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Shannon
Lucas held tight to her hand as they stepped into the O’Hanrahan mansion’s grand entry foyer. He hadn’t stopped touching her since the kiss they shared.
Everything felt renewed, bright, resplendent. Looking up at the chandelier filling the ceiling space above them, Shannon imagined even the crystals winked and glistened, rejoicing with them in their new-found happiness.
Bethany greeted them with a studying glance. Shannon hoped her mother’s debutante training would overtake any curiosity she had over seeing them together. “Are you staying for dinner then?” was all she asked.
“If you don’t mind.” Shannon shot her mother a pleading look.
Bethany gave her a slight, polite smile. There would be questions later.
Lucas kept her hand clasped as they walked upstairs to the nursery.
Cody looked up at them from the midst of a blanket fort. She loved her little boy’s imagination and hoped it stuck with him into adulthood. What would he make of himself? His eyes flicked over them and landed on their clasped hands. A brilliant smile overtook his face, making Shannon’s heart squeeze.
“Hello, little man,” Shannon said. “Did you have fun today?”
“Yep,” he said and jumped over to the child-sized art table. He rushed to them, holding out a self-designed card. “I made you this for the pool party.”
Lucas dropped a hand to Cody’s shoulder while Shannon took the card from her beaming son. A lopsided blue watercolor circle representing a pool took up the card’s face with blobby colored splotches meant to be people covering the top and bottom halves.
“I love it, Cody. Thank you.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Thank you, Mom.”
She opened it and leaned close to Lucas so he could read Cody’s note to thank them for “the bestest pool party in the world”. They exchanged warm, gushy looks.
“Listen, Cody,” Lucas said, dropping to Cody’s level. “I’m going to come home soon, and we’ll all be together again.”
Cody looked from his father’s earnest face up to her. She smiled at him. “You love each other again?”
“We always loved each other,” she said, running a hand through his mop of copper hair. “Someone did a bad thing that hurt my feelings and blamed your dad. I made mistakes because I was sad.”
“Mom and I want to be a team, and we’re going to try harder to stick together no matter what.” Lucas’s phone buzzed. When he looked at the name on the screen, he frowned. “I should take this.”
She nodded, and he stepped from the room.
Cody tugged on her hand. “What if you get mad at each other again?”
She pulled him close and snuggled him. “I love your dad and you and Gretchen, so much. Grownups make mistakes sometimes even when they love each other. What’s important is to be forgiving and try not to make the same mistake again. Remember when you and Tommy got in a fight?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s your best friend, but you got mad and hurt each other’s feelings, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Your dad is my best friend. Even if we get mad, we still love each other. Dad and I spent the whole day remembering our love story and talking to each other. Now I know he didn’t do the bad thing, and I promised not to make the same mistake again.” She looked into his eyes. “Do you understand, baby?”
“Yep, dad said he didn’t do it, you said you were sorry, and dad forgave you. So, you can be friends again.”
“That’s right.”
Cody hugged her tight.
“Let me check on Gretchen now.”
She moved to the crib where her baby slept.
Gretchen’s pink lips puckered in sleep, and Shannon couldn’t resist holding her. Moving to the glider, Shannon snuggled Gretchen and breathed in the scent of her skin and ran a hand over the baby soft curls. Everything was right in Shannon’s world.
After a few minutes, she laid Gretchen back in the crib and headed down to the den.
Her parents turned to her as she entered. The stern expression on Patrick’s face told her it was time for some answers. Bethany patted the loveseat next to her.
Shannon sighed. “All right.”
Lucas
Nikki Brightman’s name flashed over the screen, and a mix of emotions rose inside him. Lucas hoped she had news about progress in the case. He felt sick that it could be one of the women working for him. Nikki needed to know about Shannon’s run-in with Pete Hollis and about the reconciliation. Intense relief made him lightheaded when he thought about his wife.
Stepping into the guestroom next door to the nursery, he accepted the call. “Lucas Knight.”
