Liam leaned against the bar in the manor’s lobby, flanked by his brothers Griffin and Aidan. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d been together. His brothers rarely came back to Harmony Harbor. If you asked them, they’d tell you it was because they lived out of state and were busy with their chosen careers. Even Liam, who lived less than an hour away, used the same excuse. Well, up until last month he had. His father and grandmother had basically kidnapped him the day he’d been released from the hospital.
People looking from the outside in might think the reason the Gallagher brothers didn’t come home was because they didn’t love their dad or each other, but that wasn’t the case. It was easier to stay away than confront their grief and guilt over the loss of their mother and sister than dealing with it head-on.
Out of all of them, their brother Finn was the only one who had a legitimate excuse. He spent most of his time in far-off countries volunteering with Doctors Without Borders. At that moment, he was in Central Africa. It’s why he couldn’t make it home for GG’s funeral. Finn had always been an adrenaline junkie—the more dangerous the job the better. All four of them were. They’d obviously inherited the gene from their father. Only these days, Liam’s thrill-seeking gene seemed to have gone missing. He took a pull on his beer at the thought.
“Sound mind and body, my eye, George!” A woman’s strident voice came from the room they’d just left.
“Poor Aunt Maura, she isn’t taking it too well, is she?” Griffin said, the dimple showing up in his cheek belying his pretense at sympathy. None of them were particularly fond of their aunt.
“I’m not worried about her, but I am concerned for Mr. Wilcox. We’ll draw straws, see who goes and rescues him,” Aidan suggested with a grin, grabbing a handful off the bar.
“They’re all the same size, dumbass. How about rock, paper, scissors?” Griffin suggested.
His brothers were more buddy-buddy than they’d been in each other’s company for a long time. It was a nice change, but it was also weird. They weren’t acting like themselves. Maybe because they’d just discovered they’d inherited Greystone and the estate. GG had skipped over Kitty and her grandsons, leaving it to her great-grandchildren. Which meant they’d all be multimillionaires if they sold out. Only problem was, it had to be a unanimous decision. All ten of them had to agree to sell. It looked like they already had one dissenter—his cousin Michael. Uncle Daniel’s three girls were wild cards too. No one seemed to know where they were. His uncle was off on a dig somewhere and couldn’t be reached. Until they attained a consensus, GG had appointed Mr. Wilcox as the trustee.
“Let me guess. The flask you two were passing around in the limo wasn’t filled with hot cocoa,” Liam said as they headed to the dining room where the reception was being held.
“He always was a smart kid, wasn’t he, Griffin?” Aidan asked.
“Don’t judge, baby brother. If you’d brought along your ex-wives, you’d be drinking too.”
Aidan snorted a laugh at Griffin’s response.
Liam could understand Aidan’s ex driving him to drink. Harper was a coldhearted bitch. They’d divorced the year before, and she’d refused every custody arrangement his brother proposed. As a psychiatrist, she knew what buttons to push and whose strings to pull. Granted, his brother’s job as an undercover DEA agent made it easy for her. But Griffin and his ex…“I thought you and Lexi were good.”
Griffin and his wife’s split two years before had been amicable, or so Liam had thought. He liked Lexi. As far as the family was concerned, she’d saved Griffin. As a military cop, she could handle his brother, who wasn’t always easy to handle.
“Most of the time we are. Just not here.” His brother took a swallow of his beer, his eyes scanning the dining room.
“Yeah, guess having your two ex-wives under the same roof—”
Griffin cut him off with a look then nodded at the dining room. Liam knew he’d made a mistake razzing his brother when he spotted Sophie in a black dress serving coffee to Kitty, his father, and Maggie. Nothing had been sacred in the house on Breakwater Way, including Liam’s crush on Sophie.
“So…Sophie DiRossi’s back in town and running the manor. How’s that working out for you, little brother?”
“Real good if she likes him as much as her little girl seems to.” Aidan grinned, obviously referring to Mia and her disappearing act at the church. Liam found himself smiling. And not just at the memory of Mia under the casket. He was thinking of Sophie giggling uncontrollably. It was the first glimpse of the happy, carefree girl he’d fallen in love with. Though he imagined it wasn’t much fun for Sophie at the time. He remembered what it was like to have something strike you as funny in church. Usually it was Finn who’d start it, and Liam would be the one sent to his room when they got home.
Aidan’s grin faded as something or someone caught his attention at one of the tables. “I don’t know why the hell I gave in to her. Liam, you better give Sophie a heads-up. Harper was asking questions about her little girl and found out she doesn’t speak. Between that and the episode at the church, she’s probably pulled out her copy of the DSM-5 from her purse.”
