Serendipity (35 page)

“She's fine.” Faith recognized Ethan's relieved voice, followed by his rough laughter.

Dr. McCoy chuckled. “Okay. Ms. Harrington, you were in an accident. Do you remember?”

Faith closed her eyes and saw flashes of sunlight, a car coming at Tess too fast, Faith pushing her out of the way. “I remember.”

“That's very good. The CAT scan showed no signs of internal bleeding or brain injury,” the doctor said. “It looks like a mild concussion, but you'll be fine.” She marked something down in her chart. “I'll send the nurse in with some ginger ale. Let's see what you can keep down.”

“Thanks.”

No sooner had the doctor walked out than Ethan settled himself on the corner of her bed. His hair was messy, as if he'd spent hours running his fingers through it, and his expression was tense and taut.

“You took at least ten years off my life.” His words backed up her impression.

“Sorry. I can't say it was any fun for me either.” She managed a smile. “How's Tess?”

“Guilt-ridden. Scared to death. Worried about you. Pick your poison.”

He covered her hand with his and the warmth felt good against her skin.

“She swears she'll never shoplift again,” he said.

“When I saw her put something in her pocket, I couldn't believe my eyes.”

Ethan met her gaze. “Tampons.”

“Excuse me?”

“That's what she put in her pocket. A small box of tampons. She was too embarrassed to ask me for money,” he said, shaking his head in obvious disbelief.

Knowing it would be painful, Faith tried not to laugh, but the situation was too amusing. “You really do have your hands full with her.”

“
We
have our hands full with her.”

Did he really plan to have this argument again now? “I'm too tired to fight with you right now.”

“Is that supposed to make me back off? Because it's not going to happen. I assume you noticed Tess was dressed in her emo-punk outfit again?”

“It's not like I could miss it,” she said wryly.

He let out a groan. “She overheard our argument and took it upon herself to make sure Birchwood wouldn't take her.”

“Why? She wants to take that art class!”

“Not at our expense. Not if I have to buy her way in—her words, not mine. Oh—and she definitely doesn't want to be responsible for ruining anyone else's life. In other words, you can't sacrifice us for Tess's benefit. She won't allow it. And for the record, neither will I.” His eyes glittered with determination.

And love.

A love she walked away from once. Would she really be strong enough to do it again?

“Let me tell you how things are going to be from now on,” he said, leaning closer.

“Oh, you're calling the shots now?” she asked lightly.

He nodded. “I am. First, you're going to admit you love me without planning to walk away the first chance you get.”

She glanced up at the cracked hospital ceiling. “I don't think I'm walking anywhere at the moment.”

“Funny.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

She closed her eyes and savored the sensation. “What's next?” she asked him.

“Hmm?”

“You said first I'm going to admit I love you. What's next?” She knew she was teasing him, but she couldn't help it. She might not know how they were going to fix their future, but she understood now that they definitely had one.

“Next you're going to stand up for yourself against this goddamn town, the uptight school, and anyone else who has something to say about you or your father. And I'll be right there by your side.” He braced his arm on one side of her head and leaned his cheek against hers. “Understood?” he whispered in her ear.

“I'm way ahead of you.” She snuggled into him, inhaling his sexy, familiar scent, letting his body heat cushion her in warmth.

She could lie this way for the next hundred years and never grow bored, never have any regrets, never fear she was giving up a part of herself or her independence by being with him.

“How so?” he asked, at the same time stretching out and pulling her into his arms, so they were sharing the twin-sized hospital bed.

Faith filled him in about the interview she'd given Lissa and how it had enabled her to take back control of both her life and how she was perceived by the rest of the world.

“Why am I just hearing about this now?” Ethan asked, hurt in his voice.

“Because I wanted to wait until Lissa freelanced the article and decided who she would sell it to. I wanted to make sure the interview did its job and Tess would be able to attend school without worrying about her relationship with me.” But even as Faith explained, she already knew what a mistake it had been to walk away from them in the first place. “I was wrong not to stand up for us,” she admitted.

He propped himself up on his elbow, his gaze never leaving hers. “But you did. You put Tess's needs before your own. Then you gave an interview you've avoided doing, putting your entire life out for public consumption because you believed that was the only way we could be together.” He trailed his hand down her cheek, caressing her until she squirmed against him, despite her concussion. “Oh—and
then
you threw yourself in front of a speeding car to protect my sister. I think you stood up for us,” he whispered. “The only question now is whether you're ready to follow through with what you started.”

“What do you mean?”

“That house will never be my home unless you're in it. Come home with me,” he said in a gruff voice.

She blinked, startled. She wondered if her concussion was causing hallucinations. “What are you saying?” she asked, needing to be sure.

Ethan looked into those surprised blue eyes. “I'm saying, marry me.”

“Isn't that moving fast?” she asked.

He shook his head. For him it was long overdue. “When I was eighteen, I thought you were everything I ever wanted. Now I
know
you are.”

The words, once said, were out there, unable to be recalled or changed, and he held his breath, waiting for her to answer.

“What about Tess?” Faith asked. “We still don't know if I'll ever be accepted or if who I am will cause trouble for her.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, knowing his sister was the least of his concerns. “Tess wants us together and I've already seen what she'll do if she doesn't get what she wants. The question is, what do
you
want, princess?”

“That's easy, Ethan Barron. I want you.” Faith wound her arms around his neck and looked deep into his eyes. “So, yes. Yes. I'll marry you.” Faith smiled wide.

Ethan grinned and lowered his head for a kiss that showed her just how very much he loved her. Which reminded him. “You still haven't told me—”

“I love you,” she said, then kissed him again. “I love you.”

