The Wells Brothers: Aaron

by Angela Verdenius

  “I can guess.” Before she could ask, he added, “That’s for her to say.”

  “Okay.” She felt a touch of shyness that this big bear of a man was being so kind. “I won’t let you down.”

  “I know.”

  “I won’t let Aaron down.”

  “I know.”

  “I won’t let Cole down again.”

  “You never did.” He gave her hand a fatherly pat.

  It was enough to make her eyes sting a little as the action brought to mind her parents. “I won’t let...them...down.” She couldn’t say it properly, her voice hitching.

  His smile was gentle, understanding. “I know.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Everything all right in here?” Aaron appeared in the doorway.

  “Everything’s fine,” his father replied.

  Crossing the floor, Aaron crouched down beside Shea, his eyes soft. “Okay, honey?”

  “Yeah. Although I have to face Elspeth tomorrow and I’m a little afraid, to be truthful.”

  “Ah.” He exchanged a glance with his father before returning his attention to her. “Let’s get Cole and I’ll drive you home.”

  “Okay.”

  Pushing easily to his feet, he drew her up with him.

  Shea looked at Mr Wells. “Thank you.”

  That gentle smile appeared, his eyes so kind. “I’m always here if you ever want to talk, Shea. I’m here for all my kids no matter what.”

  That had her choking up all over again. Moving around the table, she hugged him. “Thank you so, so much.”

  His big hand patted her arm comfortingly.

  In the lounge room Luke was sitting in an armchair, Cole on the sofa, a chess game on the big, low coffee table between them. Lora was seated in another big armchair mending what looked to be a pair of work pants.

  All of them looked up when Shea appeared in the doorway.

  She almost froze, the only thing giving her comfort the feel of Aaron close behind her, his hand on her back as always, his solid warmth seeming to reach out and enfold her.

  It gave her more courage, but what gave her the most courage was Cole standing upon seeing her, his eyes questioning, his expression worried. About her.

  She smiled at him. “I still live.”

  “Good to know,” he replied gruffly. “I don’t want the permanent job of cleaning out the cat litter trays.”

  “Don’t blame you,” Luke said.

  Lora came straight over to Shea and wrapped her arms around her, a move that startled Shea who’d expected a more cool reception.

  Stepping back, Lora looked up at her searchingly. “Are you all right? Elspeth can be a little intimidating.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “That woman… Gotta love her, but sometimes she’s a whirlwind, other times an ice queen. Never mind.” She smiled. “You’re all right. So, new business, hmm?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “I’m pleased for you.”

  The open acceptance was a little humbling. “I’m sorry, Lora.” Shea looked at Luke. “I’m sorry for leading you all on.”

  Luke shrugged. “Well, at least you’re not a freak like Aaron. That’s something.”

  “Mikki will be angry.”

  “I’ll handle Mikki.” He grinned, a sparkle in his eyes that openly proclaimed he liked dealing with his fiancée. “She’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

  Shea wasn’t so sure about that. Mikki was a bit of a firebrand.

  “It’s not the end of the world,” Lora assured her. “We all make mistakes for what we think is the right reason.”

  “Some mistakes have far-reaching consequences.”

  Lora’s expression softened, reminding Shea that she was Harris Wells’s sister. “We’ve all made mistakes. Some of us are lucky to be offered a second chance and we take it. So take this chance and run with it. You and Cole.” Lora smiled at him. “You’re both good kids.”

  The show of support was a little overwhelming and as though sensing it, Aaron murmured, “It’s getting late. Time to go. Cole?”

  “Yeah, coming.”

  Luke followed them, surprising Shea further when he gave her a quick squeeze. “It’s really okay, Shea.”

  She nodded, that bloody stupid lump in her throat again.

  Luke glanced at Lora, but rather than explain the unspoken message between them, he gave Shea a brotherly pat on the head and wink before walking out to the kitchen.

  Lora waited on the veranda until they got into the car. Cole settled into the backseat, Shea the passenger side. Within seconds they were on the road.

