When Love Arrives

by Johnnie Alexander

  “Are you kidding me?”

  He bent his head but not soon enough to hide his grin. Dani had no choice but to allow him to untie and slip off her ankle boot.

  “Now the other one,” he said.

  “This isn’t necessary.”

  “I know.” He removed the boot while stifling a yawn.

  “Tired?”

  “To tell you the truth, I didn’t sleep very well last night.”

  “Thunder keep you awake?”

  “Something like that.” He placed the boots by the door, slipped off his own shoes, then headed for the kitchen. “Have a seat.”

  She followed him and perched on a stool by the counter. While he washed his hands, she swiveled to face the living area. Dark wooden tables and shelves were softened by a long upholstered couch and matching chairs. Silver-framed photographs and assorted sculptures adorned shelves on either side of a massive television. On one wall hung a giant canvas of a beautiful but mysterious landscape.

  “Can I get you anything?” Brett asked. “Water? Juice?”

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “So what has you so deep in thought?”

  She swiveled toward him and grinned mischievously. “I was expecting stuffy. Maybe even pretentious. But this? It’s comfortable. Upscale, but comfortable.”

  “Those two things aren’t exclusive you know.”

  “I’m not so sure. Sometimes the rooms in decorating magazines look so . . . museum-ish.”

  “Museum-ish?”

  “You know what I mean. Everything is beautiful, everything is in its place. But how does anyone really live in a room like that? I wouldn’t even want to.”

  “But you could live here?”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it again. From the mischievous glint in his eye, she realized he’d meant to fluster her. And he’d succeeded. Then his expression clouded, and she followed his thoughts to the two-room dump where he’d found her.

  “I had a cute apartment in Cincinnati,” she said. “It was on the third floor of what had once been a magnificent house. The ceilings slanted at odd angles and the closet was no bigger than your refrigerator. But it was cozy and charming and”—she paused, soaking in the memory of her refuge—“peaceful. It was peaceful.”

  “Why did you leave?”

  “Told you. To find a job.”

  “And you couldn’t do that in Cincinnati?”

  “It was time for a change.”

  She boldly met his gaze and lifted her chin, a silent challenge to back off.

  He seemed to study her, his thoughts hidden behind an impassive mask until his expression softened. “I’m glad you came to Columbus.”

  “Why?” she said warily.

  “Just am. And I’m glad you approve of this place.” He gestured toward the apartment’s large interior. “Though Amy deserves most of the credit.”

  “She has good taste.”

  “In most things.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing really.”

  “Are you still upset with her for backing out of the banquet?”

  “Not at all.” He stared at her. Appraising her. By his wolfish expression, approving of what he saw.

  The fake.

  She self-consciously pushed her rain-dampened hair behind her ears and rushed to change the subject. “Does she live here too?” she blurted, though she already knew the answer. “Your sister?”

  “She has her own place on the other side of town. She’s a lobbyist.”

  “She works?” This news came as a surprise. Though Dani had focused her attention on Brett, she’d found information on Amy too. But nothing about a career.

  “Of course she works.”

  “You said she’d inherited money, so I thought . . .”

  “Told you. You’re a snob.”

  “I am not a snob.” But his sister was probably a Brett clone in high heels. A diva. A diva princess with her nose in the air.

  He beat a rhythm on the counter. “Snob,” he said in a singsong voice.

  “So why did you get the family business all to yourself?”

  “That’s how Sully wanted it.” He glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’s a bit of a drive to the farm, so we should be leaving soon. Will you be all right by yourself while I pack my suit?”

  “Sure.” Truth be told, she could use the break from the conversational land mines. Being with Brett was exhausting.

  “Turn on the TV if you want. I’ll be right back.”

  She glanced at the giant television, then wandered to the shelves and picked up the nearest photograph. A slightly younger Brett smiled directly at the camera, his arm around a slender woman. Her blonde hair hung straight beneath a blue mortarboard cap, and she held a single yellow rose. Amy. The family resemblance was too striking for her to be anyone else.

