The Mckennas: Finn, Riley and Brody: One Day to Find a Husband

CHAPTER EIGHT

HE WAS having a good day. The smile on Henry Winston’s face told Ellie that, along with the doctor’s tentatively positive report. They were on an upswing right now, and her father was gaining ground. For the first time, the doctor had used the words “when he goes home.”

Gratitude flooded Ellie, and she scooted the vinyl armchair closer to her father’s bedside. Happy sunlight streamed through the windows of his room at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her father had more color in his face today. The tray of food beside him was nearly empty. All good signs. Very good.

After last night’s bitter disappointment with Finn, Ellie could use some good news. She’d tossed and turned all night, trying to think of a way to convince Finn to help her with Jiao. If he didn’t, how would she make this work? He hadn’t said for sure he’d get an annulment, but she hadn’t heard from him since the conversation on the balcony. She could pick up the phone and call him herself, but she didn’t. Because she didn’t want to hear him say he’d ended their marriage. And ended Ellie’s hopes for adopting Jiao.

Maybe Linda could try appealing to the Chinese again. Perhaps if they saw how committed Ellie was to adopting Jiao, they’d relent on the marriage rule.

Ellie bit back a sigh. From all Linda had told her, that was highly unlikely. Ellie was back at square one, with Jiao stuck in the same spot. Finn had let her down. He’d accused her of wanting this to be a real marriage.

Was he right? Did a part of her hope, after those kisses and that dinner, and all the jokes and smiles, that maybe this was turning into something more than just a platonic partnership?

She glanced out the window, at the city that held them both, and at the same time separated them, and realized yes, she had. She’d let herself believe in the fairy tale. She’d started to fall for him, to let down her guard, to do the one thing she’d vowed she wouldn’t do—entangle her heart.

Time to get real, she told herself, and stop seeing happy endings where there weren’t any.

For now, Ellie focused on her father instead. One thing at a time. “How are you doing, Dad?”

“Much better now that you’re here.” He gave her a smile, one that was weaker than Henry’s usual hearty grin. But beneath the thick white hair, the same green eyes as always lit with happiness at her presence. “They’ve got me on a new med. So far, it seems to be working pretty well.” He lifted an arm, did a weak flex. “I’ll be ready to run the Boston marathon before you know it.”

She laughed. “And the Ironman after that?”

“Of course.” He grinned, then flicked off his bedside television. His roommate had gone home yesterday, so the hospital room was quiet—or as quiet as a room in one of Boston’s busiest medical facilities could be. “How are you doing, Ellie girl?”

“I’m fine, Dad. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Ah, but I do. There’s some things that don’t stop just because your kids grow up.”

She gave her father’s hand a tight squeeze. She wasn’t about to unload her problems on his shoulders. He had much more important things to worry about. “You just concentrate on getting better.”

“How are things going with the adoption? I’d sure love to meet my granddaughter.”

Ellie sighed. “I’ve run into a bit of a snag.” Then she forced a smile to her face. Worrying her father—about anything—was not what she wanted. Henry didn’t need to know about her marriage or her new husband’s refusal to help. Chances were, Finn had already filed the annulment and Ellie’s marriage was over before it began. For the hundredth time, she was glad she’d kept the elopement a secret from her father. “It’ll be fine. It’ll just take a little bit longer to bring Jiao home.”

“You sure? Do you want me to call someone? Hire a lawyer?” Her father started to reach for the bedside phone, but Ellie stopped him.

“It’ll be fine. I swear. Don’t worry about it at all.” She didn’t know any of that for sure, particularly after Finn had told her he wanted nothing to do with the adoption, but she wasn’t about to involve her poor sick father. “Just a tiny delay. Nothing more.”

“Well, good. I can’t wait to meet her. I’ve seen enough pictures and heard enough about her that I feel like I know her already.” Her father settled back against the pillows on his bed, his face wan and drawn. “Hand me that water, will you, honey?”