Without warning, the door slammed into the far wall. “Eew! Get a room!” Tess said loudly.

“I believe we're in one,” Ethan said, laughing.

Faith groaned as Dare ran into the room behind Tess.

“Sorry. The kid gave me the slip in the parking lot.” Dare shot Ethan a grin, one that acknowledged they shared a bond when it came to dealing with one pain-in-the-ass teenage girl.

And another crack in Ethan's heart sealed shut.

 

 

A couple of weeks after Tess's shoplifting adventure, Nash Barron sat in his brother Ethan's newly decorated den for a family meeting. A command performance Nash took exception to. Ethan wasn't head of the family and hadn't been in over ten years, yet everyone showed up when he called.

Ethan and his
fiancée
, Faith Harrington, sat together on one side of an oversized couch, Dare on the other. Tess bounced between them as they waited for her half sister, Kelly, to arrive.

Nash took his seat on a club chair across the room.

“Faith, how are you feeling?” Dare asked.

“I'm still getting headaches and sleeping too much but, overall, a lot better, thanks.”

“Well enough to have this place decorated. Fantastic job, by the way,” Dare said.

Nash's gaze swept the room, taking in the warm, comfortable decor, chocolate brown and cream in color.

“The hard work was already completed. This was just execution. But thanks.” She smiled at the compliment. “I just wish I had the energy to get up and out more, but the doctors say it's postconcussion syndrome and perfectly normal.”

“I'm sure Ethan doesn't mind if you're spending more time in bed,” Dare said with a grin.

“You just wish you were as lucky,” Ethan shot back.

The banter between them was more proof that Dare's feelings toward Ethan had softened. Since Faith had pushed Tess out of the way of an oncoming car, something had changed between those two.

Once it had been Nash and Dare against the world, but Nash now felt like an outsider looking in. He envied Dare's easy acceptance of Ethan, when he, Nash, couldn't bring himself to forgive his older brother. Nash's entire life had been defined by before his parents' accident and after. For that he blamed Ethan.

As for Faith, Nash didn't care how much she'd revealed in that tell-all interview—he still couldn't separate her from her father. Not when his adopted father had had a heart attack not long after finding out how much money he'd lost thanks to Martin Harrington.

So yeah, this
family
business made him uncomfortable.

The doorbell rang and Tess bolted to answer it. Nash had only heard about Tess's older sister from Tess herself and from Ethan. He knew his preconceived notions weren't good ones. Kelly Moss had dropped Tess off on Ethan's doorstep. Strike one. Ethan sang her praises. Strike two. But Tess still adored her older sister. For Nash, that meant he'd have to judge for himself.

Tess came back into the room, pulling her sister along with her, and Nash's wariness turned to admiration as he rose to greet her. His brothers did the same.

Her light brown hair had bright blond highlights that accented her full face and distinct features. She wore a cropped top and tight jeans, ending with open-toed shoes and hot pink toenails. She was nothing like the girl next door and every bit a sexy, confident woman who commanded attention just by her mere presence.

Based on the kind of woman Nash had loved in the past, and the complicated connection he and Kelly Moss currently shared, she shouldn't interest him at all. Yet the attraction was there, and it was strong, and he silently thanked the fact that she was here visiting only. He sensed she'd offer all sorts of complications in his already complex life.

But he couldn't tear his gaze from hers and she didn't break eye contact either, until Ethan cleared his throat.

Cheeks flushed, Kelly turned to his brother and without warning pulled him into a hug—thoughts of Nash seemingly forgotten.

“I didn't know if you could pull it off, but look at her!” She gestured to Tess, her smile wide.

And damn, she had a gorgeous smile.

Ethan shook his head. “Like I told you on the phone, she came around all on her own.”

“With a little help from you,” Faith said, offering her support to her soon-to-be husband.

Nash couldn't deny that a part of him envied what his brother had found with Faith, even if Nash was wary of Ethan's choice of partners. He still had trouble separating her from her father's morality and actions.

“I like the hair,” Kelly said, her fingers ruffling Tess's hair, which had begun to grow a little longer.

Tess beamed. “The color's lighter, more like yours now, huh?”

Kelly nodded, and again her smile lit up the room.

Nash understood Kelly's surprise and approval. Tess's eyebrow ring was also gone. All the changes had come courtesy of Tess's connection to Ethan and Faith. Even Dare had become more like a sibling Tess had grown up with than one she'd just met. Whereas Nash hadn't made any headway with her.

He spent time with his sister, took her to dinner, had her sleep over, but she kept her emotional distance. No matter how hard he tried, the teenager refused to warm up to him. One more way he was suddenly an outsider within his own family.

“Kelly, you already know Faith,” Ethan said, interrupting Nash's thoughts with his introductions.

Ethan's fiancée waved hello and Kelly did the same.

“And I'd like you to meet my brothers. This is Dare,” Ethan said, nodding toward their youngest sibling.

“The cop,” Tess added helpfully.

Dare winked at Tess, then shook Kelly's hand.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“Likewise,” Dare offered.

Ethan then gestured to Nash. “And this is Nash.”

“The ambulance chaser,” Tess chimed in.

Nash shook his head and winced at the unflattering description. “Civil litigator. She just can't think of another slang word to call me.” He was surprised to find himself amused despite the insult.

Was it his imagination or did Kelly take a fortifying breath before turning to face him?

“Hi,” she said, hesitating before slipping her hand in his.

A searing jolt of awareness shot through him at her touch. Her eyes, which were an interesting shade of brown, widened at the stimulating contact.

So the attraction wasn't just on sight but on touch too. “A pleasure,” he said, holding her gaze.

“Same.”

Their hands still joined, they looked into each other's eyes.