Always (2 page)

Chapter Two

Present Day

The bus took her as far as Saint John, New Brunswick, where she rented a car and set out on the rest of her journey by ferry. Teegan hadn’t returned to Digby in almost ten years and felt mixed emotions about beginning her life there again. She was excited to finally be free and rid of Oliver but scared of the unknown future.

She’d been a devastated mess of a woman when she left this small town to get away from a man, and now she was returning to do the same thing. She just didn’t have any luck.

The ocean air whipped through her hair as she watched Digby appear over the railing.
So many memories of such a different time.

Ten Years Earlier

She was in her room finishing up her math homework when James walked in.

“Knock, knock.” He plopped down on the bed.

“Well, hello to you too. You could actually knock next time, you know. I could have been indecent in here.”

“Whatever!”

“What do you want, James?” She was already having a bad day, and he was making it worse.

“Can’t I just stop by to see my sister? Geez.” He pretended to pout, and it made her laugh.

“You can, but you normally don’t unless you want something. So what is it? And next time actually knock on the door instead of verbalizing it as you barge in.”

“Geez, Teeg, thanks for the vote of confidence. I don’t only come to bug you when I want something. I’m not that bad, am I?”

She laughed and ignored his last question. “What’s up, James?” She loved her brother, but he was up to something, and she was curious about what.

“A few of us were going to the pier tomorrow night, and I was wondering if you wanted to come.”

“Really?”

He laughed at her shocked expression. “Oh, come on, Teegan. Is it so weird of me to want to have my sister tag along? We used to hang out all the time.”

“True, but then you got too good for me. I’d love to go, James. Who’s coming with us?”

“Just Susan and Liam.”

“Liam. Which one is he?” She wiggled her brows and smiled. James had plenty of good-looking friends. She just couldn’t remember all of their names.

“Right, Teeg, like I’m going to describe the guy for ya. What a waste of time. It’s not like I check out my friends, anyway. Just come and you’ll find out which one he is for yourself.”

“Fine,” she pouted, feigning disappointment. “But if I didn’t know any better, I might think you’re setting me up here. Is this a double date or friends just hanging out? There’s a difference, you know.”

“Is there?” He lifted a brow. “Look, you haven’t been yourself in the last couple of weeks. You haven’t really been hanging out with Claire, either, and it just really sucks to see you so depressed lately.”

Claire had been her best friend since first grade, and they were beginning to grow apart. “Yeah, well, Claire’s been busy with Kyle. What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Nothing. What I was working up to before you rudely interrupted me is that Liam thinks you’re cute, so I told him I’d hook you up and see how it goes.” He shrugged while she gaped at him. “Close your mouth, Teegan, it’s not a very attractive expression on you.”

“But—but, I thought you said you’d never set me up with one of your degenerate friends?”

“There’s always a first time for everything.” He laughed but looked uncomfortable as he said the next part. “You haven’t gone out with anyone in months. That’s quite a dry spell. Even for a goody-goody virgin like yourself, and Liam’s a good guy, so what the hell.”

“Screw you, James. Maybe I’m sick of being a virgin. I know I’m sure as hell sick of being teased about it. Bring on your friend, buddy boy, and maybe I’ll be changing that status just to shut you up.”

He looked up to the ceiling and covered his eyes. “God, I hope I don’t live to regret this.”

Teegan giggled and then threw a pillow at him.

***

Liam was even better-looking than she imagined. He had light brown locks that curled just at his nape and gorgeous blue eyes she could get lost in. He was tall with broad shoulders that met a lean, muscular chest. What looked like six-pack abs hiding nicely away beneath his shirt indicated he was a man who treated his body right. She just barely resisted the urge to rip open his button-down shirt to get a better view.

It was a beautiful, clear night, and they had the pier to themselves. Fishing boats were docked on either side, the moon was full, and she had the sudden urge to walk along the waterfront and dip her feet in the water.

