After two days of trying to convince Lexi to tell Griffin she had cancer, Ava had changed tactics. The pressure was only stressing Lexi out, and that’s the last thing Ava wanted. And really, who was she to judge? She’d back off for a couple of weeks. Hopefully by then, Lexi would be more willing to open up to Griffin.
But for now, Ava’s goal was to get Lexi ready, both mentally and physically, to face her upcoming battle. And it would be a battle, but Lexi hadn’t been handed a death sentence. Ava didn’t blame her for being scared and going to the worst-case scenario. Cancer was scary, but knowledge was power. Lexi needed to feel she had some control. More importantly, she needed hope.
To put her plan into action without alerting anyone’s suspicions, Ava had enrolled her cousin in the program she’d devised for Lexi. A program that included daily yoga and meditation classes, given by none other than Sophie’s mother. Who, thanks to Kitty, had arrived last night. Because despite Ava and Lexi’s improved relationship, the feud between Kitty and Rosa was still going strong.
Tina had called to talk to Sophie and got Kitty instead. In Kitty’s eyes, there was no better way to stick it to Rosa than invite her much hated daughter-in-law to stay at the manor. So far, they’d managed to keep Tina’s arrival from Rosa.
That wasn’t going to last for long, Ava thought as she walked into the atrium where the class was being conducted. Kitty and several members of the Widows Club were doing the downward dog. It looked like Surfside active wear must have had a sale on fluorescent spandex. From their laughing, flushed faces, the older women seemed to be enjoying the class. The baby mamas…not so much.
Lexi and Sophie glared at Ava from between their legs. Tina didn’t look any happier about the interruption and came agilely to her feet. Ava didn’t know if it was due to Botox or yoga, but Tina didn’t look a day over thirty-five. Her glowing, unlined face was framed by fuchsia-streaked dark hair, and her black spandex yoga pants and fuchsia bra top showed off a lean, ripped body with surgically enhanced boobs. “Someone didn’t see the do not disturb our Zen sign, did they? Wink, wink.”
Ava held back an eyeroll and forced a smile. Tina might be in her fifties and look like she was in her thirties, but the woman acted like she was in her twenties. No wonder Sophie was stressed. “Sorry to interrupt, Tina. But it’s time for Lexi’s and Sophie’s smoothies.”
“Staying in this position is more appealing than what’s on your tray,” Lexi muttered.
Sophie went to move, then groaned. “I think I’m stuck.”
“You must have gotten your inflexibility from the DiRossi side, baby. Because your mama still has the moves.” And to prove that she did, Tina did the splits. Encouraged by the clapping Widows Club, she did a floor show, complete with a back flip.
Ava set the tray on a table and hurried to Sophie’s side. Once she’d gotten Sophie to her feet, her cousin watched her mother’s Olympic-worthy performance with an I-don’t-believe-her expression on her face.
“Who is that?” a man’s voice asked from behind Ava.
She turned to see Byron watching Tina. It was like Sophie’s mother had hot-man radar and froze with a knee raised and arms in the air. Lowering her hands and leg, she gave him a sultry smile. “Now who do we have here? A new member to our club, I hope.”
“You ladies are way out of my league, I’m afraid,” Byron said, then cocked his head. “Well, most of you are. Lexi, love, you’re looking a little flushed.”
“Shut up, Harte, and help me up.”
Sophie raised her eyebrows at Ava and nudged her head in the couple’s direction. Yes, Ava had caught the love too and couldn’t help notice Lexi’s flush deepen when Byron helped her to her feet. Or that he was extremely attentive and gentle as he did so. Ava smiled. A new love interest might be exactly what Lexi needed to kick her endorphins into high gear.
As though the other woman read her thoughts, Lexi scowled at Ava and said, “Don’t even think about it.”
Ava grinned and waggled her eyebrows, then handed Lexi and Sophie their green smoothies. “Drink up, ladies.”
Lexi handed hers to Byron, who took a sniff, then a drink. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
Ava took the glass from him before he guzzled the nutrient-laden drink down, handing it to Lexi. “Unless you want salad instead of fries for lunch, drink it.”
