’ll always be my favorite.” He took the baby, who immediately tried to grab for his bow tie. “You ready, Mia?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Her stilted response pretty much set the tone for their drive up the mountain. The Silver Beeches Lodge, constructed after the Second World War, was an elegant and outrageously expensive hotel that catered to high-end clients who demanded privacy and discretion. From the silver screen to politics, the majority of guests had money and wielded power.
As they drove up onto a sweeping flagstone apron, Dylan shot a sideways glance at his passenger. She sat primly, knees pressed together, hands clasped on the small black clutch purse in her lap. Cora had babbled happily during the short trip, diverted by the sights and sounds outside the car.
As the valet approached, Dylan drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Shouldn’t we get our stories straight?” he asked.
For the first time, Mia looked straight at him, her gaze stormy. “I don’t think we have a story. So no problem.”
“You’re mad because I wasn’t there when you woke up.” He still felt bad about that. But he’d had to get out of the house, had needed physical distance to clear his head and analyze what had happened to him when he made love to Mia. If he’d had his way, he would have avoided her even longer, but tonight’s dinner was in the nature of a command performance.
Mia’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not mad. Not at all. Sleep is far sweeter than anything else I could be doing these days.”
Wow. Direct hit. She’d just relegated mind-blowing sex to a spot somewhere below snoozing. Fair enough. If that’s how she wanted to play it... Opening his car door with a jerk that nearly twisted it off the hinges, he went to the back and talked to Cora while he released her from her seat. The baby’s smile took the sharp edges off his anger.
In his peripheral vision, he saw Mia get out of the car and smooth her skirt. Five men stood on the steps of the hotel, some guests, some employees. Five sets of eyes locked on Mia and stared. He couldn’t blame them. She radiated sexuality. Her lush breasts were evidence of the elemental, primitive truth that mankind needed a fertile woman for the continuation of the species.
Except for the occasional moment of temptation, Dylan had little interest in fathering children. But Neanderthal or not, he understood the urge to mate. Only in his case, the urge was surprisingly more than physical. He was proud of Mia, not for her breasts or her killer legs, but for her incredible brain that had so much to offer society. And for other equally important things like her care with Cora, and her gentle acceptance of a high-school boy who had done his best to alienate her.
Even if she was pissed at him, he was glad they were friends. Although after last night, the friend word could be called into question. She certainly deserved to be angry. Walking out on her after sex had been unconscionable, despite the fact he had needed to retreat and figure out what was going on inside his head.
In spite of all his reservations, he liked the family tableau they made. Mia insisted on taking the baby as they ascended the shallow steps. “I’ll carry her.”
He surrendered without protest, guessing that the baby acted as a sort of shield. It had to be intimidating for Mia to walk into the Silver Beeches knowing that she was going to be sharing dinner with Maeve Kavanagh. His mother came by her reputation honestly. She was kind and fair, but he’d seen big strong men quake in their boots when she was displeased about something.
“Liam and Zoe have an apartment on t
he top floor,” he said. The elevator ride was silent, save for Cora’s little baby sounds. She enjoyed playing with her reflection in the mirror. Fortunately, she was too young to comprehend that the adults momentarily caged in the small space were not speaking. Or to notice that their body language was hostile.
When they exited the elevator, Dylan took Mia’s elbow and steered her to the right. Liam answered the doorbell on the first ring. The eldest Kavanagh son greeted them warmly. “Zoe’s been on pins and needles. It’s about time you got here.”
Dylan curled an arm around Mia’s waist, surprising her. “This is Mia. Mia, Liam.”
Liam shook Mia’s hand, but his attention was on Cora. “May I?” he asked. At Mia’s bemused nod, he reached for the baby and called out over his shoulder. “Zoe. Come see what I found, my love.”
