Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Ian, it’s time you stepped up and admitted how you feel about that girl. You know what I told you,” Cora said. Apparently, his aunt had made her prediction for Ian and Sandy. Ian didn't say a word because nobody was permitted to doubt her. Cora the Cupid and her special gift were always right.

  “He’s got a whole lot more to deal with now,” Keith muttered into Ian’s ear.

  “Don’t start.” Ian snapped.

  With everyone settled in the living room, Ian pulled the picture out of his pocket and held it tightly between his fingers. He glanced to Mike for support, and his brother nodded. He felt something tugging on his leg, and he looked down to see his nephew, Mason looking up at him.

  “You can do it, Uncle Ian.” Mason took Ian’s hand. It was odd because even though Mason had no way of knowing what was going on, just by holding his hand, Ian felt like he could do this.

  “Thanks, buddy.” Ian squeezed his hand gently but didn’t let go of it. “I don’t know how much you all know up to this point, but yesterday I was told Colleen had died, and I don’t know all the details, but it wasn’t natural.” Ian didn’t want to go into detail since his niece and nephews were in the room.

  “We heard and that’s just terrible.” His mother said holding her hands against her chest.

  “Well, it turns out she was hiding something from me for a while.” Ian started. “A year and a half ago Colleen came to town and asked to meet with me because there was something she needed to talk to me about. I went to meet with her and….” How the hell was he going to say this without actually saying it?

  “They ended up having a sleepover,” Mike interjected with a smile. Ian glanced around, and it seemed everyone understood.

  “When I woke up the next morning, she was gone, and I never heard from her again. I also didn’t find out what she’d wanted. This morning a lawyer showed up here with her will and a letter for me. It turns out that what she had to tell me was when she left seven years ago she was pregnant, but the sleepover also resulted in the same condition.” He knew it sounded stupid, but with Mason holding his hand he was trying to keep the details PG rated.

  “Inky, are ya sayin’ ya have youngsters?” Nanny Betty asked

  “Yes. Two. Daughters.” Ian handed the picture to his grandmother, and she covered her mouth with her hand as she studied the picture.

  “Oh, my. Such beautiful little angels.” She cooed and gave the picture to his mother.

  “Where are they, Ian?” His mother’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Kathleen, let the boy finish.” His father didn’t sound pleased.

  “The social worker will be bringing them here tomorrow, and I know everyone is going to want to meet them, but I’d like to keep it to a minimum until they’re settled in,” Ian said.

  “Of course. Ian, what are their names?” Marina and Stephanie were looking at the picture before handing it off to their husbands.

  “The older one is Lily, and she’s six. She also has a lot in common with Keith according to all the information we’ve got.” Ian glanced at Keith, and for a moment his expression was proud but quickly turned back to pissed. “The little one is Grace, and she’s eight months old.”

  “Auntie Stephanie, Olivia will have a friend her age.” Danny, his other nephew, crawled up on James’s lap.

  “Yes, that’s true, honey.” Stephanie glared at Ian, and the term ‘if looks could kill’ jumped into his head.

  “So I think the best thing is when they arrive that only myself and Ian be here,” Mike said.

  “Why you?” Nick asked.

  “Because I’m his legal representation and I don’t want anything screwing this up for him,” Mike replied, and Ian was glad that someone was going to be there with him.

  “Mike, I want mom and dad here too.” Ian heard his mother gasp.

  “Oh Ian, really?” Kathleen wrapped her arms around his waist, and he hugged her.

  “Yes, Mom because if anyone can make these girls feel at home, it’s you.” Ian smiled.

  Ian was keeping a careful eye on the picture as it was being passed around since it was the only one he had, and he didn’t want to lose it.

  Mike and his father sat on the couch as his mother headed to the kitchen to see if he had the ingredients for cookies. It was normal for his mother to bake when she was anxious about something, and everyone just let her go. Ian leaned against the wall in the hallway after almost everyone left. Keith was on the back deck staring out at the ocean, and Ian knew he was going to have to talk to him.

