All They Ever Wanted (25 page)

“You're absolutely right. They don't call this town the Home of Second Chances for nothing. Miles is just avoiding the obvious. It'll have to be up to the women in this family to make him see reason.”

His hand stilled and he looked over at her with his solemn eyes. A slow smile spread over his face. “I almost feel sorry for the guy, except that he was such a pain in the ass all those months.”

“Good.” She leaned over and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. “My son deserves as much happiness as we have. We just need to see that he makes it a priority.”

“He's a good man, Tricia. But he's also a McAlister. And I know firsthand how difficult it is to convince one of their kind to let go and fall in love.” He had the audacity to wink at her.

Patricia harrumphed at him. “Oh, yeah? Well, I'm his mother. There's no end to what I would do to make my children happy.”

Lamar laughed as his lips nuzzled her neck. “How 'bout I make you happy, hmm?”

And he proceeded to. Thoroughly.

*   *   *

“Sissy, will Tessa go to Oregon with us, too?”

Lori looked across the hotel suite at Ian, seated on the floor with Tessa curled up on his lanky legs. It was late in the evening and both boy and dog were dozing off and on. The dog had always been a favorite of his when he came to visit her at her apartment. Ian had talked her and Diesel into caring for the stray. It was Ian who named the dog after a horse he'd ridden once when Lori had taken him riding in Central Park. He loved animals and they seemed to love him back.

“Tessa goes wherever you go from now on, Ian.” She walked over and ruffled his wavy brown hair. “I told you I was just keeping an eye on her for you.”

“She'll have fun with the other animals on the farm,” Bruce said. Lori smiled gratefully at her stepfather, who had taken Ian under his wing since they arrived in New York five hours ago. The FBI was footing the bill for Lori, Ian, and her parents to stay in a boutique hotel on the West Side. All she had to do was testify against Leonard Dykstrom and his wife, sending them both to prison for the rest of their natural lives. She shivered at the thought.

“How you holding up, honey?” Her mother wrapped an arm over her shoulders.

“I'm fine. I'm so happy you both came with me. I wasn't looking forward to doing this alone.”

“You're not alone, Lori. You never were,” her mother said. She nodded at Ian and Bruce. “He's going to be a lot of responsibility.”

“I know. But he's a sweet kid. He won't be any trouble, I promise.”

“It's not him I'm worried about. It's you. Having another person to take care of can tie you down.”

Lori studied her mother. “I told you, I'm through with thinking the grass is greener everywhere else. Oregon, the inn, and the farm are everything I need. Ian and I will be content.”

“And Miles McAlister, how does he fit in?”

Her heart skipped a beat at the mention of Miles' name. He'd honored her wish—just as she knew he would—and stayed away from the sheriff's office and the media circus that surrounded her trip out of Chances Inlet. Matthew had also honored his word by letting her say good-bye to Cassidy, Ginger, and Patricia. She'd vowed to keep in touch with all three of them. Her mother had invited them all out to her B and B and Patricia promised to visit soon. Ironically, the last sight Lori had seen as they pulled out of town was a
M
c
ALISTER FOR CONGRESS
sign. Lori had said a silent prayer that Miles would be able to restore his campaign and achieve his dream.

“He doesn't,” she told her mother.

“Because he's running for Congress?” Her mother had that determined look that said she wasn't going to be satisfied until she got all the answers. As a teenager, Lori had hated that look. Tonight, she was grateful to have her mother looking at her at all. “You're not the one who's guilty here. Leonard and Carole are. As far as everyone else is concerned, you did the right thing by thinking of Ian before everyone else. He should be proud to have a woman like you love him.”

Lori kissed her mother's cheek. “Thanks for defending me, Mom.” It was easier to let her mom think what she did rather than tell the truth: Miles didn't love her and he never would. Still, she had no regrets. She just had to convince the tears threatening at the backs of her eyes.

“I found rainbow sprinkles,” Matthew called as he entered the suite.

“Yay,” Ian and Bruce cheered.

