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“Damnit,” he swore while trying to get his tie just right. He missed Ava far more than he had expected to, something that surprised him. They had barely had much intimate time together, hardly what anyone would call an affair. He should not give her moving a thought. Instead, he missed her—more than missed her, he hated having her gone. He had never missed anyone before. Usually, he was all right with the parting, but then he was usually the one who walked out of the relationship. With Ava it was so different. He missed their long talks, the companionship with someone who cared about Caroline and understood Caroline’s problems and her development. Ava seemed as happy as he and his brothers had been over Caroline’s blossoming. And making love with Ava—it had been the best he had ever known.
He gritted his teeth and tried to concentrate on his tie and forget Ava, but he couldn’t. She would not have an affair—which left marriage. Something he had always planned to avoid because of his parents’ marriage and his brother’s. Yet Ava was not materialistic the way Lauren had been, nor was she as socially driven and vain as his mother. Maybe he should not base his own life on his dad’s and his brother’s.
Was he in love enough for a total commitment?
He yanked the tie free to start all over. He saw Ava about half as much as before. They swam with Caroline, ate dinner with her. The difference was he wasn’t alone with Ava. She always had Caroline with her. This was the end of July; in a few short weeks, her job would be over and now, thanks to him, she was financially independent. She would go out of their lives. He needed to talk to her about how that would affect Caroline. And he didn’t want her to leave, either.
Finally dressed and ready, he headed to Caroline’s room. When he stepped inside, Ava sat on the floor with the girl. Ava’s hair was caught behind her head in a clip and she wore a simple sundress and sandals. He ached to go pick her up, carry her back to his room and peel her out of the dress.
Desire burned and he clenched his fist, trying to think of something else. Muffy ran up to greet him and he gave the dog a perfunctory pat. “Good morning,” he said, his voice deeper, with a husky note he couldn’t keep out.
Caroline smiled at him. “We’re playing a game before we read.”
Ava smiled. She looked cool, remote and he wondered if she was happy living away from his place.
“You look very nice,” she said. “Are you on your way to the attorney’s?”
“Yes. Zach and Ryan will come back with me and stay tonight. Garrett will join us for dinner. And Caroline can read for them. If you want to,” he added and she smiled and nodded.
“Good girl.” He walked over to pick her up, swinging her up in his arms and kissing her cheek. “You look very pretty this morning in your pink shirt and shorts. Muffy’s pink collar just matches.”
“Muffy had a bath yesterday and she smells good,” Caroline said.
“Good. I’m not picking up Muffy in my dark suit, though.”
Caroline laughed and he set her down, looking at Ava and meeting her gaze. Desire flared in her green eyes and his heart missed a beat. She was not as cool and remote as she appeared. His pulse speeded. “Will you stay for dinner with us and meet Ryan? He wants to meet you because of your work here.”
“Yes, thank you,” she said.
“Great,” he said. “I’ll leave you two to your fun. I’ll be home with the guys as soon as we can get loose.”
He left, his pulse beating faster. She still responded to him. Moving out hadn’t changed much except to make her less accessible. How could he get her back? And keep her here when summer ended? He wanted her back because he could see desire in her green eyes and she was as responsive as ever to him. She should try an affair—for all either one of them knew, it might lead to a long-term commitment. Affairs didn’t have to be short.
He swore under his breath. Reasonable or not, he wanted her back in his house and in his bed at night. He missed her in too many ways. He missed holding and kissing her. He missed talking to her. He missed her teasing and laughter. Her concern for Caroline.
“Damnit, Ava,” he said in his empty car, “come back home to me.”
At twenty minutes before two, Will reached the attorney’s office. He was greeted by the receptionist and shown to a room where he could wait. In minutes both Zach and Ryan arrived. He shook hands first with Zach and then turned to his youngest brother, whose dark looks most resembled his own.
“It’s good to see you both. The others should arrive anytime now.”
“I saw a limo pulling up as we walked into the building,” Zach said.
“It could be Mom or it could be Lauren,” Ryan added.
“It’s probably Mom,” Will said.
Zach studied Will. “What the hell’s happened to you, Will? Business deal gone sour?”
“Not at all. What are you talking about?”
