by Dawn Brower
Claire led him out of the hospital and toward her car. He didn’t mention he could see. His vision was still a little blurry, but he could make out things that were close to him. Everything in the distance eluded him. He should tell Ren about it. Maybe it could be corrected with glasses or something. For now, he was content to leave things the way they were. Well, not everything. A flash of Nolan kissing Claire crossed over him and he stumbled.
“Are you all right?” Claire asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” He gritted his teeth.
A part of him was annoyed he couldn’t own up to his vision returning. Why couldn’t he tell her? What was the point of playing games? He couldn’t keep this up. It wasn’t fair to Claire. He’d be honest with her, later, after the dinner at her mother’s house. It would help him gauge the situation if everyone thought he was impaired. They’d dismiss him as inconsequential and he’d be free to study the situation.
“What is going on inside that brain of yours?” Claire tilted her head and studied him. “You’re acting weird.”
He shrugged. This pretending thing was already getting old. He almost groaned when she bit down on her bottom lip. It would be so easy to reach out and kiss her. She’d probably slap him. Clearly, she’d rather have that twat Nolan kissing her. Why, he had no clue, but he’d figure it out. Then he would eradicate him from the equation. Matt stared off into space, trying not to focus on Claire. If he started to really look at her she’d get a clue and call him out on his bull shit. He didn’t know why his vision decided to return when it did, but he was thankful. It gave him the swift kick in the ass he’d needed.
“I told you I’m fine.” His forehead furrowed. “Are we going to stand out here all day or are we going back to my place?”
“I thought we were going to my mother’s for dinner.” She placed her hands on her hips. “What’s up with that? You know how I feel about her.”
He shrugged. “I don’t want to stay closeted up in my house all the time. It seemed like a good way to escape the mundaneness that my life has become these days.”
The anger faded from her gaze. “I’m sorry, Matt. I know it has to be rather tedious to stay inside and do nothing all day. I can put up with my mother for an evening if you really want to go.”
He did. But not for the reasons she thought. He’d met Rachel Jackson once, and he’d not particularly liked her. This Nolan and Reese thing was what he wanted more information on. It was clear Nolan and Reese were together, so why had he been kissing Claire? There was a history there he’d not fully understood. Was he the reason she’d quit her previous firm? She’d said she had left for personal reasons. Was her boss hitting on her? Did she have a previous relationship with him? She’d not given him any details, and he hadn’t felt the need to pry. Whatever her personal reasons were, they were hers to tell or not. Now his interest was sparked. He had to know so he could move forward and plan.
Claire opened the car door. “Come on, get inside and I’ll phone my mother.”
Matt grinned. “I can call her if you want.”
He’d take on anything for her. Even her dragon of a mother.
“No. I better do it. Who knows what she might talk you into.”
Matt slid into the passenger seat and settled in. Claire closed the door and rounded over to the driver’s side. She got inside and buckled her seatbelt. Then she hit a button on her dash and called her mother through the speaker system on her car.
“Hello,” a woman’s voice filled the car. “Is that you, Claire?”
“No, it’s my doppelganger.” She rolled her eyes.
Matt chuckled.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” her mother scoffed. “Who’s that with you?”
“Hello, Mrs. Jackson. It’s Matthew Price.”
Claire turned to him and glared. He kept his gaze focused in front of him. If he reacted at all she’d realize, fast, he could tell what she was doing. Then all would be lost.
“Right. If you have room, Matt and I’d like to come to dinner.” Claire blew out a breath. “I ran into Reese and she said she had news to share tonight.”
Her mother remained silent. How could a woman be so un-reactive to her daughter? He could almost feel the disapproval coming through the call. Matt reached across the seat and felt for her. His hand met her leg and he squeezed. A gasp of shock escaped her mouth. His lips tilted into a smile.
“Fine. Bring him. I’ll make due.”
“Thank you, Mother.” She gripped the steering wheel tight between her fingers. “Did you ever get a hold of Carter?”
“Hmmph.” Her mother snorted. “He says he will try to come by, but he’s not making any promises. Said something about a case needing his attention. He’s as ungrateful as you are.”
Matt had enough of this conversation. Claire was becoming even more agitated with every word. He couldn’t imagine not having a close and understanding relationship with his mother. His family had always been close. She’d be at his house taking care of him if his parents hadn’t relocated south when they retired. He’d reassured them he was fine and they didn’t have to come back to Envill to take care of him. That’s what he had Dani for. He’d made her his emergency contact so his parents didn’t have to be bothered. They were old and frail. He’d been a late-in-life child. A surprise they didn’t think they’d ever have. His mother was in her late forties when he’d been born.
“Do you need us to bring anything?” Matt interrupted Rachel. “Wine? Something a little stronger?” He could use a stiff drink or twenty. It was going to be one hell of an evening. Claire might kill him before it was over. “Or is our charming company enough?”
“Charming?” Rachel Jackson sounded appalled. Matt almost laughed. “Listen to me, young man, I don’t have time for your nonsense. I don’t need anything from either one of you.”
Claire rubbed her temples. “What time is dinner?”
“Be here by five-thirty. We’re eating at six sharp.”
