The Courage To Love (Love On The North Shore) (24 page)

“Are you going to be okay tonight?” She’d noticed that Sean spent as little time as possible in Ray’s company. Now used to the crutches, she crossed to him with ease.

“Yeah, of course.” The frown on his face remained.

His arm slid around her waist and he kissed her. A sense of true acceptance and love once again rushed forward and she smiled.

“You’re a terrible liar, Sean.” She wanted him to know she was there to listen, but at the same time she didn’t want to push. “I know you’re still not crazy about Ray.”

Sean looked toward the ceiling, then after a few seconds he looked at her. Conflict raged in his green eyes. “If this happened a year ago before my father showed up, I’d be happy for them. I always liked Ray. Now, I’m... I don’t know what. But it doesn’t matter. Ma can make her own decisions.” Sean cleared his throat and looked away. “If you’re ready lets go.”

It wasn’t easy but she held back her laugh. He got so uncomfortable when he talked about his feelings. “I love you.” When he met her eyes again, she leaned in and kissed him. “Lets go.”

Mia wondered how many hours, Carol, Ray’s sister, had spent on the party. The new banquet room at Masterson’s Restaurant was elaborately decorated with flowers. Matching centerpieces sat on every table and, judging by the number of people gathered inside, she’d invited the entire town. Mia should have suspected as much. Both Ray and Maureen had grown up in North Salem and both were well liked. In fact, most the women in town around Maureen’s age had stopped by The Victorian Rose at some point to congratulate her, according to Sean. Having known both Ray and Maureen in high school when they’d dated, most found their recent engagement romantic. Even many of the younger women had stopped by and offered their congratulations in the past few weeks.

“Carol did a great job,” Jessica said.

“She did.” Since returning to North Salem, she was slowly getting to know everyone in town better including Jessica.

“When I talked to Charlie she was disappointed she and Jake couldn’t come.”

Mia nodded. She still wondered about Jessica and Charlie’s friendship. Sean insisted they’d been almost inseparable as children, but she couldn’t picture it. The two women seemed so different. “Sean mentioned that, too. But she’ll be here next week.”

Jessica reached for her water class. “She told me. We’re going to get together while she and Jake are here.” She took a sip from her water. “Where are they staying anyway? Is there room at the Victorian Rose? I never see that No Vacancy come down.”

“They’ll use the attic room. Sean and I have moved next door. It’s not perfect. The kitchen isn’t done and our bedroom is in the living room, but we’re making do.”

Jessica glanced off toward the bar where Sean stood in conversation with Tony Bates. “Sean is different now that’s he’s with you,” she said, her voice low. “He’s, I don’t know, happier I guess. I can’t explain it exactly.” Jessica paused as if in thought. “He was always so serious before. He seems more relaxed. I’m really glad he met you.” Jessica sounded a lot like a sister to her.

Mia watched Sean at the bar. She’d also noticed the change in him. “I am, too.”

Even dressed simply, she stood out as the most beautiful woman in the crowded room, and she loved him. Sometimes he still struggled with that. She could have her choice of men anywhere, yet she’d left her grand life in California and moved in with him. He had no clue how he’d gotten so lucky, but he wasn’t going to complain.

“Still can’t believe you landed Mia Troy,” Tony said next to him. “You’re one lucky SOB.”

Damn, right.

“If she’d met me first your wouldn’t have stood a chance, you know,” Tony joked as he slapped him on the back.

For the first time that night, he broke into a smile. “In your dreams, Bates. She wouldn’t have given you the time of day.” Sean accepted the two strawberry margaritas the bartender handed him. “I’ll talk to you later.”

He didn’t wait for a response, instead he started back to his table. Before he made it, his mother stepped in front of him.

“Thank you for coming tonight,” she said. “It means a lot to Ray and me that you’re here.”

Sean looked down at his mom. She looked so youthful tonight. Excitement practically buzzed around her, yet a small frown sat on her face.