“You look like hell,” he said, and Ryan laughed.
“He’s kind of right,” Ryan said, tilting his head to look at his older brother.
“I’m fine, and thanks for the notice that I look like hell.”
Zach continued to stare at Will. “How’s the teacher doing?”
“Fine. She’ll be there tonight for dinner.”
“She lives there, this summer, doesn’t she?” Ryan asked.
“She did. She’s there all day. She has a nearby condo.”
“Since when? She was living there the last I heard,” Zach said, still studying his brother.
“Since a few weeks ago,” Will said, tiring of the stares and questions. “End of subject.”
“I’ll be damned,” Zach said. “When I was at your house, I recall you telling me about flying her to dinner on your yacht.”
“That was a thank-you for what she has done with Caroline,” he answered. “Here’s Garrett,” Will said with relief, turning to extend his hand to his right-hand man. The four tall men stood quietly talking until a short blonde woman swept into the room.
Will marveled again that she was his mother. He could see little physical resemblance in any of them to her. Short with a lush figure and small waist, Lois Sanderson had platinum-blond hair. Her turquoise eyes had not been inherited by any of them, either. She had married twice since their father, but with no children in any other marriage.
“Mother,” he said, kissing her offered cheek.
His brothers obediently did the same.
As Garrett greeted her, a man they didn’t know entered the room and stood off to one side. He merely nodded at them.
“Your granddaughter is growing,” Will said to his mother.
“Ah, Caroline. I’m sorry I won’t be able to see her this trip. Perhaps the next one.”
“She’ll start kindergarten in September.”
“I always send her cards on holidays, presents on her birthday. I believe she is five now.”
Will kept a smile, but he could only feel annoyance that his mother had so little interest in her granddaughter. He exchanged a look with Zach that obviously conveyed Zach’s ire.
Shortly a white-haired man entered, accompanied by two younger men who bore faint resemblances to Will and Ryan: Will’s uncle and cousins.
The door to an inner office opened and a man stepped out. “Would all of you like to come in.”
They entered a room with chairs set up facing a desk. They took their seats, their mother in the front row with their uncle beside her and his sons beside him.
Will, his brothers and Garrett sat on the next row behind her.
“This shouldn’t take long,” Zach stated. “I’m ready for that swim and juicy steaks tonight.”
More cousins filed into the back of the room and sat. Shortly, Grady Gibson, their father’s tall, thin attorney, entered and greeted each one of them, moving around the room before going to the front to start.
“We’ll get down to business now. I am reading Argus Delaney’s will and each of you has been notified and asked to be present.”
He sat and began to read.
Will heard his name read by Grady and listened, remembering when his father had called him and told him about his inheritance, which would increase Will’s sizable fortune considerably.
“To my son William Lucius Delaney, I hereby give and bequeath the sum of four billion dollars,” Grady read.
Will listened to details and the bequest of the family home, which would eventually revert to Caroline. Zach would get a summer home in Italy. Ryan would get a Colorado home. Garrett would get the ranch.
Next, Grady read Zach’s and Ryan’s inheritances, equal to Will’s. A trust was left for Caroline, to be managed by Will, which he already knew. Grady moved on to Garrett.
Twenty-five million was left to their mother. When Lauren’s name was read, the attorney representing her sat straighter. Grady announced the sum of one dollar, and the man stood, striding out of the room and slamming the door. Before he moved on to their father’s brother and his family, Grady looked up and his gaze ran over all of them.
Will had returned to thinking about Ava, seated with Caroline in her sundress, so enticing this morning. He wanted to be through with this and get home where she was.
Grady caught Will’s eye and Will stopped thinking about Ava. There had to be something unexpected in the will, because Grady was giving them a warning in his own quiet way.
Eleven
Grady won Will’s full attention. Will’s mind raced, trying to think what else could be in the will.
Grady looked down at the paper spread before him. “To my daughter, Sophia Marie Rivers, I hereby bequeath—”
There was an audible gasp from the beneficiaries. Startled, Will glanced at Zach. “We have a sister?” Zach whispered, leaning in front of Garrett. Will’s mother cried out in surprise. She stood, her cheeks flushed.