“Mr. Knight, I hope it’s not too late to call.”
“Not if you have news, never.”
“I’m emailing you a set of photos I found hidden in Jennifer Ward’s desk. I’m also sending a photo I found in Becca March’s office, but Becca’s photo was in the open, framed.”
“Give me a minute.” He pulled up the photos and scrolled over them. Sickness rolled in his stomach as he realized he was looking at Jennifer and him then him...shirtless. “Ugh,” he grunted, shocked and disgusted. He didn’t even know when she’d been at the worksite. Getting back on the phone with Nikki, he had to fight for control of his voice. “I had no idea Jennifer had...issues.”
“Can you tell me where the formal shots were taken?”
He gritted his teeth. “An annual fundraiser the architects throw.”
“What was the timing in relation to the photos?”
“Let me think.” He rubbed his beard and paced the room. “It must’ve been right before. The timing fits.”
“I would say she’s gone to the top of the list.”
“I hate this. Becca has been bolder in the last few days. Jennifer referred to our marital problems. Shannon spoke to Hollis today, and he admitted he wants a chance with her. He got angry and made some comment about not letting her go.”
“Which architects throw this fundraiser? Do you know of any connection to LaRose?”
“You think he’s involved, too?”
She sighed. “I don’t buy it’s a coincidence he threatened the O’Hanrahans. The questions are why hasn’t he moved forward if he has the photos, and is he connected to any other suspects?”
“The Mason Group, Samson Brothers, and Mikkelson Designs and Construction were all involved in the fundraiser.”
“And you?”
“They included me in the invites because of my partners and my past work with those architectural firms. I took Jennifer because she works with them, too, and Shannon was home with Gretchen.” He groaned. “I swear, I had no idea. Jennifer always acted professional.”
Nikki quieted then spoke with a tight voice, “Even so, she’s probably unstable, which means you need to watch yourself. Do nothing to tip her off.”
“How did I get two stalkers?”
Nikki laughed. “Have you looked in a mirror, Mr. Knight?”
He caught his blush reflected in the room’s vanity mirror. “Pete has been after Shannon since before me. She swears he’s taking advantage of an opportunity, but I don’t want him crossed off the list.”
“I’ll be looking for a connection to LaRose.”
“I don’t know what LaRose looks like. Can you send me a picture?”
“Good idea. Give me some time. You don’t know where he worked after O’Hanrahan’s?”
“I’ve barely heard of the man. Shannon hasn’t shared family or work stuff with me in a long time. We reconciled today, and I want—no, I need this fixed. We’ve agreed to find the person who sent the photos, and she still doesn’t know about you.”
“You haven’t discussed the investigation?”
“No.”
“I’m close, Mr. Knight. I sense a connection to LaRose will solve this thing. Then, you can get rid of them and move on with your life. Anything you can tell me about him would help. The O’Hanrahans fired him shortly before Shannon received the photos.”
“I don’t know where he’s been working.”
“My researchers are looking into him. Apparently, LaRose isn’t working anywhere right now with disbarment proceedings.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Right. If you think of anything else, call me. I’ll send you a pic of him.”
“Thank you, Miss Brightman.”
Lucas hung up and rubbed his forehead as he organized his thoughts. Jennifer and Becca sickened him. How could he act normal around them? Thinking of Jennifer watching him, looking at those photos made him want a shower. A shudder passed over him.
So, Jennifer attended the party with him. She kept secret pictures. LaRose got fired then worked somewhere unknown. He threatened the O’Hanrahans with scandal. Pete pursued Shannon and tried to get her to work with him. Becca stalked her professor and clearly wanted a relationship with Lucas. She also had a picture of him in her office. Who knows what she could have at home?
Should he go to Becca’s house and look himself? No, way too dangerous to put himself in that position. He’d just have to be patient and let Nikki Brightman work. She was onto something. The connection with LaRose was the missing link.
Moving downstairs, he approached the den when voices had him pausing outside the door.