Her mother began dishing out the vanilla ice cream she'd ordered from room service in hopes it would cheer Ian up.
He hadn't once asked about his parents, but Lori knew her mother wanted to keep him distracted. Unfortunately, Ian didn't eat ice cream without rainbow sprinkles. Matt had saved the evening by locating some at the corner bodega.

“You bought two containers?” Lori asked.

Matthew shrugged. “Hey, he's a growing boy. I didn't know how much he'd eat.” He checked his phone. “I've got to stop by the Bureau and brief the agent in charge. Do you have everything you need?”

She watched as Ian shoveled more sprinkles than ice cream into his mouth. “We do now.”

Lori walked him to the door.

“Try and get some rest. Tomorrow could be a long day.”

“Thanks for everything, Matthew. I mean it.”

He eyed her critically. “You know, I can find a reason to go back to Chances Inlet and rough the guy up.”

“What guy?”

“McAlister. The candidate.”

She felt her cheeks grow warm. “You're very sweet, but it's totally not necessary.”

“Mmm. The guy's an idiot. But then most politicians are these days.”

“Hey! Don't say that about Miles. He's one of the good guys.”

“You sure about that? Because a good guy wouldn't have let you go.”

Lori couldn't find the words to answer him because her mouth was suddenly dry.

Matthew leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek. “You're one of a kind, Mal—I mean, Lori. Remember that.” With that he was gone.

“Sissy, is my mouth purple?” Ian called to her.

Lori pushed away from the door, refusing to let Matthew's words get to her. She'd won. Ian was safe and Leonard Dykstrom would face the penalty for his crimes. So what if she'd left her heart in a small town in coastal North Carolina? She could be like Miles and live a perfectly normal life without it.

“Hey, save some for me!”

A
crisp, November breeze blew off the Atlantic Ocean, ruffling Miles' hair as he hurried through the torpedo factory's door. Little girls were clambering into the dance studio for a ballet class, all of them dressed in red, white, or blue leotards. Ginger grinned at him as she hustled the girls inside.

“We have a theme going today in your honor. It was actually Emily's idea. Although she was disappointed that members of Congress don't actually wear tiaras.” She kissed him on the cheek. “The kids are so excited to share in your special day.”

“I'm pretty sure they're just excited because Election Day is a school holiday,” he said as he waved to his niece, who was in fact wearing a patriotic crown.

“Okay, maybe a little of that, too.” Ginger winked at him. “I'll see you at Dresden House later.”

He watched for a moment as the little girls followed Ginger into the studio. His brother's fiancée was right: It was a special day for Miles. One he'd been waiting for most of his life. Despite a bumpy start to the campaign, the pollsters predicted he would beat Faye Rich by a nine-point margin. He was
actually going to be a United States Congressman just as he'd planned all those years ago. It was heady stuff.

Still, Miles was battling a sense of hollowness that had been dogging him most of the campaign. He told himself it was because his father wasn't here to share in his accomplishment. It was a feeling he was going to have to get used to apparently.

Cassidy poked her head out of the campaign office. “Hey there, Congressman-elect. A reporter from one of the Wilmington television stations would like a quote. Are you available?” She gave him a cheeky smile and Miles couldn't help returning it.

The campaign office was bustling despite the fact it was nearly five o'clock on Election Day. Cassidy had brought along a crew from college to help with the last-minute campaigning and the room had a festive vibe going. Miles pulled off his jacket and gave it to Bernice.

Greer handed him a cell phone. “This is the fun part, Miles. You did it. Enjoy these interviews.”

Bernice smiled broadly as she passed him a sheet of talking points. Spurred on by everyone's enthusiasm, Miles took the call. Surely this feeling of melancholy would go away when he stepped into his new role.

Hours later, surrounded by friends and family celebrating his victory at Dresden House, Miles still felt disconnected and out of sorts, however. A band was playing on the patio and a stream of well-wishers queued up beside him for a handshake and a selfie. Keeping a smile plastered on his face, Miles worked the room before seeking some sanctuary in the area of the big house his family was occupying.

“Congratulations, Miles.” Will Connelly, sporting a splint on his wrist after a punishing victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, clapped him on the back. “You did what you said you would do. Not that any of us ever doubted it. You'd just better not become a Redskins fan like all those other politicians, you hear me?”