  Searching for something to say as the streetlights flashed past, Shea asked, “How did Elspeth get home? The red car was still in the driveway.”

  “That’s Mikki’s car, Luke borrowed it,” Aaron replied easily. “Elspeth called her chauffer to pick her up.”

  “But she drives,” Cole remarked from the back seat.

  “She’s also on her way to a party, so she calls her chauffer to take her.”

  “Makes an impression.”

  “A better one than wrapping herself around a light pole because she drank and drove.”

  “Point taken.”

  Aaron flicked him a glance in the rear-view mirror. “Good.”

  “Is this going to be a dad thing?” Cole remarked with deceiving casualness. “Because I don’t need a dad.”

  Shea stiffened. “Cole-”

  Aaron interrupted smoothly, his tone level and pleasant. “I’m not a dad figure. My father is.”

  “Yeah,” Cole agreed. “He’s a nice bloke.”

  “The best.”

  The rest of the drive went in silence. Aaron gave Shea a reassuring look, but regardless she would be reminding Cole when they got home that some remarks were plain rude. Casting a quick glance behind her, she noted that her brother was in one of his thoughtful moods, his chin on his hand, his elbow on the door frame. He was looking out unseeingly at the night. He certainly didn’t look prickly or belligerent, neither of which he normally was, so she wondered from where his comment had stemmed. Another little puzzle to figure out.

  Bringing up teenage boys was a learning experience for sure, just as, no doubt, bringing up teenage girls were. Times like this she felt inadequate but all she could do was forge onwards and hope she did it right.

  With that unerring sixth sense he had, Aaron said quietly, “He’ll be fine.”

  She nodded.

  “He knows where Dad is if he needs to talk.”

  “Yeah.”

  “He also knows I’ll talk to him if needed.”

  That had a sudden thought pop into her head. Shea cast him a quick glance, but Cole shifting in the seat behind her brought the realisation that now wasn’t the time to bring up the query.

  She bided her time.

  Pulling into the driveway of the shop, Aaron drove down to the back where the security light switched on, illuminating the surroundings. They all got out, Aaron coming around to stand near them, tall, broad-shouldered, so patient and quiet even while his gaze scanned the surroundings before settling back on brother and sister.

  Cole looked at him. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  Pride rose in Shea that her brother had the guts to face up and apologise.

  “I know,” Aaron replied.

  “It’s true, though.” Cole glanced away, glanced down at his sneakers, glanced up again. “But I do think of you as a brother.”

  Then he truly shocked Shea by sticking out his hand, his cheeks flushed but his eyes gamely meeting Aaron’s.

  Smiling slightly, Aaron reached out and took the boy’s hand. “Same.”

  They shook, then Aaron gave a tug and Cole shifted forward into Aaron’s brief yet unhurried and definitely manly hug and light back thump. “You know where I am.”

  “Like always,” Cole nodded. Now his face was flushed, but it was with embarrassed happiness. “’Night, Aaron.”

  “Goodnight.”


  Bounding up the steps with renewed vigour, Cole unlocked the door to disappear inside.

  Shea turned to Aaron. “How many times has he gone over to your business or house to talk to you?”

  “A few.”

  The thought that Cole reached out to someone else should have been more disturbing than it was, mostly because they’d always only had each other. But this was Aaron.

  “Does it worry you?” he asked seriously.

  “No.” She met his gaze steadily. “I’m glad he’s got you.”

  “He’s a good kid, got a good heart, got a good head on his shoulders. Just needs a man to bounce things off sometimes.”

  “I’m glad it’s you. And your Dad. Thank you.”

  He opened his arms. “Come here.”

  Melting into his arms, feeling the strength of them closing around her to cradle her close to him, Shea leaned her head on his shoulder with a blissful sigh. Being in his arms was truly like coming home.

  “I like that Cole thinks of me as a big brother.” Aaron kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you think of me as more than a big brother.”

  “Big brother? Ick again, right?”