“Fine. See you in an hour.” Claire hit the button to hang up the call before her mother could say anything else. “Are you certain you’re up to this?”
Matt bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from laughing. This was a side of Claire he wasn’t used to seeing. She was so damn frustrated he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss it all better. She’d probably punch him for his efforts.
“Yes. It’s not going to be as bad as you’re thinking it will be.”
She let her head fall to her steering wheel and muttered, “No it’s going to be so much worse.”
He reached out and rubbed her back. She wasn’t paying enough attention to realize he watched her carefully. “What’s bothering you, Cheer Bear?” He’d started to call her that at her usually chipper attitude. At first, her unending smile had annoyed him, but she melted his icy exterior fast. Then he couldn’t imagine anyone else. She was it for him. He’d been a fool and too slow to tell her how he felt. Now he found himself in this awful situation.
She lifted her head off the steering wheel and glanced at him. “Nothing its fine.”
“Don’t lie to me.” He frowned. “I can tell from the sound of your voice something is bothering you. I can take it. Lay it on me.”
“I’d rather not talk about it.” She shook her head. “We have an hour before we have to be at my mother’s. What would you like to do in the meantime?”
That was a loaded question. There was a lot he’d like to do. The top of that list was taking her home and stripping her out of her clothes and... He closed his eyes and pushed that thought away. She was worried about something. The last thing she wanted to do was have naked time with him. Besides, an hour wasn’t nearly enough for all he wanted to do. Not to mention they weren’t exactly at that stage in their relationship. Hell, they weren’t at any stage. He’d yet to take a first step—something he’d rectify soon enough.
“I don’t know. Do you feel like a drive to the lake?”
He loved the water. It always ca
lmed him and made it easier for him to think. Maybe he’d see things more clearly if he spent some time down there before enduring her mother and the dinner party from hell. If it could be avoided, he would do it. He was starting to understand why Claire stayed away from her family. Something was off... He wasn’t sure yet what it was. He’d make sure to figure it out before the evening was over with though.
“I think that’s a great idea. I could use some peace and quiet before the night of terror you’re insisting on.”
He laughed. “I’ll be with you every step of the way. Don’t worry; any beasts that come at you have to go through me first.” He chuckled lightly. “I promise to slay every last one of them.”
“I don’t know why you’re suddenly acting this way but,” —She started the car, pulled out of the parking spot, and headed toward the lake— “I don’t need a protector.” Claire clenched the steering wheel tightly. Her lips were pursed tightly together with displeasure.
No, she wouldn’t. “Doesn’t mean I won’t do it.” She’d best understand that from the start. He’d follow her to the ends of the Earth and back and destroy anyone who hurt her. “It’s nice to have someone in your corner. I’d be honored to be that person for you.”
“You have your own problems, Matt.” She sighed. “Don’t worry about mine.”
“Have it your way, Cheer Bear. You usually do.” They remained silent for the rest of the drive to the lake. Matt was fine with that since he had a lot to consider. He’d press the issue later. For now, he was content to let the matter drop.
CHAPER EIGHT
Matt was acting odd. She didn’t know what it was, but there was something different with him. Something snapped into place after his visit with Ren. Whatever the change happened to be, she was glad for it. He seemed calmer and more accepting of everything. He was still on edge in some ways, but for the most part he was the Matt she remembered. The past month had been hard on all of them as he healed and fought to regain his sight—still fought for it. She hoped and prayed it would return. He was such a good man, and he didn’t deserve this struggle he was going through.
The drive around the lake had been peaceful, and the hour or so of tranquility had given her time to relax. Unfortunately, now she had to drive to the lion’s den and face the lioness herself. At least she’d faced her in the past and her mother’s bite wasn’t as bad as it used to be.
She parked the car and turned toward Matt. “Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” She had to ask. He didn’t know what he was in for. Yes, he’d had the pleasure of listening to her mother’s tirade, but that wasn’t even close to the real deal.
“Yes.” He chuckled lightly. “How many times must I tell you that?”
A bazillion, and even then she’d still not believe him. Why was he torturing them both? How many times had she told him how her mother was? Did he not believe her? Well, if not, he was about to receive a crash course in Rachel Jackson’s social etiquette and expectations. “I had to ask. This evening is going to suck.” She pouted.
Damn it, she’d managed to evade these impromptu events of her mother’s for a while now. Because Matt decided to interject himself into her conversation with her sister, she now was being forced to participate. Maybe Carter would show up too. He’d hated dinners at home more than she did. He’d never lived up to their mother’s expectations. Poor Carter had been forced to hear how much he was like their father their entire life. It was enough to drive a person to drink. At least her brother took a different approach and buried himself in work instead.
“All right.” She blew out a breath. “Let’s go inside. The sooner we do, the sooner it will be over.”
“I’m game.” Matt’s lips curved upward. “I can’t wait. I’m starving.” He rubbed his belly. “I don’t think I’ve eaten much all day.”
“I tried to...”
He interrupted her, “I know. I was too nervous to eat earlier.”
