Waking Up To Love (Lakeside Porches Book 4) (23 page)

“She was Catholic?”

“Yes.”

Lyssa served him a square of her applesauce cake. “And aren’t I just a ray of sunshine this morning, asking you all these hard questions?” She stroked his back.

“It’s good to talk this way. We haven’t much.” He ate a forkful. “Delicious. Thank you, luv.”

“Glad you like it.”

“Just to finish what I was saying about the business, the weeks here have shown me that Geoffrey’s quite capable of handling the operation. We’ll formalize that arrangement with the solicitors.”

“He’ll have a new title and new salary?”

“Yes, both, and I’ve asked him to rework the budget for the new year with his dream salary factored in. Reviewing that will be a lively two-day affair, I expect. I wish you could be there at my side to talk it over each evening, but I know we can’t do that just now.”

“Maybe we could talk, voice, each evening. Oh, no, I’m forgetting the time difference.”

“And then there’s your no-phone policy during classes and office hours and AA meetings.”

“And your pints at the pub and all that travel time to Cornwall.”

He squeezed her hand. “Next trip, come along and we’ll go hiking each day. In the new year, maybe. Would you like that?”

“I’d love it.”

“That’s what I’ll miss the most, that sunny smile.”

Chapter 8

Collar up against the wind, Kyle walked the half-mile to the pub on the Thames. He wished Lyssa were beside him, instead of the few dozen strangers intent on grabbing a meal and getting back to the office.

He watched his shoes as he walked and dodged pedestrians to avoid scuffing. Lyssa always teased him about wearing his Italian leather loafers, even in the rain. He’d ruined at least a dozen pairs already this year. He supposed she was right. He really should invest in some good-looking overshoes.
Is there such a thing?

The wind stiffened as Kyle reached the long less-congested stretch along the river. It warmed him to realize he’d made Geoffrey a happy man this morning by signing off the new contract. Though he doubted he would ever feel as confident about Geoffrey’s ability as Geoffrey did, he was sure Geoffrey was committed to their success and would not push in new directions without consulting him.

A gust of wind buffeted him and ruffled his hair. With it came the certainty that he wanted to make a life with Lyssa and raise a family with her. But he’d neglected the work in Cornwall the past few months in order to be with her. He needed to tend to his people and lands in Cornwall, but he didn’t know how best to manage all of it.

One thing was certain. His work at Tompkins College was temporary. It was fine to help his old friend Justin, but he needed to put Lyssa and Cornwall first and simply make the best of the short-term role as CIO. If the work in Tompkins Falls got him and Lyssa to the altar, it was time well spent.

To be fair, it had stretched him, this business of persisting with the security audit from hell, tailoring recommendations for the provost to achieve a more secure business environment, guiding staff with their responsibilities and holding them accountable.
Who knew I had that in me?

He rather liked the students, their energy, their sense of purpose, and determination to succeed. He smiled at a memory of Lyssa on the quad last week, engaging with her seniors in conversation. She rose above her own insecurities in her role as professor and advisor. She was a natural teacher.
She’ll be a good mother
.

His breath caught. He had doubted his own ability as a father, but being “Uncle Kyle” to Justin and Gianessa’s twins had changed his perception. He did enjoy building towers with Jill and roughhousing with Jack, and he took their tears and tempers in stride.

The light changed for him to cross, and he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with well-heeled London business people. Eight of them flowed into the bistro together and quickly broke apart into their own small groups.

He claimed a quiet spot at the far end of the horseshoe-shaped bar where he had a view of the river. He gave his order, smiled his thanks at the immediate delivery of his pint, and pressed buttons on his cell.

“Ah, yes, Gianessa. I hope it’s not too early to call you.”

“Kyle? Where are you? You’ve just missed Justin.”

“I’m in London, having a pint and a salad large enough for three people. It’s you I wanted to talk with. Have a moment?”

“I have the kitchen to myself, and the babies are with Nanny.”

“I can picture them.” A foolish grin spread across his face. “Gianessa, do you and Justin fancy a piano in your living room?”

She snapped her fingers. “That’s exactly what the room needs. In that southeast corner, right? But not a huge one. What were you thinking?”

“Perhaps a fine quality baby grand, just right for parties and guests. Do you play, by the way?”

“It’s a well-kept secret, Kyle. If I admit it, you’re not to tell anyone, not even Justin.”

