Midnight Sons Volume 1 (21 page)

“Yes, Mother,” Charles replied with mock timidity.

Ellen frowned at him. “Now stop. Tell me about your young lady.”

“She isn’t mine. Not yet,” he said. “Lanni’s another one of the women Christian hired. She’s working for Midnight Sons as a secretary. She’s from Seattle, at least I think she is. That’s where she’s been living for the past four years, anyway. She recently graduated from the University of Washington.”

“Point her out to me,” Ellen urged.

Charles directed her attention across the room to the table
where Lanni was busy cutting and serving slices of wedding cake. He couldn’t look at her and not be stirred in some way. He observed with pleasure how friendly and open she was, taking time to chat with each person in line. He found it difficult to pull his gaze back to his mother.

“The blonde?” Ellen asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh, Charles, she’s lovely.”

“She’s the most beautiful person I ever met.”

Ellen patted his hand. “What a sweet thing to say.”

Charles still couldn’t force his eyes away from Lanni. “She’s too young for me.”

“Nonsense. You’re what—six, seven years older?”

“Ten.”

“Does the age difference bother her?”

He had to think about that. “She’s never said.”

“Then I doubt she cares.”

“I’m often gone weeks on end.” He tried another argument. “I have to be—it’s my job.”

“Does she object?”

“I don’t know. We’ve never discussed it.”

“Ask her,” Ellen advised with perfect logic.

He paused, marveling at her easy acceptance of Lanni—and of her son’s feelings for a woman who was a virtual stranger. “I want you to get to know her, Mother.”

“I’ll enjoy that.”

Abbey and Sawyer broke away from the reception line. The disc jockey who’d been hired for the dance had set up his equipment, and the first strains of a haunting melody filled the gymnasium.

Sawyer drew Abbey into his arms and danced with his bride. Studying his brother, Charles noticed that he moved with grace and a surprisingly relaxed air.

He heard Ellen’s voice and turned back to her. “I want you to be happy,” she was saying. “I mean that, Charles. I’d be delighted to see you find happiness with that lovely girl. I am really looking forward to a houseful of grandchildren.”

The way he was feeling at the moment, Charles would have enjoyed getting started on that project just as soon as it could be arranged.

He settled his mother in a comfortable chair. Pearl Inman joined Ellen, and the two women hugged.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Charles said, eager to hurry over to Lanni.

“Of course.” Ellen seemed just as eager to dismiss him.

He was halfway across the room when he turned back to see Ellen and Pearl with their heads close together, their mouths going a mile a minute. Charles considered the nurse his mother’s only real friend in Hard Luck.

His mother had never adjusted to life in Alaska. Charles believed, perhaps unfairly, that she’d never tried hard enough. True, there’d been a brief period when she might have found happiness in Hard Luck and in her marriage—but Catherine Fletcher’s bitterness had destroyed that, and in the process whatever joy his parents had achieved.

Charles didn’t wish Catherine ill, but he was thankful she no longer lived in town. It would be just like her to try to ruin this day for his mother.

Lanni smiled when he approached her. “Are you ready for some cake?”

“Sure, but how about a dance first?”

Lanni glanced at Louise Gold, one of the townspeople and a particular friend of Abbey’s. “Go on,” Louise urged. “Most everyone’s had cake.”

Charles thanked her. He noticed that nine-year-old Ronny was attempting to help his mother—if help was the word—by scooping up any discarded frosting with the tip of his index finger and sneaking it inside his suit pocket. Little Chrissie Harris and her dad, Mitch, stood nearby, watching him with amusement and enjoying their generous slices of cake.

“I’ve been looking forward to dancing with you,” Lanni told Charles, stretching out her hand.

“Just remember I’m not good at this,” he said. They moved onto the makeshift dance floor. Charles was willing to agree to just about anything for an excuse to hold her. Even if it meant acting like a fool in front of the whole town.