Liam followed the direction of his brother’s gaze. Mia sat at a table coloring with Aidan’s six-year-old daughter, Ella Rose, while Harper looked on. Rosa sat at the table beside them with several members of the Widow’s Club.
Griffin frowned. “The kid doesn’t talk?”
“No, and it’s not a big deal. She’s been through a lot, okay? They both have,” Liam said. Then realizing neither of his brothers knew what he was talking about, he told them what happened in LA.
His brothers exchanged a look, one he recognized.
They knew him too damn well. Knew that the moment a woman started to want more than a good time, Liam was out the door. But he hadn’t sounded like he was out the door when he was talking about Sophie and Mia. More like invested and overly protective. So it was probably best not to call them on it. Especially seeing as how he’d been thinking a lot about her the past few days. It was hard not to. The kiss they’d shared and Sophie’s revelation she’d been in love with him, too, was going to make it even more difficult to get her out of his head. He’d caught himself wondering about testing the waters to see if her feelings for him were still there.
Today, at the church, he thought they might be. From his own reaction to her, he knew he felt more than a passing attraction. If she didn’t have Mia, he’d think about asking her out, see where it went. But long-term relationships and happily-ever-afters weren’t in the cards for the Gallaghers of Harmony Harbor. If he needed proof of that, all he had to do was look at his older brothers. So it was best to keep both Mia and Sophie at arm’s length. First he had to warn her about Harper. The last thing Sophie needed was the psychiatrist sending up red flags.
“Tell Harper to back off and mind her own business. I don’t know why you brought her. She and GG couldn’t stand each other,” Liam said.
“Baby bro is right again, Aidan. GG always was a good judge of character. Too bad she won’t be around to help you pick out your next bride.”
Aidan scowled at Griffin. “That won’t be a problem, seeing as how I have no plans to marry again. And FYI, she liked both of your wives, wiseass.”
Griffin flipped off Aidan.
“I’ll talk to Harper and tell her to back off, Liam. The only way she’d let me bring Ella Rose home is if she came along. She doesn’t believe children should attend wakes or funerals, and she was afraid I’d go against her wishes.”
Which explained why Erin had been babysitting Liam’s niece last night and this morning. One more strike against Sophie.
“The woman just tunes me out, but I’ll give it my best shot,” Aidan said, and walked down the steps into the dining room.
“I’m not ready to go in there just yet. Let’s wait out the eulogies. I saw Michael’s three-page speech. He’s been taking lessons from his father.” Griffin leaned against the door and pointed his beer bottle at Mia. “I think your new best friend just spotted you.”
The little girl had a wide smile on her face and was waving, but it wasn’t at Liam. He looked behind him. No one was there.
Griffin rubbed his arms. “It’s freezing in here. The faster we sell this place the better. It’s a mausoleum. Hey, what did you do that for?”
“Do what?” Liam asked, waving at Mia, who was actually waving at him now.
“Whack me on the back of the head.”
“I didn’t touch you.” He narrowed his eyes at his brother. “How much have you had to drink?” After they’d lost their mom and Riley, Griffin drank too much. Until he met Lexi, who’d arrested him after he’d been in a fight at a bar.
Griffin rubbed the back of his head. “Don’t start on me. I’m good.”
Liam removed the beer bottle from his brother’s hand and flagged down a passing waiter. “Let’s keep it that way. Thanks,” he said to the waiter, handing him both bottles.
“Careful, little brother. I might start asking questions you don’t want to answer. Like why aren’t you back at Ladder Company Thirty-Nine? Lost your mojo?”
“Always good to catch up with you, Griffin. I’ll talk to you later.”
His brother grabbed his arm as Liam started to walk away. “Sorry, that was uncalled for. I guess I’m testier than usual.” Griffin shoved his hands into the pockets of his black suit pants, rocking on his heels. “I saw Ava last night. I swear to God, Liam, I would have walked by her on the street and not known who she was. What’s going on with her?”
“You’ve been home since you two divorced, Griffin. You must have seen her—”
His brother shook his head. “Only from a distance.”
“Believe it or not, since Sophie’s come home, Ava looks better than she did. GG and Grams have been worrying about her for years. GG got her to join the Widow’s Club in hopes it would bring her out of her shell.”
“I’m not dead yet,” his brother muttered.
“You’ve been divorced from her for more than a decade. Why the sudden concern?” He eyed his brother. “You still have feelings for her?”
