by Robyn Roze
Sean seemed to stop breathing, then he tucked her tightly against him, tipping her chin up and giving her a soft kiss. “You have no idea how glad I am that we did,” he said hoarsely. Giving her a tentative look, he warned, “Things might get a little rocky for a while, Shay. Just ride it through with me and we’ll be fine. Okay?”
Her eyes squeezed, and she felt worry begin to bubble in her stomach. Oh, no. What had he done?
“Sean—”
He pressed his finger to her lips and shook his head resolutely. He didn’t want her in the middle. He’d told her that before and she knew there would be no budging him on it. She acquiesced for the time being with a sigh and a nod. He pulled her mouth to his, kissing her hungrily before rolling her onto her back and spreading her warmth with his hard heat.
CHAPTER 15
“I’m sorry, but I love you both. I see what it’s doing to Dad and I don’t like it. I don’t understand after all that time together how it couldn’t bother you. How you just stop loving someone like that.”
Shayna released an exasperated sigh. She understood Danielle’s need to have her parents be who she wanted them to be, who she thought they were. How many years had she struggled with those same desires. Making up all kinds of stories in her head as to why Abigail left, waiting for her to come home as she promised. Secret missions. Clandestine operations. Matters of national security. It must’ve been something so much bigger, so much more important than just her husband and children. That’s what she’d convinced herself of as a young girl. And then...she found the letters in that unlocked metal box at the back of her father’s closet. Sometimes she wished he hadn’t forgotten to lock it.
Better not to know.
Easier to live with the lie.
“Mom? What’s the matter?” Danielle asked with genuine concern.
Shayna felt the sudden return of air to her lungs, and she shook the old painful memories from her head. “Oh, nothing. Really. I’m fine.” She stood and walked over to peer out at the lakefront view from Danielle’s tenth floor balcony. She felt Danielle move to stand beside her. “I know you love your dad and me, sweetheart. But you can’t do that to me again. And don’t let your dad put you in the middle like that, either. Life just doesn’t always turn out the way we want it to. You and your dad need to accept that, and move on.” Shayna paused. “And I don’t want you thinking that I hate your father.”
She turned to look directly at Danielle. “I will always love him, if for no other reason than because of you. No matter what we did wrong as a couple, we always have you to remind us of the good. But I don’t love him the way I used to, not the way I need to in order to be married to him. It’s over. It’s done. And I’m not changing my mind. End of story. Period,” she said softly, reaching out to stroke her daughter’s cheek.
Tears threatened to drop, but Danielle held them back and nodded in defeat. Danielle spoke softly. “Okay, Mom. I’ll stop. I just want you to be happy. Really.”
The sincerity was evident in her eyes, and Shayna pulled her into a much-needed hug. “I am happy, love. Really happy.” Danielle pulled back to look at her mother. Shayna nodded. “Happier than I’ve been in a very long time.” Danielle’s expression turned quizzical.
“It’s that Sean guy you’ve been seeing, isn’t it?”
“He’s part of it, but not all of it.”
“What do you mean not all of it?”
Shayna repositioned herself in a comfortable chair on the balcony. “This last three years is the only time in my life that I’ve ever been on my own...without a man. That may seem like an odd way to define it, but it’s true. Growing up there was, of course, your Grandpa Ben and Uncle Jack and Uncle Scotty. Then I went to college and met Wes my very first week.” She blushed a little from the old, visceral memory, and glanced to Danielle sitting across from her. “I told you about him,” she said wistfully. Danielle nodded sadly. “And then I met your father soon after that at the law firm, during all of the settlement negotiations for Wes’ wrongful death suit.”
Shayna chewed at her lip and stared off into the distance above the railing. “This last three years it’s just been me living in that beautiful house high up on the hill, overlooking Lake Indigo. I’ve had time to get to know myself. Time to relax. Time to think about what’s ahead of me and not just play a part in a man’s life or dreams. And, yes, Sean is part of that. He’s part of my dream, and I love him, Dani.” Danielle’s eyes bulged and she swallowed hard. Shayna smile shyly. “He makes me feel like I did the first time I fell in love...when I was eighteen.” She sighed softly. “I never thought, never expected to feel like that again.”