“Grady, what are you talking about? A daughter? I’m the mother of the only children he had.”
“No, Lois, you’re not. If you’ll be seated, I’ll continue reading.”
She clamped her mouth closed and sat while his uncle put his arm around her to pat her shoulder.
Zach leaned slightly in front of Garrett to look at Will. “What difference does it make to her now?”
Without answering, Will turned back to listen because Grady waited for quiet. “To my daughter, Sophia Marie Rivers, I hereby bequeath three billion dollars.” Will stiffened at the amount being given to a woman none of them had even known existed.
“In order to bring Sophia into the family,” Grady continued, “she is to become a member of the Board of Trustees for the Delaney Foundation. She has one year from the reading of this will to become a member. If she does not become a member of the board, Sophia, as well as my sons, Will, Zach and Ryan, will forfeit their inheritances. If this happens, the money is to be given to the following charities…”
Stunned, Will didn’t hear what Grady read. They would have to meet this half sister. Meet and welcome her into the family and get her on the family board.
His head swam. What had his father been thinking?
He turned to look at Zach, who stared back with as much shock in his expression as Will felt. Ryan sat rubbing his jaw, glancing at Will and then at Zach.
His mother cried with a handkerchief to her face while his uncle continued to pat her shoulder.
Sophia Rivers. A stranger they had never met, even if they had the same blood in their veins. Three billion dollars given to her. Shocked, Will wasn’t aware of what Grady read.
Sophia Marie Rivers. He, Zach and Ryan had a half sister. How old was she? Who was she? Where did she live? Questions bombarded Will and he didn’t hear what Grady read as he got to Will’s uncle and the uncle’s family.
Finally Grady finished and adjourned, walking around the desk to get to Will before anyone else. “You dropped a bomb,” Will said.
“I know, but that’s the way he wanted it. I talked to your father about this. Your mother is less than happy, which he expected, and I know she’s going to be even less happy when she discovers your half sister’s age is the same as Ryan’s.”
“In other words she was born while Mom and Dad were still married.”
“That’s right.”
“Grady, why did he want to bring her into the family now when we’re all grown?”
“I asked him, and he was determined about it. He said it would bring his family together.”
“Damnit. He should have brought her into the family years ago if he wanted family togetherness. She might not want this, either. Though I can’t see anyone turning away that kind of money. Well, hell. Was he close to her?”
“I couldn’t get much out of him about that. I don’t think he was. I think she resented him from the way he talked. I know he provided for her and her mother generously all Sophia’s life.”
“He might as well have had you toss a bomb into the room today. Except if we lived through a bomb, we could get over it. I don’t know about this. Grady, Mom is bearing down on you. Come out to the house if you can. We’d be happy to have you.”
“Thanks. Sorry to surprise you, but he wanted it that way.”
Will shook his head. “My dad. He had an ornery streak.”
“Grady,” Will’s mother said behind the attorney, her voice sharp.
“Sorry, I won’t be able to join you, but thanks,” Grady said and turned away.
“We have a half sister,” Zach said as he, Ryan and Garrett gathered around.
“Did you know about this?” Will asked Garrett, who shook his head.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Why on earth didn’t he tell us?” Zach asked. “Or at least tell you?”
Will shrugged. “Maybe he didn’t want any criticism or to have to answer questions. I’m surprised she wasn’t here, because she had to have been notified about this reading.”
“You’re right,” Zach said. “I’m asking Grady.”
“You’ll have to get in line behind Mom,” Will said.
“I’ll catch him,” Zach replied, leaving to cross the room to Grady. In minutes he was back. “I asked Grady why she didn’t come. She didn’t want to. She doesn’t want her inheritance.”
“If she turns down her inheritance, we lose ours,” Ryan said. “That’s way too much money to lose. We’ll have to talk her into accepting her bequest. Why on earth would she turn down three billion?”
“Because she’s angry, most likely,” Garrett remarked dryly. “She’s obviously illegitimate. You’ve never heard of her, much less met her.”
“She must be enormously wealthy herself,” Zach added.
“We’ll have to send someone to meet her and talk to her,” Will stated. “I can contact her. I’m the oldest, so I should be the one.”