“I never thought about not coming.” Okay, so it was a tiny lie. He’d considered it for about ten minutes.

His mom’s head titled off to the side and her eyes met his. “I know you don’t like Ray, Sean.”

He looked over at Ray seated with his sister Carol and brother Phil. “It’s not that, Ma,” he said, his voice resigned. “I just see him differently now. It’s no big deal. As long as you’re happy that’s all that matters.” When his mother first dropped the news on him, he’d balked at the idea. Now, though, he understood a little better, thanks to his love for Mia. His mother had been wrong in her actions, yet she shouldn’t have been forced to marry someone she didn’t love all those years ago even if she was pregnant. If she now had the opportunity to be with someone she loved, he shouldn’t hold it against either of them.

“I’ll get used to you being together. Don’t worry about it. Just be happy.”

Maureen’s smile extended to her eyes. “You too, honey. If anyone deserves it, you do. And Mia’s a wonderful woman.” Stretching up on her tip toes, she kissed his cheek.

No one needed to tell him that about Mia.

“Ray and I picked October third for the wedding. I’d like you to walk me down the aisle. Charlie’s already agreed to be my Maid of Honor.”

His jaw went slack, but he didn’t hesitate to answer. “I’d be honored, Ma.”

His mom’s eyes filled with tears. Then after one more kiss she rejoined Ray, and he went back to Mia, who was deep in conversation with Jessica. He’d noticed that over the past few weeks she was trying to get to know everyone in town better. She’d even gone out with his mom and a few of her friends once or twice for lunch.

“Here you go.” Sean placed the drinks in front of Mia as the conversation at the table stopped and Jessica’s cheeks turned pink.

Mia smiled at him. “I saw you talking to your mom. Everything okay?”

They’d either been talking about him or something they didn’t want him to hear. Either way it didn’t matter. “She asked me to give her away.”

Mia gasped and Jessica squealed at his words.

“And?” Mia asked.

“And what?”

“What did you say?” Mia asked.

“He said yes; why wouldn’t he?” Jessica glanced between them.

“I said yes.”

Under the table Mia pinched his leg and leaned closer. “Will you tell me everything you two said later?”

Sean nodded.

“So when is the wedding?” Jessica asked. “Do you think it’ll be big?”

“October third,” Sean answered.

Jessica and Mia shared their ideas of perfect weddings, but Sean blocked most of their conversation out. Wedding plans were best left to women. Instead he turned his thoughts to the following day and his meeting with his half-sister. With some luck the afternoon wouldn’t turn into a complete disaster. And if it did, Mia and Charlie couldn’t say he hadn’t tried.

Not long after his return from California he’d spoken in depth with Charlie about the entire situation and how to handle Taylor. The fact that their father left because of their mother’s infidelity hadn’t surprised his sister. Evidently, she’d learned that fact a while ago as well as the fact that their parents had been forced to marry. She hadn’t known about their father’s drinking problem though. Once he told her about it, she remembered bits and pieces that should’ve alerted them.

As of yet, she hadn’t met with their father face-to-face, but she had spoken to him on the phone. When she came up next weekend she planned to visit him and Taylor. He’d offered to accompany her, but she’d declined. At least for this visit she planned to go alone.

The elevator music that had played all through dinner stopped, then Gage Larson and his band took the stage as couples filled the dance floor.

“Why don’t you ask Jessie to dance?” Mia whispered in his ear, her voice almost inaudible.

He peeked around Mia and saw that Jessica watched the dancers with envy.

“I know you don’t dance but just this once for me. She really looks like she wants to.”

“Once.” He kept his voice low so Jessie wouldn’t hear him. Then he leaned forward. “How about a dance, Jessie?”

Jessica turned toward him. “As long as Mia doesn’t mind.” She pushed her chair back.

“I can’t dance anyway. Go ahead. Have fun,” Mia answered.

