The Amber Stone (19 page)

He still saw his wife’s face and feelings of guilt, failure and rage always followed the sight of her. What would Teresa think of a man like that?

And yet, he wanted her to know the truth, at least part of it, so that she wouldn’t romanticize him. So that there could be someone else he felt safe with. He craved her acceptance, hungered for it, as dangerous as that was. Sleeping with her was one thing, but he was getting greedy and knew it, but couldn’t stop. Somehow he had to take a risk to be honest with her and let her choose.

***

“I need to talk to you,” Sean said a few days later as Teresa opened her car door ready to drive to her sister’s house. He noticed she was dressed in a loose fitting blue knit top and flowing chiffon skirt. He wouldn’t admit that he’d missed her.

“I can’t.”

He wasn’t sure if it was the look or the tone, but something about her alerted him that she knew more about him than she had before. He squeezed his eyes shut and rested his head against the truck, heat stealing into his face. “Oh shit, she told you about Renee.”

“No, Uncle Darren.”

He merely shook his head, muttering things under his breath.

“And Bertha didn’t tell me anything.”

“Just enough to make you feel sorry for me?”

“I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“So she didn’t tell you that sometimes I can’t sleep for three days because I think of her? That sometimes I smell her exact perfume?”

“No, you just did,” she said, glad she now knew why his eyes were sometimes red.

He turned to her; Teresa caught her lip in her lower teeth.

“Oh, you don’t pity me, you find me amusing instead?”

“No, I just never imagined you as a blusher.”

“Get in the truck. I’ll drive you where you need to go.”

Teresa looked at his truck doubtful it could make the journey. “I’m going to my sister’s. She’s hosting a small party. She lives in Bedford.”

“Priscilla can make it,” he assured her, helping her inside.

“You know you’re incredibly sexy when you’re embarrassed.”

“Shut up.” He closed the door. She grinned.

He didn’t speak until about ten minutes into the drive, and Teresa remained silent too.

“I understand that she’ll be a ghost between us,” she finally said. “But I’m glad you’re giving me a chance.”

Sean adjusted the rearview mirror. “I didn’t love her as much as you think, and you’re the one taking a chance on me.” He reached over and took her hand. “I’m working hard to deserve you.”

Teresa laughed. “You don’t have to do that.”

He shifted gears.

Her heart sank as they drove up to the house. Cars poured out of the drive onto the street.

“Is this what your sister calls a small party?” Sean asked parking.

“No, but her husband does.” She opened the door then hesitated. She turned to him. “How about you join me?”

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Why?”

“Because I’d like you to meet my sisters.”

He hesitated and she understood why. Meeting family was a big step and their relationship wasn’t settled yet. She was probably asking too much. “Never mind, I—”

He glanced down at his clothes. “You don’t mind them seeing me like this?”

“No.”

He grinned. “You want to give them a shock, don’t you?”

She returned the expression. “Maybe.”

“Will there be plenty of food?”

“Yes, and I won’t stay more than an hour and there’s no reason to be nervous.”

He turned off the car. “I’m never nervous. Is your sister a good cook?”

“No, but fortunately they have caterers.”

“All right, let’s go.”

The house was filled with well-dressed guests and for a moment Teresa wondered at her reckless decision. Sean looked completely out of place. He looked like a lumberjack on the run in his jeans and flannel shirt, his hair windblown. Although he received a number of surreptitious glances, he seemed unbothered and grabbed a biscuit from a tray. At least he was comfortable.

“These are good,” he mumbled, taking another.

“Save your appetite,” she warned, grabbing his hand. She spotted Kenneth’s best friend Nathan Philips, a handsome man who liked to wear bold colors. Today he wore a crushed purple velvet jacket as he stood in the dining room talking to his colleague, Stephanie Radson and Jessie’s best friend Wendy. They both talked to Clayton Ross, a man who owned property in the South Bank. Michelle had helped him start two successful businesses and from what Teresa had heard, other businesses were starting to consider South Bank as well, which would revitalize the county and be great for “Beautiful You”.

“New money is rolling in from somewhere,” she overheard Mr. Ross say.

“That place needs it,” Stephanie said. “Although Valley Ray has helped.”

Mr. Ross cleared his throat. “I don’t trust one factory towns. Factories come and go, but someone’s getting the interest of people like me and that’s a good thing.”

