Serendipity (32 page)

Ethan leaned back in his chair, seeing the other man as a businessman rather than an academic. “In other words, it's about how much I'm willing to invest in your school?”

“In a word, yes. In addition, we'd like you to sit on the board. Your business acumen would also be an asset for us going forward.”

Ethan understood the compliment was more about his success than who he was, but that was the way of the world. If it got Tess in, he'd suffer through being on the board. “It's tough economic times all around,” Ethan said.

“For some more than others. You see, our school invested funds with Martin Harrington, as did many of our largest benefactors.”

“I see,” Ethan said, not happy with the turn this conversation had taken.

The director picked up a letter opener and rubbed it between the palms of his hands. “Not only did we lose funding, but we lost students whose parents could no longer afford to enroll them in our school. As a result, we've had to cut many beloved teachers and programs that our school is known for. The only reason we are able to offer the visiting professor program you want to enroll your sister in is because of one very generous patron whose daughter loves art. But that doesn't help the other lost programs, the fired teachers, or the students who have suffered greatly all because of Martin Harrington's greed.”

“I understand the school has suffered,” Ethan said, treading carefully for myriad reasons.

Adam Spellman nodded his head. “Now this.” He pulled the
News Journal
magazine from the inbox on his desk. “Rubbing our noses in fresh wounds. A reminder is the last thing this school needs going into a new year.”

“I agree,” Ethan said. And a school board with an inherent bias against a Harrington was the last thing Ethan needed.

Not when he intended for Faith Harrington to be a part of both his and Tess's life in every way possible—including attending any events at this school by his side or with his sister. But Ethan recognized the value of silence, and he would only be revealing information to Dr. Adam Spellman on an as-needed basis. Until Ethan had written a substantial check to this institution, nobody here needed to know his relationship to Faith Harrington. After all, money could buy acceptance of many things and people. Martin Harrington's daughter included.

But how fair would it be for Ethan to ask Faith to deal with people who blatantly hated her father? And how difficult would it be for Tess and Faith to deal with the parents and kids, who'd lost programs and favorite teachers? Faith already had his brother Nash to contend with.

“Mr. Barron?”

Ethan snapped back to the present. “Sorry. Yes, I can assure you my donation will help the school get back on its feet. In return, I would appreciate it if you'd make my family feel welcome here.”

Adam Spellman rose to his feet, a smile on his face. “That is an easy promise to make. There's just one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“This is a bit awkward, but we're a conservative school. It would help if your sister . . . modified her look? The purple hair? The piercing?”

Ethan bit the inside of his cheek. No matter how he felt about Tess's
accessorizing
, he disliked anyone else criticizing her. “My sister is entitled to a little individuality. But I will talk to her,” he said, knowing Tess already planned to change her hair. Maybe the piercing would follow. Maybe not. He could live with that, he realized, knowing how far she'd already come.

Spellman held out his hand and Ethan shook on the deal. “I'll have a check in the mail by the end of business today.”

Wasn't it ironic, Ethan thought. Ten years ago, he hadn't been good enough for Faith Harrington. Hell, he still wasn't. But in the eyes of the town, their situations were now reversed. Money truly could buy just about anything, including acceptance.

But would Faith allow herself, her acceptance, to be bought, no matter how good the reason?

 

 

Later that evening, after spending the day at work and avoiding any and all talk about Martin Harrington, a part of Faith wished she could continue the pattern and evade Ethan and the inevitable conversation about her father's interview. She was used to dealing with her troubles alone, and burying herself under the covers for at least one night sounded good to her right now. But another part of Faith had gotten used to having Ethan Barron in her life and desperately wanted to feel his arms around her and let him chase away the demon that was her father.

So Faith found herself driving to Ethan's and pulling her car up the long driveway. Funny, but she no longer thought of this as her old house. Sometime in the last few weeks, she'd not just accepted the change she'd had no control over but also had come to feel his living here just felt right.

Ethan greeted her on the front porch before she could even think of ringing the bell. He pulled her into his arms and settled his lips over hers.

His big hands clasped around her waist and he kissed her senseless, chasing away all the bad things in her life, just as she'd wanted.

“Thank you,” she said, tilting her head back and looking into his eyes.

“For what?”

“For being you. And for knowing exactly what I need.” She only hoped she gave back to him in equal measure. “I'm sorry I didn't call you back today. I knew you'd hear about the article anyway and I needed time to process that interview.”

“Understandable.” He slipped his hand into hers, led her into the house and straight to the kitchen. “And have you processed it?” he asked once they'd settled into the folding chairs.

“As much as I'm going to. I just feel so . . . betrayed.” She leaned her chin on her hands, trying to sum up her feelings, which were still raw. “It was bad enough when I found out who my father was and what he did. But despite all my denials, I wanted to believe he still loved me. That because I was his daughter, that meant something to him.”

She pulled in a ragged breath, the words she'd refused to let herself think or express, escaping at last. “In that way, I was no better than my mother, still in denial. I just put on a better face to the outside world. But this interview shattered every illusion I'd been holding on to—no matter how deep inside me. He told the world he'd used my marriage as a stepping-stone in his scam, and if that wasn't bad enough, he implied that my ex-husband knew all about his dirty dealings. He destroyed any bit of reputation I'd held on to and most of my self-respect.”

Ethan rose and wrapped her in his arms, in his warmth. “You aren't a reflection of your father or his actions.”

“What if I knew that Carter had more than an inkling of his dirty deals? I threatened to expose him if he didn't give me a fair alimony settlement. What does that say about me?”

