“Oh, Eisley.” Mom shook her head. “You care about him, honey.”
Eisley’s fist tightened with the muscles in her stomach. “That article brought up so many hurtful things. What if someone tries to dig up even more?” Her gaze zeroed in on Julia, who quickly returned her attention to the counter. The ache in Eisley’s chest surged deeper, pulling her in two directions, right down the center of her heart.
“I know my dirty laundry isn’t worth your relationship with Wes,” Rachel said landing a hand to her hip. “I made my choices, and these are the consequences.” She looked over at Julia. “But not everyone had a choice in what happened to them.”
Julia traced a finger over the rim of her glass, her lips pierced tight as if she worked to control her emotions. She settled a palm to her belly. Eisley’s stomach turned, remembering those first few months of anger and fear when Julia grappled with the indescribable betrayal of being raped by her date. Having the ugly news spread back across the minds of the county would reawaken the hurt all over again. Julia was strong, right? The answer seemed simple until Eisley actually realized the cost: Wes. Her little fairy tale started to crumble.
“Julia, honey?” Mom placed her hand to Julia’s shoulder.
Julia wiped a tear from her cheek and shrugged. “I’m okay.” She lifted her gaze to Eisley. “Really, I am. The papers can’t do anything worse to me than what’s already happened.”
A male voice broke into the conversation.
“Some people are getting cold coffee around here.” Blake Connors, their dad’s younger partner in the carpentry business, lifted his mug and shot them an impatient glare.
“You’re interrupting, Blake,” Mom answered, and added such a stern mother look that Blake wilted back into his booth.
“I can wait.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Look.” Sophie raised the paper. “I know none of my dirty laundry was aired out in the article—”
“That’s because you haven’t done anything worth the papers.” Rachel rolled her eyes.
“Fine.” Sophie’s golden eyes brightened with purpose. “But it isn’t like any of this is new news. We’re from a small town. Everybody already knows all our junk. It’s part of the territory.”
“I already knew it all,” Blake offered from across the room.
All the ladies silenced him with a unified glare.
“But to have it blared in front of the whole world?” Eisley asked.
“The whole world?” Rachel laughed and settled back down on a barstool. “The paper’s circulation might be a fifty-mile radius, Eis.”
“But what if it turns into something more. What if—.”
“The world is full of what ifs, sis.” Rachel shrugged. “Getting lost in the what ifs steals your peace and future.”
“And we can’t live in fear.” Julia lifted her chin and nodded, as if to herself. “We can choose to live above it.”
“Wait a minute.” Sophie stood and placed her hands on her hips, tossing the paper to the counter with enough force to make a little slapping noise. “So what if some stupid paper posts lies, or even old news about our family? We know the truth. I thought that was what mattered.”
Rachel breathed out a long sigh. “The kid’s right.”
“Amen,” Blake added, and then ducked his head.
“And you know what else?” Sophie’s head started to move with her words, like a zealous preacher, no doubt fueled by Blake’s interjection. “We don’t have a slew of secrets in our family. But even if something bad happens, we always have each other.” Her hands moved along with her words. “If people want to twist information around, well, we’ve never had the power to control what they think, anyway.”
Eisley stared at her baby sister, shocked. “Sophie, I think that’s the most grown-up thing you’ve ever said.”
She wrinkled her nose with her grin. “Don’t get used to it. I still prefer make-believe.” Her face sobered. “I know I’m not in this stupid paper, so I can’t speak to the embarrassment, but I don’t think anything they could print in here is worth your fairy tale, sis.”
“Do you love him, Eisley?” Julia asked.
An ache swelled up through her chest and pinched at her breath. Love him?
She bit back the tears, everything within her fighting to keep her focus away from her breaking heart. “That doesn’t really matter. What matters is—”
“Actually, it does matter.” Julia stood, periwinkle eyes taking on a bit more steel. “You’re trying to protect us. Me. But we want to protect you, too. Your heart is just as important.”
