Chapter 9: Serendipity: Chapter 9

“How does a fourteen-year-old end up with a juvenile probation officer?” Ethan figured he’d start with the easy questions and work his way up.

“How do you think?” Tess kicked at the stone paving beneath her feet.

“I’m guessing you got into trouble. Want to explain?”

She shook her head. “Not really.”

This was going well, he thought, memories of stonewalling his own parents returning to haunt him. “Vandalism? Got caught smoking pot by the wrong people? What?” he pushed Tess for answers.

“What’s the difference? End result is the same.”

She had a point. He glanced out at the lush green shrubbery surrounding the massive house he now owned. A world away from the small track house on the outskirts of town where he’d grown up, where he hadn’t wanted to face that his family was falling apart. Tess was just confirmation of something he’d known all along.

He studied her hard profile. “You know, I was always getting in trouble when I was your age. Drinking, stealing, racing cars.”

She raised an eyebrow. The ring pierced through her brow glimmered in the sun. “You’re so full of shit.”

“And you need to watch your mouth.” Okay, so she didn’t want to talk. Dare would get the information they needed and he’d figure out what to do with Tess then. “Let’s go get food,” he suggested.

“Sounds good.” She jumped up. “Where are we going?”

“Got the munchies?” he muttered.

She glanced at him, surprised. “You know about that?”

He nodded. “I’m old, but I’m not that old. We’ll get a decent meal at the diner in town, then we’ll pick up groceries so we have something to eat in the house.”

“Fine. Whatever,” she said, back to her sullen self.

An hour later, they’d eaten at the Family Restaurant, the only diner in town. He’d gone to school with some in the family who now ran the diner, but despite going way back with them, Ethan had no idea if they’d treat him with disdain for running out on his siblings. To Ethan’s surprise and relief, considering he had Tess with him, he’d been welcomed and treated with respect by the Donovans. The other patrons either ignored him as a stranger or stared inquiringly.

Either way, he’d take it, even if it was his money and current status as Harrington mansion owner that gave him a pass. He didn’t care why as long as his new sister wasn’t subjected to the he’s nothing but trouble feeling shared by many people in town.

He didn’t have much time to mull over how that little bit of acceptance felt because during their meal, Dare called to inform him that Tess’s juvenile probation officer had been full of information about their new sister. Despite being arrested for breaking and entering, she’d skated serious trouble this time. Now all she had to do was behave for the next six months and the charges would be dropped. If she stayed out of trouble until she turned eighteen, her arrest record would be expunged. Ethan had had her with him for less than twenty-four hours. The next four years loomed long ahead of him.

They finished eating in silence, Tess still not in a talkative mood. For now, Ethan let her be. He paid the bill, leaving a nice tip.

Before stopping at the supermarket, Ethan took a detour to Faith’s shop. A large truck was outside, indicating the awning and signs were being delivered, filling him with an unfamiliar tug of pride. She was accomplishing her dreams, and he applauded her for it.

“Let’s go see what’s up,” Ethan said.

“Where are we?” Tess tipped her head up to see.

“Faith’s.” He watched Tess for any reaction.

The most positive response she’d had thus far had been to Faith, and if he had a prayer of getting the kid to open up, he had a hunch Faith was the key.

“What does she do?” Tess asked, sounding more intrigued than she’d been by anything except his disposing of her pot.

“Interior design. We need to get your room ordered and make sure you have a bed tonight.” He steered her inside before she could argue.

He didn’t see Faith, but Kate was stacking books on newly installed shelving and Nick was talking to the delivery guy. He was also stealing covert looks at Kate’s ass as she bent over to retrieve items from boxes on the floor. The other man’s interest loosened the hold on Ethan’s chest.

“Is Faith around?” Ethan asked.

Kate whirled around, startled. “Oh, hi.” She settled a curious gaze on him. “I’m not sure we’ve been introduced.”

“Not officially, no. Ethan Barron.” He extended his hand for a shake.

“Kate Andrews.”

As he shook her hand, Ethan felt a distinct male presence come up behind him.

“Relax, Mancini. I have an appointment with Faith.” In actuality, Faith thought Ethan would be stopping by the house later, but details were none of the other man’s business.

“She’s out. So you have no reason to be here,” Nick said, keeping up the overprotective act, even when Faith wasn’t here.

“Don’t you have work to do? An awning to help put up?” Kate asked him too sweetly.

“Are you always so pleasant?” Nick studied Kate with the look of a man seeing a woman for the first time.

“Since when do you give me a second thought?” Kate asked. “Go worry about something you can control.” She dismissed Nick with a wave of her hand.

