by Robyn Roze
A serene smile played at her lips.
Sean Parker.
Shayna sighed dreamily. What an unexpected surprise he had turned out to be. She understood now what had drawn her to him from the beginning, aside from the obvious window dressing. He had felt familiar, comfortable, like becoming reacquainted with an old lover, ever since that first chance meeting at Gaetano’s. She hated even to think it, but...he reminded her of Wes. Sean didn’t physically look like Wes, but his comportment, humor, smile—the way he looked at her, the way he touched her—whispered of déjà vu.
She closed her eyes and shook her head softly. She couldn’t wait to see him tomorrow, but was glad she had taken the rest of the day, and now evening, for herself. The past few days had weighed her down and she needed to clear her head and breathe deeply again.
Shayna didn’t know what her future held, and for the first time in a long time, the not knowing was exciting instead of debilitating.
She smiled confidently.
She was ready for anything.
****
Storing the camping equipment in the garage, Shayna entered her kitchen through the mudroom, toeing off her hiking boots and dropping her backpack on the built-in bench seat. She jumped when she heard a voice from inside the house.
“Shay? Is that you?” she heard Sean ask, as he rounded the corner. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her. His expression was ineffable as he scanned her from head to toe, then eyed her backpack and toppled boots. She noticed him bite back a smile. A peculiar look animated his face. “Were you...camping?” he asked incredulously.
She couldn’t help but grin, too. Sean had never seen this side of her.
“I’m not as girly as you think,” she teased with her hands parked defiantly on her hips.
“Oh, I can see that, Mountain Jack,” he snickered.
Her eyes narrowed and she bit at her lower lip. “Are you making fun of me, Sean Parker?”
He shook his head, ardently. “Hell, no. I think you look hot.”
She was about to quip back when she realized he was completely serious. “That’s only because you haven’t gotten any for a couple of days. Right now you’d think I looked hot rolled in mud.” His brow arched as she watched him undoubtedly picturing her naked and writhing in mud. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“I just had no idea you still went camping. I know you said you liked it when you were a kid.” He rounded his hand over his whiskered chin.
“Yeah, I did. Wes and I went all the time, too. Frank was never a fan, but these last few years I’ve gotten back into it.”
“I’ve just never seen you like this,” he commented in a warm tone, with a bewildered expression.
“Well, now you know both Shayna Montgomerys: the one that likes dresses, heels and sexy lingerie,” Sean growled enthusiastically. “...and the one that likes to rough it,” she growled back, sexily, as she winked and smoothly slipped past him into the kitchen. She felt his hand cup her ass as she grabbed a glass and filled it with water. Tilting it back for a long drink, she turned to look at Sean.
“When did you get here?” she asked, eyeing his rumpled clothing.
“Last night.” He answered her questioning look, “Yeah, I know, I got your message. Although you were pretty vague,” he chastised with a nod and narrowed eyes. He closed in around her, lifting her up onto the counter and positioning himself between her legs. “I haven’t seen much of you the last couple of days. I missed you. I thought I’d catch you at home last night and we could make up for the way the morning started. I didn’t like you leaving pissed off yesterday,” he whispered as he nipped at her ear, inhaling her scent. “You smell like campfire and evergreen,” he murmured, as he nuzzled against her, “and bug spray.” He smiled against her neck and she giggled. “Wish I could’ve gotten here earlier. I would’ve gone with you.” His kisses trailed down her neck and to her collarbone where he pulled her shirt away to bare her soft, dewy skin.
Shayna moaned softly. “That would’ve been nice. You could’ve gone skinny-dipping with me.”
He stiffened and his face suddenly popped in front of hers. “You went skinny-dipping?” She bit at the corner of her mouth and nodded at his lusty expression. “Oh, I am so going next time,” he said roughly. Then his features shifted to concern. “Wait. You were out God knows where, alone, and you swam naked?” His head started shaking. “I really don’t like that. You never know who’s out there, Shay.” He grasped her face with his hands.
She smiled reassuringly. “I stay on my property.”