“Julia—”
“Sophie’s right. Everyone who matters already knows what happened to me, but more importantly, the people who love me most are here to give me comfort and to protect me from making a wrong decision when my fear or my bad thoughts tempt me.” She rounded the counter and placed her palms on Eisley’s shoulder. “And we’re here to do the same for you. Do you love Wes, sis?”
Eisley stared into Julia’s searching gaze. She’d not spoken those words to any man since Marshall. It seemed almost dangerous to say them out loud. “Yes, I do.”
“Well then, that means Wes is a part of our family now.” Julia’s smile grew. “Why wouldn’t we shelter his heart as much as we would each other’s?”
“And we’ll deal with whatever happens.” Mom wrapped her arm around Julia’s shoulder and smiled to Sophie. “As we’ve always done.”
“Every small town needs a little conflict now and again.” Rachel grinned. “Livens up the place.”
Julia’s smile grew to light her pale eyes. “Family sticks together, no matter what.”
“Great.” Blake’s deep voice rumbled from the other side of the room. “Can I have some coffee now?”
***
Two days. It had taken Vivian two days to find the small town of Pleasant Gap. The hired taxi only took her to another small city, and then she sat through the hideous ordeal of travel by coach before arriving in an inconsequential place called Mt. Airy. From there, for an exorbitant amount of money, the taxi driver agreed to take her the hour north to Pleasant Gap through a maze of nauseating twists and turns, and finally left her at the edge of a rustic downtown street. Stone walkways lined each side of the garland strewn main street, but were practically empty.
She hated the ginger-headed boiler for all the trouble.
If only Miriam hadn’t gone silent and left her with little more than the name of Eisley’s sister’s bakery. No doubt Wes’s solicitor was snooping, examining the tabloid and following the leads she’d carefully placed for his discovery.
She rolled her eyes. Who would ever want to live in such a miniscule part of the world? It all should be over soon enough. Before Miriam disappeared for fear of being caught, she’d confirmed Eisley’s mobile number had leaked. Vivian had given up everything for him, so if she couldn’t live in peace and happiness, neither would he. They didn’t deserve happiness unless it was with each other.
She shoved back her hair and started a brisk walk toward the closest shop—a brick building with a green door and a sign overhead reading Deals on Wheels. Someone in this small place had to have directions to the Jenkins family's home. Her grin etched up on one side. And finding a chauffeur to her destination shouldn’t be too difficult.
A groan curled from her throat as she pushed open the heavy door, the jingle of bells announcing her stumble into the shop. She smoothed her jacket, sweeping the room with an impatient glance. The filthy scent of oil swirled so thick she felt as though it covered her skin. Bicycles hung from the ceiling, tools lined the walls, and wheels of various sizes and shapes sat in stacks on the floor.
No, this was not the place for her.
A deep baritone voice stopped her turn. “Can I help you?”
A pair of dark eyes met hers from across the room. His green t-shirt was rolled up to reveal muscular arms braced against the counter. He caught her unhidden perusal and his brows rose
in question, then he returned the examination.
Well, well. Perhaps this was the perfect stop.
She made the inspection worth his while, straightening to highlight the best of her figure.
His grin took an easy trip across his face as he rounded the counter, an arrogant swagger to his moves. Oh yes, he was perfect. “You look lost.”
She tucked her chin and gave a shy smile. “I’m afraid you’re right. I’ve traveled all this way to meet someone and have no idea how to find him.”
The man drew close, smile twisting in a flirty turn. “Maybe you’re looking for the wrong man.”
She nibbled her bottom lip to add to the allure of a damsel in distress. “I’m willing to consider those possibilities, Mr—”
“Barrett.” He offered his hand. “Marshall Barrett.”
Oh, this was even better than she could have hoped.
She slid her cool hand into the warmth of his palm and produced a gasp, as if his touch awakened the reaction. His grin inched wider.