Fortunately the disc jockey had chosen a slow number. Charles gathered Lanni in his embrace and nearly sighed aloud when she slipped her arms around him. He didn’t do much more than shuffle back and forth, but at least he wasn’t stepping on her feet.

Lanni rested her head against his shoulder, and he closed his eyes. His chest ached with what he felt for her. He wanted to ask her about what had happened between them in the church. But he couldn’t bear to release her, so the question would have to wait.

The song ended, and Charles made a pretense of breaking away. But before the next song started, he already had her in his arms.

Unfortunately the disc jockey started playing one of the fast-paced songs from the seventies. High-pitched male voices chanted something about staying alive. Couples jerked their bodies in every direction. Charles figured if he and Lanni were going to survive the song, it wouldn’t be on the dance floor.

He scanned the room, then reached for her hand and drew her away. There was absolutely no chance of finding a quiet corner in which to talk. So Charles led her out of the building and into the bright sunlight.

“You want us to dance out here?” Lanni teased.

“Not dance,” he said, bringing her back into his arms. The distance between their mouths felt like the most urgent journey he’d ever made. Charles didn’t stop to consider what he was doing. He realized in some vague way that anyone walking outside would stumble upon them. He didn’t care.

Lanni moaned and responded with the same pent-up desperation that had driven him. He was greedy for her, needed to express everything he felt. She tasted good, so good. Her softness, the smoothness of her skin, the glitter of her satiny hair in the sunlight, made him want to hold her, touch her, forever.

“I couldn’t wait a second longer,” he said in a husky whisper.

“I couldn’t, either.”

He waited until he’d had a chance to catch his breath. Glancing quickly around, he steered her toward the playground, his arms still around her.

“Where are we going?” Lanni asked.

“To the swings.”

She pressed her head to his shoulder. “I’ve always loved the
swings. When I was a little girl I’d pump and pump and aim for the sky.”

Charles set her in the U-shaped seat and stood in front of her. He grasped the heavy chains. “I think the Fates must have an excellent sense of humor,” he said as he drew the swing forward.

“Why’s that?”

He released the chains and stepped away as Lanni swayed gently back and forth.

“I gave Sawyer such a hard time about falling in love with Abbey. I was so sure something like that couldn’t really happen, let alone practically overnight.”

For a breathless moment, Lanni said nothing. “You believe differently now?”

“Yes. I
know
differently. Sawyer nearly lost Abbey because of me.”

Her eyes widened with surprise.

“I was worried about what was going on with my levelheaded brother. Like I told you, I just didn’t think it was possible to feel the way he did. So in my own stupid way I tried to fix things by offering Abbey and the kids their airfare home. I figured out of sight, out of mind.”

“But Abbey didn’t leave.”

“No, thank heaven. She stayed. And now you’re here, and I’d probably shoot any man who tried to convince you to go.”

She looked away from him. “Charles, I need to—”

“No,” he interrupted, “let me finish. I have to say this. The moment we met, I felt a connection with you. Later, when you were walking home with Duke Porter—” He shook his head. “I can’t find the words to describe what happened.”

“And in church this afternoon.”

“Yes, again, only much stronger.”

“I felt it, too, Charles.” Her voice was faint.

“I know nothing about love, Lanni. All I know is what I feel for you. I’m not comfortable with it. The fact is, I’m not sure what to do about it.”

“Are you trying to say you love me?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered starkly.

“Oh, Charles.”

The one reaction he hadn’t expected was this woebegone look that spread over her face.

“I realize I shouldn’t be throwing this at you now,” he said hurriedly, “but I had a feeling that I
had
to tell you or it was going to burn a hole straight through me.”

“I…love you, too.”

His shoulders relaxed. At least he wasn’t in this predicament alone. “Well, where do we go from here?”

“Do we have to go anywhere?” she asked.