“Where’s my sister?” Teresa asked Nathan.

They all stopped talking and stared at her—or rather past her to the man who was munching on one of the hors d’oeuvres and softly humming to himself while looking around.

Teresa waved her hand in front of his face. “Nathan?”

He shook his head. “Uh, sorry. She’s in the kitchen.”

“God, he’s gorgeous,” Wendy whispered.

“How can you tell?” Stephanie asked.

“Just look at the way he stands. He’s straight off a movie screen. Who is he?”

Teresa motioned Sean over and introduced him. “He’s my...uh—”

“Lover,” he said.

“Close friend,” Teresa corrected, then grabbed Sean’s arm and headed towards the kitchen. “Why did you say that?”

“Because it’s true. I thought that’s why you wanted me here. You wanted me to shock people.”

“Not that much. I wanted you here as a
boyfriend
.”

He winked at her. “I was just waiting for you to say it first.”

Teresa stopped just outside the kitchen. “Just wait here for a minute. Don’t move.” When he nodded, she went inside.

Teresa spotted Jessie arranging food on a tray, and her housekeeper Freda was arranging glasses. “I thought you said this was going to be a small get together,” she said.

Jessie groaned, looking more like a caterer than hostess in black pants and a crisp orange blouse. “It was supposed to be, until Kenneth got hold of the guest list. I have to get rid of Kenneth’s unhealthy enjoyment of company.”

Freda laughed. “That’s like asking a leopard to change his spots.”

Unexpectedly, two kids burst into the kitchen, then ran squealing outside again.

Jessie handed a waiter a tray and sat down in a chair. “ I wish these people would at least watch their kids or leave them at home. You’d think we were running a daycare.”

“Never mind,” Freda said. “Ace will keep them in line,” she said using Syrah’s nickname.

Jessie shook her head then took Teresa’s hand. “I’m glad to see you could make it.”

“Oh yes, I brought someone to meet you.” She pulled Sean inside the kitchen before he walked off after a tray of hot current raisin rolls. “This is Sean.”

Jessie leaped to her feet, failing to mask her surprise. “Oh, right, Sean...well...Nice to meet you.”

“He doesn’t shake hands,” Teresa said in order to prevent an awkward moment.

“Okay.” Jessie measured Sean from his boots to the top of his unruly hair. She sighed. Of all the men her sister had to fall for he looked like a perfect suspect for America’s Most Wanted.

Freda came up to him and grabbed his hand. “Well, I’m a hand-shaker and I must say you’re very welcomed here. Nice to see Teresa with new friends.”

The corners of his mouth lifted. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“I hope you eat to your heart’s content,” Jessie said.

He turned to her and smiled. “Thanks. It’s a nice place you have here,” he said, running his hands along the counter.

Jessie paused for a moment, as if coming out of a dream. Did that beautiful voice really come from this man?

Freda thought the same, and of course felt the need to express herself. “Did you make a pack with the devil to get a voice like that?”

“No, I sold my soul for a lot worse,” he said.

The women stared at him not knowing what else to say. Freda spoke first. “Well, enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you.” Teresa and Sean left the kitchen, stopping briefly at a large banquet table, filled their plates then walked over to a corner.

“Isn’t there anyone else you want to introduce me to?” Sean asked.

“In a minute, I won’t have to,” Teresa said, spotting her eldest sister. “She’ll introduce herself.”

Michelle approached them. She looked like an intimidating warrior princess, sporting a cool grey suit and dangling silver earrings that shone like tiny daggers in the light. She blocked their path, placing one foot in front of the other and resting a hand on her hip. She stared at Sean with unabashed curiosity and distrust.

“You must be Sean,” she said, her cool brown eyes taking in his attire. “I won’t shake hands to introduce myself since I’ve heard you don’t believe in it.” She folded her arms. “My name is Michelle. What brings you here?”

“I invited him,” Teresa said.

Michelle’s eyes didn’t leave his face. “I didn’t ask you.”

“It’s as she says,” Sean agreed.

“And you’re seeing each other?”

He smiled. “Are you worried about my intentions?”

Michelle narrowed her eyes. “I know your intentions. That wasn’t my question.”

His smile remained, but developed a hard edge. “Yes.”

