Pages of Passion (17 page)

Noreen found her voice. “How can I help you?”

“Um…as I said my name is Michael Vaughn.” He held out his hand and she briefly shook it, thankful they both wore gloves.

“Obviously you already know who I am.”

“Yes, your sister told me about you, but I don’t know if your sister told
you
about
me.
”

“She did.” He looked relieved. “And after all that she told me, I’m curious why you’re here.”

“I wish I’d come sooner,” he said with chagrin, “but I had some business to take care of and then my cousin Undy got sick.”

“I’m sorry,” she said with more feeling than she’d meant to show. Noreen wouldn’t know what his cousin meant to him.

“Thank you. Things were left unsettled between your sister and me and I want to fix that.”

“Well, she’s not here right now.”

“That’s okay, because I really want to speak to you first.”

“Me?” Noreen’s voice cracked.

“Yes. Do you have some time?”

She looked at her garage in dismay. Why did he want to talk?

“I won’t get in your way. I noticed you were moving things. Can I give you a hand?”

Noreen pointed. “If you could grab that box over there, it would help.” She picked up a medium-size box then went inside and set it down in the family room, next to the one Arlene had brought in. She briefly held her forehead and closed her eyes, trying to gain her composure. She needed to breathe. Relax. Just be herself. She was Noreen. She could handle anything.

Michael followed close behind and set another box down next to hers. He stood to his full height and looked wonderful but Noreen knew she had to treat him like a stranger.

She held out her hand then wiggled her fingers as
though impatient so he wouldn’t notice it shaking. “Let me take your coat.”

He handed it to her and looked around. “Nice place you have here. It’s not what I expected.”

No, it wouldn’t be. Arlene’s tastes were different.

“Your sister told me about you and I pictured how your place would be. It’s better than I imagined,” Michael continued. “It’s warm and comfortable, like a true home.”

“Thank you.” Noreen escaped into the hallway and opened her coat closet and started to hang up his coat then she stopped. She held it close, for a moment, hugging the coat to her the way she wished she could hug him and tell him how much she’d missed him. Tears gathered in her eyes as she inhaled the fresh, cool scent of him and the winter air that clung to it. She took a deep steadying breath and composed herself and hung up his coat. She also removed hers and headed toward the living room then remembered her necklace and hastily tucked it under her shirt before entering the room.

She found Michael holding up a holiday ornament. “So you’re decorating for Christmas?”

“Yes, that’s Arlene’s idea.”

He smiled and set the ornament down. “She knows how to liven up a room.”

Noreen pasted on a smile. “Always.” She gestured to the couch, feeling like a robot. “Please take a seat.”

Michael sat down, making himself comfortable. “How is she?”

“The first few weeks were hard but she’s getting better.”

“And she’s healthy?”

“Yes, she’s due in April.” Noreen rubbed her hands. “Would you like anything to drink or eat?” When he didn’t reply, she snapped her fingers in front of him.

He blinked. “What?”

“You’re staring again.”

Michael shook his head. “I’m sorry, it’s just so amazing. Except for the glasses you look exactly the same.”

Noreen folded her arms, uncomfortable by his scrutiny. “Yes, I suppose if you ignore the glasses, the clothes, the career, the house and her vivacious personality, my sister and I are
exactly
the same.”

“Ouch,” he said with good humor. “I guess I deserve that.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude.”

He grinned. “Somehow I doubt that, but you made your point. You’re two different women.” He leaned forward. “Noreen, I won’t waste your time. I want to ask your opinion.”

“Go on.”

“I’ll come out and say it. I came to you because you and your sister are close and I know you’d know what she needs. I want to ask your sister to marry me. Do you think it’s too soon?”

He wanted to marry her? Noreen’s heart filled with joy then shattered when she remembered he was referring to Arlene. She looked at him, unable to form any words.

She heard the front door slam shut. “I’m back,” Arlene called out. “I bet you were afraid I’d buy out
the store.” Arlene came into the room, carrying several grocery bags.

Michael jumped to his feet. “Hello, Angel. You look more beautiful than I remember.”

Arlene stared at him. “What?”