  Dani scanned the other photographs but didn’t find what she was seeking. Most were snapshots of Brett with either Amy or an elderly couple. Probably his grandparents. A man with brown hair appeared in a few. The cousin?

  However, not a single photograph showed anyone who could be either Brett’s mom or his dad. It was as if they no longer existed.

  Except as a memory.

  – 10 –

  Inside the master bathroom, Brett brushed his teeth, then gargled. He’d finally identified the unease that had been niggling at him since they’d left the restaurant. The weak spot in his plan for him and Dani to spend several hours with AJ and Shelby.

  Jonah.

  Though his name might not be mentioned by any of the adults, no one could foresee what Elizabeth or Tabby might say. The girls didn’t know all the sordid circumstances, but they had been told about the sick little boy in the hospital.

  Their dad-to-be’s nephew. Their uncle-to-be’s son.

  Not exactly nephew and uncle, but that’s how he always thought of the relationships. He and AJ might be cousins instead of brothers, but along with Amy, AJ was the only family he had.

  Brett clutched the edge of the vanity and puzzled out his dilemma.

  He could cross his fingers, hope for the best, and spend the day on edge. Or he could tell Dani the truth and relax.

  Besides, keeping Jonah a secret seemed disloyal. As if he was trying to hide his son from the world. And that wasn’t true.

  He wasn’t ashamed of Jonah.

  Only ashamed of how he’d acted toward his mother.

  Brett stared at his reflection and cleared his throat. “Dani, I need to tell you something. I have a son.”

  He shook his head and tried again. “By the way, I have a son.”

  Pressing his hands against the marble vanity, he slouched over the sink.

  Help me, God. Why can’t I do this? It should be so easy.

  An unexpected warmth flowed through him, and when he looked into the mirror, his reflection somehow appeared straighter. Stronger.

  Is that what it felt like for God to answer a prayer?

  He wasn’t sure. But one certainty steeled him. Whatever words he used, telling Dani about Jonah was the right thing to do.

  After splashing his face with water and running a brush through his hair, he headed for the living room. Dani stood by the bookshelves, a photograph in her hand.

  “That’s my family,” he said. “Taken a few months before Sully passed away.” He pointed to each individual and named them. “Sully, Gran, Amy, AJ, and, of course, me.”

  “You and Amy look so much alike. But not AJ.”

  “We get our hair and eyes from our dad. AJ looks like a Sullivan. Which is convenient, since he is one.”

  She placed the photograph on the shelf, then gave him a strange look. “Where’s your suit?”

  “Before we go, I want to tell you something. About someone else in my family. Let’s sit down for a minute.”

  After she settled in a corner of the sofa, Brett sat next to her. Maybe a little too close because she drew her knees into her body, arms wrapped around her leg
s.

  “Comfy?”

  She nodded, and he took a deep breath, then exhaled.

  “I have a son. His name is Jonah.”

  Dani’s eyes widened as Brett’s words clicked with the memory of the photo of his anguished face. “That’s why you were at the hospital.”

  “He’s in a coma. From an auto accident.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Me too.”

  Silence surrounded them as Brett leaned his head against the back of the sofa. Dani’s mind whirled with the implications. He’d never been married, but he was a father. A dad.

  “How old is he?”

  “Eight.” His dimples creased and twisted as he clenched his jaw. “Eight years old today.”

  So the present he gave the other man at the hospital last night was for his son. But then . . .

  “Why aren’t you with him?”

  “That’s difficult to explain. I only found out about him a couple of months ago.”

  She unconsciously placed a hand on his arm, then pulled away when she’d realized what she’d done.

  He seemed momentarily amused, but then sadness tightened his slender smile.

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.” The words surprised her, not only because she said them, but because she meant them. His pain had smothered her burning curiosity. “I’m glad you told me, but you don’t owe me any explanations.”

