Chapter 22

 

“I’ll be there,” Dan heard himself say.

They weren’t exactly the right three words, technically they weren’t even three words, but it was the best he could do right then and there. Lori was right, he needed time to assimilate everything he’d heard along with the gift he’d just been given.

The waiter interrupted to clear away the unfinished salad plates. Dan sat back and watched how easily Lori spoke with the young man about inconsequential generalities as if she’d never just had a significant conversation with him moments before. She definitely had star quality.

Why couldn’t he bring himself to say he loved her? Because he was afraid. Saying that he loved her would be tantamount to making a commitment. The two were synonymous to him. He’d never uttered those three words in his life. He’d never even felt close to uttering them before. If only he dared.

The waiter left and Lori returned her shining gaze to him. What would it be like to always see her smiling face first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every day thereafter?

“I know I shouldn’t try to bribe you to come out,” she said. “I promise, I won’t push.”

“You don’t need to bribe me,” Dan said. “I want you to know, if I do decide to come to Lunenburg, it will only be because of you. I won’t be going there for any other reason.”

“I know.” The small half-smile she gave him pierced his soul.

“I want to come,” he said. “It’s just such a big step. And I’d love to help you with the tournament, but I have to finish up some business here in town first.”

“I understand,” Lori said.

He watched her pick up her sandwich and take a bite. Absently Dan did the same with his own sandwich. He had no idea what he was eating. It could have been cardboard for all he cared.

He wasn’t being honest with her. He’d been away from work for so long already that his staff probably wouldn’t even miss him if he never came back for his obligatory two weeks. And when he’d handed in his resignation this morning, it had definitely been with the intention of joining her in Lunenburg. But at that time it had been an adults-only, let’s-give-it-a-try kind of thing. Part of him still longed to join her, but now he realized that he had to be absolutely sure if he really wanted to live the rest of his life with her. And Caitlin. Knowing there was a child in the equation completely altered the reality of the situation.

Was this the reality he wanted?

Could he live with her? With both of them?

 

They finished the rest of their meal in silence. Elora longed to know what Danny was thinking but didn’t dare intrude. She knew exactly how he must be feeling, though. She suddenly had parents and a brother again, who accepted her without reservation, and she was still finding this awesome, sudden love a little overwhelming. She wanted to tell Danny about her new found family, but she didn’t want to hit him with an information overload. She had a sneaky suspicion that finding out she had custody of a child was enough family for him at the moment.

It suddenly occurred to her that she still didn’t know Danny’s real identity. What was he hiding from? And would an association with the Barrington-Smiths create a conflict for him? She remembered his somewhat irrational reaction to their name when they were in P.E.I. Would she have to choose between them? She shied away from that line of reasoning. She was looking for trouble where none existed.

One step at a time, that was how she had learned to walk again. One day at a time, that was how they would learn to build a relationship.

The waiter cleared away their empty plates and served them coffee. In companionable silence they looked out upon the harbour view.

“Now it’s my turn to tell you a bit about myself,” Danny said. “My last name really isn’t Smith.”

“I figured as much.” Elora took a sip from her steaming beverage.

“Oh.” Danny looked discomfited. “How’s that?”

“When I’d noticed at the Red Sands that you’d given the Barons Hotel as your home address, it occurred to me that you’d most likely checked in under a false name as well.”

“And what about you?” Danny teased. “Barrington-Smith was hardly your real name either.”

Elora felt herself flush at his words. Little did he know, when all was said and done, that she was actually entitled to that family connection. She very nearly blurted out the truth, but instead she managed to hold her tongue. It was time for him to talk about himself; her additional story could wait.

“It wasn’t my idea to change my name to Barrington-Smith,” she reminded him.

“I know.” He gave her an unfathomable look. “But did you want it to be?”

“To be what?” His question flummoxed her. “You still don’t think there’s something going on between me and Paul, do you?” She set her cup carefully down onto its saucer. “I told you we’re just friends.” Besides, the truth dawned on her, they were more than friends. They were actually related. He was her half-brother. Nothing could ever have come from anything between her and Paul.