“I guess not.” He was almost ashamed to hear the relief in his voice. But the idea of going where Sawyer had gone terrified Charles. He wasn’t ready for marriage. His feelings were too new. He needed time to adjust to the fact that he was in love before complicating his life with an irrevocable commitment. Because if he ever
did
get married, it had to be forever.

He pulled the swing toward him and gave her a loving kiss. “We should get back to the reception.”

“I know.” She didn’t sound eager to return.

“My mother’s dying to meet you.”

“I want to meet her, too.”

Hand in hand, they entered the gymnasium. Several couples were dancing, but because of the shortage of women, Ben Hamilton and John Henderson were waltzing around the room alone, without partners. Duke Porter eyed Lanni—and Charles—as if to gauge how likely she’d be to accept a dance with him. Every other unattached man seemed to be gazing at her just as avidly.

The last person Charles expected to have to give her up to, though, was his own younger brother.

“Hello, beautiful,” Christian said, planting himself in front of Lanni.

“Hello, yourself,” Charles answered.

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Hello,” Lanni responded.

“Can I have this dance and the next one and the one after that?” Christian asked.

Uncertain, Lanni looked at Charles. “Perhaps later,” she said kindly. “I promised Charles I’d meet his mother.”

“Great,” Christian muttered. “I’ll tag along, and if I’m lucky my big bad brother might find it in his heart to introduce you to me, as well.”

Charles didn’t know what kind of game Christian was playing. His brother knew darn well who Lanni was. He’d hired her!

He decided to ignore Christian, but his irritating brother would have none of it. Like a playful puppy, he followed them across the room to where Ellen sat.

“Mother,” Charles said, placing his arm around Lanni’s shoulders, “this is Lanni Caldwell. Lanni, my mother, Ellen Greenleaf.”

“Hello, Lanni.”

“Hello.” They exchanged smiles and brief handshakes.

“Please sit down,” Ellen said, patting the empty chair next to her. “Charles has told me very little about you.”

Christian made a show of clearing his throat. “I know I’m stiff competition, but I still deserve an introduction,” he insisted for the second time.

Charles frowned. “Don’t tell me you don’t recognize Lanni.”

“I don’t,” Christian said blankly.

“She’s Sawyer’s secretary. You hired her, remember?”

Christian’s look revealed his confusion. “I’ve never seen this woman before in my life.”

“I think I can explain all this,” Lanni said, her voice trembling slightly.

“The woman I hired is named Mariah Douglas,” Christian continued. “She gets here next week. I finished making the arrangements a couple of days ago.”

Charles’s frown deepened. “Lanni?”

“He’s right,” she said. Charles watched as her whole body tensed. “I came to Hard Luck to clean out my grandmother’s house. Sawyer called my mother and asked if Midnight Sons could rent it.”

“Your grandmother’s house,” Charles repeated. “Who’s your grandmother?”

“Catherine Harmon Fletcher,” she said.

“Charles?” Ellen turned to her son as if seeking an explanation. “Surely there’s some mistake.”

Charles ignored his mother, his eyes searing Lanni’s. She squared her shoulders and met his gaze without flinching.

“There’s no mistake, Mother,” Charles said icily. “It seems I’ve been taken for a fool.” With that he turned and walked away.

Lanni resisted the urge to run after him. “I apologize if I caused you any discomfort, Mrs. Greenleaf,” she said calmly, trying to keep her voice void of emotion.

Ellen stared after Charles. “I’m sorry, Lanni.” Her eyes filled with sadness. “You see, there’s been so much hurt to both families it’s difficult to overlook. I don’t wish your grandmother any harm, but I don’t want anything to do with her, either.”

“I understand.” In essence Ellen was asking Lanni to leave. “I’m…glad to have met you.”

Ellen didn’t return the sentiment. Instead, she simply nodded.

With her heart in her throat, Lanni left Ellen and Christian. The need to talk about this with Charles burned in her chest. He was hurt and angry, justifiably so. But she hadn’t
meant
to deceive him. She’d tried to tell him—twice—but both times he’d stopped her. She’d been almost grateful, fearing exactly this.