“Not the way you’re implying, but we were married for three years. You don’t just shut your feelings off. I’m concerned about her, that’s all.”
His brother had left something out. Ava DiRossi had been the love of Griffin’s life. He’d been in love with her all through high school. “That concern have anything to do with you and Lexi splitting up?”
Griffin glanced at his ex-wife. Lexi had joined Kitty, Colin, and Maggie at the table. “If you asked Lex right now, she’d probably say it was. But no, I loved Lex. Still do. She’s my best friend.”
“Just what a woman wants to hear.”
“I liked you better when you kept your opinions to yourself. So you going to tell me why you’re not back at Thirty-Nine?”
As a Navy SEAL, his brother would understand what he was dealing with. Probably better than Liam did. “Working through stuff. I’ll get there.”
Griffin’s eyes narrowed at Liam, searching his face. “I know I haven’t been there for you since Mom and Riley died. All you have to do is pick up the phone.”
“Thanks. Same goes. I miss us, miss how we used to be as a family.”
“Yeah, me too. How’s Dad doing?”
“Good. Probably be better if he admitted he has feelings for Maggie.” His brother stiffened beside him. “I’ve gotten to know her better this past month, Griff. She’s a nice lady. She’d be good for Dad.”
“I know. I wasn’t—” His brother stopped talking when their aunt Maura walked by. She acknowledged them by lifting her pointed chin.
“Hey, boys, you doing okay?” their uncle Sean asked, coming up between them to pat them both on the backs.
“Sean, do you hear your son? He’s just announced that he and Bethany are holding their wedding at Greystone because it was your grandmother’s dying wish. I swear to God, I could happily wring Mr. Wilcox’s neck for telling him that. Look at this place. There’s…” She stiffened and narrowed her eyes at Griffin and Liam then looked down at the black cat by her feet before saying to her husband, “Get in there and put a stop to this nonsense.”
“Jaysus, stay single, boys,” their uncle murmured. Then louder, “Coming, Maura.”
“Always did feel sorry for Uncle Sean. Sounds like good advice for the Gallagher boys. Too bad Michael didn’t listen to him. Did you meet Bethany?” Griffin asked.
“Yeah, she makes Harper seem almost angelic.” When they were younger, Liam and Finn teamed up with Michael against their older brothers and cousins. They’d been best of friends until his cousin had stolen Sophie from him. But Liam had stopped carrying a grudge several years back, and he hung out every couple of months with his cousin. Michael was a successful assistant district attorney in Boston with plans to follow in his father’s footsteps. That, Liam suspected, was the reason his cousin was marrying Bethany, whose wealthy blue blood family had the connections to make his dream come true. Or maybe Liam was just being cynical.
Griffin snorted. “We probably should get in there. Dad and Lexi have been giving us the stink eye for the past five minutes.” They walked in to the sound of applause and cheering. The people from town had risen to their feet. “Looks like the golden boy is the hero of Harmony Harbor.”
Liam glanced at Sophie, wondering if Michael was her hero too. His cousin had just handed her the means to reestablish Greystone as a wedding destination.
“Girl, bring me a coffee.” His aunt Maura flagged Sophie down then took a second glance. “You’re one of those DiRossis, aren’t you?”
“You gonna take her out, or am I?” Griffin muttered.
Liam didn’t respond. He was already halfway to Sophie’s side. “I’ll take care of the coffee,” he said when he reached her.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it. Besides, you’re not the hired help. I am.” She winced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. She just…”
“I know. She makes us all crazy. Don’t let her get to you. She’s upset that Michael and Bethany are having their wedding here. And, Soph”—he took the coffeepot from her—“I’m sure you’re happy about that, but fair warning, you’re gonna have your hands full with Bethany.”
She wouldn’t meet his eyes, turning instead to pick up another carafe. “I’m sure it will be fine.” She didn’t sound convinced. If he read her wrong—and she really did think it was going to be a cake walk—she got a rude awakening when they reached his aunt’s table.
“Liam, for goodness’ sake, put that down before you spill the coffee.” Maura looked at the platinum blonde across the table from her. “This is exactly what I’m talking about, Bethany. They don’t even have enough help to handle Colleen’s reception.”
Liam opened his mouth to defend Sophie, but she gave her head an almost imperceptible shake. Unwittingly, he had probably made matters worse by trying to help out, so he did as she asked.
Sophie gave his aunt a tight smile. “This has been, as I’m sure you’re aware, a difficult time for the staff. They were very close to Colleen, and I felt they should be allowed to properly mourn her.”