“I know that,” Danny said. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“What do you know of the Barrington-Smiths?”

“You mean other than the fact that they’re wealthy and one of the province’s most distinguished families?” And that they had a skeleton in their closet – namely her.

She turned his odd question over in her mind. She got the strangest feeling that Dan didn’t like the Barrington-Smith family. His subtle way of saying their name reminded her of her adoptive mother’s irrational dislike. At least, it had been irrational until Elora had learned the truth. What was Danny not telling her?

“Everything to do with them is headline news,” he said. “I’m still amazed you got away scot-free when you impersonated one of them on Prince Edward Island.”

“You’re telling me,” Elora said. “The last thing I need, especially right now, is a run-in with the media. Caitlin’s and my life would become one gigantic free-for-all.” She gave an elaborate shudder. “It would be a horror story. And I’d hate to think what it would do to Caitlin. She’s had enough upheaval in her young life to last a lifetime.”

“She sure is a little sweetheart,” Danny said. “I think I might be falling in love with her.” 

He snapped his mouth shut, his eyes widened. Elora’s heart soared into a sailing split jump. He might not be able to say those same words to her, but she just knew it was only a matter of time.

“That’s not quite what I meant to say,” Danny said.

“I know.” Elora smiled. “I understand.”

“No,” he said. “I mean I do find her special, and I would never intentionally bring her any harm.”

“You could never hurt her,” Elora said. “Her life is filled with so many men, so many uncles that, unless you decided you wanted it to become something else, she’d only view you as one more uncle in a long procession of uncles.”

“That’s not quite what I meant, either.” It wasn’t something Dan wanted to hear, to be lumped in with a bunch of nameless, faceless men. “I was thinking more of having your lives turned upside-down by association with me. It never occurred to me that I could ruin your life.”

“Danny.” Lori smiled and leaned forward. She captured one of his hands in both of hers. “You couldn’t possibly ruin our lives by simply being in them. In fact, I know you’d enhance them with your presence. I only ask that you give us a chance.”

 

Dan stared long and hard at her earnest face. He just knew he was beginning to fall in love with this woman. He recalled how her hazel eyes lit up when he’d mentioned his love for Caitlin. He could just imagine her reaction when he’d finally say those same words to her. But first, he had a few other particulars to clear up with her.

Lori was a strong woman. He knew what he had to say wouldn’t be welcome news to her, but he never doubted that they’d face everything together. His conviction in her – in them – grew.

While Dan took a moment to frame his next words, a commotion at the door attracted his attention. A wailing child in the throes of a temper tantrum penetrated the quietude of the restaurant. Like most patrons, Dan glanced sidelong at the intrusion. Caitlin, tugging hard at the end of Patrick’s hand, was screaming for her mother. Obviously she had seen them sitting there, and just as obviously Patrick wasn’t about to let the child interrupt. A tall, beautiful woman, whom he assumed to be Veronica, joined the pair and tried to soothe the child. Caitlin was having none of her either.

“I think Caitlin wants you,” Dan said.

“Oh, really,” Lori said. “I hadn’t noticed.” Dan glanced back to Lori and saw a pained expression cross her face.

“Mommy!” Caitlin’s voice rent the air. “I want my mommy!”

“And I mistook her for a princess,” Dan said, injecting a note of levity into the situation.

Lori rolled her eyes, then grinned ruefully at him. “She is, most of the time. But she’s overtired now. She’s had a busy few days with Patrick and Veronica while I was gone, and the plan was for her to sleep in the car on our way to the farm.”

“And I’ve disrupted that,” Dan said.

“Never think that for a moment. What we are discussing is very import—”

“Mommy! Mommmmy!” The screeching voice gained in intensity even as Patrick bore the screaming child out of the dining room. “Mommy!”

“I think we’d better go rescue Patrick.” Dan dropped several bills onto the table, pushed back his chair, and stood up. He took Lori’s hand firmly in his. At her questioning look he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “We’ll work out something, sweetheart. I promise.” Her hand felt good in his. It felt really good.

