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As he did, Summer caught the thoughtful look he slid her way, as well as a gleam of playful amusement.
“I have heard you spent a brief amount of time playing same-sex games,” he assured her with a subtle wink. “Thinking of returning to bat for the home team, my dear?”
Summer snorted, unable to stop the laugh that bubbled up in her throat.
“You are a wicked, wicked man, Steven.” She could feel the blush staining her cheeks, as well as the abashed amusement she couldn’t quite help. “You are older than my daddy. You shouldn’t be thinking that way.”
He looked heavenward as though seeking guidance. “Lass, you such have strange ideas about those of us over the age of fifty, I’m curious where you came by them.” He slid a look to his side, settling briefly on her momma. “And I’m certain that fine young lady who birthed you had no hand in such beliefs. That is a woman that could inspire wars for the chance to love fully.”
Summer’s eyes widened, abashment turning to full-fledged disbelief that he’d said something so outrageous.
“Be quiet, you!” she demanded. “Don’t be thinking about my momma like that.”
He directed a doubtful look her way, his expression a little too knowing. “My dear, tell me you are not one of those young ladies that believes her mother is still a virgin and her father completely ignorant of sexual urges.”
“Steven,” she huffed, glaring back at him. “We do not talk about my momma and daddy in that manner. Now be good or go find someone else to torment.”
He slid a look her momma’s way again.
“Stop it,” she hissed, realizing his gaze was directed far lower than her momma’s face. “My daddy will shoot you.”
Gripping his arm, she all but dragged him away from all possible views of her momma before her daddy decided to feed him to the gators.
“You have a suicide wish,” she informed him in exasperation.
“No, my dear.” He smiled down at her fondly then. “Merely a wish to take that look of haunted pain from your face for a moment.” He patted her hand before covering it when she would have moved it from his arm. “Walk with me for a bit and give your young men a chance to breathe. They’ve been absorbing the pain on your face like a towel gathers moisture. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Raeg affected quite so deeply over anything.”
She gave herself a pat on her back for not turning to look at them.
“You’re a good man, Steven,” she sighed, laying her head briefly against his broad forearm. “I count myself lucky to have your friendship.”
“Perhaps I’m the lucky one,” he told her as he guided her slowly along the brick walk. “You’ve been a joy each time I’ve seen you. And it’s been a pleasure to get to know you over the years. You know, I actually resisted meeting you when Margot first suggested you?”
“Really? And me being such a sweet thing?” she asked with a fond laugh.
The first time she’d seen him, long before they were introduced, she’d had her finger in Raeg’s face informing him how hell was going to freeze over before she’d ever follow whatever order he’d tried to give her.
Steven chuckled at her observation. “I’m actually very fond of young John Raegent,” he informed her. “The boy hasn’t had it easy, you know. Neither has Falcon, come to think of it.” He sighed heavily. “But, they rose above the challenges and despite their stubborn ways, they’ve turned into fine men. Just as you turned into a woman of such depth and with such a sense of honor, that I count myself lucky to know you. There are few women with your qualities.”
“Oh, they’re around,” she promised him quietly. “They just have better sense than to join the agency and chase adventure as naïvely as I did. We think we know it all at that age,” she observed sadly. “And I realized almost too late how it was chipping away at my own soul.”
And it had been. The slow, bitter realization that she wasn’t furthering democracy, or being a patriot, so much as she’d become a disposable pawn had been painful.
“But you didn’t let it steal your soul,” he pointed out, pausing to stare down at her, his hazel eyes watching her quietly as they stepped to the side to allow others to move past them. “That’s what sets you apart, Summer, and that’s why those two young men can’t let you out of their sight.” His gaze flicked over her head before returning to her. “Now, let me give you a piece of advice that will serve you far better than any other where they’re concerned.”
“Steven…”
“Quiet now,” he commanded, his voice low but firm. “I’ve been giving this a tremendous amount of thought. They’ve shied from committing to a woman because of their father’s retaliation against a double agent out to destroy those he loved. Roberto wasn’t known for his forgiving nature, I have to say. Now, that being true”—he smiled down at her with affection—“why would a father who loves his sons, as Roberto truly does love them I believe, strike out at a young woman who so obviously loves them? You’re no double agent, and clearly unable to hurt either of them, even in your anger. So what reason would Roberto have to harm you? Before you allow them to walk away, ask them that question, then open your hands and without tears, without recriminations, let them go.” He smiled once more, his hazel eyes filled with some amusement she couldn’t quite make sense of. “Don’t allow them to see your tears, and never beg.” He wagged his finger at her. “Strong men require a stronger woman. Ask your mother, she’ll tell you.”
“Thank you, Steven,” she said softly. “I appreciate your advice more than I can say.”
He sighed at the thought. “But, you will simply let them go, won’t you?” he asked knowingly. “What will I do about you, Summer?”
“They’re grown men,” she whispered, that tightness in her throat filling her voice now. “Logical, intelligent men. They should know that already, shouldn’t need me to point it out.”
He shook his graying head, his expression tightening, reminding her of how Falcon would so often make flash decisions when he got that look on his face. Decisions that invariably got him into trouble.
“I’m a grown woman, Uncle Steven,” she teased him, using the title he’d used himself so often when advising her. “And as you said, one who knows her own mind. I don’t want them if I have to use games, or point out the obvious to them in something so important. Please, allow me to make or break my own heart if you don’t mind.”