“Fine with me,” Zach said.
“You know I agree,” Ryan added.
“Well, I’m heading home. You guys, come on. We can talk about it at home tonight. Anyone need a ride?” Will asked, but all declined.
He left in long strides, wanting to get home before the others so he could have a few minutes alone with Ava.
Will walked through the house and to the veranda. Ava sat near the pool, watching Caroline play while Muffy slept in her crate. Ava’s long hair fell over one shoulder and he wanted to comb his fingers through the silky strands. Sunlight brought out golden highlights.
Will pulled a chair close to hers and sat. “How’s it going today?”
“Just great. She’s doing so well. I have an appointment to talk to her teacher next week.”
“Good. I had one recently, so she knows the situation now, but I’d like you to talk to her, because you understand exactly how Caroline is doing.”
“How did the reading of the will go? Was your mother there?”
“She was there and regrets she won’t be here to see Caroline.”
“Oh, Will. I’m glad we didn’t tell Caroline her grandmother was in town. She doesn’t need the slightest rejection.”
“Ava, I have a half sister,” he said. She turned with a wide-eyed gaze while he briefly told her about the bombshell. As he spoke, all he could think was that he’d missed Ava and wanted to be alone with her now. And that he was grateful to have her here to share this news with him.
“You’ll have to meet your half sister.”
He turned to face her. “I miss you, Ava.”
“Will, let it go,” she said, shaking her head.
“Go out with me this Saturday. Just a night out.”
“Thank you, but no.”
“You’re going back to Austin when your job here is over?”
“No, I’m not,” she said and his hope flared. “I hired an agency to look for land here. Will, I can’t just leave Caroline like that. If I stay here in town I can still see her. If that’s okay.”
“Of course, it’s okay. So you’re moving here,” he said, relief filling him.
“Yes, I am. She’s precious, and to tell the truth, I’ll miss her terribly and worry about her.”
“She’ll want you to stay, I’m sure.”
“I’ve already told her. I’ll come by on weekdays after school. I should be gone by the time you get home.”
“You don’t have to be gone by the time I get home. I want to see you,” he said, taking her hand.
“Uncle Will!” Caroline’s high-pitched voice carried.
Will rose to saunter to the pool to talk to Caroline and a few minutes later, his brothers arrived.
Will spent some time with his brothers and Garrett, and when the men joined Caroline in the pool, Will finally had Ava to himself again.
“You have a half sister you’ve never known about,” Ava mused.
“Yes. We still don’t know anything about her. She didn’t attend, even though she was notified about the reading. We don’t know who she is or where she lives. All we have is a name.”
“Will, you have to find out.”
“Damn straight. She’s inherited a bundle from Dad. Grady said she doesn’t want it, but no one turns down the kind of money we’re talking about. I’ll contact her and see what we can learn,” he said, his mind already off his half sister.
Ava looked enticing and he wanted her alone. He ached to make love to her. He could look at her all evening and he wished she would stay tonight in her suite. His life was beginning to feel empty when Ava wasn’t around. He wanted her to hold, to love and to talk to. His home had never felt big or lonely or empty before, but now there were moments when it did. Those moments vanished when she arrived.
But time alone with her would have to wait—especially because his brothers and Garrett were climbing out of the pool, wanting to hear Caroline read them a story.
Before dinner, when the uncles and Garrett crowded round, Caroline sat beside Ava and read aloud. Still thrilled and grateful, Will watched Caroline for a few minutes until his attention switched to Ava. She was capable, smart, beautiful, sexy enough to take his breath away just thinking about kissing her. He wanted her desperately, yet she had made it clear she would not have an affair.
Desire scalded, keeping him on edge. He found it difficult to concentrate, to think of anything except her.
When Caroline finished the book, Zach, Ryan and Garrett applauded and heaped praise on the smiling girl. In minutes she was in her uncle Ryan’s lap while he read to her.
Zach walked over to Will on the far side of the room. “I see what you mean about the change in Caroline. I couldn’t believe it until I saw her. I just told Ava again how fantastic this has been. And the little pooch is cute.”
“Part of it is the dog which broke the silence, but I think a big part of it is Ava, who bonded with her. She hangs on Ava if you notice, which surprises me since she’s never had a mother around.”