The corridor outside the restaurant door was quiet and empty. The light above the elevator door indicated that it was going down. Dan didn’t envy the other couple the long ride down with a screaming child between them. He grinned. He punched the button and the flickering green arrows blinked, summoning the next lift. Within moments the doors slid open, inviting them in. Two more people joined them. Dan wished for privacy. He longed to kiss Lori senseless while he knew her kisses would knock the sense into him to say the words that needed saying.

The instant they exited the lift on the main level Caitlin spied them approaching. Miraculously her tears dried up and she bestowed upon them a radiant smile. She wiped her face on her sleeve.

“Hi!”

She squirmed out of Patrick’s grasp. Veronica was nowhere in sight. Smart lady.

“Did you rescue my mommy, too?”

“Not yet, Princess.” Dan tousled the child’s hair. “I think she’s in the middle of rescuing me.”

“Don’t do that, Mommy,” Caitlin admonished. “Then he’ll turn into a bum.”

“What?” Dan was dumbfounded. He looked at the laughing adults, eager to share the joke.

Lori explained. “In Caitlin’s favourite storybook, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, the princess saves the prince from a dragon only to discover that he’s a bum not worth saving.”

“Of course.” Dan had to read this book where princes turned into bums. He didn’t want to follow suit. “Don’t worry, Caitlin. The only kind of bum I’ll ever be is a golf bum.” He winked at Lori.

“You like golfing?” Caitlin asked as she swung from Lori’s hand and stared up at him. “Me and Mommy belongs to Castleviews, but Mommy doesn’t like to work there, she likes to work at the Bairns Hotel instead cause Uncle Paul belongs to the Bairns, too, and so does Uncle Perry and Uncle Bors and Sally—”

“That’s quite enough, Caitlin,” Lori said. “Let’s not bore Danny with all the details right now.”

“But, Mommy,” Caitlin said. “Danny likes golf so you can give him the Castleviews so he can belongs to it, too.”

Dan sifted through the childish prattle and pulled out the nuggets of truth. “I take it that you’re the proud owner of the Castleview Golf and Country Club?” He raised his eyebrows.

“No bribery.” Lori held up her hands. “I promised.”

“You are full of surprises, aren’t you?” In a glance he took in the sight of Patrick, a ready-made friend, Caitlin, a child fit for his heart, and Lori, who he was fast coming to understand, was the only woman for him. He looked straight at Lori. Lord, he loved how she sparkled. He longed to kiss her softly curving lips. Before he could suit action to thoughts, Caitlin interrupted again.

“I wanna go to the farm,” Caitlin demanded. “I wanna see my kitty.” She grabbed Lori by the legs, her thumb hovering uncertainly around her mouth. Fatigue once again made her sound peevish. “I hafta go potty.”

Lori glanced about.

“Veronica’s already in the restroom,” Patrick supplied. In an aside to Dan he said, “Pregnant women seem to spend half their time in there.”

Dan didn’t know very much about pregnant women, but he nodded in sage, manly agreement to this announcement. The thought of Lori pregnant with his child sent a thrill skittering along his nerve endings.

“Lori, are you going to be driving to the farm with us, or will Dan be taking you there?” Patrick asked.

“I….” Lori glanced between the two men. “I don’t know.”

“I’ll definitely be driving her,” Dan said. “That way we can finish our conversation, uninterrupted.” He grinned to take any sting out of his words. His grin widened at Lori’s blush.

“Great,” Patrick said. “I’ll get your bags from the front desk and take them with us so you don’t have to worry. Tell Ronnie I’ve gone to bring the car around front.”

Lori looked at Dan. “I’ll wait right here.” Dan thrust his hands in his pockets. “I promise not to go anywhere without you.”

“We’ll just be a minute.”

 

Elora hustled Caitlin into the ladies’ room where Veronica stood washing her hands at a basin. Upon their entrance, Ronnie gave her an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry,” she began. “I tried to get her to come with me, but of course once she saw you, you were all she wanted. Had I known you planned to have lunch there, we would have gone elsewhere.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Elora got Caitlin set up in a stall and stepped back out, leaving the door slightly ajar.

“So what’s going on?” Ronnie asked. “Who is that gorgeous hunk?”