  His laugh was a deep rumble against her ear.

  Nestled against him, she closed her eyes. “Trust me, you’re in a whole other category.”

  His arms tightened. “Good.”

  Being with him was so nice, the feeling of protection, his steadiness, his quiet confidence. She could happily lie in his arms for a lifetime.

  “So just what category do you place me in?”

  “Mmm?”

  His hand smoothed down her hair, toyed with the ends. “I don’t put you in a category.”

  Her eyes opened. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” he cupped her cheeks in big palms, tipped her head back as he lowered his face until his lips hovered just above hers, “there is no category for you.”

  The blue eyes above her were intense, a flicker of something deep inside the pale pools, something that had her breath catching as she had a sudden realisation.

  Was that…? It couldn’t be…could it?

  “You’re Shea,” he said with quiet intensity. “You’ll always be my Shea, no category needed.”

  Her senses whirled with the startling comprehension of what he was saying. Meaning. “Aaron-”

  He kissed her, swallowed his name on her lips.

  It wasn’t a hard kiss, wasn’t swift. It was gentle, deep, long, his tongue sliding in slowly, sweeping around with aching sweetness as he tasted her, left his essence behind, filled her senses with his taste, his touch, his very being.

  A kiss so sweet her heart actually ached.

  Lifting his head, he looked down at her with banked fire in his eyes emphasizing the pale blue irises in the glow of the security light.

  “Go inside,” he said softly. “Get some sleep.”

  Not knowing quite what to think or say, she hesitated.

  “Inside.” Straightening, he took her shoulders and turned her gently but firmly. “I’ll wait until the door is locked behind you.”

  “Aaron-”

  He gave her a little push.

  “Aaron, you can’t just say-”

  “Later.” When she started to protest, he said with calm force, “You need sleep. It’s been a rough few hours. I’ll see you later.”

  She gazed searchingly at him but he remained impassive. Her thoughts were in turmoil, her body still deliciously warm from being pressed against his.

  A small smile played around his lips, swiftly there, swiftly gone. Reaching out, he took her hand and led her up the steps, opening the door and pushing her gently inside.

  Scared to leave it like this, wanting to explore what he’d revealed, what she’d discovered so unexpectedly, Shea turned around only to have Aaron pluck the car keys from her hand and shut the security screen, locking it with quick efficiency before going back down the steps.

  She was still standing there when the car lights of the SUV withdrew and finally vanished. Along with her car keys.

  Red sliding around her ankles brought her back to reality. Picking him up, she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

  “Oh boy.” Had she really seen what she thought?

  “Sis?” Cole appeared in the kitchen doorway.

  “Yep?”

  “Everything all right? You know, between you and Aaron?”

  Between her and Aaron.

  It sounded good.

  There was languid, rolling warmth in her belly. “Everything is just great.”

  “Good. Can I have some of that leftover apple pie?”

  Nothing like a brother to bring one back to reality. “Isn’t it late to be snacking?”

  Opening the ‘fridge, he grabbed the plate of apple pie. “Never too late to snack. I’m a growing boy. I have an appetite. You want some?”

  Why the heck not?

  Placing Red on the floor, she got out the plates and forks.

  Grabbing a can of spray cream, Cole brought both it and the pie to the table.

  As he sat down, she caught sight of his boxers. “Didn’t I throw that rag out?”

  “They’re my lucky boxers. I rescued them.”

  “Lucky? How can they be lucky? You’ll be lucky they don’t fall off your arse.”

  “Won’t you get an eyeful then?”

  “Gross.”

  Sharing a smile, they sat down.

  Her thoughts were starting to slide back to Aaron when Cole suddenly got the note pad from near the phone and brought it back to the table. Flicking the top on the pen, he placed a big mouthful of apple pie in his mouth. “So, what businesses should we be thinking about?”

  Shea brushed the crumbs off the pad. “How about a business specialising in good manners?”

  “Point taken.”

  Pursing her lips in silent disapproval, she brushed more crumbs off the pad.