The man let out a low growl. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

Kate grinned. “I won’t,” she assured him.

For some odd reason, Ethan decided Nick was tortured enough and opted not to provoke him further by flirting with Kate. He got his satisfaction in the way Kate bossed the other guy around and did his best not to laugh out loud.

“You just watch yourself around him,” Nick warned, before storming out.

Kate chuckled, then turned her attention to them. “So, this must be Tess? Faith told me she met you last night.”

“Tess is my . . . sister,” Ethan said, testing the word on his tongue for the first time in public.

Kate treated the girl to a big smile. “Hi, Tess. I’m Kate. I’m a friend of Faith’s.”

Being Tess, she narrowed her gaze and let out a put-upon sigh. “Big—”

Ethan cut her off with an elbow nudge to the ribs. “We’re working on Tess’s social skills,” he said tightly.

Kate grinned. “I’m a middle school teacher,” she said, as if that summed up her understanding.

Ethan supposed it did. “Where’s Faith?”

“She’s out getting coffee, but she should be back any minute. You’re welcome to wait.” She gestured to the chairs in front of a small wood desk.

“Have a seat,” he said to Tess.

To his surprise, Tess stomped over to a metal folding chair and lowered herself into it.

“Need help?” he asked Kate.

She shook her head. She returned to her job of stacking and organizing the shelves. “So, what are you going to do with her for the summer?” Kate asked, referring to Tess.

Ethan began handing her books from the floor, speeding up her task. “I’m not sure.” He spoke low, so Tess wouldn’t overhear.

A glance over told him he needn’t have worried. She’d put her iPod ear buds on. His guess was that she was blasting music, tuning him out along with the rest of the world.

“She’s obviously got issues,” Ethan said to Kate.

“Well, I work afternoons at the youth center. They have different programs ranging from regular summer day camp to service programs for troubled teens. Your brother actually works one night a week with a group of kids.”

“Youth center?” Ethan asked. “I don’t remember there being one of those.” He’d certainly qualified as a troubled teen, so if there had been programs around, he hoped his parents would have mentioned it.

“The town community center is fairly new. As a matter of fact, every once in a while, budget cuts threaten to shut it down. The existing structure is pretty old, but at least it offers a place for these kids to go.”

Ethan nodded in understanding. “Definitely something to consider.” Since he knew he’d have to keep her busy and out of trouble. Figuring out what was at the root of her acting out and getting her under control were also on the agenda.

A youth center sounded like just the place for a kid like Tess. Assuming he could get her to even walk in the door with him, let alone stay for a couple of hours.

Faith walked in to the coffeehouse, which was empty except for a few people sitting behind computers and headed for the counter, where Lissa waited to greet her.

“Good morning!” Faith said brightly, hoping that Karaoke Night had smoothed things over between them.

“Says you.” The other woman seemed unhappier than usual. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair matted. Even her clothes looked slept in.

If she were anyone else, Faith would ask what was wrong. There was nothing Faith could say to Lissa the other woman wouldn’t take the wrong way.

“My ex called last night. He’s getting married,” Lissa said, taking Faith off guard. For some reason, she obviously decided to open up. “To a twenty-two-year-old heiress. Did you know there was such a thing as a twenty-two-year-old heiress?” Lissa let out a sudden, harsh laugh. “Look who I’m asking—the princess herself.”

Faith glared at her. “And here I thought we might start getting along. Stupid me.” She leaned across the counter and deliberately got into Lissa’s face—the only language the other woman would understand. “Do I look like a princess to you?”

Faith gestured to her hair, pulled into a ponytail, a denim skirt that April had sewn together from a combination of Levi’s jeans and pieces of her other clothing, and her new sneakers to make walking around town easier. “Now, I’d like to get coffee.” She pulled out a piece of paper with her, Nick’s, and Kate’s orders.

Lissa braced a hand on the counter. “Do you realize how easy it is to hate you? Your old man screws the world, your family loses everything, yet you come back to town and open a goddamn business while I’m writing the obits for the newspaper, wishing I could get a journalistic break and pouring coffee to make ends meet.”

Faith bit the inside of her cheek. She had no idea Lissa was an aspiring journalist. Given how Faith perceived the profession, she shouldn’t be surprised this piranha was one of them, Faith thought wryly. Although Faith understood the other woman’s frustration, it wasn’t her fault that Lissa’s life hadn’t turned out the way she’d hoped and dreamed.

Faith curled her fingers around the edge of the counter. “Jealousy only hurts you, Lissa. Not me. But for the record, my life isn’t exactly peachy keen right now. I caught my ex screwing his assistant. He only married me for my father’s connections, and when it came to the divorce he tried to hide our assets. I walked away with little but my pride.”