Noreen rushed over to her, grabbed some bags and took her arm. “Excuse us.” She pushed her sister into the kitchen.

“Who’s that? He’s gorgeous. Not in the regular way, but in that I-get-what-I-want-and-I-want-you way.”

“His name is Michael Vaughn and there are a few things I forgot to tell you about my trip. We had an affair and he really likes you.”

Arlene grinned. “Some sisters pick up souvenirs when they travel. My sister brings me back a man.” Arlene put her bags down and headed out the door. “I need to get another look at him.”

Noreen seized her arm. “He calls you Angel because you helped him after he got hit by a car.”

Arlene tapped her chin. “That’s a cute nickname. I like it.”

“This is serious.”

“And I’m seriously listening. Tell me what else I need to know.”

Noreen gave her sister a quick summary of key information so that Arlene could bluff her way through.

Arlene nodded, processing everything. “Does he have money?”

“Yes.”

“Even better.” Arlene patted her sister’s cheek. “Don’t
worry, I know how to play this,” she said then started to leave.

“Wait!”

“What?”

Noreen took off the necklace Michael had given her and placed it around Arlene’s neck. “You have to wear this. He gave it to me…um, you, and it’s important to him. He got it from his mother.”

Arlene frowned and held the medal in her palm. “It’s kind of ugly.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Noreen said in a tight voice. “Now let’s go before he gets suspicious.”

Arlene calmly walked into the family room where Michael stood studying a picture of them as little girls. He turned when he heard them enter. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she said with feeling.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.” He walked over to her. “I wanted to but so many things happened. I thought about you every day.” His voice lowered. “You’re just as I remembered you.”

“Except a little bigger.”

“To me you’re always the perfect size.” His gaze fell to the necklace. “You kept it.” Before she could answer, he drew her close and kissed her.

Noreen turned away, feeling her insides shrivel. She was about to disappear into the kitchen when Arlene said, “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“No, I’m sure he has lots to do,” Noreen said.

“I’d like that,” Michael replied at the same time.

They looked at each other and laughed awkwardly.

“I’m sorry,” they said simultaneously.

Michael gestured to her. “You go first.”

“I have a lot of work to do. Why don’t you two go out? There’s that restaurant—”

Arlene shook her head. “No, we’re staying right here to keep you from working to death.” She turned to Michael. “She works all the time. I have to drag her away, but she’s been so good to me.”

“I want to spend time with you, but only if that’s okay with Noreen.” He shifted his gaze to Noreen.

Arlene stood behind him and mouthed “Say yes.”

At that moment Noreen hated her sister. “Of course.” Noreen took a step back. “Are there more bags in the car?”

“Just one.”

Michael released Arlene. “I can—”

“I’ll get it,” Noreen interrupted. She left and opened the trunk of her car, wishing she could just drive away. She was already in her sister’s shadow. Now her special secret was over. At least before she could pretend that he’d cared for her, but now reality was staring her in the face. He treated her just like all the rest. There was no look of interest, no look of anticipated fun. But how could she have expected anything else? He was loyal. Noreen sighed, defeated. Why couldn’t he have stayed away? Then their dream affair would have lasted forever.

She returned to the house and found Arlene alone. “Where’s Michael?”

“Getting more boxes from the garage. He said he’ll help me decorate. Oh, Noreen, he’s wonderful. He’s even better than wonderful. He’s The One. He said he has a
place for us on an island.” Arlene ran up and hugged her. “After Clyde and Tyrone I can’t believe I could be this lucky. I won’t have to live off you. He’ll take care of me.” She patted her stomach. “And little me. This is the best Christmas ever. And it gets better.”

Noreen’s stomach clenched from impending doom. “How?”

“He has a friend.”

“So?”

“So Michael asked me if he could invite him to join us for dinner because otherwise his friend would be alone. He said his friend’s a really nice guy and I thought about you. His name is…” She squinted in thought. “It starts with a
D.
Derek or Derwin—”

“It’s Darren,” Michael corrected coming in to place two large boxes down. “I came to spend the holidays with him. He lost his wife a few years ago and I couldn’t have a nice home-cooked meal while he’s left alone with a TV dinner. That just doesn’t seem fair. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No,” Noreen said in a neutral tone, determined not to betray her feelings. “It’s the season of giving. The more the merrier. Let me go get dinner started.”