Lanni walked to the other side of the gymnasium and slumped weakly into a chair.

“Lanni, is something wrong?”

She glanced up to find Abbey standing over her. “Charles rushed out of here so fast,” she went on.

“It’s nothing,” Lanni insisted, not wanting to ruin Abbey’s wedding day with her own troubles.

Abbey sat down in the seat next to her. “I don’t believe that. Now tell me what happened.”

Lanni took a deep breath. “Charles learned that Catherine Fletcher’s my grandmother. I should’ve told him from the first, but I didn’t really think it would matter. I thought that once he got to know me he’d realize neither one of us has anything to do with the history between our families.”

Abbey squeezed Lanni’s hand reassuringly. “Give him time,” she murmured.

Lanni had already made that decision herself, although she thought she’d never forget the shock and anger in his eyes. The outrage seem to spit and boil inside him. He couldn’t get away from her fast enough.

“Don’t worry about Charles and me,” Lanni said, forcing
herself to smile. “This is your day, and I don’t want anything to spoil it.”

“Nothing could,” Abbey assured her. After a few more minutes of low-key conversation, she rejoined her husband.

Lanni’s throat felt dry and scratchy so she walked over to the punch bowl. She hadn’t taken more than a sip of her sweet, fruity drink when Sawyer walked up to her.

“Abbey told me what happened,” he said grimly.

“Charles needs time to get used to the idea, that’s all,” she said, making light of his reaction.

Sawyer’s eyes revealed his own remorse. “I should’ve told him.”

“It wasn’t your job.”

“I purposely let him think you were the secretary Christian hired.” A gathering frown darkened Sawyer’s features. “Charles was so self-righteous when he learned what Christian and I had done to bring women to Hard Luck. When I saw how taken he was with you, I thought it was poetic justice. Frankly I felt it would do him good.”

“I’m the one who’s responsible here,” she argued, “not you.”

“If you want, I’ll talk to him.”

As tempting as the offer was, Lanni refused to involve anyone else. “Thank you, but no. Either Charles and I work this out ourselves or we don’t. It’s not up to anyone else.”

It pained her that Charles found it so difficult to accept her background. As Ellen had said earlier, sins were committed by both families. Lanni was willing to forgive what his family had done to hers, but apparently the reverse wasn’t true.

“He’s stubborn,” Sawyer told her. “Be patient.”

Lanni didn’t answer. She had other commitments and responsibilities waiting for her in Anchorage. She’d be starting her internship with the newspaper less than two months from now, and she had plenty to do before then. She wasn’t willing to delay her return home, hoping Charles would suddenly come to his senses. He wasn’t the only one who could be stubborn.

Sawyer left and Lanni finished her punch. The drink felt cool and soothing against the dryness of her throat. Then, just as she was setting aside the empty crystal cup, she noticed Charles.

He’d come back to the reception. He stood at the other side, as far away from her as he could get and still be in the same room. His eyes followed her intently. She tried to smile, tried to tell him without words how sorry she was.

The minute her eyes met his he turned and walked to his mother’s side. That action told Lanni everything she needed to know. His loyalty was with his family. He wanted nothing more to do with her.

“Hello, Lanni.”

She looked up to see Duke Porter. “Hi, Duke.”

“Would I get my head bitten off if I asked you to dance?”

“Of course not,” she said.

“I didn’t mean by you.” Duke cast a look in Charles’s direction. “You two seem to be an item. I don’t want to cause problems, but Charles is sitting over there and you’re here all alone—and you seem a little depressed.”

Pride elevated Lanni’s chin. She’d had no idea others could see how miserable she was. “No one’s going to object if we dance,” she said, “least of all Charles O’Halloran.”