  Ian stepped out and stood next to Keith. In the distance, he saw a whale jumping, and he focused in on it. He was just waiting for Keith to speak because when he was in these moods, there wasn’t any point talking until he was ready.

  “She saved my life,” Keith murmured.

  “Sandy?” Ian didn’t know how Keith and Sandy met. As a matter of fact, he didn’t know if anyone did.

  “Yes,” Keith said.

  “How?” Ian asked.

  “It’s not important, but we formed a bond, and I hate that she’s hurt because you’re an idiot,” Keith said gruffly. “She’s not as tough as she puts out there, Ian.”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt her, Keith.” Ian leaned his arms on the rail and Keith did the same.

  “I know, but she’s been hurt before by someone and the fact that she even let you this close is a big step for her,” Keith said.

  “What happened in Yellowknife, bro?” Ian knew that was where they’d met, but when Keith came back, he was different. He’d always been a little more serious than the rest of the brothers, but it was worse when he came back.

  “It’s not important, and if Sandy hasn’t told you then it’s not my place to say but let me tell you this. She’s a kind, caring person, and for some reason, she’s in love with you, and yeah I know you love her, too. I also know Aunt Cora has used her cupid power, and you two are meant to be but, bro, as God as my witness, if you hurt her, I’ll make you sorry you did. Brother or not.” Keith grabbed Ian’s arm and turned him, so they were face to face.

  “I need to know something, Keith and I need you to be honest.” Ian wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer, but Keith was so emotional about Sandy. “Are you in love with her?” Keith rolled his eyes and pushed Ian back.

  “You’re a fucking idiot. No, I told you I’m not in love with her. We just shared a painful experience and like I said she saved my life and almost lost her own in the process. That means something to me, and I’m in debt to her.” Keith said. “Trust me, bro. If I wanted Sandy, you wouldn’t have even gotten near her.” Keith laughed. “Just don’t be a dick.”

  “I just hope I haven’t lost her already.” Ian rubbed his hands over his face.

  “I’m sure things will work out but you really need to go shower and shave, or you’re going scare the shit out of those kids.” Keith wrapped his arm around Ian’s shoulders and nuggied the top of his head.

  “Fuck you, asshole.” Ian twisted and got out of Keith’s grip.

  “Congrats on the kids by the way,” Keith said as they both walked into the house. “I know it’s not conventional, but I’m sure you’ll be great.”

  “I’m just worried that Lily is going to be smarter than me.” Ian chuckled.

  “She probably is, but that’s ok, she still has her Uncle Keith.” Keith teased and waved to Mike and his father as he walked by the living room. He quickly ducked into the kitchen and kissed their mother’s cheek. “If you need anything, call.”

  For a few minutes, Ian saw the Keith he grew up with but just before he disappeared through the door that sadness reappeared and Ian wished he knew what had put that look on his brother’s face. If Sandy ever forgave him, maybe he’d ask her about their time in Yellowknife, and maybe he could help her with whatever happened.

  He didn’t sleep that night and when he did finally doze off a loud commotion from his foyer had him jumping out of bed and running to the front door in nothing but his
boxers.

  “You look... Well…. You’re awake.” Isabelle peeked over the box she was carrying. Behind his cousin were her two sisters and his two sisters-in-law also moving boxes that looked way too heavy for the five small women.

  “What the hell is all this?” Ian grabbed a pair of track pants from the chair beside his bedroom door.

  “Well we would tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.” Kristy stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. Then followed Isabelle into his spare room.

  “What we can tell you is, when your brothers put their heads together they get things done.” Marina walked by him and winked. Stephanie and Jess followed her, and he stared at them as he tried to close his door.

  “We bust our butts getting everything you need for your two little girls, and you slam the door on us. Not cool, bro.” Aaron pushed the door open. Ian stood back as the rest of his brothers followed the women into his spare room. What he heard next had him, running behind them.