  “I know. But to tell you the truth, it’d be nice to talk to someone about it. And there aren’t that many people . . .”

  The light bulb sparked above Dani’s head. This amazingly handsome and wealthy and most eligible bachelor was lonely.

  And he was turning to her for friendship.

  The realization awakened something strange in her. An odd mix of being honored but also of power. Especially if he confided in her.

  Guilt pressed against her conscience, and she swatted it away. If their roles were reversed, she had no doubt Brett wouldn’t feel any remorse at all. But the twinge grew stronger. This wasn’t who she was.

  She inwardly sighed. Maybe not. But no matter how nice he had been to her, she had to find a way to make him regret what he’d told the world about her mom.

  Sweat dampened her palms. No wonder. Brett’s faith in her was akin to piling hot coals on her head. Worse, he didn’t even know it. She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And she didn’t like being thought of as either the big bad wolf or the meek helpless lamb.

  She slightly shifted, settling deeper into the lush corner of the couch. Brett didn’t look so confident now. Certainly not like the millionaire owner of a multimillion-dollar company. She guessed she shouldn’t be surprised he had fathered a child. Though it seemed strange he hadn’t known about the boy until recently. Why wouldn’t the mother have insisted on getting child support, especially from someone as well-off as Brett?

  Slow anger rose in Dani’s gut. The perfect example of him not getting what he deserved. Skating by on his charm and good looks. Most men wouldn’t have been so lucky.

  Except he didn’t know.

  The loud thought rebuked her, insisting she acknowledge its truth. She tried to brush it away, but that wasn’t fair. He couldn’t very well do the right thing if he wasn’t aware of the child’s existence.

  But why didn’t he know?

  Her thoughts eddied then cleared.

  “She was afraid you’d take him away.”

  Brett faced her, his eyes dark.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  His mouth twisted as if he were trying to maintain control of his emotions. When she caught his gaze, the light was gone from his eyes.

  “That wasn’t it,” he said softly. “She was afraid. But that wasn’t why.”

  He propped his stockinged feet on the coffee table, then ran his palms from his thighs to his knees. His attention seemed focused on the opposite shelves with their silver-framed family photographs.

  “Several years ago, when AJ was in his first year at law school, he met a lovely young art student. Meghan.” His eyes flicked to Dani, then away again. “They dated for a while, and Meghan became pregnant.”

  “Is Meghan Jonah’s mom?” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

  He ignored her question. “Meghan told AJ about the pregnancy, and he told Sully. Big mistake. Sully had major plans for AJ. Upwardly mobile law career. The state legislature. Eventually the governor’s mansion.”

  “That’s ambitious.”

  “Too ambitious for AJ to be tied to a girl from nowhere.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Sully insisted Meghan have an abortion. Gave her a five-figure check and sent her packing. By the time AJ found out what Sully had done, Meghan had disappeared.”

  “He didn’t look for her?”

  “I’m not sure he knew where to look.”

  “But this is Jonah’s mom? Jonah is your son?”

  Brett puffed out air, seemingly lost in thought. “Fast-forward to this past June. AJ finds Meghan a few days after . . .” He paused, his eyes momentarily glazing. “After the accident. It was bad. Really bad.” He shifted positions as if he couldn’t get comfortable. “So AJ arranged to have Jonah flown to the children’s hospital here. But it turned out—at least that’s when we found out—AJ isn’t Jonah’s dad.”

  “You are.”

  He nodded, his facial muscles tight. “Yep.” The word barely escaped his lips.

  “AJ didn’t know?”

  “Not until I told him.”

  “So Meghan cheated on him?”

  “It wasn’t her fault.” He paused, intent on studying his hands. “It was mine. I wined and dined her. Enjoyed her company. Then said good-bye.”

  Dani’s thoughts whirled, caught up in another eddy. This proved he was capable of anything to get what he wanted. That he didn’t care who got hurt or what pain he caused. And yet, his heartache surrounded them, a palpable presence she couldn’t ignore. Or push away. Instead it seeped into her soul.