“She just likes Ava. By the way, I think you’re going to have to rethink your views of marriage. You looked like a zombie today until you got home to her. I never thought I’d recommend marriage, but I don’t think you can handle having her walk out of your life.”
“Sure I can,” he said, the words sounding hollow and false in his own ears. “I’ve never had a problem with women leaving before. And Ava has an agenda that nothing will take her away from.”
Zach sipped his cold beer. “Better find someone else quickly then and get her out of mind. If you’re not going to marry her, you have to let her go.”
“You’re a real help,” Will snapped.
After dinner Ava headed upstairs with Rosalyn to take Caroline to bed. Caroline held Ava’s hand. Her books were tucked beneath her other arm, and Muffy trailed along behind them. Ava glanced back to see Will watching her. Her heartbeat skipped and her back tingled.
In Caroline’s room, Muffy crawled into her crate and curled up, and Caroline changed into soft pink pajamas.
“I’ll read her a story,” Ava told Rosalyn, who nodded.
“Just call me when you’re leaving and I’ll come. I’ll be in the front room,” Rosalyn said.
Ava sat in the rocker and Caroline brought a book to her, then climbed up into Ava’s lap, leaning against her while Ava read. Caroline played with a lock of Ava’s hair, reaching up to twist it around her fingers. Ava read softly, rocking and holding Caroline close. Her heart squeezed because she loved the little girl. It was almost time for school to start, and Ava’s time would be up. She wouldn’t see Caroline as much, but she didn’t want to give up seeing her. She had fallen in love with Will, but she also loved Caroline and that love would last forever.
When Ava finished the book, she closed it. “I’ll read one more. Do you want to get in bed and I’ll lie down with you? Or do you want to stay here and rock?”
“In bed,” Caroline whispered sleepily.
In minutes Caroline slipped beneath the blanket while Ava stretched out on top and opened the book to read. She placed one arm around Caroline, who snuggled close against her. “I love you, Miss Ava.”
“I love you, too, Caroline,” Ava said, meaning it with all her heart. “You’re so precious,” she added and kissed Caroline lightly on the temple. Caroline held the small brown bear close and looked at the book while Ava began to read.
Soon Caroline’s breath was even and deep. Ava looked at her and saw she was asleep. She began to carefully extricate herself, cautiously removing her arm from beneath Caroline. She closed the book and sat up, standing.
Will stood in the doorway leaning against the doorjamb.
She drew a deep breath. “You surprised me,” she whispered.
He entered the room, crossing to look down at Caroline. He kissed her cheek lightly and draped an arm across Ava’s shoulders. “You’re so good with her. My brothers and Garrett are thrilled.”
“Three more bachelors. What do they know about kids and Caroline?” she said with a smile.
“They’ve all seen her locked in that silent world of grief. They’re singing your praises, which are well deserved.”
“I’m so glad for her. She’ll be fine in school.”
“I’m glad you’ll still see her when school starts.”
“I love her, Will,” she said, looking away, then headed out of the room to where Rosalyn sat.
“She’s asleep,” Will said. “We’ll leave her in your charge now.”
Rosalyn smiled. “She’s so happy. Ava, you’ve done the impossible.”
“Thanks, Rosalyn. I still think Muffy has to get credit.”
As they walked down the hall, Ava said, “I’ll tell your brothers goodbye. I should leave now.”
“You can stay awhile and enjoy my brothers and Garrett. They’re all fun.” Will reached the open door of her old suite. He stepped inside, pulling her in with him.
“Will anyone stay in here? If you need me to move my things—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re staying in the other wing. My brothers know how to party, and they’ll be up until wee hours, playing pool, swimming. You’ll hear them. I’m not having them up here by Caroline. Or you, if you decide to stay here tonight.”
Will wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I want you here all the time, Ava,” he whispered, kissing away any reply.
She held him tightly, knowing they had to go downstairs, and kissed him back freely, responding eagerly. Her heart pounded and she melted against his hard length. She wanted him with the desperate urgency she had felt before as if they hadn’t made love.
“Ava,” he said, framing her face with his hands. “Marry me.”