Anger poured through Charles like liquid fire. Lanni hadn’t been the only person to mislead him. Sawyer and Abbey had been in on this deception, too, making him the brunt of their joke. Still, he didn’t really blame Sawyer. His brother was so much in love he needed a compass to find his way to the john. Nor was Charles sure how much Abbey knew of the family history.

That left Lanni.

He might’ve been inclined to think she was unaware of the facts, if it wasn’t for one small thing. She’d purposely led him to believe she was someone else. No wonder she hadn’t talked much about herself. She knew. His stomach churned, and it was all he could do not to vent his rage.

He’d made a first-class idiot of himself over Lanni Caldwell. Granddaughter of the woman he hated. Earlier that afternoon he’d laid his heart at her feet. He cringed when he remembered his disjointed speech about falling in love with her. She must have been snickering over that one!

Charles clung to his anger. It was necessary, otherwise those pleading looks she sent his way would dissolve the wall of grievances he’d built against her.

Unlike Lanni, he’d been old enough to remember some of what had happened. He’d seen with his own eyes what Catherine Fletcher had done to his family. That woman was responsible for ruining his parents’ marriage, and his father’s life. Charles would never forgive or forget.

He turned away, unwilling to allow Lanni the satisfaction of knowing he was watching her. The determination to focus his
attention elsewhere lasted all of two minutes. When he sought her again, he found she wasn’t standing by the punch bowl anymore.

She was dancing with Duke Porter.

The anger brewing inside him intensified to glass-melting degrees. The gentle sway of her hips was nearly his undoing. The fact that Duke had his hand plastered against those hips demanded every ounce of restraint he possessed. He was a fraction of a heartbeat from shoving his way through his brother’s wedding guests and plowing his fist halfway down Duke Porter’s throat.

Even knowing what he did about Lanni couldn’t keep Charles from wanting her. He’d never thought of himself as a weak man—but then, he hadn’t known he was this much of a fool, either. What he needed, Charles decided, was a beer.

“Is everything all right?” Christian asked him a few minutes later.

Charles lifted the beer bottle to his lips. “Couldn’t be better,” he said gruffly, unable to tear his gaze from Lanni and Duke. It certainly hadn’t taken
her
long to turn her attention to greener pastures.

“What’s going on with you and Lanni?” Christian pressed.

“Not a thing.” He wanted to tear off his brother’s head for even asking.

“Peace, peace,” Christian said, raising both hands. “All I did was ask a simple question.”

“You got a simple answer.”

Christian’s gaze followed his. “She sure is pretty,” he murmured. “It’s a damn shame she’s related to Catherine.”
Having said that much, he wandered away. Charles was glad to be rid of him.

He wasn’t in the mood for company, especially his own brother reminding him how pretty Lanni was. He downed another swig of beer, but it did little to douse the burning anger.

Lanni wrapped her arms loosely around Duke’s shoulders. The pilot’s no-doubt clammy hands slid from the gentle swell of her hips to her waist and down again. That did it. Charles smacked the beer bottle down on the table and headed for the dance floor.

Sawyer waylaid him. “Do you have a problem?” he asked.

Charles glared at his brother. “Not really. Duke does. In another two minutes he’s going to need a set of dentures.”

“It’s time you went outside and cooled down.” Christian joined forces against Charles, and together, one at each side, his brothers escorted him out of the building.

The sun was so bright it nearly blinded him. “It isn’t Duke you’re angry with,” Sawyer said evenly. “It’s me. Only, I’m your brother and this is my wedding day.”

Charles ground his teeth, recognizing the truth of his brother’s words. He was angriest with Lanni, but that didn’t completely absolve Sawyer of complicity in the deception.

“I should have told you.”

Charles stiffened. “You’re damn right you should have.”

“I’ll admit, it was a stupid trick. But, Charles, does it matter who Lanni’s related to? She didn’t have anything to do with the past. She’s her own woman. Judging her by Catherine’s sins isn’t fair, any more than it’d be fair if she blamed you for what Dad did.”