Ethan stroked the back of her hair. “It says you're smart. But it doesn't say you're just like him.”

“How could my own father use me that way?” she asked, tears escaping despite her attempts to hold them back.

“He used everyone.”

Ethan held her in his arms, comforting her and letting her gather his strength until she pulled herself together.

“Enough about me.” Faith grabbed a napkin from the holder in the center of the table and wiped her eyes. “You said in your voice message that you had a meeting with the head of Birchwood. How did things go? Is Tess in, no problem?”

Ethan did not want to have this conversation. In fact, he'd give up everything he owned to make the subject disappear. Instead, he faced the woman he loved and prepared to hurt her even more.

He pulled out the chair and pulled it closer to Faith's.

“Tess had a great day. She toured the school and saw the amazing art supplies she'd be using. I already know what I'm going to get her for Christmas,” he said, laughing.

Avoiding.

Faith smiled. “You know, I think that Kelly's dropping Tess on your doorstep was the best thing that ever happened to either one of you?”

He reached out and stroked her soft cheek. “No, I think that would be you.”

She shook her head, but her feelings were evident in her eyes, all the love he felt for her reciprocated, and his heart swelled with hope.

“While Tess took her tour, I met with the head of the school,” he continued.

Though he was painfully aware of this morning's open-ended “I love you” conversation, he couldn't bring himself to hear her say it back and then break her heart. And he had no doubt she loved him too.

“Will Birchwood take her?” Faith asked.

He nodded. “As long as I write a big fat check and agree to sit on their board, she's in. Of course, the dean mentioned that the school is a little conservative and Tess could help herself fit in better by changing her hair, to start. I haven't broken the news to her yet.”

Faith laughed. “Something tells me she's ready for that. She must be over the moon!” Faith's smile lit her face, those expressive eyes filled with joy. “Where is she?”

“In her room. After she called her sister, Kelly, she headed upstairs. She's been blasting her music in celebration ever since.” He couldn't help but grin.

“That's great! But you on the board of directors? Is that something you want to do?” Faith asked, all too perceptive when it came to him.

He shook his head. “Not really. But for Tess, I'll chew nails once a month or for however long those meetings take.” He grasped her hand in his and began rubbing lazy circles over the sensitive pulse in her wrist.

She shivered and he appreciated how sensitive she was to his touch.

“What do they want from you?” she asked.

“According to Adam Spellman? My cash and my business expertise.” He shrugged. “Personally, I also think he wants to know he has easy access to me and my funds should the need arise.”

Faith glanced at him, questions in her eyes. “More than the money you're already giving?”

“Maybe. The school's been hit hard financially. They've had to cut teachers' jobs as well as extracurricular activities. Some of the kids who attended the school last year can't afford to come back.”

Faith winced. “That's awful. I'm glad Tess can benefit, but I really feel for the school and the kids.”

“Me too.”

She glanced down at their still intertwined hands. “How'd they get into so much trouble?” she asked.

He met her gaze and held on to her hand. “Well, they've made some very damaging financial decisions,” he said deliberately slow and pointed. He squeezed her hand tighter, pausing to let the truth come to her in her own time.

“Oh.
Oh.
No.” Faith shook her head in denial. “My father?” she asked, her voice cracking.

He nodded. “I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you but I couldn't not be honest either.”

“God, will it never end?” Faith pulled her hand from his and buried her head in her hands.

“Faith?”

She raised her head, meeting his gaze with dead eyes.

“Your father's actions have nothing to do with us. Not if we don't let them,” he said, wanting to believe his own words.

Ethan prayed she wouldn't come to the conclusions he'd already drawn today, about kids ostracizing Tess once they realized her connection to Faith, the woman whose father had caused the kids to lose teachers, classmates, and programs. And that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, he thought, disgusted with Martin Harrington.

“You're too smart to believe that.” Faith yanked her hand from his and rose from her seat. “You love me. You said so yourself,” she said, straightening her shoulders.

He stood up to face her, look into those beautiful eyes. “Damn straight I do.”

“Well, I love you too.” She blinked, and a tear dripped onto her cheek. She angrily wiped it with the back of her hand before turning away from him.

It wasn't the way he'd wanted to hear the declaration, but knowing it still filled the empty, lonely spaces inside him. Now he had to convince her not to run, and he braced himself, already preparing counterarguments in his head.

When Faith faced him again, her face was pale, her jaw taut. “This morning, before my mother called, I'd convinced myself we could give this thing between us a shot. Because you're everything I always wanted.”

Her sweet smile would have brought him to his knees, if he hadn't heard the
but
in her tone.

She gripped the chair with her hands until her knuckles turned white, her pain obviously as great as his.

“If it was just us, then yes, we could handle it together. But there's no way Tess deserves to be hurt because of your association with me.”

Nausea filled him, followed by frustration. “What we share is not just some
association
,” he said, hurt she'd use such a cold, generic word to describe what they shared.

“No, it's not,” she agreed softly, tempering his anger. “But neither is what you share with Tess, and she's just getting comfortable with you. She's come out of her shell because she trusts you. And I won't be the person that shatters that trust or hurts her.”

“Faith—”

She stepped out of reach. “You can't deny that Tess will suffer when people at that school find out about
us
.”

He replied with silence. Of course he couldn't deny it. “But if we're a tight unit, if we back her up, she'll know she's loved, that she can trust us.”

“Or maybe she'll blame you for sticking her in that school and that situation. Or she'll come to hate me for being the reason the kids exclude her, or you for bringing me into her life.”