“Are you going to marry him?” Dani asked in a hushed tone.
“I don’t know. I really don’t even think about it. I just want to savor the moment. Squeeze everything out of it that I can. Understand?”
Danielle smiled bashfully and nodded. “Yeah, I do. I know how you feel.”
Shayna grinned in acknowledgement. It had been clear for some time that her daughter was head over heels in love with Harper Stevens.
“I hope you don’t get mad when I say this, Mom, but can I have some time...before I have to get to know Sean? I just need to sort it all out in my head first. I know I was a bitch the first time he met me and...” she trailed off and closed her eyes, shaking her head. “God, I’m really so sorry about that, Mom.”
“I know. It’s been hard for all of us. There’s been a learning curve, but I think we’re getting there. You can have all the time you need, love. No rush.”
Danielle smiled and nodded. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, Uncle Jack called me yesterday.”
“That’s great! I’m so glad he keeps in touch with you. I hope you never take it personally that your Uncle Scotty doesn’t. It’s nothing to do with you. It’s just the way he’s always been.”
“I know, and I love him anyway—the old goofball,” Danielle said, with a little snort and a laugh.
“So, what’s your Uncle Jack up to these days?”
“Well, he’s invited me for a get together in a few weeks.”
“Oh, well, that’s nice.” Shayna wondered if she would get an invite, but held her tongue.
“Yeah, he wants me to meet,” she held her mother’s eyes apprehensively for a moment, “Grandma Abigail.”
Hard cold steel immediately displaced all of the warmth in Shayna. She did her best to control her breathing and reaction.
“Does he, now?” she breathed out tightly.
Danielle looked nervous. “Mom, I haven’t said yes yet. I wanted to tell you first. I know how you feel about her.”
“Do you want to meet her?” Shayna asked coolly.
Danielle swallowed and shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m not sure. I know she really hurt you. I can’t say I’m excited about the idea. But maybe she’s changed, I don’t know what to think about it. What do you think I should do?”
Maybe she’s changed. It took every ounce of strength not to spew the venom boiling up inside her. She didn’t want any of this directed at Dani. She had to remain calm.
“It’s your decision, sweetheart,” she responded stiffly.
“Mom, come on just tell me what you think, please.”
Shayna assessed her beautiful daughter and felt trapped, cornered by a dark shadow from her past. But that was the intention, after all, wasn’t it?
“Biologically, she’s your grandmother and my mother. Personally, I want nothing to do with her, but this is really your decision, Dani. You’re not going to hurt my feelings if you want to meet her, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
Danielle exhaled loudly and fell back against her seat with a strained, indecisive expression. “I’ll think about it,” she said quietly.
Shayna closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before rising to stand. “Lunch was great, sweetheart. You whip up a mean Greek salad,” she said, winking at Danielle and giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek. “But I need to go
now. Let me know what your schedule is like and when we can get together again, okay?”
Danielle nodded with a smile as Shayna started to exit the balcony. Then she grabbed her mother’s hand. “So, we’re really okay, Mom?” she asked cautiously.
Shayna turned to look at her and smiled affectionately. “Always,” Shayna responded emphatically, squeezing her daughter’s cheek and giving her another peck.
****
It was a beautiful starry night and Shayna drank in the view from the private deck off her owner’s suite. Sean had called earlier to say he would be late, some dust-up at the restaurant that he didn’t want to get into over the phone. So she lounged on the chaise, her arms stretched up over her head and hooked over the back of the cushioned seat, a lightweight throw shielding her legs from the cool evening breeze. She finally made her decision and picked up the cell phone that was lying beside her. She dialed a number.
“Hey, squirt! I was hoping you’d call.”