“Sure, sure, Dad.” She got her father’s water container, and spun the straw until it faced Henry. She helped him take it, and bring it to his mouth, then sat back. “You sure you’re up to a visit?”

He put down the water, then gave her a smile. “Seeing my little girl always makes me feel better. Now, talk to me about something besides doctors and medications. Tell me how things are at the company.”

“Good.” She hadn’t told her father about any of the problems she’d encountered with Farnsworth quitting and the rush to get the Piedmont project underway. She wasn’t about to start now. Maybe down the road when he was stronger and feeling better.

He tsk-tsked her. “You always tell me that things are good. I know you’re lying.” He covered her hand with his own. “I know you have the best of intentions, but really, you can talk to me. Use me as a sounding board.”

Oh, how she wished she could. But the doctor had been firm—no unnecessary stress or worries. Her father, who had worked all his adult life, had a lot of trouble distancing himself from the job, and right now, that was what he needed most to do. Whatever she wanted—or needed—could wait. “You need to concentrate on getting better, Dad, not on what is happening at work.”

“All I do is lie here and concentrate on getting better.” He let out a sigh. Frustration filled his green eyes, and knitted his brows. “This place is like prison. Complete with the crappy food. I need more to do. Something to challenge me.”

“I brought you a lot of books. And there are magazines on the counter. A TV right here. If you want something else to read—”

He waved all of that off. “Talk to me about work.”

“Dad—”

He leaned forward. The strong, determined Henry Winston she knew lit his features. “I love you, Ellie, and I love you for being so protective of me. But talking about work keeps me from worrying about work. I’m not worried about you being in charge—you’re capable and smart, and I know you want that business to succeed as much as I do—but I miss being plugged in, connected. That company is as much a part of me as my right arm.”

She sighed. She knew her father. He had the tenacity of a bulldog, and now that he was feeling better, she doubted she could put him off much longer about WW Architectural Design. Maybe she could set his mind at ease by sharing a small amount of information, and that would satisfy his workaholic tendencies. “Okay, but if your blood pressure so much as blips, we’re talking only about gardening the rest of the day.”

He grimaced at his least favorite topic, then crossed his heart. “I promise.”

“Okay.” She sat back and filled him in, starting with a brief recap of Farnsworth’s defection, followed by glossing over most of the setbacks on the Piedmont project, and finally, touting the positive aspects of her temporary alliance with Finn. She kept the news mostly upbeat, and left out all mentions of her elopement.

“You are working with Finn McKenna,” Henry said. It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded. “He has the experience we need. I could hire a new architect but we don’t have enough time to do another candidate search and then bring that person up to speed. The prelims are due the fifteenth.”

“Finn McKenna, though? That man is not one you should easily trust. He’s made an art form out of taking over small companies like ours. You know he’s our competition, right?”

“Yes, and we have worked out an amicable and fair arrangement. His business got into a little trouble—”

“Do you know what that trouble was? Did he tell you?”

“He didn’t give me specifics.” Dread sank in Ellie’s gut. She could hear the message in her father’s tone. There was something she had missed, something she had overlooked. Damn. She had been too distracted to probe Finn, to push him to tell her more.

She knew better. She’d rushed headlong into an alliance because her mind was on saving Jiao and nothing else.

“He got involved with the daughter of a competitor. In fact, I think he was engaged to her,” Henry said. “And when things went south in the relationship, several of his clients defected to the other firm, taking all their business with them. I heard Finn raised a ruckus over at his office, but it was too late. A lot of people said he only proposed to her so he could take over her company and when it ended badly, she stole his clients instead.”

Daughter of a competitor. Wasn’t that what she was, too? Had Finn married her for control of the company?

Oh, God, had she made a deal with the devil? Her gut told her no, that Finn was not the cutthroat businessman depicted by the media. But how well did she really know him? Every time she tried to get close to him, he shut the door.

Wasn’t this exactly why she had stayed away from marriage all these years? She’d seen how her parents had been virtual strangers, roommates sharing a roof. She didn’t want to end up the same way, married to someone she hardly knew because she mistook infatuation for something real.