“I guess it’s a good thing James got me to tag along.” She smiled at Liam. Her brother had ditched them almost immediately to find a quiet spot and get reacquainted with Susan.

“I agree.” He smiled back. “It doesn’t surprise me that they left us, though. When those two get together, nobody matters but the other.” He winked.

She giggled. “I think what they have is amazing. Anyone would be lucky to have a spark like the two of them carry for one another. They’ve got great chemistry and an obvious sexual attraction. They can’t keep their hands off each other. I’m just thankful they waited until I wasn’t around to act on both. In the car it looked like a close call a couple times.” She shuddered, and this time he laughed.

She stopped walking and twirled around with her arms spread wide. “Don’t you just love it here? Everything is so beautiful.” She bent over and took off her shoes and socks. “Care to join me?” She ran toward the water and squealed when the cold hit her toes.

“You’re full of questions suddenly,” Liam teased. “I do love it here, actually. I really enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming. Maybe I should take you whale-watching sometime.”

“I’d love to.”

“I’m glad. You know, I haven’t smiled like this in a long time. I like you, Teegan.”

“And I like you, Liam. What took you so long?”

“For what?”

“Well, I’ve been single and dateless for months.” She shrugged. “I guess I just wish we’d met sooner.”

“Well, that is a shame. You’re too beautiful to be dateless. I guess I’ll have to remedy that for the next little while.” He stepped up to where she stood, right at the edge of the water.

“Well—” she beckoned, “—I’m awfully lonely over here.”

“Really?” He hopped on one foot and then the other as he removed his shoes and socks. “I’d hate for you to be lonely, Sunshine.” He pulled her into his embrace, wrapped his arms around her midsection, and kissed her forehead.

“Sunshine? I’m not sure I like that nickname.”

“Why not? You’ve certainly brightened my day, but I can think of a new one if you don’t like it.” He took a strand of her long, blonde hair between his fingers and twirled it. “Your hair has gold highlights in it. ‘Sunshine’ suits you, Teegan.”

“Well, when you put it that way—” Her heartbeat quickened, her face flushed, and she held her breath as he moved his face closer. “Liam.”

“Yes?” His lips stopped short of touching hers.

“Please kiss me,” she whispered. She raised her hand and brushed her fingers through his hair to pull him the last inch in for their first kiss. Their lips touched, they opened their mouths, and their tongues met with equal desire. Swept away in the moment, he lifted her, and as she put her legs around his midsection, Liam slipped from her added weight. She screeched and then laughed as she landed on her butt in the cold water.

“Well, big guy, the cool down was nice and all, but I think I need you to warm me up again.”

“I think you might be right.” He helped her up, and they grabbed their shoes and began to walk back to his car. “I’m sorry about that.”

“So am I. We were having a moment, and I liked kissing you, Liam.” They stood in front of his car, and she shivered. “If only I could dry off so we could continue.”

“If only—” He began to unbutton his shirt. “I may have a solution to that. I’m thinking maybe you should take off your wet shirt and put on my dry one.”

She smirked, and while feeling brave, she pulled her T-shirt over her head and watched as his gaze left her face and centered on her wet bra and erect nipples. “I think that’s a great solution.” She held out her hand and licked her lips at the sight of him, liking her newfound boldness. “You know, I’ve been picturing you shirtless since you picked me up tonight.”

“Oh yeah? And…?”

“And I like what I see.” She winked.

“You’re not the goody-goody your brother described to me.” He helped her button up his shirt, then lifted her onto the hood and stood in front of her.

“Maybe I’m sick of being good all the time.”

“I’m flattered, because what we’re doing is a good kind of bad, but I like the person you are, Teegan. Especially your good side. I’ve seen you around. I like that you’re smart and that you don’t follow a crowd. James may not admit it, but he has nothing but great things to say about you. It’s just an added bonus that you’re also beautiful on the outside, and I do like what I see as well.” He toyed with one of his buttons. “And, of course, I like what I’ve seen with your shirt off too.”