Shayna’s brows pinched. That was a surprise greeting.
“Why? Was that the only way I’d get an invitation to your family gathering?” Shayna asked coolly. The phone went silent and she heard her eldest brother sigh.
“So, you’ve talked to Dani then. Listen, squirt, I did plan to invite you—believe it or not, just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Em and I think it’d be really good if we could all get together. Scott’s even coming. Don’t know if he’ll bring the flavor of the month with him or not, but I told him he could.” He paused. “You could bring Frank...” he trailed off hopefully.
Shayna imagined him holding his breath and bracing for a fiery response.
“I’d rather bring my flavor of the month if you don’t mind,” she replied sarcastically.
“Seriously?” he said incredulously. He hemmed and hawed. “I guess that’s okay. I wish you’d reconsider.”
“Why? Because it’d help grease the wheels on your business dealings with Frank?”
“Jesus Christ, Shayna! That’s uncalled for! It’s got nothing to do with that. I’ve already told you I think you made a mistake. That’s all it’s about. If you wanna bring some new guy—fine, do it,” he snorted.
Shayna stared blankly across the lake. “I want Abigail’s number, Jack,” Shayna stated placidly.
“What? Why?” He sounded nervous.
“I obviously know that she’ll be at your get together. I’d like to talk with her—in private, before that.”
He stammered and seemed caught off guard. “Well, I can have her call you, if you want,” he offered hesitantly.
“No. I said I want her number. I will call her.” Jackson’s reluctance perturbed Shayna. She spat out, “Do you really want me there or not?”
He huffed into the phone. “Yes, I do. We all do. Em and the kids miss you.”
“Then give me her number. I want to sort some things out with her before I pretend we’re one big happy family.”
“Christ, this is exactly why I hadn’t called you yet. I knew you’d get all pissy about it.”
“Listen to me Jack, I can get pissy in private, or I can get pissy at your house. Which would you prefer?” She heard his hand drag down the stubble on his face and he exhaled loudly.
“Fine. I’ll give you her number,” he relented begrudgingly.
CHAPTER 16
Shayna and Sean had exchanged keys awhile back, so she decided to surprise him with breakfast this morning. He’d had to cancel the night before, because of some problems at the restaurant that he still hadn’t told her about, so she was anxious to see him and find out what kept him away. Riding up the elevator, the thick aroma of bacon and eggs had her stomach growling. In the other bag she had fruit crepes, Greek yogurt with honey and granola, and a small breakfast quiche. All bases covered. She smiled at her reflection in the elevator door.
As the brushed-nickel panels whispered open, she heard the timbre of multiple male voices coming from the living room. Oops! Should’ve called first, she thought, grimacing.
“I don’t want her involved in this in any way.” She heard Sean say as she stood with one foot out of the elevator, trying to decide if she should just leave. Then she heard his muted tone silence the group. Just as she turned to make her exit, Shayna felt a hand on her arm.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Sean asked with a hint of unease in his tone.
She looked up at him apologetically. “I’m really sorry I didn’t call first. I was just going to surprise you with breakfast,” she lifted the bags up to show him, “but it sounds like you have company already. I can just leave this stuff if you haven’t eaten.”
He grinned down at her, shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere. We’re almost finished.”
Shayna motioned to the elevator with her head. “I’ll just wait downstairs then.” Before she could move he grabbed the handles of both bags with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, guiding her swiftly into the kitchen.
“That’s ridiculous. We’ll set the food down here and I’ll get this meeting wrapped up.” He didn’t give her time to answer before placing the bags on the counter and whisking her down the hallway. She glanced over her shoulder and saw three men in the living room looking nervously at one another and then at her. Sean took her into his home office, tilted her chin up and gave her a quick kiss.
“Just give me about ten minutes, okay?”