“This is good news. Why are you both looking at me as if it’s disappointing?” Shannon’s voice quavered.
Breath stalled in Lucas’s chest with the fear his sweet wife was about to become disillusioned. Adjusting his position, he caught Patrick’s pained expression reflected in a wall mirror.
“We’re happy for you, honey,” Patrick said. “We hated to see you hurting.”
“It hasn’t been good for the children,” Bethany’s cultured voice sounded.
“What’s the problem? I can tell you’re thinking something. Just tell me.” Shannon’s voice rose with irritation. “I’m sick to death of secrets. You know Lucas thinks—” Her voice cut off, and Lucas could sense the silence. “Tell me, how do you view Lucas professionally?”
Patrick peered into the glass he held as if it could answer for him. “The money doesn’t matter, but we know he could do better for himself, for you.”
“What?” Shannon’s voice came out in a hushed rush.
Bethany’s sigh carried to Lucas in the doorway. “Lucas is an intelligent young man. He could finish his courses and become an architect in four years.”
“He took the pre-professional architect courses because the design aspects interested him. Don’t you understand what Lucas does? It’s art! He puts sweat and heart into every restoration project. You are so proud of our family’s legacy, of our ancestors. Lucas is a huge reason why Olde Towne is a tourism jewel that supports businesses like Freesia’s flower shop and our courier business. He’s as much a part of this area’s history as O’Hanrahans.”
“He could be the future of Olde Towne as an architect. He could go anywhere and have an in-demand career. You shouldn’t reconcile without being sure you have the relationship you want going forward,” Patrick said, his voice low and rumbly. “It’s smart to think of your financial security.”
“You’ve had a scare,” Bethany said. “This is the perfect time to reassess what you want. We had hoped to talk with you both and encourage him to finish the architect degree. We want you to have security with a solid foundation.”
A grim smile curved Lucas’s lips. They did reassess, but it was the emotional foundation of their relationship Shannon needed him to strengthen, not the financial.
“We’re doing fine financially, and Lucas is responsible with our investments. He partners with architects. He isn’t a handyman. Even if he were, I would love Lucas for the man he is. I didn’t marry him for prestige or money or financial stability. Frankly, there isn’t any such thing.”
“Our suggestion isn’t about Lucas personally. We want the best for you, and he’s selling himself short as a contractor,” Patrick said.
“Stop. He’s my hus—” Shannon’s voice choked. “I love him. I support whatever makes him happy. My security comes from knowing he loves me and he’ll be at my side. We passed through fire and came out stronger. His job isn’t why we separated.”
Lucas cringed. It may be exactly why if one of his employees tried to break them.
“Shannon, please calm down,” Patrick said. “There’s no need for hysterics.”
“I have reason to be upset. All these years, I thought you saw what I see in Lucas. He has remarkable strength and loyalty and heart. That’s why he is successful. If you can’t see that, it’s your problem.” Shannon’s reflection came into view as she moved across the room. “You’ve said your piece, and I ask that you respect our privacy.”
“Of course,” Patrick said, moving to wrap Shannon into a hug. “We love you.”
“We love both of you,” Bethany said.
“Lucas’s calling is restoring homes.” Shannon pulled away from her father. “If he finishes a degree, I’m fine with that. If he quits and lives off his impressive portfolio, I’m fine with that, too.”
Patrick’s eyebrows arched. “That good, huh?”
“Better.” Shannon’s chin tilted up with pride, and Lucas’s heart stuttered. “Besides,” she continued, “you only have yourselves to blame for my loving Lucas.”
“What do you mean by that?” Patrick asked, his eyebrows lowering with a glower.
“You and Mom are a love match. I wanted the same respect and warm admiration in my marriage. If you hadn’t set such a fine example of wedded bliss, I would’ve focused on prestige and money for happiness.”
Patrick’s mouth opened and closed, giving Lucas a moment of pure enjoyment. He’d never seen the great Patrick O’Hanrahan at a loss for words.