“Well, in that case—” she unbuttoned a few buttons from the top, teasing him with just enough cleavage “—peek away.” Reaching out to touch his chest, she looked into his eyes and then nipped at his bottom lip before she sought entry with her tongue again. “You taste good, Liam.”

“Mmm,” he moaned. “So do you, Sunshine. So do you.”

The kiss deepened, and they picked up where they’d left off.

Chapter Three

Present Day

The house hadn’t changed much since her childhood. It was a big Victorian style overlooking the water, with a white picket fence and a lawn filled with children’s toys. Teegan smiled. She’d love the house if it wasn’t for the ugly mint-green aluminum siding.
What in the Lord’s name was James thinking?
She shook her head. The house had been left to her after their parents had died in a boating accident five years earlier. She had no use for it at the time and was afraid it might be too painful to live in again after their loss, so she’d signed it over to James. He needed it more than she did as he had a family while she was still single. The place was way too large for her to occupy anyway, so she knew she’d made the right decision. She figured her parents had left it to her, however, in hopes she’d one day return. She never believed she would, yet there she was.

“Squeee,” Susan squealed as she jumped up and down, almost flying of the porch to greet her.

“Hello, Susan, it’s great to see you again.” Teegan laughed, fighting not to grimace as her sister-in-law squeezed the life out of her in excitement. “Ugh, Susan—can’t—breathe.” Teegan tapped on her shoulders and let out a deep breath when Susan loosened her grip.

“Sorry, Teegan.” She squealed again. “I just can’t believe you’re finally here. I’m so excited. It’s so great to see you again. Welcome home.”

“It’s good to be home. So tell me, where is that brother of mine? It’s been a few years since I’ve seen the two of you, and I have to say I’m a little shocked and disappointed he hasn’t greeted me yet.” She pouted.

“Sorry, hon, you came a little earlier than expected, and James isn’t back from work. He should be home shortly, though.”

“How’s the boat? And please tell me he’s bringing me some scallops.” Teegan smiled. It’d been years since she’d had good scallops, and Digby was famous for them. They were also how James made his living. He was a fisherman, so they weren’t hard to come by.

“The boat’s great, James is great, and scallops for dinner it is.” Susan linked arms with her and guided her toward the house. “Now come on, let’s go wake up Carter, and then we can take a walk. I have to pick up Dylan from a friend’s house soon. Just wait until you see how big the boys are now. I tell ya, time flies faster after you have children. Your figure goes kaput, and you start to feel old. Dylan will be in double digits before we know it, and you know you’re getting old when your child is in double digits.”

She laughed while her sister-in-law ranted. “Oh come on, Susan. I agree time has flown by, but you’re still a beautiful woman, always have been. I envy the family you have, and Dylan won’t be ten for another two years, so I think you’re jumping the gun there. You’re only a year older than me, and twenty-nine hardly qualifies you as old, geez.”

“Thanks, Teeg. I’m so glad you’re back.”

“So am I, Suzy Q. So am I. Leaving Oliver and coming home is the best thing I’ve done for myself in years. I’m looking forward to moving on.”

“James and I were so worried. I swear, had we known sooner, James would have kicked his ass and got you out of there.”

Teegan could feel her eyes begin to gloss over, and her throat felt thick.
Please don’t cry, please don’t cry.
“I know, hon, but I was ashamed to tell anyone. I thought he loved me. Hell, I thought I loved him.”

Shutting her family out had been stupid. The last time she’d seen James was two years ago at Welland County General when Oliver had cracked her ribs and broken her nose. James had been her emergency contact and rushed from Digby all the way to Ontario in a panic. Teegan had made a lame excuse about falling down the stairs, but he hadn’t believed her. Instead, he’d read her like an open book again. He’d wanted to meet up with Oliver right then to give him a taste of his own medicine, but she hadn’t let him. They’d argued, he took off angry, and things were left unsettled.