She nodded and watched as he left, closing the door behind him. Something felt odd. It was as if she was the topic of conversation and everyone suddenly fell quiet at her unexpected entrance moments ago. Sean seemed to want to shut her in his office as quickly as possible, too. She shook it off, feeling embarrassed for showing up unannounced and interrupting what appeared to be a business meeting.
She linked her hands loosely behind her and circled around his office. The framed pictures caught her attention and her lips widened into a slow smile. Photos of Sean in the navy hung on the wall. Boy-oh-boy, did he ever do that uniform justice. She reached out and smoothed her fingers over his strong, virile image. What she would give to have known him back then. She sighed wistfully, her eyes skipping to other pictures of him, and settling on one that caught her attention. She edged closer.
Sean, wearing fatigues, standing authoritatively beside a group of men, some shirtless, some stooped with one arm resting on a bent knee, others with cigarettes slanting off their lips. All with rifles, rounds of ammunition and other weapons, the sheen and grime on their flesh, along with their worn expressions, telling the story of a hard-fought day. However, Sean’s expression unnerved her; he looked hard and vacant—remorseless. What had happened to him that day? What had he done?
She thought about the old scars she had seen on his body, had traced with her lips and fingers, and the way he had dismissed her questions about them. Her imagination played games now, and she squeezed her arms tightly around herself to slow the shiver that raced up her spine.
Shaking the image from her head and moving from the military pictures, she scanned his family’s faces—aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. Sean Parker couldn’t have turned out as anything other than a handsome man, because his gene pool simply wouldn’t have allowed it.
The Parkers made a stunning couple in their sharp contrasts. Rex had been a tall, blond, blue-eyed man with a masculine, angular face, determined eyes, and a strong athletic body. He had a roguish quality that seemed to jump from the photos, and Shayna smiled reflexively at his image. She had a feeling she would’ve really liked him.
In comparison, Concetta was a petite, brown-eyed, dark-haired beauty with a Mediterranean skin tone and soft aura that Shayna was certain masked her underlying strength. She had a knockout smile and killer figure that must’ve turned a lot of heads in her day.
Then her eyes dropped down to focus on the picture of them in their later years. They were still a stunning couple. Rex, with a thick head of wavy white hair that highlighted his bright blue eyes, and Concetta, with her brilli
ant smile and dark hair pulled softly back to reveal a face blessed to withstand the test of time. Above all else, they looked happy together, even after all those years.
She didn’t have one picture like that of her parents.
Her smile turned to somber reflection as she pivoted and walked over to stand at the window, watching cars and pedestrians below. The sound of the door opening and Sean moving quickly to join her at the window yanked her from the past.
“You hungry? Because I’m starving and ready to tear into those bags,” he said, grabbing her hand and leading her back to the kitchen.
Shayna sat at the other side of the counter from Sean as he pulled plates and silverware out for them.
“Everything okay at the restaurant?” she asked.
His back immediately stiffened.
“Yeah, it’ll be just fine,” he replied curtly.
Shayna tried to catch his gaze. It was obvious that it wasn’t fine. “What happened, Sean?”
He exhaled loudly and passed her a plate full of food while he remained standing on the other side of the quartz counter.
“We’re going to be closed for a few days.” He looked circumspectly at her. “Didn’t pass inspection.” He bit at his lower lip and waited for her reaction.
Her brows raised and her mouth dropped slightly. “Has that ever happened before?”
“Never,” he bit out. “I run a tight ship, and Skip and his crew are meticulous.”
She nodded her assent, as her stomach lurched. Did Frank have anything to do with this? Surely, he wouldn’t stoop that low, would he? She swallowed the unsettling feelings, trying to rid herself of the transient thoughts.
“So, what happened?”
Sean huffed derisively. “He wanted money to pass it.”
Shayna exhaled sharply. “Well, that’s obviously illegal. Have you reported him to the agency?”
Sean snorted scornfully and shook his head. “He’s their highest rated inspector. My word against his, and unfortunately I wasn’t there until the end. But my bases will be covered next time.”