Daniel's Desire - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,66
he was dreading the encounter, probably because he was afraid they’d let him down. He’d been so loyal to them. They owed him this, at least as much as they owed answers to his brothers. She was prepared to tell them that, if it would help.
“I could come with you,” she offered. “Your mom always liked me. Maybe I could help to convince them.”
He shook his head. “She’d only be embarrassed that you know what she did. As for my father, he’d be even more appalled that I was dragging an outsider into family business.”
Molly stiffened at his words. “Is that how you see me, Daniel? As an outsider?”
“No, of course not, Molly,” he said at once. “But my father will. Hell, he didn’t even think Patrick and I had a right to know about any of this. He’s always been a pillar of the church here. He takes pride in the fact that people respect him. He’s obviously afraid of losing that, if people find out what happened all those years ago.”
Her flash of temper died as quickly as it had risen. “You’re right. I can see how he might want to keep this private, but it won’t stay private long, Daniel. This is Widow’s Cove.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. Even if none of us said a word, all those men who look exactly like Connor Devaney would be a dead giveaway that something was up.”
“You’re right about that and about me getting involved. The gossip will get stirred up soon enough. I certainly don’t want to make the situation any more awkward for him or your mom,” she said. “What can I do?”
“Stay at Jess’s,” he requested. “Do you think you could close the place for a private party this evening? I know it’s a Saturday, but—”
Molly cut him off. “Of course I can. I think that’s a great idea. It will put your folks more at ease, knowing that their neighbors aren’t right in the thick of this.”
“Thank you. Then you can spend some time with my brothers and their families this afternoon, try to convince them that my parents aren’t ogres.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Of course, that could be risky. Once you’ve spent some time with all these Devaneys, you might have second thoughts about me.”
She laughed at that. “Hey, I always wanted a big family. Besides, I’ve met your brothers, at least briefly. I’m pretty sure these guys are a lot like Patrick, and I love him.”
Even though he had to know she was teasing, he frowned. “Just my luck,” he said.
“It is,” she insisted. “I love your brother like a brother. What I feel for you moves into a whole other realm.”
He visibly relaxed. “That’s okay, then. Maybe there’s time for a little detour back to that inn.”
If his timing had been different, she might have been elated, but she caught on to the delaying tactic at once. “I don’t think so. I’m not letting you put off this meeting with your folks. It’s too important.”
Daniel sighed heavily. “What if they refuse to budge on this?”
“Then you’ll tell your brothers that. At least you’ll have them in your life. And you know as well as anyone that very few bridges can be built overnight. You’ll get a few pilings into the ground and work on the spans later.”
He laughed. “Nice analogy.”
“I thought so.”
When he pulled into the parking lot at Jess’s, there were three SUVs lined up next to Patrick’s truck. Molly saw Daniel’s jaw clench and realized that this man who could handle everyone else’s crises was terrified that he’d fail at handling his own.
“You’re going to work this out,” she said, squeezing his hand.
He gave her a weak smile. “Thanks. I wouldn’t put money on that, if I were you.”
“I would,” she said. “Now let’s go see your brothers.”
Daniel didn’t stay long at Jess’s. He reassured Ryan and the others that he was going to give his all to the attempt to convince their parents to join them, then left hastily, confident that Molly would do her part to make his brothers see another side of his folks.
He was in the parking lot when Patrick caught up with him.
“I know you’re counting on this working out today,” Patrick said, regarding him with what appeared to be genuine worry. “Don’t be surprised if they let you down, Daniel.”
“They won’t,” Daniel insisted with more confidence than he was actually feeling.
“I wish I shared your conviction,” Patrick said. “They don’t deserve