“Let’s do dinner,” Bethany said, moving into the mirror’s range and taking Patrick’s hand.
That was Lucas’s cue. He entered the room and went straight to Shannon. Her face blanched, so he grinned.
“What’s for dinner?” he asked Bethany.
“Irish stew.”
Lucas laughed. “Really?”
“Our new cook has a sense of humor. We’ve had a variety of Irish meals,” Patrick said with a light chuckle.
“When did you get a new cook?” Shannon asked. “What happened to Nora?”
Bethany waved a graceful hand. “She started her own catering company, so she could be in charge and control her hours.”
“You weren’t slave drivers. She still had weekends off, right?”
Bethany gave her daughter an understanding glance full of sympathy. “I know she was like family, honey. I’m sure we’ll see her sometimes. Nora recommended Elisabeth.”
“How is she?” Lucas asked.
“Ireland isn’t known for fancy cuisine,” Patrick commented dryly as they moved toward the kitchen.
“We’ll get the kids and be there in a minute,” Lucas said, taking Shannon’s hand and holding her beside him.
She gave him a questioning look that changed to horror. “You heard them, didn’t you?”
No more secrets. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb across her cheekbone. “Every word.”
“Oh, Lucas, I’m sorry.”
He kissed her. “I knew. I’m sorry they disappointed you.”
“I hate you were right. Again.”
“As long as you love me, I can handle it.” He chuckled and dipped his head to nuzzle her neck. “You were incredible, my tigress, fighting for my honor. I’ll have to think of a way to thank you.” She shivered against him as he kissed the sensitive spot under her ear.
“You’re really OK?”
“Yes.” He kissed her mouth quick and hard. “Let’s get our kids, wife, and have some Irish stew. I’m starving.”
––––––––
Everette
MONDAY IS AN INTERESTING night to hit the clubs, Everette thought as he followed Guy LaRose into the downtown entertainment strip. What could he be up to? Everette had been following LaRose for several days, sensing he was the key to untangle this mystery.
Everette thought to call Nikki to be his wing-girl on this. She could pose as his date if he had to go in. He scrunched his forehead. Where had that insane thought come from? That girl was trouble. A Brightman, young and innocent, romantic, still seeing hearts and roses in her dreams. Worse, she showed the Brightman tendency to play loose with the rules. She headed for a hard-earned lesson.
It didn’t take long to become clear LaRose was using the crowd around the club as cover. He sat in his car waiting for something or someone.
A grin twitched under Everette’s mustache. He had a sense the case was about to break.
Another car cruised down the street slowing as it approached the doors of the club. It pulled ahead of LaRose’s and parked.
LaRose got out of his car and looked both ways down the street, scanning the crowd.
The driver's window of the second car lowered.
“Hmm,” Everette mumbled. He expected to see either Miss March or Miss Ward. No good if she didn’t get out. He couldn’t see her face.
LaRose walked to the car with a long-legged, lazy stride. His dark hair and jacket helped him fade into the murky darkness as he leaned into the window.
Everette climbed out and ambled along the sidewalk, approaching the car from the opposite side. He took a phone picture of the tag and make and model of the car. That would do for an ID, but he wanted a shot of them together. He held his phone as if watching the screen but angled it toward the car. He shot a picture of LaRose bent toward the window. His low voice carried, but Everette couldn’t make out words. His white face glowed in what dim light remained and twisted with anger.
Everette walked past the car and crossed the street to the opposite side of the road. From this angle, he barely made out the woman’s pale face and the style of her hair in the car’s shadow. He snapped pictures anyway.
LaRose straightened and angled from the car as he stuffed something in his jacket. The photos? Likely. Everette kept shooting pictures. If she tired of waiting, or if she realized her ploy didn’t work, she may let LaRose drag the “affair” through the media.
What’s that old saying, “Nothing like a woman scorned?” It was enough to run a chill down Everette’s spine. The Knights had something Everette didn’t think existed anymore.
Time had run out.
