His ego was the problem, Michael tried to convince himself. He was so used to making people like him, that failure wasn’t an option. Considering Arlene’s history with men, he couldn’t blame Noreen for not trusting
him. And the way he’d met Arlene hadn’t been under the best of circumstances. He had to accept that it would take time to win Noreen’s acceptance, but he didn’t plan on making Arlene’s sister liking him or not a reason for not going forward.
Michael took a deep breath and looked over at Arlene as she held up two ornaments to her ears and pretended they were earrings, making Vince and Darren laugh. Ever since they’d met on the cruise he’d dreamed about nothing else but their future together, and he was going to make sure that came true.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Noreen,” Vince said as they all sat down to dinner.
She’d made too much food, but cooking had kept her busy so she didn’t mind. The table was filled with roasted chicken, mashed potatoes (both white and sweet), dinner rolls, salad, fish cakes, broccoli and cauliflower, sliced ham and cranberry sauce.
“I may never leave,” Darren said, taking a seat across from her.
Michael didn’t say anything as he sat at the table and Noreen did her best to ignore him, but that was impossible when she was forced to sit next to him. She had a small circular table because she rarely entertained and her thigh brushed against his.
“Sorry the table isn’t bigger.”
“Don’t worry,” Michael said. “Arlene and I are used to being crowded together.” He reached for the fish cakes at the same time Noreen did, his hand covering
hers. He yanked his hand away and looked at Arlene. “Remember that lunch on St. Barnaby?”
“Oh yes,” she said. “That was fun. Show everyone the picture of the property you bought.”
Noreen placed two fish cakes on his plate.
He stared at the food in front of him. “Maybe another time.”
Arlene nudged him. “Please.”
He reluctantly pulled out the picture and handed it to her.
She wiggled in her seat like a happy child. “It’s so beautiful.” She held the photo out to Vince. “Look, Dad.”
He studied the photo, impressed. “How much?” Noreen kicked him under the table. “I mean, good choice.”
“I’ve never seen Michael so determined to get something,” Darren said. “You should have seen his face when he closed the deal.” He smiled at Arlene. “Now I know why he was so eager.”
Arlene blushed and Noreen blinked, surprised that Darren’s comment affected her sister like that. “Dad, show Noreen.”
Vince handed Noreen the photo and she barely glanced at it before handing it back to Michael. “Very nice.”
Michael shoved the picture back inside his pocket. “How do you know?” he asked in a low voice. “You didn’t look at it.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Forget it.” He took a bite of the fish cake. “This tastes good.”
“Thank you. I’m sure Arlene’s taste better.”
His jaw twitched but he didn’t respond and Noreen regretted her comment. She was being petty and unfair. “Just wait until you try her sugar cookies. You’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven.” After she said the word
heaven,
heat stole into her cheeks when she remembered their first night together.
Michael appeared to remember too, because he became still. “Good,” he said, keeping his gaze focused on his food.
Noreen decided to focus on eating as well and she tried to be nonchalant when his leg or arm brushed against hers, but an electric thrill shot through her each time. She knew he couldn’t help it because he was a big guy and the table was small. She promised herself that she would buy a long dining table tomorrow. Fortunately, no one noticed her discomfort.
Her sister sparkled and Noreen caught Darren watching her, which was no surprise, but what did surprise her was when she caught her father staring at her. At the end of the meal, Noreen stood and began to clear the table. Michael stood too. “Let me help you.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“It’s no problem.”
Noreen yanked the plate from him. “I said, I’m fine.”
Michael sent her an odd look and sat down.
She looked at Darren and softened her tone. “But
thanks anyway. I want you all to just enjoy yourselves. I’m here to serve.”
Noreen hurried into the kitchen, piling the dirty dishes on the counter.
“What a load of crock,” her father said, entering the room.
“Crock?”
“Yes, all that you just said out there.” He gestured to the dining room with his thumb. “I don’t know what you have against the boy, but he’s just trying to be friendly.”
“I know, but he doesn’t need to impress me. Arlene likes him—excuse me—loves him and apparently so do you.”