  “Oh, Brett.” She leaned toward him, her voice quiet and small. “Why would you do that?”

  “Meghan was AJ’s girlfriend. A young, naïve dreamer with stars in her eyes.” He gazed past Dani as if he was looking into the past. “I wanted her because she belonged to AJ.”

  Unshed tears stung the back of Dani’s eyes. Brett placed his feet on the floor, propped his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin on his closed hands. As if he didn’t want Dani to see his face.

  So handsome on the outside. But with such a cruel heart. What was that verse in the Bible—something about whitewashed tombs?

  AJ must despise him.

  Except he didn’t.

  Anger flared again. Did everyone forgive Brett his transgressions? Did Meghan? Though she was just as guilty of betraying AJ’s trust.

  “Meghan hates me,” Brett said as if he’d read her thoughts.

  The sorrow in his voice smothered her anger. All her emotions, all her thoughts were overshadowed by how his pain gripped her heart. At that moment nothing seemed to matter except to soothe his hurt. “She won’t let you see him?”

  He shook his head, then faced her. When he spoke, his voice was so low she barely heard him. “He’s my son.”

  Caught in his gaze, she realized how easy it would be to get lost in those light blue depths.

  Like so many others before her.

  Perhaps like Meghan.

  – 11 –

  Brett slowly eased away from the emotional precipice he’d been about to fall over. He knew it would be hard to tell Dani about Jonah. He was man enough to admit he’d been a little anxious about how she’d respond. But he hadn’t expected to be the one seeking her comfort.

  To find himself getting lost in the luminous pools of her dark eyes.

  He placed his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Her initial resistance was slight, then she rested her head against his shoulder. He shouldn’t touch her, shoul
dn’t give her false hope. But if he hadn’t embraced her, he’d have kissed her. The tantalizing mouth, the parted lips, had been too mesmerizing. The urge to lose himself, to escape his pain, almost unbearable.

  Resting his jaw against the warmth of her hair, he shut his eyes and focused on relaxing the tension in his muscles. Talking about Jonah had sharpened the pain he’d grown accustomed to living with, its multifaceted blade slicing his heart into a million scattered pieces. But with Dani fitted snugly against him, his breath steadied and the sharpness eased into a dull and heavy ache.

  His phone buzzed, and Dani stirred. He tightened his hold. “Not yet,” he whispered. “Please.”

  “What if it’s important?”

  “I don’t care.” He breathed in the floral notes of her fragrance, and his lips brushed her hair.

  She pushed herself away from him, retreating to the corner of the couch. He swept his gaze over her as desire flared. Resisting the urge to gather her up, he simply squeezed her arm instead.

  “If you were anyone else . . .”

  “What?”

  “If I answered that, you might run out of here. Then I’d have to roam the streets to find another date for tonight’s banquet.”

  As he expected, her cheeks reddened. Pulling a square pillow from behind her, she swatted him with it. He ducked and rolled to the floor, practically getting stuck between the sofa and the coffee table. She swatted him again, and he grabbed the pillow. The quick tug-of-war ended when he let her win. As he sat on the floor between the table and the sofa, the remaining tension seeped from his body.

  “For the record, Mr. Somers, you didn’t find me by ‘roaming’ the streets.”

  “But I did find you.” He playfully squeezed her foot as he rose, then stretched the kinks from his back.

  She gazed at him, a rare teasing glint in her eyes. “Maybe I found you.”

  “Maybe you did.” Maybe there was more truth to that than he wanted to admit. The moments holding her, brief as they were, had given him more comfort, more of a sense of well-being, than any he’d known with a woman.

  Unsettled by the thought, he sat on the edge of the chair across from her. “I’ve told you my dark secret. Now it’s your turn.”

  Her expression darkened, and she hugged the pillow to her chest. “What makes you think I have any?”