Lissa raised an eyebrow, but Faith sensed she was listening.

“The only reason I have a business is because I have friends who are willing to help me out until I get on my feet. But if I’m going to make a go of it, it’ll be on my own hard work and talent.” Faith paused for a breath and straightened her shoulders, deciding to end this bickering once and for all. “Frankly, I’m getting sick and tired of you treating me like I still have a silver spoon in my mouth,” she said, her voice rising. “Now back off and fill my damn coffee orders!”

Then she braced herself for the fallout.

To her never-ending surprise, Lissa snagged the list of coffee orders out of her hand and headed back to work without another word, returning with the three iced coffee drinks.

“Here.” She placed them on the counter.

“Thank you,” Faith said.

Lissa rang up the order and Faith paid, dropping a tip into the jar by the register.

“Maybe I could cut you some slack,” Lissa finally said.

“Gee, thanks,” Faith muttered, smiling because despite all odds, she’d broken the ice with Lissa Gardelli.

Faith picked up the cardboard tray holding the drinks, ready to leave.

“I heard you’re seeing Ethan Barron,” Lissa said, her words stopping Faith from turning and walking out.

Faith sighed, damning small-town gossip. “Where’d you hear that?”

“I didn’t hear as much as see it for myself. At Karaoke Night.”

Faith frowned, not wanting people to get the wrong impression. “You saw wrong. He just helped me get home.”

“I’m betting he did more than that considering you were wrapped up against him like a bitch in heat.” The satisfaction in Lissa’s voice sliced through Faith.

“Just when I thought I might be able to like you.” Faith’s head spun from Lissa’s constant mood changes. She picked up her coffee and headed for the door.

“Wait.”

Faith paused but didn’t turn.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m a bitch.”

Faith pivoted slowly. “I don’t know how the hell you have any friends.”

Lissa let out a laugh. “Me neither. Look, I know Ethan from way back. He could charm a girl out of her panties, but he doesn’t know the first thing about sticking around.”

Faith narrowed her gaze. “Careful, Lissa. That almost sounds like friendly advice.” Or jealous nastiness.

Too bad there’d been a definite ring of truth to the other woman’s words.

Faith left the shop, grateful to get away from Lissa. Even the hot, humid air was preferable.

Temperatures had been over a hundred for the last two days, and the air conditioner in her apartment was on the fritz. Add to that, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking of Ethan and her body heat was at an all-time high. She’d barely slept last night, thoughts of what might have been keeping her awake, tossing and turning on top of the covers.

She turned the corner leading to her new store, stopping where Nick and the awning guy worked on installing her sign. The teal-colored writing read FAITH, and a burst of pride and excitement soared through her at the sight.

She handed Nick his coffee and headed inside where it was cooler, only to find her best friend and her—she didn’t know what to call Ethan—working side by side and chatting like they were old friends.

In his worn jeans and faded light blue T-shirt, he was sexy as sin. He handed Kate books and she stacked them on the shelves, their heads bent together, whispering as they worked. Faith couldn’t hear the conversation, but a stab of jealousy struck her in the heart anyway. Not something she was proud of, but there it was anyway, Lissa’s words about his inability to stick reverberating in her head.

Faith knew so little about Ethan and what had happened after he’d left town. What drove him to run? What demons kept his guilt so high? Had he had any relationships in the intervening years? Or was he still the love-’em-and-leave-’em type?

And why did she care? She was just beginning to stand on her own for the first time. And she knew she’d only be a hindrance to his making peace with his brothers, especially Nash. So why was she racking her brain, trying to understand him now?

Because she was drawn to the man. No matter how hard she fought it, she wanted him for herself. Just one time, she wanted to be with him and explore that unfinished business.

Could they have sex and still work together? Could she sleep with him and keep her heart intact? And was it possible to do all that and not come between him and his brothers?

Talk about mood swings, Lissa had nothing on Faith.

Faith didn’t know the answers to any of her questions, but now wasn’t the time to figure it out. She tore her gaze from Ethan and Kate, noticing Tess for the first time. The teenager sat, head down, at Faith’s desk, pencil and paper in hand.

Faith stepped up to the desk. “What are you busy with?” she asked, placing the coffee holder on the wooden surface.

Tess didn’t answer and Faith realized an old iPod sat on the desk, its ear buds in the teenager’s ears.

“Hi.” Faith waved her hand in front of Tess’s eyes.

Tess shot her an annoyed glare.