Sophie’s eyes went wide. “Mrs. Fitzgerald, I don’t think you’re ready to do a headstand just yet. You either, Kitty,” she called to the older women who were attempting to imitate Tina. Sophie handed Ava her glass. “I need to review our liability insurance.”
“I have something else you should probably see first, Sophie.” Byron drew his iPhone from the pocket of his jacket. Typing in his password, he swiped the screen. “Your chef isn’t who he says he is. Meet Paige’s first cousin, Theo Townsend, better known at the manor as Gaston St. John.”
Lexi choked on her drink. “Did you say Theo Townsend?”
“Yes, do you know him?” Byron asked while patting her back.
“Stop that, I’m fine. And, no, I don’t know him. If I did, don’t you think I would have said something?”
Lexi’s prickly attitude didn’t bother Byron. If anything, he looked like he found it amusing. “One would think,” he said. “But your reaction—”
Sophie cut him off, looking from Lexi to Ava. “So you two went behind my back and investigated Gaston…I mean, Theo—”
Ava and Lexi pointed at Byron, saying almost at the same time, “He did.”
Lexi added, “But what does it matter who was investigating him? He obviously had something to hide.”
“You’re right, sorry.” Sophie looked across the room. “Kitty, can you come here for a sec? We might as well get this over with before lunch service begins. I hope you’re ready to take over the kitchen, Ava.”
“Of course…” She noticed an odd look come over Byron’s face and asked, “Is there something else?”
He rubbed his chin. “Yeah, there is. It seems Paige somehow got wind that I was asking questions about her cousin and stopped by the Gazette the other day when I was out. She asked my sister what I was working on.”
“So? It doesn’t matter now that we know…” Ava caught the glance he shared with Lexi, and the regret that crossed the other woman’s face. Ava’s pulse kicked up. “You were investigating me, too, weren’t you? You both were.”
“No, it’s not what you think,” Lexi said. “He was investigating you, and I mentioned that I found it odd that you quit nursing school around the same time you asked Griff for a divorce.”
Sophie ushered them out of the atrium to stand near the elevators. She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed at Byron. “Why were you investigating my cousin?”
“Would you just relax? I wasn’t investigating her…Well, not really. You knew I was curious about Colleen’s memoirs, Ava. I’d made a list of people in town who I thought had secrets, and you were one of many. I must have asked my sister if she knew anything about your story, and that’s why she mentioned you to Paige.” He sighed when Sophie continued to glare at him. Ava was trying to do the same in hopes they thought she was angry instead of terrified. “Look, I’m sorry. But it’s not like there’s anything for Paige to find, right?”
“Of course there isn’t. It just would have been nice if you asked me instead of going behind my back.” Ava was impressed that her voice came out calm and even. She pursed her lips at Lexi. “Both of you.”
“I did, but you gave me the brush-off,” Lexi said defensively.
Ava hadn’t realized Kitty had joined them until Griffin’s grandmother said, “I took you to be a serious-minded journalist, Mr. Harte. I’m surprised you’ve been taken in by those silly rumors that my mother-in-law actually wrote her memoirs. She was a hundred and four and could barely recall what day it was, let alone what someone told her decades ago. And I certainly won’t have you coming here and upsetting Ava with such nonsense.” Kitty touched her arm. “Are you all right, my dear?”
Over the past week, Ava’s relationship with Kitty had been more or less back to normal. “I’m perfectly fine.” She gave Griffin’s grandmother a wide smile, which may have been slightly over-the-top given that Lexi watched her while tapping a finger on her lips. She needed a distraction. “Byron actually did all of us a big favor, Kitty. He looked into Gaston, who isn’t Gaston. He’s Paige’s cousin Theo Townsend!” She groaned inwardly when they all looked at her. She had to get her nerves under control and stop worrying about this or she’d give herself away.