“Yes, I do. I’m a player so I can easily spot them. He’s not one. He’s for real and I think he’ll treat your sister well. He’s certainly better than the other scum and deadbeats she used to bring home.”
“I know.”
“Of course, that’s not good news for you.”
Noreen looked at him, curious. “Why not?”
Vince walked over to the counter and rested against it. “Because
you’re
in love with him.”
Noreen turned away, unable to face her father, her heart racing.
“You can’t fool me, Noreen. I see the way you look at him. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Does he know how you feel? Did she steal him away from you or something?”
“No. It doesn’t matter. Arlene has him. Besides, there wouldn’t even be a competition.”
“You’re just as beautiful and wonderful in your own way.”
“Don’t start with me, Dad. To you, all women are the same and you get bored, but you’re not an exception. Most men are happy with whatever woman they get…at least for a while.”
“Stop being a hypocrite.”
Noreen stared at him. “What?”
“You heard me. You’re not afraid that men think all women are the same—you’re truly terrified that they don’t. Otherwise you’d go into that room and take Michael for yourself.”
“I—I,” Noreen sputtered, unable to find any words.
He held up his hand. “Be quiet for a moment and listen. You think all men want women like your sister, but you’re wrong. Just like women, all men aren’t the same. For most of my life I’ve been an arrogant bastard. Women came easily. They still do. I never married because I got all that I wanted without the complications and legalities. But it’s funny—when you get older, family starts to mean more. Besides, I hate seeing you hurt. You’re my daughter, Noreen, and you’re somebody special.”
“Dad,” Noreen said, not wanting to have this conversation now.
“I know we don’t see eye to eye, but I love you. Your ex was no good. I’m glad he’s gone. I’m happy Arlene’s going to make me a grandfather. But I’d be just as glad to read your latest book.”
“You never read my books.”
“Yes, I do.”
“They’re romance,” Noreen said, baffled. “You don’t read romance.”
“I’ve read yours. You can blame your grandmother for that. When she was in the nursing home I would go and read to her and she only wanted your books. I read one and got hooked, and after she died I continued reading them because they made me feel good. Your stories are about men with honor and integrity. Traits I didn’t possess. They were, and still are, fun escapes. They taught me about love.
“I have had lots of fun but it was selfish love. Just like my father. And I raised three sons with the same values, men who go through women like water and are never satisfied. As you and your sister grew up, I came to see you for the women you are. I think somehow I’m being punished, because I hate to see my daughters treated the way I’ve treated other men’s daughters. I have two daughters I cherish and hurt. One who tries to find love anywhere she can and another who’s given up on it completely. Even when it’s staring her in the face.”
Noreen held back tears. “He belongs to Arlene.”
“Maybe, but Arlene doesn’t look at him the way you do when you think no one is watching.” Vince was silent a moment then said, “You switched places, didn’t you?” When she didn’t respond immediately, he grinned. “Yes, you did, and for the first time it backfired. Go. Tell him how you feel.”
“There’s no point.”
Vince stood in front of her. “I know I haven’t been a good father—”
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m okay, really. I don’t want him. I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone. I’ve got my friends and my career is back on schedule. I want to see my sister happy so I can get on with my life. Now please go back to my guests while I figure out dessert.”
Vince kissed his daughter on the forehead then whispered, “You lie as well as I do,” then left.
Once he was gone, Noreen gripped the counter and shut her eyes. Was she that obvious? Too much was at stake. Arlene’s happiness. Michael’s trust. It would be better when they left. Hopefully that would be soon and they would decide to elope.
Noreen filled a pot with water to begin preparing dessert. As she lifted the pot out of the sink she heard someone enter. “Do you have more advice, Dad?”
“No,” Michael said.
Noreen kept her back to him and gripped the pot tighter. “Oh. Did you need something?”
“I want to talk to you.”
“So talk,” she said in a thin voice, feeling emotionally exhausted.
“I know you don’t like me.”
Noreen spun around. “That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is.”
“No, it’s not.”