  “We can put most of this junk in the attic or the basement,” Nick said.

  “It’s a good thing he’s not a hoarder.” Jess laughed.

  “Okay, just stop,” Ian yelled, and everyone turned to look at him. Without a word, he raised his hands and gestured around the room.

  “What?” John asked.

  “What do you mean, what? You all come in here at the break of dawn and start ransacking my spare room and bring in a bunch of oversized boxes and don’t tell me what the hell you’re doing.” Ian could feel his blood pressure rising. Probably because he was tired and scared shitless. He’d also hadn’t heard from Sandy.

  “I know you can read, asshole,” Keith grumbled as he ripped open one of the larger boxes. Ian glanced at the large writing on the box and then looked at the others. A crib, two dressers, a bed and some sort of toy chest.

  “If you could pick your chin up off the ground now and give us a hand. That would be awesome.” Stephanie was pulling what looked like blankets out of a large bag.

  “The room needs painting, but we won’t have time for that before the girls get here.” Marina was helping James assemble the bed.

  “When did you guys do all this?” Ian was dumbfounded.

  “As soon as we left here last night, your brothers dragged us out to St. John’s and straight to the Mall. We had exactly two hours to get all this stuff. Not bad huh?” Jess laughed as she held the side of the crib for Keith to bolt together.

  “You can’t have the kids sleeping on the floor,” James chuckled. Ian couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His family always came together to get things done, but for some reason, the scene was making it very hard for him to swallow and his eyes were blurring. He turned and bolted for his bedroom. He needed to pull himself together. He sat on the foot of his bed, rested his arms on his knees and covered his face with his hands.

  “We’re all here to help.” Ian recognized the voice, but he couldn’t look up at her. Stephanie was Sandy’s best friend, and she was pissed. He’d promised not to hurt Sandy, and he’d meant it. This wasn’t something he’d expected in a million years, and Sandy was hurt, but he couldn’t do anything to change it.

  “Thanks,” Ian muttered but didn’t look at her.

  “It wasn’t right what she did, Ian.” Stephanie’s voice cracked. “It wasn’t fair that Colleen didn’t tell you about your daughters either, but you should’ve been entirely honest with Sandy and told her why you didn’t make it that night.” He felt the bed dip next to him and turned his head to look at his brother’s wife.

  “I know, but I didn’t want to hurt her. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life and that night, with Colleen, it made me realize any feelings I had for Colleen were long gone. We were drinking, and I know it’s no excuse, but I never wanted Sandy to think Colleen was more important because Sandy means everything to me.” Ian scrubbed his hands over his face and stared up at the ceiling. “I just don’t know what to do.”

  For a moment Stephanie didn’t say anything but she stared out through the bedroom door, and it was as if she was struggling with something.

  “I want you to remember something, Ian. I’ve got no doubt that Sandy is deeply hurt by what happened, but there’s something more that’s upsetting her and don’t ask me what it is because I can't tell you but when or if she does, be understanding.” Stephanie didn’t give him a chance to respond she stood, kissed his cheek and left the room.

  That afternoon, Ian paced the floor as he waited for his daughters to arrive. His daughters. It was still hard to believe he had two little girls. The thought made his stomach tighten, and he swallowed down the bile rising in his throat. He wasn’t letting this happen five minutes before they showed up. He hated that part of him, but his mother always told him it was because he felt things deep in his gut and it was why when things were stressful personally that he’d have to get sick to release all that stress.

  The knock on the door made him freeze in the middle of the kitchen. He pressed his hands against his stomach and forced his feet to move toward the door as he took several deep breaths and opened the door.

  The first thing to greet him was an older woman with graying hair and a kind face but what drew his attention was the little strawberry blonde in her arms chewing on her fingers. Her blue eyes locked onto him and for a second Ian thought she was going to cry, but she looked at the lady and then reached her small arms out to him.