“Ah, so you’ll play the thing?” Someone claimed the stool to his left, and he held the phone closer to his ear.

“I do have some quiet moments now and then.”

“Smashing. I’ll arrange it straightaway.”

“Does this mean you’re becoming a permanent guest with us?”

“Nothing of the sort, though I would like to play when no one’s home. That is, until Lyssa and I are settled somewhere.” His voice faltered on the last statement.
Where?

Gianessa hesitated for a second. “Play anytime you like. Will the piano leave with you when you move out?”

“Absolutely not. We’ll have our own.” He watched a barge crawl upriver, heaped with who knows what.

“So you are actually looking for a house together, not just pretending, as Manda says?”

“I’m not sure. Good question.” He drew in a huge breath and let it out. “Lyssa and I are overdue for some serious conversations. I should talk with you more often, Gianessa. You know me better than I do.”

“I agree. And I think Lyssa’s unsure about making a life with you, simply because she doesn’t know all it entails. It’s been an eye-opener for me, being married to Justin and his wealth.”

“Thank you,” he told the waiter who set down his prawn-topped salad. “Sorry, that was my salad arriving. Say more, please, Gianessa.”

“Have you laid out your financial picture for her, and your various responsibilities?”

“No, I haven’t. I suppose I should do that soon.”

“Good idea. The life she’ll lead with you is very different from the scrappy upbringing she survived and the financial struggles she’s overcome. In her life with you, she’ll need to learn entirely new skills—wealth management, social protocols, and layers of etiquette she’s never imagined. And responsibility to your community in Cornwall that she’s clueless about.”

“It’s a great deal to ask of her. Do you think our marriage would be a mistake?”

“Not at all. I think it’s a challenge, a big one, and she’ll need support and guidance.”

“She’ll need you, Gianessa.” He hadn’t quite realized why until now. There was only silence on the line. He ate a few bites of his salad while she thought it over.

It was half a minute before she responded. “Yes.”

He needed that to mean she would mentor Lyssa the next two-plus years of Lyssa’s contract at Tompkins College. He waited.

“Kyle, is there a chance the two of you can live in Tompkins Falls, for even a couple of years?”

He made a fist-pump. His voice casual, he answered, “I was thinking along those lines myself. I’ve just handed a great deal of management responsibility and a big title and a whopping salary to my brainy systems person Geoffrey. I’m not walking away from my business, but I’m letting go of the day-to-day.”

“Is the timing right for that, Kyle?” Her voice rose an octave on the way to the question mark.

“It was overdue. I might have lost Geoffrey if I hadn’t been pushed into this decision by all that’s happened this past year.”

“The universe gives us what we need.” Her voice had softened, and he imagined her with a wise smile on her beautiful face.
Justin is a lucky man
.

“Indeed. And sometimes what we get is a kerfuffling redirection.”

Lyssa dropped a pound of ground beef in the skillet and selected a wooden fork to break it up as it cooked.

She and Manda were in Lyssa’s kitchen preparing Lyssa’s favorite party contribution, layered taco salad dip. Gianessa had invited four couples to watch a football game preceded by a buffet lunch. Joel had arranged a delivery from Wegmans of cold cuts and rolls. Kyle had added a case of Saratoga water to Joel’s order.

“Have we forgotten anything?” she asked Manda.

Manda scanned the list of ingredients as she pointed one-by-one to the glass bowls on the counter. “Sour cream, salsa, cubes of avocado, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. All set,” she said. “Will Kyle be there this afternoon?”

“Yes. Can you turn on the broiler and spray some olive oil into that deep-dish pie plate on the counter? Thank you.”

“How did his trip go?”

“Pretty well, I guess. He came back early hoping we could spend time together, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Things are too busy at the college. He’s taking over for Marone who neglected everything once the security audit started. He’s got a huge mess on his hands.”

“Are you saying you haven’t sat down with Kyle since he got back from London?” Manda planted her fists on her hips.

Lyssa drew in a steadying breath.
God, give me patience. Right now.
“I haven’t even seen him.”

“Lyssa . . .”

“Maybe tonight or tomorrow. He swore he wouldn’t work weekends on this job, no matter what, but he was called in to a meeting with the provost today.” She glanced at the clock. “He should be finishing with that now, and he swore he’d come right back to Justin’s afterward.”

“I have to tell you, Lyssa, when I suggested Kyle come for a couple of months, I didn’t have this in mind.”