* * *
Zoe Kavanagh was bright and beautiful and artlessly charming. The gold lace camisole and flirty skirt she wore along with gold, high-heeled pumps suited her airy personality. Even without the bright clothing, she would have lit up the room. Mia envied her easy social skills. The slender blonde rarely sat still, scooting back and forth from the kitchen to grab something or the other. “It’s almost ready,” she said.
Liam’s smile as he watched his wife was telling. He was deeply in love and not afraid to show it. “My Zoe insists on cooking for me even though we have a five-star chef presiding over the restaurant downstairs. But I have to admit she’s a natural. I’m sure I’ve gained five pounds or more since we got married.”
Given that Liam was as lean and toned and muscular as his brother, Mia wondered if he were joking. She had refused a glass of wine and was sipping tonic water when the door of the apartment burst open after a brief knock and Maeve Kavanagh sailed into the room followed by a handsome man who bore a striking resemblance to the two male Kavanaghs already present.
“Look who I brought with me,” Maeve beamed. “I convinced Aidan to fly down for the evening.” Maeve’s plum Jackie-O sheath was accessorized with a matching short-sleeved jacket.
After a flurry of introductions all around, and lots of hugging, Mia found herself shaking hands with Aidan, who was as tall as his brothers, but even more suave and polished than Liam. “I feel like I’m intruding,” she said, shooting a sharp, disapproving glance at Dylan.
Aidan kissed the back of her hand with a gesture that seemed completely natural. “Not at all. I’m the party crasher. I live in New York, but you’ll find me here in Silver Glen frequently. Despite being a city dweller now, I can’t resist the lure of home. I was hoping the whole gang would show up here tonight.”
Zoe wrinkled her nose. “Conor, Patrick, Gavin and James all claimed to be otherwise occupied.”
Liam put an arm around his wife’s waist. “It’s hard to corral everyone on short notice. But we’ll try again soon.”
Maeve threw up her hands and made a beeline for Mia. “There’s that precious baby.”
Dylan and Liam snickered. “You know that’s the only reason she came,” Dylan said in a stage whisper.
As Maeve took Cora from Mia’s arms, Zoe paused long enough to put her hands on her hips and pout. “Hey, I think I’ve been insulted.”
Liam gave his wife a long, enthusiastic kiss that soothed her ruffled feathers. When they came up for air, his throat was flushed and his eyes glittered. “I’m sure she’ll be just as excited, my love, when and if you give her a grandchild.”
Mia was the only one standing close enough to hear his muttered comment. And she was sure it wasn’t for public consumption. Zoe’s cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink and her smile softened before she escaped to the kitchen.
Amidst conversation and laughter, the finishing touches were added to the table. Mia helped, since her child had been kidnapped by the force of Maeve’s personality and seemed quite happy. Just before they sat down, a second knock sounded at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Maeve said, the baby comfortably settled on her hip. “I asked one of our summer employees to come up and entertain Cora in Liam and Zoe’s den. Paula is a senior at the University of North Carolina, majoring in child development. I hope you don’t mind, Mia.”
What could she say? “Of course not. It will be nice to enjoy an uninterrupted meal.” Honestly, she was being spoiled. After all the help from Gertie and Dylan’s family, it might be a challenge to manage on her own.
Dylan came close enough to whisper in her ear. “I’ll apologize in advance for anything my mother says or does to upset you.”
Mia shook her head briefly. “It’s fine.” She was still trying to get accustomed to Dylan’s magnificence in formal attire. The snowy white shirt brought out his tan, and the traditional black tux fit his body as if it had been made for him. It probably had.
She liked the casual Dylan very much. But this sophisticated Dylan made her shiver.
As the adults seated themselves at the table, Zoe brought out the last dish and joined them. “We won’t stand on ceremony,” she said. “Pass the food and help yourself.”
Amidst the clatter of silverware and china and crystal, Mia absorbed the atmosphere and studied the Kavanagh family. Zoe seemed a natural part of the bunch, even though she and Liam hadn’t been married all that long. She laughed and shared anecdotes and teased her husband. Liam and Dylan and Aidan bickered amiably, as siblings did, covering every subject from sports to movies to politics. Maeve had strong opinions and wasn’t afraid to express them.