“Vivian Barry, and the man I’m looking for gave me the wrong address where I could meet him. Being English, like me, I assumed he might stand out in your little town.”
Marshall tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he examined her. “I don’t know of anyone visiting from England.”
“He’s visiting a family here, I believe. The Jenkins family. Do you know them?”
His frown furled. “I know them.”
She squeezed his hand again and donned her most brilliant smile to draw his attention back to her. “We have an important business decision to discuss.”
“Business?”
“Of course.” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I’m currently unattached.”
The man’s flirty smile regained control of his lips. Amateur.
“Well Ms. Barry, what if I treat you to lunch and then give you a ride out to the Jenkins’ farm. Most likely they’re keeping your friend in the guest apartment.”
She inwardly groaned, but her smile never wavered. There was no time to waste. She’d planned out her strategy and was a day later than she’d hoped. Wes should have discovered Eisley’s mobile as the one from which the photos were taken yesterday or the day before. She needed to encourage his doubt—though Marshall Barrett made a tasty distraction. “Lunch? I’m not certain I have time.”
He took her arm, knowing the game, but he’d met his match with her.
She leaned her body into his, sliding close for only a moment. “Mr. Barrett, I’d much rather have something more intimate, especially as a thank you for all your trouble.”
His brow shot high.
She covered his arm with her hand, looking up through her lashes. “Perhaps dinner? After I’ve finished my business with Mr. Harrison?”
“It’s a date, Ms. Barry.” He slid her body another look and stepped back. “Let me get my keys, close up for lunch, and we’ll be on our way.”
***
Eisley hadn’t returned home yet, and despite Lizzie and Joe’s reassurances, Wes couldn’t shake the look of pain he’d seen in her eyes. Pain his presence in her life had caused. He didn’t want to lose her, but neither did he want to hurt her, and there was no assurance her family’s privacy wouldn’t be breached again.
And again.
He pulled up to the apartment and shot a look to the main house. No sign of Eisley’s car or the Jenkins’. A different scent hit him as he entered the apartment. Lavender? He shrugged. With the number of feminine motifs in the room, he wouldn’t be surprised if artificial flowers started growing out of the floral print wallpaper.
Eisley had been gone for an hour. An excruciating hour. What would her decision be? He knew the choices he’d made to protect his family: Moving away from his beloved home; cutting off any person who dug too deeply into his private life. He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. Except Vivian. Guilt fueled his blindness and idiocy with Vivian.
Wes tossed his mobile onto the flower shaped coffee table and sat down on the couch, elbows resting on his knees. Lord, I would do anything to protect her. To keep her from hurting the same way she’s been hurt in the past. Help me.
Pain squeezed his breath closed, his prayer grinding to an excruciating halt.
Even give her up.
The thought hurdled through him, singeing a direct line to his heart. The best way to protect her from the ill effects of his life would be to leave her alone. He stood and paced the floor, a growing ache throbbing deep in his chest. She’d never wanted him in her life. He’d pursued her all along, selfishly, with the cravings of a starving man, hunting the fruit of a second chance.
He’d thrust her into his world, and now—
The sound of an approaching vehicle drew him to the window. Eisley’s jeep came into view up the drive. It would be the right thing to let her go. If he loved her, or even cared for her family, he would do it. She’d not signed on to the insanity accompanying his profession. Her anonymous world played a comforting song to her. He couldn’t promise privacy, ever.
For her. His chest constricted again. Or for her children.
She stepped from the jeep and met his gaze through the window, her beautiful eyes lit with her answer. She’d choose him. His smile froze on his face. And he shouldn’t let her.
He met her at the door.
“Hey,” she whispered.
He couldn’t get his voice to work. Perhaps it was in protest at the words he needed to speak, the choice he must convince her to make—because if she didn’t and more of his past crowded into their lives, he’d only continue to hurt her and her family.
But how could he let her go?
Because you love her, mate.