“Neither did we, believe me. But he’s in it, and I admire him for doing what he can to support Justin.” Lyssa finished breaking up the ground beef, which was browning nicely.

“You guys are putting Justin ahead of yourselves.”

Lyssa poured off the drippings and added a packet of taco seasoning and a couple shakes of cilantro. “I suppose we are. Can’t be helped right now.” The aroma of beef and spices filled the kitchen. “I love this smell, don’t you?”

Manda folded her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.

Lyssa pretended she didn’t see.
Do the next right thing
. She spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of the glass pie plate and spooned the beef mixture on top.

“Can I help?”

“Salsa is the next layer. Want to do that one?”

Silence.

Lyssa reached for the bowl with the salsa, but her sister snatched it from her. Manda spread the layer and finished it with a swirl of her wooden spoon.

“Thank you.” Lyssa touched Manda’s arm as she took the empty bowl from her hands and rinsed it at the sink.

“What’s next?” Her sister’s voice was more cheerful.

“Sour cream. This one’s always the most fun.” Lyssa plopped fat dollops of cream on the salsa and lifted the spoon dramatically after each drop.

Manda sniggered.

Lyssa smiled at her.

“What?”

“I love you, little sister. You help me in so many ways just by being you.” She gently spread the blobs of sour cream to fill in any holes.

“Like how?”

“Tell you in a minute. Next we dot the cream with the avocado.”

“Dot?” Manda chuckled. “You’ve got enough here to make a solid layer.” Manda handed her the bowlful of cubed avocado.

“Kyle and I love avocado.” When she had emptied the bowl, she reached for the cheese. “As soon as I finish sprinkling this, we’ll put it under the broiler and watch it like hawks. I blackened the cheese once. Funny, no one believed it was supposed to be that way.”

Manda hooted. “I’ll bet you were high.”

“I was. It was a disaster.”

While the broiler melted the cheese, Lyssa told her sister, “You know, it really helps me to see how you and Joel are making a good marriage. Mom and Dad weren’t good role models for healthy, committed married life.”

“Thank you for saying that. I was pretty scared about being in a relationship with Joel. But we started out as friends, and Gwen advised me to talk with women in AA who had good marriages and ask them how they did it. I learned a lot before we even got engaged.

“You were totally right that I was scared of a serious relationship with Kyle.”

“I knew it!”

“I guess Rand seemed like an easy, fun alternative. But that’s not what I want for myself anymore.”

“Told you so.” Manda rested her hip against the cabinet beside the oven.

“And I’m still scared.” Lyssa peered through the glass window of the oven and watched the cheese.

“Tell me why?” Manda massaged her shoulders.

“That feels good. There’s just so much I don’t know about his life.”

“You guys need to talk.”

“May I speak frankly?” Miriam Sekora’s firm jaw and piercing gaze offered Kyle no choice.

“Please,” he said.

“I’m concerned about the triangle I see. In particular, I’m concerned about the stress it’s creating on the three people involved—each of whom is critical to the college’s success.”

Kyle cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. When Miriam sat back in her rose-colored leather office chair, it was apparent she wasn’t giving more hints. “I assume you mean Rand Cunningham, Lyssa, and me?”

Other than a slight nod and a tap of her tented fingers, Miriam held still.

He cleared his throat again. “I can tell you my perspective.”

Another nod.

He blew out his breath in a thin stream. “Although Lyssa initially wanted to be friends with Rand Cunningham, that became problematic for reasons I’m not sure I fully understand. Lyssa and I have known each other for more than a year. We care deeply for one another and are talking about marriage.”

“Briefly, why is she publicly dating Rand, not you?”

“She and I both knew Justin Cushman before we met each other, and we are supporting him in his efforts at this college. He—”

“I might have known Justin was involved,” Miriam muttered. “Continue.”

“When he brought me here to conduct the security audit, he asked Lyssa and me to keep our relationship out of the public eye until it’s understood who the hackers are. Along with that, he and I pressed Lyssa into service as a snitch, which she was reluctant to do. In retrospect, that was a mistake.”

Miriam’s eyes burned with displeasure, and one cheek twitched.

“As our snitch, she has pumped Rand to learn all she can about his involvement and about the people he networks with. Rand is devious and manipulative, and Lyssa’s continuing contact with him is stressful for her and for me and for our relationship. I’m not sure what else I can tell you.”