Only Mia was silent. She wasn’t afraid to speak. But the conversational dynamic was such that she found it difficult to get a word in edgewise. During a momentary lull in the rapid-fire back-and-forth chatter, Maeve launched her first volley, taking Mia completely off guard.
The older woman took a sip of wine, set down her glass and pinned Mia with a deceptively gentle stare. “So tell me, Mia,” she said. “Is the baby’s father in the picture?”
Mia choked on a piece of walnut in her salad and Dylan had to pat her on the back. Hard.
He glared at his mother. “I thought you were the woman who hated gossip.”
Maeve didn’t look the least bit repentant. “I do. Which is why I’m going directly to the source. But Mia can tell me to mind my own business if she wants to.” She smiled at Mia. “You can, my dear, honestly.”
Mia felt her face and neck turning red as the eyes of her dinner companions fixed on her with varying degrees of sympathy. “It’s no secret,” she said. “I was ready to have a baby, and since there was no man in my life, I chose to use a sperm donor.”
Silence fell.
“I see.” Maeve’s perplexed expression held a hint of disapproval.
Mia was used to that by now. If she had decided as a single person to adopt an infant, no one would have batted an eye, but somehow, the path she had chosen was far less acceptable. Perhaps it was the clinical nature of the process. Or the lack of loving conception.
Zoe broke the uncomfortable impasse. “So, Mia. How did you and Dylan meet?”
Again, Mia was taken aback. She had assumed someone would have filled Zoe in before Mia and Dylan arrived, but maybe this was supposed to be a secret. Liam had been away at college when Dylan was a senior, so he and Mia had never met. But surely the family had realized Dylan was getting tutoring help. Aidan had been a sophomore or junior at the time.
Mia opened her mouth to speak, but before she could explain, Maeve rushed into the breach, addressing her daughter-in-law. “Dylan and Mia knew each other back in high school. They reconnected recently.”
Zoe nodded, satisfied with that explanation. “And what do you do for a living, Mia?” she asked.
“I’m a medical researcher. But the funding for my lab and my program was cut off recently. I came back to Silver Glen for a visit and ran into Dylan at the Silver Dollar.”
Dylan picked up the tal
e. “My bookkeeper quit, so Mia is helping me out temporarily since she’s between jobs.”
Zoe’s eyebrows went up. “You must be very smart,” she said, studying Mia’s face as if she could see IQ points written there.
“Off-the-charts smart,” Dylan said, his smile rueful. “I’m lucky she was available to help me out.”
Mia was desperate to change the subject. As Zoe stood and began to clear the dessert plates, Mia leaped to her feet as well. “Let me help,” she said. “Please. The dinner was amazing.”
In the kitchen Zoe began rinsing china. “Liam tells me to let the housekeeper take care of this in the morning, but I can’t stand a messy kitchen.” She handed Mia a plate to put in the dishwasher. “What about you? Do you like to cook?”
“I don’t really have much opportunity. I worked all the time before Cora was born, and now I’m still learning how to care for an infant. There don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.”
Zoe nodded, her expression thoughtful. “The Kavanaghs can be a bit overwhelming, especially when the whole clan gets together. You and I should stick together.”
“I think you have the wrong idea. I work for Dylan.”
“Maeve told me you’re living with him.”
“Only because the building burned. I was supposed to be staying in the apartment upstairs above the Silver Dollar.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Men don’t take women into their homes without some kind of ulterior motive.”
He feels like he owes me something for the past.
But Mia couldn’t say that. Not when Dylan’s brother and sister-in-law apparently did not know how severely Dylan had struggled in high school. “Dylan is a kind man. He told me that rental property is hard to find in Silver Glen. If it had been just me, I’m sure he would have let me fend for myself. But he has a soft spot for Cora. That’s probably why he suggested that she and I move in.”
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