Paige had started college Ava’s final year. She didn’t know any of the people Ava hung around with at the time…Other than Harmony Harbor football star Damien Gray. But it’s not like he’d say anything. Then she remembered someone else. The younger sister of Ava’s roommate had started college with Paige. Even in the unlikely event Paige made the connection, it wouldn’t do her any good. Ava hadn’t told anyone, including her roommate. So the past would stay in the past where it belonged. The thought helped to slow her racing heart.
Ida Fitzgerald sauntered over. “Theo Townsend, did you say?”
“Yes, he’s been masquerading as Gaston St. John.” Kitty pressed a hand to her mouth, a stricken expression on her face. “Oh, Ava, he really was behind all the nonsense. I hope you can forgive us, my dear.”
It had been hurtful when they took Lexi’s side over hers, but that was water under the bridge. Thinking of what Lexi was dealing with made everything else seem trivial in comparison. “There’s nothing to forgive. You and Sophie might want to confront Gas—Theo—though before he can do any more damage to the manor’s reputation.”
“Too bad we never did find Colleen’s memoirs. You might have had some idea why the lad would come looking for revenge. His great-grandfather disinherited Theo when Colleen outed him at the church social.”
Kitty cast a sidelong glance at Byron, who now had confirmation the book did indeed exist and tried to cover up. “It’s difficult to find something that doesn’t exist, Ida.”
Ida looked at Kitty as though she’d lost her marbles. “What’s gotten into you? Of course—”
Kitty took her friend by the arm. “Walk with Sophie and me to the dining room and tell us all you know about Theo so we have a better idea what we’re dealing with, Ida.”
Lexi looked like she was debating whether or not to go with them. She said something that sounded like second chances under her breath, then sighed. “I think I’ll come along if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, my dear. Ava, you should come too.”
“Why don’t I get an invite? I’m the one who uncovered—” At the sound of a woman yelling, Byron broke off to look in the direction of the entryway.
“Where is she? Don’t you lie to me, you…you bag of bones. I know she’s here somewhere.”
Sophie bowed her head on a groan at the same time Kitty smiled gleefully.
“Go. I’ll deal with Auntie Rosa,” Ava said, shooing them away. As Sophie half dragged Kitty to the dining room, Ava noticed that Byron had used the distraction to follow after them.
Twenty minutes later, Ava headed for the restaurant. After fifteen minutes of ranting and raving at Tina in both English and Italian, Rosa had given up. It was difficult to have a satisfactory fight when the other person refused to take the bait. Ava had been impressed that Tina could meditate while someone yelled in her face. It wasn’t until her aunt left that Ava realized Tina had buds in her ears.
One DiRossi down and one more to go, Ava thought. Rosa was no doubt on her way to let Marco know his mother was in town.
Erin hurried over to Ava as she walked into the dining room. “Did you hear the news?”
Ava nodded, glancing at the diners. “How loud did it get?”
“Other than Helga chortling madly and yelling for Theo to be thrown out on his ear, not bad. There’s been a lot of groveling on Theo’s part though. He wants a chance to redeem himself. Something about the Gallaghers owing him. Lexi seems to be throwing her support behind him, suggesting they give him a second chance. They’re waiting for you. Sounds like you’re the deciding vote.”
Erin was right. Everyone stood in the kitchen waiting for Ava’s verdict. Lexi leaned into her. “Would you hurry up and make your decision? I’ve gotta pee.”
Ava held back a laugh. This was serious business. The manor’s reputation was at stake. Ava was positive Paige had been behind the scheme, but to hear Theo tell it, she hadn’t been. Then again, she was his cousin. So maybe he was protecting her. Oddly enough, that played in his favor in Ava’s book. Family stuck up for family always.
She also believed that he would do anything to prove himself to his idol—Basil Brisiel. And that played in Greystone’s favor. “All right, we’ll give you a second chance. But until you prove yourself, you are not to be in the kitchen alone. If I’m not here, you answer to Helga. None of your meals leave the kitchen without being taste-tested first.” She put two fingers to her eyes and then pointed them at him. “I’ll be watching you, Theo.”