Michael held out his hands. “Let’s not argue about it. I understand why you wouldn’t trust me, whether you want to admit it or not, but I don’t care what you think about me right now. But I do care about Arlene and
how she feels and you’re hurting her and I won’t allow that.”
Noreen’s mouth fell open. “You won’t
allow
that? How dare you come into my home and tell me how to behave? Where were you two months ago when my sister came back with a broken heart? Where were the notes or letters or emails letting her know where you were or how you felt? What about a phone call or at least a message?” Noreen’s voice trembled as tears gathered in her eyes. “Where were you when she woke up from a nightmare or called your name out in a dream? You weren’t here to pick up the pieces, but I was.”
Michael took a step toward her then stopped, curling his hands into fists. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his forehead. “I know Arlene’s been hurt, lied to and used in the past, and I wasn’t a good example of how she should be treated. But if you know how I feel about her, you would know what happened is all in the past. I will cherish her, care for her and love her until my dying day.”
Noreen glanced away, feeling her arms begin to ache. “I’m sure you will.”
“You don’t believe me.”
She looked at him. “What does it matter what I believe? Darren’s happy for you. You’ve impressed my father and my sister is madly in love with you. What more do you want? Tell her your beautiful sentiments. Make all your promises to her and leave me alone.” Noreen altered her grip, nearly dropping the pot.
Michael rushed over to her and grabbed the handle. “Let me help you.”
Noreen tightened her hold. “I’m fine.”
“It weighs nearly as much as you do.”
“Let go.”
“No.”
“I told you to leave me alone.”
“Fine,” Michael said, releasing his hold.
He let go just as Noreen was pulling the pot toward her and the water splashed, soaking her face and shirt. He swore and looked at her with a guilty expression. “I’m really sorry about that.”
Noreen looked at him, all her frustration reaching the boiling point. She threw the remaining water on him. “I’m really sorry too.”
Michael looked down at the puddle of water at his feet then met her eyes. They looked at each other for a long moment then burst into laughter.
Arlene, Darren and Vince appeared in the doorway. “What’s going on in here?” Vince asked.
Michael bit his lip while Noreen covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter, but then they shared a look and started laughing again.
“Have you two gone crazy?” Vince asked as Darren and Arlene looked at them, baffled.
Michael pointed at Noreen. “It’s all her fault.”
Noreen took off her glasses and wiped them. “My fault? You splashed me first.”
“That was an accident.” Michael quickly unbuttoned and removed his shirt and wrung it out over the sink. “Yours was deliberate.”
“Guilty,” Noreen admitted, unable to stop her gaze from scanning his bare chest. She noticed a violent scar left by the accident on his back. “Have you been
applying the vitamin E on that? I’m surprised it’s still so prominent,” she said, touching it lightly with her fingers. “I thought after two months it would be gone by now.”
Michael froze and a sudden tense silence filled the room. At that moment Noreen knew the weight of her mistake.
He turned to her, his hazel eyes intense and probing. “What did you just say?”
Noreen looked over at her sister, whose sweet brown gaze pleaded for her to lie; then she looked up at Michael, whose unrelenting gaze demanded the truth. Noreen stared up at him, unable to speak.
A sob escaped Arlene and she ran out of the room. Darren followed her.
Noreen broke out of her paralysis and called out to her sister. “Wait!”
Michael blocked her. “What’s going on?”
Noreen looked at her father, feeling helpless.
“Tell him,” he said.
Michael searched her face. “Tell me what?”
Noreen sighed, knowing her moment of reckoning had come.
“
I
have something I need to explain.”
Michael dropped his soggy shirt into the sink and rested his hand on the counter. “Is this explanation going to help me understand why I’ve felt like a fraud all evening? Why I’ve felt like a complete bastard because even though I’ve thought about Arlene for months, and she looks at me with adoring eyes like I’m some rescuing knight here to take care of her, it’s not enough?”
He took a step closer. “Are you going to explain why the entire time I’ve been with Arlene this evening I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you? What you were doing? What you thought of me? What you would taste like if I kissed you?” His eyes dropped to her lips. “I still wonder.” He lifted his gaze and met her eyes. “Can you explain all that?”