“How long have you been in this country?”

“Since I was sixteen.”

“And how long have you been seeing my sister?”

“Not long.”

Michelle tilted her head to the side. “Is it wrong to hope that it will stay that way?”

“Yes, because you might be disappointed.”

Michelle glanced at Teresa, then returned her gaze to his face. “Somehow I doubt it.” She offered him one last look then walked away.

“She doesn’t like me,” Sean said, watching Michelle disappear in the crowd.

“No,” Teresa agreed.

“And the feeling is mutual.”

“She takes some getting used to.” She took his hand. “Come on, let me show you the woods in the back.”

Sean followed her then abruptly paused. Teresa turned to see what he was staring at and saw her cousin Olivia standing by the fireplace looking like a model out of a catalog. Her dark hair was piled high on her head with ringlets falling around her face. She wore a slim, yellow blouse, cream trousers, and heels that could double as lethal weapons. Teresa felt her heart fall. She couldn’t blame him; he was like any other man in the presence of a beautiful woman—gawking, awestruck. Then she remembered how beautiful his first wife had been and how much she paled in comparison. She let his hand go and swallowed, although she felt a lump forming in her throat.

“That’s my cousin Olivia,” she said, fighting to keep her voice neutral. “Would you like to meet her?”

He suddenly seemed to remember himself. “Uh, no. She’s your cousin?”

“Yes, can’t you see the family resemblance?” she said with a note of sarcasm.

He stared at her for a moment, dazed. “No.”

“It was meant as a joke.”

“Oh,” he said absently, glancing back at Olivia.

Although she understood his fascination, his unabashed gawking still hurt and made her sister Michelle’s prediction seem more evident. They wouldn’t last long together. Sean didn’t love her and maybe never would, she had to accept that reality.

Teresa turned in disgust. If he preferred Olivia’s company, he could have her. They’d had fun and now it was over. She had no one else to blame but herself, she was the one who’d brought him. However, if Teresa hadn’t been so lost in thought and had been paying attention, she might have been able to prevent what happened next.

Sean got his foot caught on the strap of a woman’s purse and tripped. His food flew through the air and landed on Olivia’s blouse; her drink leaped out of her hands and splashed him. She glanced down and screamed in horror at the yellow stain on her blouse—curried chicken, a deadly mix on any material.

“My new blouse is ruined!” Olivia screeched. “You horrible, clumsy oaf!”

“It was an accident, Olivia, you left your purse in the way,” Teresa said, lifting the cause of the accident off the floor.

“That’s no excuse. It’s been there all this time and nobody else has been so awkward and boorish to trip on it. That’s what you get for inviting someone like
him
to a party like this. I don’t know what you’re trying to prove by bringing him here.”

“Now listen—”

“Quiet,” Sean ordered in a low voice instantly commanding obedience, lightly touching her arm. Olivia shut her pretty mouth and stared at him amazed. “I apologize for ruining your blouse. I assure you it was an accident. There is no need to insult your cousin.”

Olivia quickly relented under his dark gaze and tender touch. His deep voice cascaded around her like a waterfall and she suddenly felt warm. Never had she seen eyes so beautiful or felt so serene. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She placed her hand on her chest, resting her fingers right in the crevice of her breasts. Sean’s eyes followed. “Please forgive me, I was overcome by shock.”

“Close your mouth, Teresa.” Michelle nudged her as they both watched the pair.

She did but couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She’d seen him flirting with Louisa, and endearing himself to her, but she’d never seen this side to him before. This powerful, sexy charmer. “What’s going on here?”

“You just lost your boyfriend,” Michelle said.

Teresa gripped her hands into fists. “He’s not like that.”

“How do you know? Right now I’m seeing one of those fairy tales you like to read. And in this version Olivia is the big bad wolf and Sean is grandma.” She saw Teresa’s face fall and hated Sean for hurting her sister like that. She walked up to the pair who were still trying to outstare each other and said in a voice only they could hear, “Go find a room.”

Sean shot Michelle a look, releasing his hold on Olivia. Olivia gasped in outrage and again wailed about her ruined top and demanded Michelle offer her an apology, Michelle ignored her and asked Sean to leave, two guests whispered about Sean possibly being an escaped convict, while Teresa tried to get them all to calm down.