Lexi nudged her. “Keep this up, and I’ll have to find another nickname for you.”
Griffin had gotten off work two hours ago and had been waiting for Ava to meet him at the lighthouse. When she didn’t show, he headed to the manor.
At the sound of hammering, he crossed the lobby to the ballroom. His brother was up on a ladder nailing the end of a rainbow to the wall. “Where’s the pot of gold?” Griffin asked.
“Har har. You’re a member of Team Greystone. Pick up a hammer and help a brother out.”
A few days after Theo had been put on probation, they got word the final competition would be delayed. Basil had a restaurant opening or something. Two days ago, the management at the Marquis had pushed the date back again. They’d finally agreed to St. Patrick’s Day and a green food theme. Everyone at the manor was thrilled because, of course, St. Paddy’s Day was a big deal at Greystone. With Ava as head chef, no one doubted they’d win. They’d have a lot to celebrate that night since his brother Finn was scheduled to arrive that morning and Aidan was flying in to welcome him home.
“Sorry, no can do. I have big plans for the night. You seen Ava around?” She’d gone with Dorothy to see her dad today. Griffin would have taken time off work to go with her, but given what had happened the last time he’d seen Gino, he thought it best to hold off. Ava seemed to agree.
Liam came down off the ladder with a wiseass grin on his face. “Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think Ava threw you over for your ex. The two of them headed upstairs an hour ago.”
“Ava seem all right to you?” he asked, worried the visit with her dad hadn’t gone well.
“Yeah, they were loaded down with junk food and laughing their asses off. Guess she gave Lex the night off for good-eating behavior. I think Ava missed her calling. She should have been a drill sergeant. Or run a boot camp for pregnant women.”
“She’s doing something right. Both Soph and Lex look great.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. Soph hasn’t had a single bout of morning sickness since Ava took her in hand. She’s way less stressed too. Even with her mother here.” Liam grinned. “Gotta give you credit, big brother. You sure know your women. I never thought your plan to get those two on the same team had a shot in hell. And now look at them—they’re inseparable.”
“Shut up.”
Liam laughed. “Worked a little better than you expected, I guess.”
“Yeah, I feel like I’m competing with Lex for Ava’s attention,” he admitted, and it was starting to get to him. Especially tonight.
“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but have you noticed that Ava hugs Lexi quite a bit? A lot, really.”
“Hugging her, like a lot? You don’t think…Nah,” Griffin said, messing with his brother’s head.
Liam looked at him bug-eyed. “I was just busting your balls. You don’t really think they’re…you know?”
“I was just teasing. Ava calls it hug therapy. She’s got me hugging Lex too. Something about increasing serotonin levels and strengthening the immune system. It drives Lex nuts.”
He appreciated Ava’s determination to keep Lex healthy. In the beginning, though, he’d been kind of confused by it. Then he figured out what was behind it. Because of what happened with her pregnancy, Ava wanted to do everything in her power to ensure Lexi didn’t go through the same. Even though there was nothing Ava could have done to prevent their loss.
“If it’s bothering you, talk to Ava about it. Tell her how you feel.”
“I plan to.” He lifted his chin at the six-by-six gray lump on the platform. “Is that supposed to be the Blarney Stone?”
Liam sighed. “Grams strikes again. She’s driving Dana crazy. She and Soph are at the cottage right now trying to figure out how to keep Grams from turning St. Paddy’s Day into a three-ring circus. We’re scheduled to sing, by the way. The Gallagher brothers back together again.”
“I’m looking forward to all of us being home. The performing, not so much. I’ll give you a hand here tomorrow,” Griffin said, and headed out the door.
“Good luck breaking up movie night.”
Standing outside Colleen’s suite, Griffin thought he might need it. He could hear Lex and Ava laughing their heads off. After knocking on the door for the fourth time, he pounded on it. “It’s me. Open up!”
Ava answered the door wearing black dress pants and a long, pale purple top that tied at the waist with a bow, accentuating her curvy figure and sparkling eyes. “Griffin, is something wrong?”