“There are things you don’t know!” Charles snapped. He wiped his face with a shaking hand in an effort to cool his temper. He knew far better than Sawyer or Christian the damage Catherine Fletcher had done to their family.

Every time he looked at Lanni he’d be reminded that she was a blood relative of Catherine’s. He couldn’t forget, and perhaps more importantly, he couldn’t forgive.

“If that’s the way he feels,” Christian said to Sawyer, “nothing we say is going to change his mind.”

“I’m wondering, though,” Sawyer said with a thoughtful frown, “if he can live with the consequences.”

Charles threw his brothers a look that told them exactly where they could go and that he’d be more than happy to see to their arrival there.

“I’m getting out of here,” Charles announced.

Sawyer and Christian exchanged a look.

“And I don’t want or need any company, understand?” He had all the companionship he needed in the form of a bottle. He’d never purposely gotten drunk in his life. But there was a first time for everything.

Lanni saw Charles disappear with his two brothers. Shortly afterward, Sawyer and Christian reappeared without him, and she didn’t see him again. She tried to pretend it didn’t matter, but couldn’t hide the fact that it did.

Deciding to leave the reception herself, she found Abbey and Sawyer and hugged them both. “I hope you’ll be very happy,” she whispered, fearing her voice would break if she tried to speak normally. “My love goes with you.”

“Everything will work out for the best,” Abbey whispered in her ear.

Lanni managed a smile and nodded. “I’ll remember that.”

Sawyer’s eyes were somber. “I’m sorry, Lanni.”

“What for?” she asked with feigned cheerfulness. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She was grateful he didn’t offer her platitudes.

The reception broke up before Lanni could leave. Abbey and Sawyer were scheduled to fly into Fairbanks that evening, and then the next day take a flight to Hawaii for two glorious weeks. Abbey had mentioned earlier that Scott and Susan were flying out with their grandparents and that Charles would be looking after Eagle Catcher, Scott’s husky. In the flurry of departures and teary goodbyes, Lanni quietly slipped out.

It seemed as though every ally she had in town was deserting her.

Her grandmother’s house felt like a prison when she walked inside. Boxes lined one entire living room wall, ready to be mailed to Anchorage. That was something she’d learned soon after coming to Hard Luck—everything was sent via the United States Mail, even groceries. Transport by any other means was prohibitively expensive.

The phone rang, startling her. She stared at it until it rang again. With her heart hammering wildly, she grabbed the receiver.

“Hello,” she said into the mouthpiece.

“Hiya, little sister.”

“Matt.” Just the sound of his voice was comforting. “It’s so good to hear from you.”

“Miss me, do you?”

He hadn’t a clue how much. She’d always idolized Matt; he’d been her knight in shining armor. Even when they were children, at an age when most siblings fought, Lanni had considered Matt as near perfect as it was possible for any human to be. Not until his marriage failed had Lanni found fault with him.

“So,” Matt said, breaking into her thoughts, “you’re hobnobbing with the O’Halloran brothers.”

“Not exactly,” she said, wanting to minimize her contact with Charles and his family.

“That’s not what I hear. Mom said you filled in for Sawyer’s secretary and that you met Charles.”

“Yes.” She swallowed painfully. “We’ve met.”

“According to Mom, you two hit it off.”

Lanni’s hand tightened around the receiver. The temptation to spill her heart out to her older brother and seek his advice was almost overwhelming. But she wouldn’t do that.

“Come on, Lanni. Don’t keep me in the dark.”

She moistened her lips. “Charles is…a good man.”

“Mom said you seemed quite enthralled with him.”

“How’s Karen?” Lanni asked in a desperate effort to change the subject. Then she sighed—Matt had struggled with the breakup of his marriage, and Lanni was still worried about him. “I’m sorry, Matt. I can’t seem to remember that you two aren’t together anymore.”

“Karen moved.”

“Moved? What do you mean, she moved?”