“Does James forgive me?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course he does. I just hope he never crosses paths with Oliver in this lifetime. It won’t matter how much time has passed. James has his heart set on getting a little justice for what that man did to you.”

Teegan nodded, not sure if she could speak without crying. She had a lot of regrets and needed a subject change. “So where did you say my nephews were?”

***

Three-year-old Carter looked like a little angel curled up on his big-boy bed.

“I swear if I let him sleep more than two hours, he won’t go to bed at night. Come on, sweetie.” Susan patted his bum. “It’s time to meet your Aunty Teegan.”

Carter stirred but wasn’t in a rush to awaken. His eyes fluttered open and closed a few times, and then he stretched.

“Hi, Carter, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” The sound of Teegan’s voice seemed to snap him to attention. His eyes opened wide, and he looked around the room, first at his mother and then settling his gaze on his aunt. He got up and raised his arms and smiled. Carter seemed a little braver when he was securely in his mother’s arms, so she spoke again.

“He’s beautiful, Susan.” Teegan placed her hands over her heart. “You and James are so blessed. I can only hope to be as lucky as the two of you are someday.”

She’d always wanted to be a mother, no matter how farfetched the possibility seemed to be. First and foremost, though, she needed to get settled, and then maybe, just maybe, if she found a good man she’d be able to accomplish it. For now, she’d just have to spoil her gorgeous nephews.

“Hi, handsome, I’m your Aunt Teeg.” She touched the side of his face and received her first smile from him. “Now that’s James right there.” She laughed. “The little guy is a flirt already. Aren’t you, handsome? I think you are. Yes.” Teegan held out her hands and almost squealed with delight when Carter reached for her. “I just love you to pieces.” She tucked his head under her chin and mouthed, “I envy you,” to her smiling sister-in-law.

***

“Susan?” James hollered. “Honey, I’m home. Teegan should be here any second. Did you get everything ready?”

“She sure did.” Teegan stood in the living room with Carter on her hip. Susan had seen James’ truck down the street and decided to go get Dylan and leave her to greet her brother.

“Teeg?” James’ eyes widened in surprise. “We weren’t expecting you until dinner.”

“I came in earlier.” She shrugged. “It’s nice to see you too, brother.” She kissed Carter before setting him down and then smiled at James.

“Come here.” He pulled her into his embrace and lifted her off the floor. “It’s so good to have you back—and looking so well.” He kissed her forehead and put her down again.

“I’m glad you think so. I missed you all so much.” She hugged him again. “I’m sorry about the last time, James. It’s not really something I want to talk about right now, but I always wondered if you forgave me for sending you away.”

“I still say that bastard deserves as good as he gave,” James snarled, then took a deep breath to calm down. “What matters is that you’re all right and you’re done with him now.”

“I am, and I swear I’ll never go back. I love you, James. Do you think we can forget about my past mistakes? It took me a while, but I’ve finally realized I don’t deserve what Oliver did to me. I’m settled in your old room in the basement.” She smiled, thinking of the memories. “And I’ll move out as soon as I can find a decent enough house for myself, so I won’t be too much of a freeloader,” she added, hoping to lighten the mood.

“This is your house, Teeg.”

“No, it’s yours. I gave it to you for a reason, James. You were here with Mom and Dad those last few years. I don’t deserve it. Besides, you’re the one with the family to fill it. I don’t want this house. I’m starting over and would like to do it the proper way. There are too many memories here, and some of those are the reason I left Digby to begin with.” She couldn’t even stomach looking in her old room earlier when Susan had tried to give her the tour to show her the changes they’d made to fix it up. Dylan now occupied it, and she preferred to stay away.

James nodded and cleared his throat. “You know Liam still asks about you?”

A traitorous tear slid down her cheek, and she looked away. “Please tell me you don’t offer him any information. You didn’t tell him I was back, did you?”

“No, but he’s going to find out sooner rather than later. Digby isn’t very big, Teeg, and you’re bound to run into him. Besides, Dylan—”

“Aunt Teegan, Aunt Teegan!”