Ironic how that had turned out. Well, either way, the marriage would be over soon. She told herself it was better that way for all of them.

“Just be cautious, honey,” Henry said. “I’ve heard Finn is ruthless. You know they call him—”

“The Hawk.” The nickname had seemed like a joke before, but now it struck a chord. Had she missed the point? Was this entire marriage a plan by Finn to get his company back—

By taking over WW Architectural Design?

Maybe his “help” was all about helping his own bottom line. “I’m sure Finn will be fine,” she said, more to allay her own fears than her father’s. Because all of a sudden she wasn’t so sure anything was going to be fine. “He’s really smart and has been a great asset on this project.”

“I’d just be very cautious about an alliance with him,” her father said. “He’s one of those guys who’s always out to win. No matter the cost.”

“He’s been very up-front with me, Dad. I don’t think he has a hidden agenda.” Though could she say that for a hundred percent? Just because she’d married Finn and kissed him didn’t mean she knew much more than she had two days ago. Every time she tried to get close to him, he pushed her away.

“Don’t trust him, that’s all I’m saying. He’s backed into a corner, and a dog that’s in a corner will do anything to get out.”

Anything. Like marry a total stranger.

And try to steal her father’s legacy right out from under her.

CHAPTER NINE

RILEY and Brody dragged Finn out for breakfast. The two brothers showed up at Finn’s office, and refused to take no for an answer.

“Why are you stuck in this stuffy office, instead of spending time with your hot new wife?” Riley said. “You’ve been married for almost a week now, and I swear, you spend even more time here than you did before you got married.”

Brody gave Riley’s words a hearty hear-hear. “Jeez, Finn. You’d think being married would change you.”

He didn’t want his brothers reminding him about his marriage—or lack of one. Or the fact that he hadn’t seen Ellie in a couple of days. He’d gone home after that night on the balcony, and had yet to return to her apartment, or her office.

He’d sent his senior architects to most of the meetings at WW, and only gone to one when Ellie wasn’t scheduled to be there. He conferred with his team back here at his office, and in general, avoided Ellie. Entirely. He used the excuse that the drawings were due in a few days, but really, he knew that was all it was—an excuse. An excuse to keep his distance. Because every time he was with her, he considered the kind of heady relationship he’d spent a lifetime avoiding. “I am changed.”

Riley arched a brow. Brody outright laughed. “Sure you are. Prove it and leave the shackles behind for a little while.”

Finn scowled. “I have work to do.”

“Come on, let’s get something to eat,” Brody said. Like the other McKenna boys, Brody had dark brown hair, blue eyes and a contagious smile. As the middle brother, he had a mix of both their personalities—a little serious and at the same time a little mischievous.

Riley turned to Brody. “What do you say we kidnap him?”

Brody put a finger on his chin and feigned deep thought. “I don’t know. He’s pretty stubborn.”

“We’ll just tie him up.” Riley grinned. “So there’s your choice, Finn. Either come with us or we’re going to haul you out of here like an Oriental rug.”

Finn chuckled. “Okay. I can see when I’ve been beaten.” He wagged a finger at them. “But I only have time for a cup of coffee, no more.”

The three of them headed out of the office, and instead of going down Beacon to their usual haunt, Riley took a right and led them toward a small corner diner on a busy street. The sign over the bright white and yellow awning read Morning Glory Diner. It looked cheery, homey. The opposite of the kind of place the McKenna boys usually frequented. “Hey, I really don’t have room in my schedule to go all over the city for some coffee,” Finn said. “My day is very—”

Riley put a hand on his arm. “You gotta ask yourself, what do you have room for?”

“Because it’s sure not sex.” Brody laughed. “I can’t believe you’ve been at work bright and early every morning. Haven’t you heard of a honeymoon period?”

Finn wasn’t about to tell his brothers that his was far from a conventional marriage. A honeymoon was not part of the deal. Nor was he even living with his “wife.” “Take advice on marriage from you? The eternal bachelor twins?”

