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“No, not at all. I think that’s a wonderful idea. If Laney feels strongly about it, I stand behind it. She has an incredible nose for business and investments.”
“She does, and that is what made me so excited about doing this. Because she was too.”
“Well, I think you should.” He paused.
“Why do I feel there is a butt in there?”
“Because there is, but not about the tavern. I do agree with your brothers that you should shy away from a relationship with Michael Bollard. His past worries me, but we must remember that we have a significant secret to protect. It could mean life or death to Cara and Bryan if he found out about them.”
“I know, and I was cautious. I would never do anything to endanger them.”
“I know you wouldn’t do it on purpose, but accidents happen, Spree.”
“I get it, Dad, and I know that Mike and I would never have stayed together, but they had no right to scare him away like that. Mike isn’t husband or father material, but that was for me to decide. We were just having fun and enjoying each other.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear you say that. I was concerned that you and Cara were into the bad boys. I always thought you’d marry someone as intelligent as yourself.”
“You don’t have to worry. I have no plans to get married anytime soon.”
“I will talk to your brothers and tell them to stay out of the business matter. I’m sure Laney will be happy to have you join her in the venture, as will Michael.”
“I hope so,” I told him. By the end of the day, both of them had apologized to me and said they would mind their own business, and Laney was thrilled that I was back on board. She said she would call the attorneys and have all the paperwork changed to include me immediately.
That’s why I was glad that an appointment had canceled the following day, and I headed straight to the tavern. I took one look at him behind the bar and felt my heart sigh. God, I wanted to walk over to him and take him in my arms. I knew I couldn’t.
I could tell him the news, and I hoped he was happy to hear it. As he stared at me, I saw the same urge in his eyes as I had. There was no denying the attraction between us, and I wondered how long it would take to fizzle out.
Just as we started to get into the crux of the matter, a woman and child stepped into the bar. As she spoke to Michael, my eyes locked on the little boy. I instantly knew who this was because he was a miniature of Michael. Holy crap, was I seeing this? Even though I had known, I gasped as the woman admitted it was his child. There was no denying it, but would he?
Obviously, he was shocked at the news, and when the woman fled the bar, he was close behind. The little boy she called Harley watched her leave, and tears came to his eyes.
My God! He had lost his mother, and now his aunt had abandoned him! Who could do that to someone of their own blood?
I stepped forward, and he lifted sad, nervous eyes to me. “Hi, is your name Harley?” He nodded. “My name is Candy.”
He blinked as if surprised by that.
I squatted down so that I was below his level. Everything that my sister Carmen had ever told me rushed back. She was a child psychologist and worked with many scared and traumatized kids. “It’s a funny name, isn’t it?”
He sort of smiled as he nodded.
“Would you like a soda?” He nodded again. “Okay, then let’s get you up on the big stool at the bar, and I’ll get you one.”
He walked slowly toward the stool, and I paused. “Do you need help getting up?”
He looked the stool over, shook his head, and quickly climbed up.
“Nope, you sure didn’t. I bet you can climb trees well.”
“I guess.”
“I did when I was a kid.” I went behind the bar and found a glass, then looked at the fountain dispenser to figure out which one was Coke, and sprayed it in after adding some ice.
After adding a straw, I slipped it over the counter to him, and he immediately took a long gulp, then looked at me curiously. “Do you know my dad?”
I nodded. “I do.”
He glanced at the door. “Is he nice?”