His eyes narrowed. “So you were just outside around the house last night?” he asked, with a confused look.
She watched him for a few moments, then said, slowly, “Um, no. I own a bit more than the land my house sits on.” His brows pinched and his head cocked. “I own about ten-thousand acres,” she motioned with her hand in the direction of the large parcel.
His eyes trailed to where she had been pointing and he gazed out the expansive array of floor-to-ceiling windows. A slow smile inched onto his face as a memory appeared to replay in his head.
“About six or seven years ago some buddies and I used to mountain bike in that area. We even climbed up that mountain a few times,” he reflected, pointing at the peak. Then his features tightened and his eyes locked with hers. “You’re not going to develop it are you?” he asked in a hushed tone.
Shayna gauged his demeanor and felt an unexpected rush of heat to her heart. She swallowed and inhaled deeply.
“I’ve pretty much hiked the whole area,” she began. “Can’t say I’ve climbed the mountain, but I have taken my mountain bike back in there many times.”
She stared into his eyes for a few seconds, reading him, then shivered at the whisper from the past that lifted goose bumps on her skin. “What would you do with it?” she asked tentatively.
He eyed her cautiously before answering. Then he stood straighter and looked contemplatively out toward the lush landscape once again. “I think I’d turn some of it public. You know, have bike trails, shelters for family reunions, probably some campsites and definitely a beach, maybe two, a playground, that kind of thing. I’d leave the rest...undisturbed.” He seemed to smile at a recollection. “You know those friends I told you about? We found a way to get to that land from the eastern side of the city. It wasn’t easy, but we figured it out.” He smiled reflectively. “I bet you could put an access road in there somehow.” His eyes narrowed and his lips twitched at the apparent diagram forming in his head.
Shayna felt the air rush from her lungs and the moisture filling her eyes, before she had to look away, blinking her tears into submission. Then she felt a warm hand cup, and gently guide her face back to pleading eyes.
“Don’t do it, Shay. Don’t develop that land. You know your ex already has plans to make a mirror image of Mt. Pleasant on this side of the lake, too. Right?” She nodded faintly. “Isn’t that enough?”
She stroked his square shadowed jaw and the stubble against the sensitive flesh of her palm made her sizzle everywhere.
“I’ve already made my decision,” she licked her lips, “and I couldn’t agree more,” she choked out, before clearing her throat. “That’s why I met with an attorney yesterday, from The Trust for Public Land, after I left your place. She’s going to help me turn it into a park and preserve.” She watched Sean’s tense features lighten and ease.
“No, shit,” he huffed incredulously. She nodded. “That’s exactly what Mt. Pleasant needs. When CCL’s done bulldozing everything, it’ll be like an oasis.” He smiled admiringly at her and held her eyes with a heavy stare. “Jesus, that’s great, Shay. Really, I mean it. That’s great,” he murmured before dipping down and kissing her tenderly and then hungrily. He pulled her closer, and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. His intent was hard and achingly apparent between her legs.
“Sean, I need a shower,” she murmured breathlessly against his soft lips. She felt his mouth c
urve into a smile.
“Wouldn’t you know it? So do I. Let’s save some water,” he teased with a growl, snaking his hands underneath and up the back of her shirt, pressing her tight against his hard body. “And the next time you go skinny-dipping I’d better be there,” he whispered heatedly.
“Oh, think you’re gonna keep the big bad wolf away, huh?” she teased playfully, weaving her fingers through his dark hair.
His eyes dilated and he grinned with supreme confidence, surprising her by scooping her up in his arms, heading for the stairs and warning with a throaty rumble, “Darlin’, I am the big bad wolf.”
CHAPTER 18
Her stomach churned more than she thought it would. Why? It had been so long ago and she wasn’t even the one who had done anything wrong. The upset in her belly traveled to a tight grip in her chest. Shayna forced a deep breath just as the door opened and chatty patrons made their exit from the coffee shop. She ducked inside, the door stuttering to a close behind her, rattling and jingling the bell above it.