She stepped into his arms, burying her face into his shoulder the way he loved. The way that brought the deepest surge of protectiveness. With strength forged from his decision, he placed his hands on her shoulders and drew back.
“We need to talk.” He almost added ‘pet’, but couldn’t pair the sweet endearment with what he needed to say next. “Things have changed.”
She searched his face. “Changed?” Her palm caressed his cheek. “It’s only made me more certain.”
He took her hand from his cheek and cradled it in his. “My life poses challenges you shouldn’t have to face.”
“I’m not afraid. Not anymore.” Her smile glowed with a naive confidence. “If you love me, we’ll work out all the crazy stuff. You trust me, and I trust you.”
“Your first mistake, my dear.” The glacial tones from behind him identified its author. Eisley’s face paled as she glanced over his shoulder and confirmed his fear. Turning, he took the sight like a punch to his stomach.
Vivian Barry stood in the bathroom doorway wearing nothing but a dangerous smile and a thin, red towel.
Twenty-Eight
Eisley’s brain turned in agonizing slow motion. Hadn’t she mistaken Vivian for being in a red towel when they’d first met? At the Christmas gala? And now, in her family’s powder puff apartment, the woman literally stood in a red towel. This had to be a horrible nightmare.
It didn’t make sense. Why would Vivian be in her parents’ apartment with—
The thoughts moved faster, painfully clearer. No! An internal protest rose from the pit of her soul. Impossible. She looked from Vivian to the man she loved, who stood wide-eyed and pale at her side.
“Wes?” Her voice sounded pitiful and small. Weak, just like before. Memories crushed in on her. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Not with Wes.
He pulled his gaze from Vivian. If she didn’t know the lying actor so well, she’d have thought he was shocked to see Vivian too, but it didn’t make sense. How could Vivian have found him in her family’s apartment if Wes hadn’t told her where to come? Hadn’t Wes ended things with her?
The same emotions from Marshall’s betrayal—the devastating scenes—flickered through her mind and slashed over her heart with a deeper burn. Wes? Not Wes too. No.
“Eisley, I
didn’t know she was here.”
She swallowed down the useless tears and rolled her burning gaze to his. “I’ve…I’ve heard that line before.”
“I swear to you, it’s the truth.”
“That one, too.” She pressed a palm to her queasy stomach. “Twice.”
“Not from me.” His stare held a conviction she wanted to believe, but how? Proof positive stood grinning in her skivvies across the room.
Wes shot Vivian a steely look. “I don’t know how you got here, Vivian, but I see your plan and it won’t work. There is nothing between us and never will be.”
Vivian took her time looking over Wes from shoes to forehead, and then a feline smile slid into place. “Do you truly think she’ll believe you, darling?” She sent a cobalt glare toward Eisley. “I did try to warn her about our…bond.”
Wes growled and stepped forward, blocking Eisley from Vivian’s gaze. “There is nothing you have that I want.” His turned back to Eisley. “It has only been you since the first day we met. Can’t you see that Vivian’s been behind everything? The tabloids, the article, even this.” He ushered his hand toward her. “Please believe me.”
Eisley’s attention was drawn, against her will, back across the room. The little towel dropped a teensy bit lower to show off the perfect twin curves at the top of her chest. Eisley’s throat pinched against the bitterness rising into her throat.
“Right now, I’m having a hard time seeing past the naked woman in your apartment.” She took a deep breath, pulling up her strength. She would not be weak now. No matter how badly the scene confused and hurt her. No matter how much she wanted to close her eyes and wish it away. “Is this why you wanted to end things with us? She fits better into your life, I guess.” Eisley blinked the realization into place. He’d tried to tell her. Warn her. But she’d forged ahead with her Pollyanna hope, right into the freefall. Fairy tales weren’t for her.
“I wanted to prevent this.” His fist slammed against the side of his leg.
“Getting caught?” Her question hardened against a sob.
Pain flashed across his expression and collided with a fresh sting to her chest. “Hurting you.”
Just the Way You Are (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 1) Page 31