“Hey, I may not be interested in getting married—ever.” Riley chuckled. “But even I know a newly married man should be spending all his time with his new bride.”

“Yeah, and in bed,” Brody added.

Damn. Just the words bed and wife had Finn’s mind rocketing down a path that pictured Ellie’s luscious curves beneath him, her smile welcoming him into her heart, her bed, and then tasting her skin. Taking his time to linger in all the hills and valleys, tasting every inch of her before making slow, hot love to her. Again and again.

He’d had that dream a hundred times in the days since he’d met her. He found himself thinking of her at the end of his day, the beginning of his day, and nearly every damned minute in between.

And that alone was reason enough to end this. He was a practical man, one who made sensible decisions. The sensible side of him said keeping his distance from Ellie was the wisest course. The one that would head off the disaster he’d created before. A part of him was relieved.

Another part was disappointed.

The part that dreamed about Ellie Winston and wondered what it would be like to consummate their temporary marital union.

Finn cleared his throat and refocused. He was in a platonic marriage, and there was no definition of that word that included having sex. “I’m not taking relationship advice from you two.”

“Maybe you should, brother.” Riley quirked a brow at him, as they entered the diner and sidled up to the counter. The diner’s namesake of bright blue flowers decorated the border of the room, and offset the bright yellow and white color scheme. “So, besides the fact that you aren’t in bed with her right now, how is it going with the new missus?”

“Do you want to talk about anything else this morning?”

Riley glanced at Brody. “Not me. You?”

“Nope. Finn’s life is my number-one topic of conversation.”

He loved his brothers but sometimes they took well-meaning just a step—or ten—too far. “Well then, you two will be talking to yourselves.” Finn ordered a black coffee, then gestured toward Riley and Brody. “What do you guys want?”

“Oh, you’re paying?” Riley grinned. He turned to the waitress, a slim woman with a nametag that read Stace. “Three bagels, a large coffee and throw in some extra butter and cream cheese. Can you pack it in to-go bags, too? Thanks.”

“Two blueberry muffins and a large coffee for me,” Brody said.

“You’re guys aren’t seriously going to eat all that, are you?” Finn fished out his wallet and paid the bill.

“Hell no. I’m getting breakfast for the next three days.” Riley grinned again.

“Yeah, and considering how often you offer to pay, maybe I should have ordered a year’s supply.” Brody chuckled.

Finn rolled his eyes. “You two are a pain in the butt, you know that?”

“Hey, we all have our special skills,” Riley said. “Except for you, because you’re the oldest. You get the extra job of taking care of us.”

“Last I checked you were grown adults.”

“Hey, we may be grown, but some us aren’t adults.” Riley chuckled.

“Speak for yourself.” Brody gave Riley a gentle punch in the shoulder.

Finn pocketed his change and followed his brothers over to a corner table. Since it was after nine, the breakfast crowd was beginning to peter out, leaving the diner almost empty. The smell of freshly roasted coffee and fresh baked bread filled the space.

“You know, I was just kidding,” Riley said. “You don’t have to take care of us. Or buy us breakfast.”

“I didn’t see your wallet out.”

Riley grinned. “You were quicker on the draw.” Then he sobered. “Seriously, sometimes you gotta take care of you.”

“Yeah, you do,” Brody said.

Finn looked at his brothers. “What is this? An intervention?”

Riley and Brody both grinned. “Now why would you think that?” Brody said, affecting innocence that Finn wasn’t buying. His brothers clearly thought he was working too much and living too little. “This is just coffee, isn’t it Riley?”

Their youngest brother nodded. A little too vigorously. “Coffee and bagels.” Riley held out the bag. “Want one?”

Finn waved off the food. He glanced around the diner. Filled with booths and tables, the diner had a cozy feel. Seventies tunes played on the sound system, while Stace, apparently the lone waitress, bustled from table to table and called out orders to the short-order cook in the back. “What made you pick this place?” Finn asked. “I didn’t even know you came here.”