No, other than that she’d have been naked and in his arms by now, if she’d come to the lighthouse two hours ago like she’d promised…“I’ve been out here for five minutes.”
She laughed and pulled him inside. “Sorry, we’re binge-watching Modern Family. Come join us.”
“Hey, Lex,” he said, returning her finger-wave. She was lying in bed wearing gray sweats and a T-shirt, with a bowl of popcorn resting on her stomach and a bottle of pop in her hand. He lowered his voice and said to Ava, “Babe, we had plans, remember?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot. We can do it another night, can’t we?” She smiled up at him, taking him by the hand, completely oblivious to the fact he was ticked…and frustrated. The woman he loved was messing with his plans for the night. And they were important plans.
Thankfully, Lex had a better read on his mood. She threw a fistful of popcorn at Ava. “Get your ass out of here, mouse. It’s past my bedtime.”
“It’s only eight…”
Lexi lifted her chin at Griffin, and Ava winced. She gave his hand a light squeeze before walking to the bed. Leaning over, she pulled out a bag of chips and chocolates from underneath the mountain of pillows behind Lexi’s back.
Lex made a grab for the snacks. “Hey, give those back.”
“You’ve had your allotted junk food for the week. Think how excited you’ll be for the St. Paddy’s Day party.” Ava grinned as she picked up her coat and headed for the door. “Night, hard-ass.”
They could hear Lexi grumbling from out in the hall. Ava turned to him and stretched up on the toes of her black, high-heeled boots. She kissed the underside of his jaw. “I’m sorry. I stopped to check on her when I came back from visiting with my dad, and she seemed a little down.”
His frustration vanished at the soft press of her lips and the smell of her warm, sultry scent. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You can make it up to me,” he murmured into her palm. Taking the bag of chips and chocolate from her while she shrugged into her black leather jacket, he curved his free hand at her nape, lifting the long, silky curls from under the coat’s collar. “How did your visit go with your dad?” he asked, drawing her toward the elevator instead of the stairs.
She didn’t look at him as they stepped inside. “Really good.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Adam moved him into a bungalow on the grounds last week. My dad does everything by himself, Griffin. He cooks, showers, and gets himself dressed. The bungalow was spotless, and they don’t provide maid service. He does it all.” She lifted a shoulder, a shimmer of tears in her gorgeous eyes.
Griffin put down the bags of chips and chocolates, then straightened to take her in his arms. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Your dad got the wake-up call he needed.”
“But if I wouldn’t have babied him, done everything for him…He would have been better off without me. He would have taken his life back years before now.”
“Same could be said about you, honey.” He tipped her face up and kissed her, drawing back when the elevator doors slid open. “And not that the situation’s the same, but in a way, you’ve replaced caring for your father with caring for Lex,” he said, picking up Lex’s junk food to set it on the table outside the elevator doors.
“Lexi needs…” She searched his face. “You’re mad at me, aren’t you?”
“More like frustrated and a little jealous.” He put an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I appreciate everything you’ve done to take care of Lex and the baby. But between our jobs and this stuff with Lex, I’m not getting as much time with you as I want.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. “I’m glad you told me how you’re feeling instead of letting it build up until you were really mad at me.”
He laughed, knowing what she was alluding to. “We were young when we were married, babe. I like to think I’ve matured since then.”
“You’ve aged beautifully, Griffin Gallagher. And tonight when we cross Starlight Bridge, we’re leaving everything and everyone behind but you and me.”
“You read my mind, sweet face.” He took a flashlight out of his pocket as they left the manor, careful not to disturb the small box beside it. “Let’s make a promise to each other that the moment we cross the bridge, we leave the day’s troubles and stresses behind. It’s our special place, just like it used to be.”
She stopped to look up at him. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Did Mr. Wilcox agree to sever Starlight Pointe from the estate?”
“He did. It’s one of the things I wanted to celebrate tonight.” He lightly pressed his finger to her mouth. “No, I’m not saying anything else until we reach the bridge. So let’s just enjoy our walk together.”