Two boys barged in the house and stopped in front of her. She smiled at the sight of them and held back a laugh. “This can’t be Dylan.” She winked at James. “No way. The last time I saw my nephew, he was just a baby. There is no way he’s as grown-up as the two of you are. You look just like your daddy, honey.” She gave him a hug. “But I don’t believe I’ve met this young man before.”

James smiled, and Dylan enthusiastically introduced him. “This is my best friend LJ. LJ, this is my Aunt Teegan. I told you she’d be cool.”

Little LJ blushed and then whispered loudly, “Yeah, but you never told me she was pretty.”

James laughed loudly while she tried to gracefully hide her amusement so as not to embarrass the boy. “He’s a chip off the old block all right,” James announced and then went to kiss his wife as she walked in to join them.

“Wait, what?”

“Nothing, Teeg. Hey, why don’t you keep the boys occupied while I help Susan make supper?”

She nodded, then took the boys into the yard, where she tossed the football around with all three. Carter got the soft Nerf ball, while the older boys got the real one. It was a ton of fun, and she realized she’d lost track of time when Susan called them in to eat dinner.

Once everyone had settled around the table, Teegan turned to the boys again, wanting to catch up on some lost time. “You guys were great with the ball outside. Have you tried out for the football team?”

“Yeah, my dad took us to tryouts last week. Right, Dyl? I can’t wait to get started,” LJ said. “My dad takes me to the local games sometimes. He helps me practice, and we watch it on TV together. He’s so cool.”

“Your dad does sound pretty cool, LJ. It’s great to see you and Dylan excited about playing.”

James seemed to choke on his food, and she looked over to make sure he was all right, but he and Susan avoided eye contact with her.

“Is everything okay?”

“Uh-huh,” James said.

“Yeah, Aunt Teegan, we like a bunch of sports—baseball, basketball, and hockey too. I think it’s pretty cool that me and LJ made the team and we get to play together. Next year we won’t get that lucky.”

“Why’s that?”

“Age groups,” Susan answered. “LJ is a year older than Dylan, and next year he’ll be old enough to get out of peewee and into the junior rank.”

“I see.”

“Do you?” James challenged.

“I think so,” she said, confused at his tone.

“Yep, you’re looking at some of the Peewee Scallops’ finest.” Susan’s obvious attempt to change the subject worked as Teegan burst out laughing so hard she cried.

“The Peewee Scallops? Are you serious?” She wiped her eyes. “Who comes up with these names?”

“Who the hell knows?” James laughed with her. “Just wait ’til you see them play, sis.”

“I look forward to it,” she said proudly.

***

“Great throw, boys,” Teegan called out, trying not to fumble the ball too much. “But as you can see, I’m going to need a lot more practice.”

They’d set out to play a little more toss-and-catch with the football before dark. Only they’d switched her from being the one doing the tossing to being the one catching the ball.

The two older boys looked at her with a smile before huddling close as if discussing a play.

“Hey, what are you boys up to?”

“Oh, nothing.” Dylan smiled and gestured for her to throw the ball back. LJ bounced back and forth between the two of them, and Teegan actually caught the thing when it came back to her. “Woohoo!” she cheered before Dylan laughed and charged.

“Let’s get her.”

Uh-oh!
She laughed with them. “James, catch.”

He caught the ball she tossed and threw it right back. “Oh no, nuh-uh, sis. This game is yours.” He laughed at her squeal as she went down. It was a Teegan sandwich with all three boys piled on top of her. Flying limbs and laughter filled the backyard, as Teegan fumbled the ball into the grass.

“Lord, I love you monkeys!” As she sat up, she grabbed the littlest of the bunch first and playfully swung Carter in the air and kissed him before putting him down and moving on to Dylan and LJ. They tried running, but she caught them before they could get very far. “Come here, you two.” She messed the top of their hair and put her arm around each of them. “That was a ton of fun. So did I make it?”