Faith gestured for her to remove the ear buds. When Tess returned her gaze to the paper, pretending not to understand, Faith tugged on one of the long white wires, dislodging the earpiece.

“Hey!”

“Hey yourself. I asked what you’re busy with.”

“None of your business.” Tess snatched the paper and crumpled it in her hand.

But not before Faith caught a glimpse of the page and the sketches the teenager had been working on. “Seems like a waste to crinkle it up and throw it away. I wasn’t going to ask to see. I was just curious what you were doing.”

“Drawing. Duh.”

The fact that she had an interest in artwork was encouraging, in Faith’s opinion. It meant that she could be distracted by something positive and made a mental note to mention it to Ethan.

Faith nodded. “Nice. Next time, there’s empty computer paper in this drawer. You don’t need to use the back of an invoice.” That now sat in a ball in Tess’s hand.

“I didn’t hear you come in!” Kate walked over, Ethan following behind.

Faith glanced at her friend. “You two looked busy. I didn’t want to interrupt.” Faith cringed inside, knowing how juvenile she sounded. “Here’s your coffee.” She handed Kate her drink.

“Thanks.” Kate shot her an odd look, which Faith ignored.

“I was just telling Ethan about the different programs down at the youth center,” Kate said.

Faith immediately felt bad for her earlier jealousy.

“Thanks for the coffee.” Kate picked up her cup. “I’m going to finish up the last box before I have to leave for the day.” Kate raised her coffee cup in a salute and strode back over to the shelves.

“Those programs had better not be for me,” Tess muttered.

“I don’t see any other youths around,” Ethan said. “You didn’t think you’d sit around all summer smoking pot, did you?”

Faith’s startled gaze swung to Ethan’s. He gave her a subtle nod.

Okay, so his hands were even fuller than she’d thought.

Tess’s expression turned frosty. “I shouldn’t be surprised. Less than twenty-four hours and you want to get rid of me already. What else is new?”

Ethan set his jaw and shook his head. “Finding something constructive to occupy your time isn’t getting rid of you,” he said in a surprisingly even voice.

“So, what are you two doing here?” Faith asked, changing the subject.

Facing her, not Tess, Ethan grinned, his smile warm and welcoming and obviously meant for her alone. “Making your life easier. I figured we could come here to talk about furniture and decorating Tess’s room instead of you having to take a cab ride out to us.”

Faith interpreted that to mean he needed to get out of the house and keep the kid busy. Still, he had a point about how she’d get to his house and she already realized she would have to dig into her savings for a car if she was going to run a business that entailed visiting other people’s homes.

She pulled a chair around to sit beside Tess. “What’s your favorite color?” she asked the teen.

“Black,” the teen said as she bit on her nails.

“Not happening,” Ethan immediately said.

Faith shot him a warning look. “Actually I can use black accents.” She knew Ethan feared a Goth-style room, but she had other ideas. “Pick a second color,” she encouraged the teen.

Tess looked past Faith to Ethan. “I don’t give a shit,” she said, clearly testing him.

He clenched his hands at his sides. “That’s it. I’ve had it with your fresh mouth.”

“Guess what?” Kate returned just in time, placing both hands on the desk.

“What?” Faith asked.

“I’m finished here and I need to get to the community center for my shift. How about I take Tess with me and show her around?” Kate glanced at Faith, seeking her okay.

Faith thought it was a great idea. Kate had a way with kids and Tess clearly needed someone who knew how to deal with her.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Ethan said.

“I’ll go,” Tess countered, a defiant grin settling over her face.

Faith stepped closer and put a hand on his shoulder. “Kate’s a good chaperone.” And he clearly needed a break to think and plan how to deal with his new sister.

“Great! Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to kids your own age and to the community service director.” She met Ethan’s gaze, silently asking for his approval.

He treated Kate to a nod. “You will behave,” Ethan said to his sister.

Tess merely opened her hand and closed it again, mimicking him talking. “Let’s blow this joint,” Tess said.

Faith cleared her throat. “Since you’re taking her, Ethan and I need to shop for some things for the house. I’ll call you when we’re back and he’ll pick up Tess then?” Faith asked.

Kate nodded. “Good by me. Let’s go,” she said to Tess.

The young girl marched out without a good-bye. Still wearing those black combat boots in one hundred degrees, topped by what looked like an old army surplus jacket.

“I don’t know if Kate’s brave or just plain stupid,” Ethan said after the duo had departed.

Faith stared at him in silence. Last night she’d rebuffed him coldly. Today she’d been jealous in a way she’d never experienced. Far different from the angry betrayal she’d felt on walking in on her husband and his mistress. She hadn’t been jealous then, just hurt. Right now she found it difficult to hold on to her resolve to stay away from Ethan and her chest ached.