  Cole pointed to his closed mouth, tapped the pad as he chewed vigorously.

  Personally, Shea would have preferred to mull over Aaron’s comments and actions, but seeing the eagerness in her brother she relented. It wasn’t like she was going to sleep much anyhow, not now.

  “Deli,” she suggested.

  Cole scribbled it down.

  “Dress shop.”

  He gave her an aghast look, swallowed the pie. “Computer shop.”

  “What do I know about computers?”

  “I’ll teach you.”

  “We don’t have that much time. I’m retiring at sixty five.”

  “Hah ha.”

  “Has to be something I can do, remember?”

  “Okay. We can do this.”

  With a sudden laugh, she reached over and ruffled his hair. “Yeah, boyo, we can do this.”

  “Get off.” He playfully pushed her hand away. “Now, back to business.” He held up the pen suddenly, eyes sparkling. “Ooohhhh, get it? Back to business about the business?”

  “Please, you’re killing me.”

  Later, lying in bed, she knew she wouldn’t sleep. Thoughts buzzed in her mind, chasing each other around - business, Aaron, her own feelings, Cole, Elspeth coming the next morning.

  Thumping her pillow, she rolled onto her side to stare into the darkness. Ginger flopped down beside her, kneading her arm happily, his purr filling the room comfortingly.

  She fell asleep with Aaron’s face in her mind’s eye, his words in her ear, warmth in her heart, half-formed plans for a new business, and hope for the future.

  ~*~

  It was so tempting to open the shop for just one more day of readings. Not because she particularly wanted to, but because she was actually a little nervous at shutting so soon after opening - and nervous about taking a new step in another direction however much she wanted it. This she knew worked. Another business? Scary stuff.

  Keeping the sign flipped to ‘closed’, Shea looked around the room. Carrot cavorted happily with the feather duster, dragging it around and drop
ping it from the top of the counter before leaping after it to drag around the floor before finally stashing it behind the curtain.

  Lying sprawled out on the counter, Red lazily eyed Carrot’s tail where the tip waved around from under the curtain.

  “He’s in hiding,” Shea informed Red. “You can’t see him.”

  Ginger gave Carrot’s tail a baleful look.

  “Just pretend, okay?”

  Ginger looked the other way.

  “Or ignore him. Whatever.”

  A knock sounded on the front door. Damn, should she answer it? Ignore it? She hadn’t formed a proper explanation yet for why she was still closed.

  The knock sounded again so she opened the door. “I apologise, but I’m closed for…” Surprised, she looked up at the lean, brown-haired man clad in work clothes. “Jason?”

  “Hi.” He nodded.

  “Izzy isn’t here.”

  “I know, I just left her at home. I’m here to see you.”

  “Me?”

  Another nod.

  A horrible thought occurred to her even as she stepped back to let him in. Maybe he was there to rip her for leading his wife on. Jason was protective of Izzy, was a straight-shooting man, he wouldn’t be impressed with her con job.

  Flicking the lock on the door again, she inwardly cringed.

  Never having been in the shop before, Jason glanced around. “Nice.”

  “Yep.”

  “I hear your business was doing well.”

  “It was.”

  “Closing it down?”

  “That’s the idea.”

  “Opening up another?”

  “That’s the other idea.” A little nervously, she rubbed the palm of one hand on the back of the other hand. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee or tea or something?”

  “No thanks.” Reaching out, he held a hand out to Red, who sniffed interestedly. “Just wanted to share a little something with you.”

  Not quite knowing where this was leading, Shea watched him curiously.

  “When I was younger, me and my brother used to get into a lot of trouble.” Jason tickled behind Red’s ears. “Drank, fought, slept around. Obnoxious didn’t begin to describe us.” He rubbed slowly under Red’s chin, making the cat close his eyes and purr blissfully.

  Quiet, serious Jason a troublemaker? Shea found that hard to believe. He laughed and smiled, sure, but the seriousness was never far from him.