“Could we have fish cakes, Angel? I’ve been dreaming about yours for weeks.”

Arlene frowned. “What?”

“I’ll make them,” Noreen said quickly. “Arlene’s had a long day. I’m sure she’ll make them for you another time. Let me go and see what I can throw together.”

Noreen rushed into the kitchen and started gathering the necessary items for dinner. So much for the Chinese
takeout she’d planned for today. She had to find something. She wanted to hate them both. Feelings of anger would stop her from wanting to cry. She knew Michael cared about Arlene and would take care of her and Arlene needed someone like him, especially now. And she knew her sister would easily fall in love with him, if she hadn’t already. Now she wouldn’t have to worry about her sister picking up another jerk.

As Michael had told her on the island, Arlene lived romance while Noreen just wrote about it. And her sister deserved a happy ending. It was perfect. They belonged together.

But no matter how much she tried to rationalize what was happening, that didn’t stop their laughter from sounding like a knife against glass. The thought of them together made her heart ache. She felt wicked and selfish. Her misery grew when she heard Christmas music coming from her stereo and heard them singing along, their voices blending in perfect harmony.

Noreen listened to the music and groaned. She’d never been a big fan of Christmas and now she hated it. She suddenly felt as if the ghost of Jacob Marley would come and haunt her. Scrooge had nothing on her. How could she think anything but good for her sister? Why couldn’t she genuinely want the two of them to be happy? She knew the reason, but didn’t want to answer herself.

Moments later, she heard the doorbell ring and Arlene screamed, “Daddy!”

Noreen swore. Just what she didn’t need. An unwanted
father-and-daughter reunion. She hadn’t seen her father in nearly a year. She glanced at the ceiling, her words a fervent plea. “Kill me now.”

“
I
just met Arlene’s new man,” Vince Webster said, entering the kitchen. He was a striking man with white hair and dark eyes. “Your sister is glowing.”

“You surprise me,” Noreen said sarcastically. “Now you’ll tell me that ice is cold.”

“Hello, Noreen,” he said with a formal tone.

“Hello, Dad,” she replied in equal measure.

“How are you doing?”

“Fine.”

He shifted then cleared his throat. “She invited me over for dinner, but she obviously didn’t tell you.”

“I don’t care. I’m making plenty of food. Right now I’m not quite sure what I’m making, but I’m sure it will be enough.”

“Careful you don’t cut yourself,” he said, watching her quickly chop several green peppers.

“I will.”

He glanced around the kitchen then looked at her. “It’s good to see you.”

“I’ll be out with snacks soon,” she said, hoping he’d get the hint and leave her alone. “Do you want anything to drink?”

Her father hesitated then sighed and said, “No,” before leaving.

Noreen filled several small glass bowls with nuts and crackers and placed them on the coffee table out in the family room. “Nibble on these until dinner is ready.”

“Come and help us,” Arlene said as she placed an ornament on the tree.

“I have enough to do in the kitchen.” Noreen returned to the kitchen before her sister could protest. She had to stay away from them and keep busy so that she wouldn’t think.

As she checked the roasting chicken in the oven, she heard the doorbell ring again and went into the hallway to answer it. She saw Michael heading for the door.

“It’s probably Darren,” he said when he saw her. “I’ll get it.”

Noreen pushed past him, annoyed with how comfortable he’d made himself in her house. “That’s okay, I’ll get it.” She opened the door ready to hate her new guest, and at first she did when she noticed the attractive older man dressed in an expensive Italian coat and cashmere scarf, but then she looked into his soft brown eyes and her heart softened. This man was genuine. She
opened the door wider and offered him a smile. “You must be Darren. I’m Noreen.”

“Thanks for having me,” he said, stepping inside and taking off his coat.

“It’s a pleasure.” She opened the closet and hung up his coat.

“So you made it,” Michael said, patting his friend on the back.

Darren smiled. “Yes, no thanks to your directions.”

Michael laughed. “I was hoping you’d get lost so I could keep these two beautiful women all to myself.”