She needed something tangible, something she could understand to take her mind off the building need. “You really found Tess smoking pot?” she asked.

“Yeah. And Dare found out why she’s got a juvenile probation officer.”

“Bad?” Faith asked.

“Actually could’ve been a lot worse.” His shoulders lowered slightly and he drew in a deep breath. “Her sister wasn’t kidding. Tess ran with a rough crowd. The boys were into vandalism and had moved on to breaking and entering and arson. Tess was arrested with two guys and another girl, and accused of all three crimes. To make a long story short, the probation department investigated, looking into Tess’s home and school behavior, which, though out of control, didn’t rise to the level of many of her friends’.”

Not yet anyway.

The obvious thought settled between them.

“At the hearing, Tess’s lawyer presented evidence that Tess and the other girl were in the house but didn’t have advance knowledge of intent nor did they start the fire. The boys were remanded to a detention facility. As for the girls, the judge ordered an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. If she stays out of trouble for the next six months, the case will be dismissed.”

“That’s something, I guess,” Faith said.

But Ethan’s troubled expression told her how unlikely he found the possibility.

“Assuming we can keep her out of trouble, you’re right. It is something.”

“When I came in earlier, Tess was sketching on a piece of paper. She got really embarrassed and defensive when I asked her what she was doing, but it got me wondering if art wasn’t a way to reach her,” Faith said.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. I’ll see what I can do to draw her out.”

Faith smiled, having every confidence he’d accomplish his goal.

“So, what’s this about us going shopping?” Ethan asked next.

“I already ordered a bed for Tess. Delivery between three and five today. But I figured the easiest and fastest way to get her bedding, towels, and other things she’ll need is to make a run through Target. There’s a superstore in Monroe.”

He thought for a moment and nodded. “Lead the way.”

SuperTarget was the megastore of all megastores. Even for a man who loathed shopping, Ethan had to admire the fact that anything he needed, he could find here. Definitely worth the twenty-minute drive. What he couldn’t get over was the surreal feeling of walking through Target with Faith as if they were a couple shopping for their home.

In order to get that thought out of his head, he grasped for another as he pushed the cart toward the bed and bath department. “So I have to ask. Have you ever been in Target before?”

“Wise guy.” She laughed.

He appreciated her sense of humor about the subject. More so, he was glad the cool Faith from last night was nowhere to be found today.

“As a matter of fact, Kate took me here when I moved in. I was able to buy everything I needed at an unbelievable price. This place actually makes me wish I’d come in here a long time ago. Stop.” She pointed to the BEDDING sign. “This is what I was looking for. Bed in a bag.”

“What’s that?”

“I went online last night and did some preliminary browsing. The best buys are these bed-in-a-bag sets—comforter, two pillow cases, a top and fitted sheet. And look at the selection of colors.” She gestured to the variety of sets lining the shelves.

“I don’t know that it matters. She won’t like anything we pick out.”

“True, but we can still accommodate her taste without putting you over the edge.”

He nodded. “Nice of you to take that into consideration.”

She laughed. “Hey, you’re paying the bills. So, what I’m suggesting is we look at anything with black somewhere in it. There’s plenty of black and white, black and gray.”

“No. Let’s find something that at least says girl.”

“No emo chic?” Faith asked.

He placed a hand on her arm before she could go forward. “What’s emo?”

Faith turned to face him, a grin on her pretty face. “Don’t feel bad. Kate had to teach me the term. I guess it’s similar to what we think of as punk, only different. It’s her short black hair, the piercings—”

“There’s more than one?” he asked, horrified.

Faith shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just the style.”

He cringed. “How am I going to get through to her?”

Before Faith could answer, a high-pitched, female voice screeched through the aisle. “Faith? Is that you?”

Ethan turned to see a woman wearing a Jackie O–inspired head scarf and big dark sunglasses. She was as inconspicuous as a nun in a porn shop.

“Mother?” Faith asked, obviously shocked.

Talk about a mood killer. The woman hated Ethan when he’d only been seventeen. He could imagine how she felt about him now that he lived in her mansion.

“What are you doing in Target?” Lanie Harrington asked on a stage whisper, pronouncing the store name with a fake French accent. “And what in the world are you doing with the likes of him?”

Here we go, Ethan thought, stiffening. Nothing like a woman’s disapproving mother to bring him back to the bad boy he’d been.

With a forced smile, he met the woman’s gaze. “Nice to see you too, Mrs. Harrington.” He threw the first shot and steeled himself for her reply.