Maura crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You? Who are you to make such decisions?”
Sophie lifted her chin. “The manager.” She put down the carafe and extended her hand to Bethany. “I look forward to working with you, Ms. Adams. I was hoping we could have a preliminary meeting before you leave.”
Bethany looked Sophie up and down. “You? Don’t you mean with your wedding planner?”
“Oh no, Ms. Adams. You’re marrying a Gallagher. I wouldn’t think of passing you on to anyone else. I’ll be taking care of the details personally to ensure your wedding is perfect.”
Bethany moved her head back and forth before nodding. “Yes, now that I think about it, I prefer that you do. I went through a wedding planner and two of her assistants at the last venue. It was a nightmare. I’ll speak to Michael and get back to you with a time we can meet before we leave.”
“Perfect.” Sophie moved the salt and pepper shakers from the middle of the table and set down the carafe. “Someone will be by to bring you a fresh pot when you need it.”
Liam held back a smile. Sophie obviously had experience dealing with women like his aunt and Bethany. She didn’t need him to come to her defense. At least that’s what he was thinking until he heard Harper call out, “Ms. DiRossi.” And his brother mutter, “For Chrissakes, Harper. Leave it alone.”
As they moved away from his aunt’s table, Sophie went to take the pot from him. “Liam, I’m perfectly capable of handling your family. You don’t have to follow me around.”
“You were great with Maura and Bethany, but I’m not sure you can handle this member of the family. Aidan’s ex-wife Harper is a psychiatrist. She’s been asking questions about Mia.”
Sophie’s hands dropped to her sides, the color leaching from her face. “What kind of questions?”
He placed his hand on her lower back. “Let’s get out of the way,” he said, and guided her to a quiet corner at the back of the room.
“Liam, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
“Relax, it’s just about Mia not—”
“Excuse me, Liam.” Harper nudged him aside and extended her hand to Sophie. “I’m Dr. Granger. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”
“No, I’m afraid I haven’t. What can I do for you, Dr. Granger?”
“Liam, do you mind? I’d like to speak with Ms. DiRossi privately.”
“Actually, I do mind. The middle of the reception to honor my great-grandmother who just passed away isn’t exactly private, now, is it?”
“Liam’s right. I’m a little busy at the moment. Perhaps we can arrange to speak later?”
“Well, if you’re too busy to speak about your daughter’s issues…”
Sophie stiffened. “My daughter is recovering from a trauma. I’ve consulted with one of the best child psychologists in LA, and I’m quite aware what to expect and how to help her with her recovery.”
“I’m not sure I’d agree. I was at the funeral and have been observing Mia ever since. I’m concerned. As I understand it, she’s had several major upheavals in the past weeks that I believe have had a negative impact on her recovery. Mia needs stability, Ms. DiRossi. She needs to feel safe and secure.”
“Which is why we moved back to Harmony Harbor. I appreciate your concern, but I have guests to see to. If you’ll excuse me.”
Liam watched as Sophie wove her way through the tables to reach Mia. She crouched beside her daughter’s chair with a wide smile, as though her exchange with Harper hadn’t shaken her. Liam knew better. He’d seen the panic in her eyes before she’d banked it. His brother leaned toward Sophie and said something. Probably apologizing for his ex and trying to reassure her. Liam turned back to Harper. “Stay out of it.”
She raised her manicured hands as if the matter was now out of them. “As a psychiatrist and a mother, I have an obligation to file a report with the authorities if I believe a child is at risk.”
“Be careful, Harper. Two can play at that game.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Damn straight I am. You cause problems for Sophie, and I’ll cause them for you. My brother doesn’t see through you, but I do. You’re using Ella Rose to get back at him for divorcing you.” He cocked his head. “Is it just me or does Ella Rose seem pale to you? Maybe a little withdrawn?”
“How dare you! You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
He smiled. “Neither do you. But if you don’t get your head out of your ass and grant my brother shared custody, you’ll find out.”
She gave a dismissive sniff and strode to her table. Sophie, as though sensing her approach, picked up Mia and walked to the kitchen with her in her arms.
Liam’s threat hadn’t been an idle one. The distance between him and his brothers had gone on long enough. They now fought their battles alone instead of together like they used to. It was about time they had each other’s backs again. Right now, Aidan needed them. Liam didn’t trust the sanctimonious, high-and-mighty Harper.