“Oh, I don’t know. We thought it’d be nice to have a change of scenery.” Riley’s head was down, while he fished in the bag.

“Change of scenery?” Finn tried to get Riley’s attention, but his brother seemed to be avoiding him. “What is this really about?”

The bell over the door rang and Riley jerked his head up, then started smiling like a fool. He elbowed Brody. “Well, there’s our cue to leave.”

“What? We just got here.”

Riley rose. Brody popped up right beside him, guilty grins on both McKenna faces. “Yeah, but someone much better company than us just showed up.” Riley dropped the bag of food onto the table. “I’ll leave these. Be nice and share.”

“What? Wait!” But his brothers were already heading for the door. Finn pivoted in his seat to call after them. And stopped breathing for a second.

Ellie stood in the doorway, framed by the sun, which had touched her hair with glints of gold. She had on a dark blue dress today that skimmed her knees and flared out like a small bell. It nipped in at her waist, and dropped to a modest V in the front. She wore navy kitten heels today, but still her legs, her curves, everything about her looked amazing.

Finn swallowed. Hard.

Riley and Brody greeted Ellie, then Riley pointed across the room at Finn. Riley leaned in and whispered something to Ellie, and her face broadened into a smile. It hit Finn straight in the gut, and made his heart stop. Then Ellie crossed the room, and Finn forgot to breathe.

Her smile died on her lips when she reached him. “I didn’t know you’d be here this morning.”

“I didn’t know, either.” Finn gestured toward the door. “I suspect my brother is at work here.”

“I think you’re right. I’ve seen him in here a couple times. I recognized him from the cocktail party and we got to talking one day. I told him I’m here pretty often for my caffeine fix. I guess he figured he’d get us both in the same place.”

“That’s Riley.” Finn shook his head. “My little brother, the eternal optimist and part-time matchmaker.”

“He means well. And he thinks the world of you.” She cocked her head and studied him. “Wow. You three do look a lot alike.”

“Blame it on our genes.” Finn wanted to leave, but at the same time, wanted to stay. But his feet didn’t move, and he stayed where he was. He gestured toward the bag on the table. “Bagel? Or do you want me to get you a coffee?”

She glanced at her watch. “I have about fifteen minutes before I have to get to a meeting. I really should—” Her stomach growled, and she blushed, then pressed a hand to her gut, then glanced at the growing line at the counter. Despite the light banter, the mood between them remained tense, nearly as tough as the bagel’s exterior. “Okay, maybe I have enough time for just half a bagel.”

Finn opened the bag and peered inside. “Multigrain, cheese or plain?”

“Cheese, of course. If I’m going to have some carbs, I’m going all out.”

“A woman after my own heart.” Finn reached in the bag, pulled out a cheese-covered bagel and handed it to her, followed by a plastic knife and some butter. She laid it out on a napkin, slathered on some butter, then took a bite. When the high calorie treat hit her palate, she smiled, and Finn’s heart stuttered again.

“Oh, my.” Ellie’s smile widened. “Delicious.”

He watched her lips move, watched the joy that lit her features. “Yes. I agree.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, do you want some?”

“Yes,” he said. Then jerked to attention when he realized she meant the bagel. And not her. “Uh, no, I already ate this morning.”

“Let me guess.” She popped a finger in her mouth and sucked off a smidgen of butter. Finn bit back a groan. Damn. He wanted her. Every time he saw her, desire rushed through him.

“You had plain oatmeal,” Ellie went on. “Nothing fancy, nothing sugary.”

“No. Muffins.”

Her brows lifted and a smile toyed with the edge of her mouth. “Not ones from the floor, I hope?”

The words brought the memory of that day in her kitchen rocketing back. Their first day as a married couple. The sexual tension sparking in the air. The desire that had pulsed in him like an extra heartbeat.

He cleared his throat. “Freshly baked and boxed,” he said. “From a bakery down the street from my apartment. I rarely eat at home and usually grab something on the way to work.”