Deep River Promise (Alaska Homecoming #2) - Jackie Ashenden Page 0,27
Your boy’s helping people and being protective of the town because I’m pretty sure he feels it’s his responsibility. Caleb used to own Deep River, but he’s gone now, and so Connor’s trying to fill his father’s shoes. And he’s got even more pressure on him because Deep River has been given to a bunch of strangers who don’t know the town or its people.” Damon’s blue gaze was very steady. “That’s got to hurt. He’s Cal’s son, but Cal didn’t leave him Deep River. Cal left Deep River to Silas and me and Zeke.”
Astrid frowned, turning the words over in her head, thinking.
As much as she hated to admit it, what he said did make a certain amount of sense. Connor had started all this behavior pretty much straight after Cal had been killed, and she hadn’t really thought much about why, at least not immediately. She’d been too shocked and not a little bit grief-stricken. She and Cal didn’t have any kind of close relationship, but she’d been upset for Connor’s sake, as well as battling her own guilt.
Connor had always loved this place, even before Cal died. Once he’d gotten over the heartache of being parted from Aiden, he’d fallen in love with it right from the very first moment they’d motored across the river on Kev’s ferry.
It was as if he’d come home.
The dual spikes of grief and guilt stuck inside her, Damon’s words sinking in. Oh hell, he was right, wasn’t he? Connor viewed this place as his and he was afraid for it. Afraid about the oil. Afraid it had been given to a bunch of strange men he didn’t know and didn’t trust.
Afraid he wouldn’t be able to protect it.
Like he wasn’t able to protect you.
Astrid’s heart clenched tight in her chest. She was conscious of Damon’s gaze resting on her, a flood of warm blue surrounding her. And maybe it should have felt like an extra pressure, but it didn’t. His was a very calm presence, projecting steadiness, reassuring in a way she couldn’t put her finger on.
Was that why she’d already told him far more than she’d meant to about Connor?
She wasn’t used to it, not from a man, and it made her feel edgy and resistant. Men weren’t to be trusted. Her father, who’d been the most appalled by her pregnancy, had insisted she leave. Cal had abandoned her. Aiden had manipulated and hurt her.
They’d all betrayed her in one way or another, and though over the five years she’d been in Deep River she’d gradually come to trust the people here, it hadn’t been easy.
So why she should feel that she could trust a guy she’d only just met, and a stupidly attractive guy at that, she had no idea. But she resented it.
She’d made some bad choices in the past; she didn’t want to make any more.
“I guess it makes sense,” she said reluctantly. “And I can see Connor feeling like that.”
Again, there was no hint of smugness on Damon’s face that she’d agreed with him, not like Aiden had gotten on his sometimes when he’d scored a point off her.
He only nodded. “It’s a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. The kid must feel he has to look out for everyone in the entire place, so no wonder he’s skipping school. He won’t have time for that if he’s busy making sure everyone’s okay.”
The guilt inside Astrid bit deep. She lifted her glass and drained the rest of the whisky, trying to ease the feeling.
Her poor boy. All of this was her fault, wasn’t it?
“Hey.” Damon’s deep voice was soft. “Don’t beat yourself up about any of this. Nothing you can do about the past. It’s what you do now that matters.”
Damn the man. Could he read minds or something? Her ability to hide her feelings must be slipping. Either that or she’d had too many whiskies.
“I’m not beating myself up,” she lied smoothly. “I’m only feeling sorry for him.”
“Sure.” He tilted his head, watching her, that reassuring smile still curving his beautiful mouth. The sun in his hair made it seem more deep amber than brown, his eyes that astonishing blue; he looked like a fallen angel, all sexy and wicked and ready to sin. “But if you are, don’t.”
Astrid had to look away. He was like the sun: blinding if one looked too long at him. “I’ll take that under advisement, thank you.”