“You’ve become romantic in your old age,” she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“And you’ve become even more impossibly beautiful, Ava,” he said, scooping her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Getting to the good stuff faster. I’ve become an impatient man in my old age.”
She opened her mouth, then caught sight of the tree arching over the bridge. He’d hung lanterns in the lower branches and placed LED lights up and down the handrails. “Oh, Griffin, it’s beautiful. You went to all this work, and I ruined it. You should have—”
“There’s only one way it’ll be ruined.” He set her on the bridge, drew the small box from his pocket, and then went down on one knee. “I wanna write a new ending to our story. One that has you growing old by my side. Will you marry me, Ava?”
She was smiling and crying at the same time, nodding her head. Her voice husky when she finally said the words he’d hoped to hear. “Yes, yes, a thousand times over.” She’d gone down on her knees in front of him before he’d made it to his feet. “Hold me, kiss me. I need to know this isn’t a dream.”
The next morning, lying in Griffin’s arms, Ava still needed reassurance that she hadn’t imagined the night before. She lifted her hand. The ring was still there, sparkling in the sunlight seeping in through the bedroom window.
“Seriously? You’re naked and in my arms and you need to look at the ring on your finger to know this is for real?” he asked, his sleep-laden voice husky with laughter.
“Oh, I can feel how real you are,” she said, bringing her hand to his chest to teasingly trail her fingers over the hard slabs of muscle. “It’s just the ring I was wondering about.”
He brought her hand to his mouth, nipping at her fingers. “Keep that up, and we’ll both be late for work.” He gave her a slow and thorough kiss before getting out of bed. “Don’t move. I’ll get your coffee and make breakfast.”
“You don’t have to pamper me.”
“I want to, so get used to it. It’s about time someone took care of you for a change.”
She smiled as he reached for his boxers. “You took very good care of me last night.”
“Forget breakfast. We’ll grab some at the manor.”
“No,” she laughed, “I was just teasing. We don’t have time. I have to have a shower.”
“Me too. I’ll join you.” He winked at her as he walked out of what had once been the porch on the main floor off the kitchen. Griffin had converted it to a bedroom until the second story was renovated.
She heard the water come on in the kitchen while she admired her ring. “Are you sure your dad and Liam didn’t mind you giving me your mom’s engagement ring?” she called out, nervous about showing up at work with Mary’s ring on her finger if they hadn’t agreed.
Ava had been surprised to learn Griffin hadn’t thrown away or sold her wedding and engagement rings. He still had them, but given how their first marriage ended…
Griffin appeared at the door with a coffeepot in his hand. “I’m the oldest. My mom would have wanted me to have her rings. And like my dad said, there’s no one she’d rather have wear her ring than you. She loved you, sweet face. Dad knew that too. She wasn’t fooling him when she’d visit you. Riley outed her when she got old enough to talk. She loved you too. And, yes, my dad’s happy we’re together again. They all will be, babe. So stop worrying about it.”
“Finn and Aidan won’t be. You should probably warn them before they come—”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll tell them. But seriously, all they’ll care about is that I’m happy. It won’t be hard for them to see that I am.”
“I’m happy too, amore mio.”
“It’s been a long time since you’ve called me your love. Didn’t know till now how much I missed it.” His smile was soft, his eyes tender. He looked at the coffeepot in his hands. “We should have taken today off.”
Ava glanced at the clock on the nightstand, shocked to see it was already eight o’clock. “You should have told me how late it was,” she said, throwing back the covers.
“If I would have known you were going to jump out of bed like that, I would have.” He winked and walked to the kitchen.
Ava had just turned on the water in the shower when Griffin called from the kitchen, “Babe, is your phone off or something? Soph’s been trying to reach you.”
“I must have left it in the lantern room. Why? Is something wrong?”
“No, good news actually. Damien Gray is a host on some morning show in Boston, and the Marquis’s marketing team got him to agree to televise the final cook-off. I’ll have to let Sully know. Maybe get the old gang back together for a drink.”