  “She loves people.” The woman smiled and nodded as if to give him the okay to take the sweet little girl. “This is Grace, and my name is Milly Anderson and yes before you ask Leonard is related. He’s my husband.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Anderson.” Ian carefully took Grace from Milly and smiled at the baby. “And it's really great to meet you, Grace.” Ian ran his finger down the little girl’s cheek, and she grabbed his finger.

  “This little beauty is Lily.” Milly gently placed her hand on the head of the little girl standing next to her. “Lily, do you know who this man is?” Milly asked the little girl, and Ian started to worry his daughter didn't know anything about the situation.

  “Yes. My daddy.” Her sweet little voice was soft but very confident as she met his eyes.

  “How did you know that this man was your father, Lily?” Milly seemed surprised by the child’s knowledge.

  “Mommy showed me pictures of him on the computer.” Lily folded her hands in front of her. “She told me all about my daddy and his family.” The kid was incredible.

  “I’m so glad to meet you, Lily.” Ian crouched down and reached out his hand.

  “I’m sorry mommy didn’t tell you about us.” She took his hand.

  “That’s not your fault, honey,” Ian motioned for them to come inside.

  “I know.” She held his hand as she glanced around the hallway.

  Ian led them into the living room and as expected his mother was already crying. His father had his arm around her. Mike stood when they entered the room.

  “Lily, do you know who these people are?” Ian asked wanting to know just how much Colleen had told her.

  “Yes.” She walked over to his mother. “I’m happy to meet you Grandma or do you prefer Nanny?” The shock on his parent’s face must have mirrored his own.

  “You can call me whatever you feel comfortable with, but I’m delighted to meet you too, Lily.” Kathleen took both of the little girl's hands and kissed them.

  “I’d like to call you Nanny, and I’ll call you Poppy if that’s okay.” She turned to his father and smiled.

  “That’s fine with me, Lily,” Sean said, and the surprise in his voice was evident.

  “You’re Michael, but mommy told me she always called you Mike.” Lily turned to his brother who had sat back down.

  “That’s right everyone calls me Mike.” His brother answered.

  For a moment, the room was quiet. Everyone seemed to be in shock with Lily’s maturity. She was only six. She sat up on the couch between his parents and sigh
ed.

  “So, I think that went well.” She said so seriously that it sent all the adults into laughter. Ian turned to Milly who was laughing as well.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Milly chuckled. “She can converse with the best of them.”

  One by one the family started showing up. Not that Ian minded because the truth was he was always more at ease when they were around. He sat on the couch watching his two little girls getting to know their cousins. Olivia and Grace were making noises at each other, and Ian could only think it was some weird baby language that only babies understood. James’s little boy Colin was sitting next to them, but he just seemed to be confused. Ian chuckled because it was probably the way every man looked when he sat between two chatting women.

  Danny and Mason were playing snakes and ladders with Lily, and she seemed to be having fun. Around the boys, she actually acted like the little girl she was, and it made him smile. He was terrified when he thought about raising two little girls on his own, but one look at them, and he knew he’d do anything for them. There was only one thing that would make it perfect. If the girl next door would forgive him.

  “Dr. O’Connor there’s a truck outside.” Milly entered the kitchen. Ian had completely forgotten she was still there.

  “I’m not moving anything.” Ian rushed to the front door, and sure enough, a large box truck sat at the end of his driveway.

  “Of course, not. The truck has the girl’s belongings.” Milly smiled. “I meant to tell you that their things would be delivered by six, but it looks like they’re early.”

  “Looks like my brothers and I have more lugging to do, but that truck looks awfully big for two little girls’ belongings.” Ian turned around.

  “We’re all here to help, bro.” John threw his arm around Ian’s shoulder.

  “I’m still mad at you, but I’ll help too.” Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Thanks so much and Steph I’m going to try to fix things as soon as Sandy is back.” Ian wrapped his arms around her and picked her up off the floor. She squealed and wiggled to get away from him.