Halting, she scanned the area seeing heads bobbing in conversation and hands gesturing in the animated retelling of some favorite story or recent event. Then her vision honed in on a figure sitting near the back in a booth, next to a picture window, blankly staring out.
It was her.
Even after all these years, she still would have recognized Abigail Montgomery anywhere. Shayna awakened from her haunted memories when a customer cleared his throat and asked to get past her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Excuse me,” she said apologetically, sidestepping away from the door and suddenly feeling her breathing restart. Finally, willing her feet to move, one in front of the other, she trudged to the back of the coffee shop as the world around her quieted and faded away, feeling as though only two people existed in that moment.
As she approached, the silver-haired woman brought her hazel eyes up to meet Shayna’s, and she noticed Abigail stiffen immediately. The mixture of trepidation, shame, and contrition were apparent in her features and body language, like a puppy waiting for a kicking. Shayna felt her heart tighten. Not this time, Abigail Montgomery, Shayna thought bitterly. You won’t fool me this time.
Dropping her purse and bag on the seat, she slid into the vinyl-covered booth to face the woman on the other side, never taking her hard gaze from Abigail’s eyes. Shayna felt mute and powerless to do anything but stare at the stranger across from her. Considering her list of offenses, time had been kind to Abigail—much too kind. Sparse wrinkles and some fine lines were all that marked her pale pallor, but the woman she remembered from forty-two years ago was still there, staring back at her with the same luminous eyes. She heard Abigail swallow. Blinking quickly, the woman glanced away and broke Shayna’s unflinching stare.
“Can I get you anything, ma’am?” a voice from above asked. Shayna shook her head deliberately without looking up. “How about you? Would you like me to top off your coffee?” the server inquired, looking at Abigail expectantly.
“Um, no, no...thank you,” she responded haltingly, holding her hand above the cup.
Shayna felt a shiver course through her at the sound of the voice from the ghost of the past.
Looking out the window, fidgeting with her silk lavender blouse, and then glancing back at Shayna, Abigail cleared her throat and spoke softly, “I know this is incredibly difficult, and I don’t deserve it, but I’m glad you came. I was so surprised when you called—and happy, too,” she quickly clarified.
Abigail became noticeably more uncomfortable at Shayna’s lack of response and stone-cold stare. She swallowed loudly, and nervously picked up her coffee cup to take a shaky sip in an attempt to fill the awkward silence.
Shayna’s eyes narrowed and her lips curled up slightly at one corner. With preternatural calm, she asked, “What’re you doing here?” Abigail looked around the coffee shop in apparent confusion. “In Mt. Pleasant,” Shayna clarified. “Why? After all of these years, why?” Shayna never broke her laser focus. She noted the stricken look that pulled tight across the woman’s features. “What’re you after, Abigail? What do you want?”
The other woman’s eyes widened and she slumped a bit.
“I want to set things right,” she whispered in a defeated tone, with downcast eyes, not able to meet her daughter’s critical stare. Abigail looked up, startled, when she heard Shayna’s mirthless laughter.
“How in the hell do you plan on accomplishing something of that magnitude, Abigail?” Shayna asked sardonically with her head cocked and her index finger slowly tapping a warning on the tabletop, waiting for a response. When no answer seemed to be forthcoming, Shayna leaned across the table a bit and watched as her mother pushed farther into the cushioned seat back. “Did you really think causing problems between me and my brothers was going to work with me?”
“I’ve done nothing of the sort, Shayna,” Abigail said defensively.
“Bullshit. I’ve always been close with Jack and Scotty—until you came into the picture and made them think they had to make a choice between us.”
“That’s what you’re doing. Not me,” Abigail quipped. Her teeth were starting to show and Shayna’s expression narrowed.
“Is it because Jack’s done well for himself? You’re thinking he’ll give you money once he’s warmed up to you? Maybe he already has. That’s what you wanted from me the last time you wanted to set things right,” Shayna hissed.