Michael, who’d been talking to his mother and fiancée, looked over when Harper stormed off. He raised his eyebrows at Liam then said something to Bethany and stood up. As his cousin made his way to where he stood at the back of the room, Liam knew he’d found the answer to Sophie’s problem. Even though everything inside him rebelled at the thought. He wanted to be the one who solved her problems, and he knew why.
By asking his cousin for help on Sophie’s behalf, in all likelihood, Michael would slay her dragons and become her hero. Liam pushed the thought back to where it belonged—in the past. He wasn’t twenty-three, and he was no longer in competition for Sophie’s affections. He was over his crush. And just to make sure, because his subconscious and other parts of his anatomy were calling him a liar, he looked over at his brothers to remind himself what happened when you let passion overrule your brain. It worked. What worked even better was seeing Mia and Sophie walk out of the kitchen carrying trays of cookies. This was about them, not him. He would do whatever he had to protect them.
Michael leaned against the wall beside Liam. “What did you do to piss off Harper, buddy? Tell her it was about time she got her head out of her ass and grant Aidan shared custody?”
“How do you do that? You got bionic ears or something?”
Michael grinned. “It’s what I would have told her, and you and I always did think alike. Great minds and all that.”
“Yeah, well, right now it’s your great mind I need. I have a favor to ask.”
“You got it. Anything you need. All for one and one for all, remember? Us Gallaghers stick together.”
He did remember. Back in the day, they were all thick as thieves. But just like Liam and his brothers, they’d grown apart. “Okay, Cape Crusader, I appreciate it. But this might prove to be a tough one, even for you. Do you remember Sophie DiRossi?”
“Gorgeous brunette with big eyes and a rockin’ bod? Yeah, might have a faint memory of her. She was sweet. What about her?”
Liam gritted his teeth. His memory of why he and his cousin weren’t as close as they’d once been wasn’t as faint as Michael’s memory of Sophie. Liam reminded himself this wasn’t about him and relaxed his hands that had balled into fists. “She’s managing the manor. She’s moved back to Harmony Harbor with her daughter, and she’s having a problem with Child Protective Services.”
“Wait a minute—” Michael looked around the room, and his eyes widened. “That’s Sophie’s kid? Jesus, how old was she when she had her?”
“Nineteen, I think. Her name’s Mia. Sophie hasn’t had it easy, Mike. She could use a break,” he said then told his cousin everything that had happened to her in LA, including her arrest. When he finished, he added, “This falls under client privilege. I don’t want anyone else to know about the arrest.”
“You know me better than that,” Michael said, every inch the lawyer now. “Just from what you’ve told me, sounds like they’re going through the motions, and Sophie won’t have to deal with CPS after they’ve done her in-home visit. I can vouch for her and make that go away if you want me to. Do you have the name of her caseworker?”
“Might be best if you talk to Soph. Sophie.” Liam waved her over. “Thanks, Mike. I really appreciate you handling this.”
“Anything for you, buddy. You know that.” He turned to smile at Sophie when she approached and extended his hand. “Nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
Liam frowned and looked around the room, wondering if he’d missed something. Sophie had lost all the color in her face and her hand appeared to be trembling when she shook Michael’s. “Nice to see you, too, Michael. Is there a problem?” She looked from his cousin to Liam at the same time twisting her right hand around her left wrist.
“No, Liam asked me to look into your case for you. I’m sorry what you and your little girl went through, Sophie. The last thing you need is CPS breathing down your neck. I’ll take care of that for you. All I need is your caseworker’s name, and I can handle it from there.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to offer…” she said while staring at Liam.
Okay, he knew that expression on her face, and it wasn’t good. If looks could kill, he was a dead man. He didn’t have a clue what he’d done wrong.
She continued. “I have it handled.” She shot another furious look at Liam before giving his cousin a tight smile. “I look forward to working with you and Bethany on your wedding. Thank you for agreeing to change venues. At this late date, I can’t imagine that was easy for you. I hope you know how much we appreciate it.”
“If you change your mind, just give me a call. I really don’t mind, Sophie,” his cousin said then glanced in his fiancée’s direction. “About our last venue…” He loosened his tie. “They kind of fired us. Bethany wants our wedding to be perfect, and she can be a little…What the hell, you’ll be working with her. She’s turned into a bridezilla. It’s not her fault. My mother and hers are making her crazy.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll do everything we can to make planning your big day more fun than stressful for Bethany. We really are honored to be hosting your wedding. It means a lot to all of us here at Greystone.”
“Anything for the Save Greystone team. Now we just have to get my cousins on board. Including this guy right here.”