“A friend.”

“Come on, Lori. It’s me, your best friend you’re talking to here. You are positively glowing. Tell me everything.” Veronica finished drying her hands and planted them on her hips as she faced Elora.

“I told him about my leg.” A huge smile lit her face. “And he seems to be taking everything in stride, much better than I’d hoped.”

“That’s great!” Veronica gave her a hug. “When’s the wedding?”

“Ronnie! We’re not there yet.” Elora felt the warmth stain her cheeks. “I need to finish talking to Danny. We weren’t finished with our discussion when we Caitlin interrupted.” She ran a pick through her hair and touched up her lipstick.

“Then what are you doing in here?” Veronica said. “Get back out there.”

“Patrick’s gone to get the car. Can you take Caitlin? He said he’ll meet you out front in a few minutes.” She zipped her purse shut then went to help Caitlin adjust her clothing and wash her hands.

“What about you? This Danny fellow had better be coming with us.”

“Yeah!” Caitlin shouted. Elora ignored Caitlin’s spirited comment, even while silently voicing the same one, and dried her daughter’s hands on a paper towel.

“He said he’d drive me over.” Excitement revved up her pulse.

“Perfect.” Ronnie grinned at her in the mirror. “Over supper I can give him the third degree.”

“I don’t know if he’s planning to stay.” Elora suspected a visit at the farm right now would be asking too much of Danny. “Besides, I don’t want to impose on your folks.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Lori.” Veronica finished tidying her hair and faced her. “Of course he’d be welcome. You better make sure he plans to stay.”

“I’ll ask him,” Elora said.

Veronica dropped her brush into her bag. “What about your mother?” she asked. “What did the private investigator have to say about that?”

Elora grinned. “You’ll never believe it!”

“What?” Their reflections met as Ronnie stared avidly at her in the mirror. “Do tell.”

“Paul is my half-brother,” Elora whispered, then she turned away from the mirror to face her friend head on.

“What!”

“My natural mother is none other than Eleanor Barrington-Smith.”

“That explains all those skating scholarships.” Ronnie stared at her wide-eyed.

“I know. It actually explains a lot.”

“I’m so happy for you!” Veronica threw her arms around her. “Wait till I till Patrick.” She paused. “I can tell Patrick, can’t I?”

“Of course.” Elora smiled. “It won’t be kept secret for long, I suppose.” At Ronnie’s questioning gaze she elaborated. “I can’t hide from the media forever, and I can only hope that this news might just happen to eclipse the other. If I’m lucky.” She shrugged. “And if not, Caitlin and I have been through worse and came out just fine with the support of all our friends.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that, Lori. Everything will work out fine, you just wait and see.”

Veronica took Caitlin by the hand and started to lead her out of the restroom. When they reached the door Elora called after them.

“Danny and I shouldn’t be too far behind you guys.”

“Or better yet,” Ronnie turned and said, “you can drive with Patrick, and I’ll keep Danny company.” With a chuckle and a wink the pair disappeared.

“Not on your life,” Elora shot back at the closing door.

With a smile, she finished adjusting her unruly mop of hair before stepping into the hotel lobby. Ronnie and Caitlin were already out of sight. She glanced around for Danny but didn’t see him anywhere. He wasn’t where she’d left him. Then she spotted him down below on the lower landing talking to Paul.

She paused with her hand on the rail and looked down at the two men. How wonderful. The notion that he and Paul might know each other pleased her tremendously. It reduced the risk of possible tension between Danny and her new found family. As she stood there watching, she noticed her mother and Arthur converging upon the two men from a corridor along the other side. She beamed inwardly at how all the pieces of her life were fitting so beautifully into place, like an intricate puzzle.

 “Aidan, dear,” her mother’s clear voice rang joyfully across the room. The older woman reached up to give Danny a hug and to kiss him on the cheek. He responded to her overtures with equal warmth. “Where on earth have you been, son?” Not giving him the chance to reply she announced happily, “We’ve got wonderful news for you. You’re going to have a sister.”

And then the puzzle dropped, and all the pieces scattered.