Abigail tried to straighten her posture. “You misunderstood that, Shayna. I don’t blame you,” she said contritely.
Shayna’s hands cut through the air. “Oh, well, hallelujah! I was so worried all this time that you blamed me for that misunderstanding!” Shayna sighed loudly, rubbed at the bridge of her nose, and shook her head. “I guess I should’ve known when you couldn’t wait to ask me for money, after not seeing me for fifteen years, that that was just your way of apologizing for everything.” Shayna snorted derisively and glanced out the window not even seeing the pedestrians passing by.
“I know you have a lot of anger, Shayna, and I know that I’m responsible for it. This won’t happen overnight. I understand that. I just want to make things right with you and your brothers.” She sighed and shook her head softly. “I was so young and unhappy back then—“
Shayna’s head snapped back and she cut Abigail off. “You really think I give a fuck?” she spat out. Abigail inhaled sharply. “I. Don’t. Care. I know you and Dad were married young—too young. It never stopped him from being the best father we could’ve ever asked for. Having him for a father made up for having you as a mother.” Shayna saw the shock on Abigail’s face. “I didn’t come here to listen to your pathetic excuses and justifications.” Shayna leaned back against the booth assessing the woman across from her and spoke with a calm measure. “I have my own daughter, and from the moment she was placed in my arms, I knew I could never do what you did. I knew I was nothing like you.” Shayna paused and gauged Abigail before quietly saying, “I knew I could never forgive you.”
Abigail appeared to be readying herself to leave. Shayna smacked her hand on the tabletop and said with command, “Sit your ass down, Abigail, because you’re going to listen whether you like it or not. You owe me that.” The woman’s eyes widened and she seemed to have stopped breathing. “Are you ever going to tell my brothers the truth?”
“Excuse me?” she replied shakily.
Shayna scrutinized her for a moment. “Well, let’s see now, when Dad started having trouble with dementia the money-well dried up, didn’t it?” Abigail’s face remained stoic. “I know damn well that the money I gave Dad every year, he turned right around and gave to your sorry ass.” Her mother flinched. “It’s been awhile since he died. I have to say I’m surprised it took you this long to come sniffing around for handouts. What’s the matter? Did you bleed your other kids dry?” The color from Abigail’s face drained and her mouth fell open. “Yeah, that’s right. I know about your other family. Have you abandoned them, too, for greene
r pastures? Or do they think you’re on some kind of sabbatical?” Abigail was clearly trying to recover from the bombshell and having difficulty. “I’m guessing your husband wised up at some point and left you, or maybe he died—either way he’s better off.”
Abigail looked down at her hands as she twisted them in her lap. “He promised. Ben promised he’d never say anything,” she said quietly, shaking her head.
“He didn’t. I found your letters.” Abigail’s eyes slowly lifted to meet Shayna’s cold glare. “I found them when I was in high school. I read them all. I know everything. What I don’t know is why my father never gave up on you. He was so smart and so strong when it came to everything else, but you. I never told him I found those letters. Just like I never told him how you lied to me the morning you left us.” Shayna paused and watched, as Abigail seemed to be displaying real remorse—probably at being caught.
“Does your other family know about me and my brothers?” Abigail looked away without answering. Shayna nodded solemnly. “I didn’t think so. You never wanted us anyway, isn’t that right? I remember reading that. Easier to pretend we never existed, except when you want something. I only wish I’d found those letters sooner, or that Dad had just told us the truth. Then I could’ve given up on you much earlier...not wasted time believing, hoping, you would come back.” Shayna closed her eyes and released a tortured exhalation before zeroing back in on her mother. “I haven’t told Jack and Scotty about the letters—yet.” Abigail looked beseechingly at her. “It’s up to you whether I do or not.”
A mixture of relief and surprise crisscrossed Abigail’s strained features. “What do you mean?” she asked in a small, cautious voice.
“You have a choice to make, Abigail.” Shayna paused purposely, and watched the woman squirm. “You say you’ve come back to set things right. I don’t believe you. So, prove me wrong.”