He’d been all Grumpy Bear earlier. Now he was doing a fabulous job of becoming Funshine Bear. The polar opposite was enough to give her whiplash. This total turnabout was driving her crazy, and yet she was happy to see the joking fun side of Matt again. He hadn’t eaten a thing for lunch when she came to pick him up. As far as Breakfast... She had no clue if he bothered to eat. She suspected he hadn’t though. Maybe that was part of his ulterior motives. He wanted food and hated having to deal with arranging it himself. He had to realize Claire wouldn’t have cooked for him, or hell, even gone for takeout. Anything other than having to endure a dinner party at her mother’s.
Claire shook her head and hopped out of the car. Matt pushed the passenger door open and fumbled out. She reached him and looped her arm through his. “I don’t have any idea who is going to be here. Mother does these things all the time. She invites prominent people from the community, the university, and the hospital now that Reese is a resident there. She believes in cultivating the best social connections.”
“People like the Bradys?” Matt asked.
“She wishes.” Clare snorted. “She’s been trying to get an in there for ages. Siobhan Brady is polite, but declines every time. Because of that, I’ve respected the lady immensely. After meeting Sullivan, I suspect he doesn’t have time for bullshit, though he might come to one to snub her in person if she offends someone he cares about.”
Matt was quiet for a moment. “Do you like Dani’s family?”
How to answer that? She didn’t know them that well. Hell, Dani didn’t know them. They’d found each other recently because fate threw them together again. Tragedy had separated them and they had to get to know each other instead of growing up together. “Sullivan is charming, sophisticated, and demanding. He does what he wants and doesn’t care who he steps on to get it. That being said, he’d lay down his life for someone he loves. He’d gladly have taken that bullet for Dani if he could have.” But did she like him? That was what he asked, right? “I respect him. I’m glad he’s there for Dani, and that she has her whole family to lean on, but I wouldn’t trade places with her for anything.”
Matt stopped and turned toward her. He stared over her shoulder. “Why not?” He raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you want to find out you are a changeling of some sort and this isn’t the family you belong too? You hate it here.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I do. But they are what I know, and I don’t do well with the unfamiliar. They might drive me insane. Shoot, there is no might about it; they do drive me bat shit crazy, but they’re my family and I love them. I wouldn’t want to find out that my whole world was a mistake and relearn my surroundings. It’s a challenge to deal with the mundane things life throws at me. I don’t envy Dani.” She shook her head. “But I am happy for her. She thought she’d been abandoned and now she knows her family loves her. They’d always wanted her, and she has the opportunity to reacquaint herself with them. That’s a blessing.”
They walked toward the front door and climbed the steps. Claire rapped on the door and waited for her mother to answer. She realized there were families where it was acceptable to walk in without knocking. Her mother insisted on formality. They were not allowed to enter her house without permission. Growing up, they’d had strict guidelines to follow, and if they didn’t the punishment was harsh. She took a deep breath and fortified her walls. She’d need them to deal with her mother. The door flew open and she met Nolan’s gaze. She scowled. Damn it, she’d almost forgotten he’d be there.
“Claire.” He smirked. “Glad to see you could make it. Come inside, your mother set out appetizers for us to snack on until dinner is served.”
She frowned and followed him inside. “Who all is here?”
“Your brother hasn’t yet arrived, but is expected. I think he said he had some things to look into for a case before he could come by.”
“Reese is here though?”
“Of course.” He led them into a sitting room. A tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit was laid out on a nearby table. “Do
you want a drink?” Nolan stared at Matt. He didn’t respond to his question. How would he know for sure it was directed at him? He was partially blind.
“Matt can’t have alcohol. It will mess with his meds.”
His jaw tightened. “I can answer for myself.”
Well, why the hell hadn’t he then? “Fine. Stay here and keep Nolan company. I’m going to find Reese.”
She ambled through the house and found her sister in the library. The location didn’t surprise her. It’d been the one peaceful place in the house when they were growing up. They could pick up a book and get lost inside its pages. Her mother approved of any reading, believing it enriched the mind. Her and Reese read a lot because it was the one thing Rachel Jackson left them alone to do. Everything else was nitpicked to death.
“Find anything interesting?” she asked her sister.
Reese glanced up. “No. Re-reading an old favorite.” She placed the book on the shelf. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. Claire almost dreaded what her sister wanted to discuss. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nolan asked me to marry him.”
Had he? Well, that didn’t really surprise her. He wasn’t going to land a better catch than her sister. She was a rising star at Envill East. A brilliant doctor, trained by the best, and would go high in her chosen field. She was ambitious and beautiful, but more importantly she also came with connections through their mother. That was why he’d been attracted to Claire at first. He wanted to be invited into that close social circle. He had goals too, and she’d been a means to an end. Until Reese, anyway. Reese was everything Claire wasn’t. She’d never expected him to throw her aside for her sister. “What did you say?”
She fiddled with her fingers. “I said I’d think about it.”
That surprised her. “You aren’t sure if you want to marry him?” Why was she with him then?
“I don’t know if I want to marry anyone. I don’t exactly have good examples to go by.” She stood and paced the room. “Daddy abandoned us when we were too little to know what was going on. He never looked back. Mother is a paragon of control, but not an exemplary role-model to live by. She’s so...hard.”