Chapter 16

The one-story brown house, with the huge oak tree in the front yard, looked just like every other house on the street. Yet the mere sight of the house sent his gut into a tailspin, and his breakfast threatened to make a reappearance. What did you say to a twelve-year-old anyway? The last time he’d had a conversation with a twelve-year-old he hadn’t been much older himself.

“It’s going to be fine,” Mia said from the passenger seat of the truck.

“What am I supposed to say to her?”

“She’s a girl not an alien, Sean. Ask her about the kind of music she likes or if she plays sports. Didn’t you say she takes karate? Ask her about that.” Mia reached over and pulled the keys from the ignition. “Come on let’s go.” She dropped the keys in his hand.

The keys dug into his palm, but he fought to kept himself from using them to start the truck back up. Exiting the truck, he walked around to help Mia down.

A dog’s bark sounded after he rang the bell. Through the open window, Sean heard his father command the dog to stop before the door swung open.

“Come on in. Ignore Duchess, she’s harmless.” His father gestured toward the medium-sized dog seated near his feet.

The two times Sean had seen his father, anger had ruled his emotions. Today the anger was more of a dull noise in the background. Knowing the full story lessened the hatred he’d carried around for years and replaced it with something bordering on sympathy.

“Taylor’s in her room changing her outfit again.” Seamus gestured toward the bedroom off to the left. “She’s been talking about this since we last spoke. Have a seat, and I’ll get her.”

“See, I told you this would be okay.” Mia’s breath skimmed across his skin as she whispered in his ear.

A knock reached them from down the hall, followed by his father’s voice. Mia’s right, she’s just a kid. His fingers tapped against his thigh.

“Relax, will you?” Mia’s hand covered his as the young girl appeared in the doorway.

Once again he noticed how much she resembled him and his father. All three of them possessed the same green eyes and dirty blond hair. And like both of them, she was tall. A sharp elbow in his side reminded him he’d yet to speak. Clearing his throat he stood and took a few steps toward Taylor, who fidgeted from one foot to the other in the doorway.

“Happy birthday,” he said as he held out the wrapped gift. “I’m sorry we missed the party yesterday.”

A small smile spread across Taylor’s face. “That’s okay. Dad said you had another party.” She accepted the gift he held out. “Thank you.”

Dead silence again reigned. What now? He ran a hand through his hair. “Mia picked it out, but if you don’t like it we can get something else.” He didn’t even know what the gift was. Mia had not only picked it out but wrapped it, too.

The smile on Taylor’s face grew a little wider revealing a mouth full of metal. “I can’t believe you know Mia Troy. I watch the old episodes of Family Life all the time. Is she your girlfriend?”

Before now he’d not used that label on Mia, but he liked it, for now at least. Someday he’d like to make her more. “Yeah.” His gaze locked with Mia’s and her eyes told him she was thinking the exact same thing as him.

“I have a new boyfriend.” Taylor sat down in the armchair across from the couch, but remained perched on the edge.

An unexpected surge of protectiveness jabbed him in the chest. “You just turned twelve. You’re not old enough for a boyfriend.”

“I had my first boyfriend when I was ten,” Mia said. “His name was Eric Devlin.”

“You’re not helping,” Sean muttered, as he took a seat next to her again.

When Mia just laughed, he couldn’t contain his smile.

“I heard you take karate,” Sean said. He’d leave the issue of boyfriends and dating to his father for now. “I did it for a long time, too.”

Taylor eased back against the chair. “Really? I earned my blue belt right before we left Florida and I just started classes again at a new school. My Sensei, Steve, said he knows you.”

“Steve and I graduated together and his father taught us both at that karate school.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his dad pause by the doorway, but he didn’t enter. When he’d thought about this visit he’d envisioned his father with them, yet Seamus held back as if to give them time to get to know each other without raising any negative feelings with his presence.

“Let me know when you’re hungry. I thought I would order pizza for lunch,” Seamus said with a hint of curiosity in his voice.