His brother, Ryan, sporting his own splint after a mishap at second base late in the season, draped an arm over Miles' shoulder. “The same goes with baseball. I can't have you
cheering for those Nationals when your brother plays for the opposing team.”

“Pish-posh,” Bernice interjected. “When are you boys going to learn? Miles McAlister is his own man. He'll cheer for whichever team he wants to.”

Miles leaned over and grabbed Bernice in a bear hug. “You sure you don't want to come to Washington and run my office?”

She shook her head. “And give up my bridge club? No, I've had my fun. I'll hold down the fort in the district office, thank you very much. But I still want invites to the inaugural balls. I've already got my dress picked out.”

His sister, Elle, grinned as she linked an arm through his. “So when do I get my in-depth interview with America's hottest new Congressman?”

Gavin snorted. “Hey, there's only room in this family for one
Cosmo
Bachelor of the Month and I'm not giving up the title.”

“And here I thought you were embarrassed by that distinction,” Ginger teased as the rest of the family laughed.

Pretending to ignore them all, Gavin pulled the wrapper off a cupcake he was carrying. He took a bite before making a face.

“Man, I miss Lori's cupcakes,” his brother complained.

The unsettled feeling intensified. Miles had worked hard to keep thoughts of Lori contained to late at night when he was alone in his bed. Otherwise, he'd be distracted all day wondering what she was doing and how she was faring. Of course, everyone in town knew the answers to those questions. Cassidy and his mother frequently reported she was successfully working as the chef and manager of her mother's restaurant on the Oregon coast. She'd navigated the trial and the media with grace and humility. By all accounts she was content with her old life—enjoying it even.

So why then couldn't Miles enjoy his? Especially now that he'd gotten all he ever wanted.

“Miles.” Greer grabbed his arm. “This is it. Faye is on the phone. She's calling to congratulate you. Do you want it on speaker?”

“No.” Despite being beholden to the people of Chances Inlet, there were still some conversations he wanted to keep private. This was one of them. He took the phone from Greer and headed to the small butler's pantry, where he and Faye had first spoken all those weeks ago.

“How are you, Faye?” he asked when he'd closed the door behind him.

Faye sighed. “I'm in need of a spa vacation that starts with a two-hour bubble bath.”

Miles chuckled at her candor. “Would you believe me if I said the same thing? Substituting the bubble bath for a few beers, of course.”

She laughed out loud. “I'd say we both deserved it. But in all seriousness, congratulations, young man. If I hadn't voted for myself, I would have definitely voted for you. I'm happy to have you representing me and our community, Miles. I know you'll do us proud.”

He swallowed around the lump that had formed in his throat. “I hope that means you won't mind serving as an advisor when I need one. I'm serious about protecting the rights of seniors. I know people in Washington would take me more seriously if I had some bipartisan support.”

“I'm available for whatever you need me for, Miles.”

“I appreciate that. Especially after everything that happened in the campaign.”

“We both did our best to keep the nastiness out, Miles. I can't blame you for what other people said and did. Just as I hope you don't blame me. I told you how much I respected your father and what a dear friend your mother is to me. It was never my intention to go after them.”

“I know and I appreciate that. I even helped things along by doing something outrageous just like you asked,” Miles joked.

“
Pfft
,” Faye said into the other end of the phone. “You call that outrageous? You're both single and attractive. Who could blame you?
Outrageous
would have been if you'd gone and married Leonard Dykstrom's daughter. Although she's turned out to be America's favorite, so even that wouldn't be that outrageous any longer.”

Miles wasn't sure what else he'd said to Faye before hanging up. He'd been on autopilot after she'd mentioned the subject of marriage. The idea of him marrying Lori was preposterous. Just the thought was making his heart race and head feel light.

“Here you are,” his mother said as she slipped into the butler's pantry. “The natives are getting antsy for your speech.”

Miles shook his head slightly in order to realign his thoughts. He'd been planning this speech for most of his life. He needed to get his game on.

His mother smiled broadly at him. “Such a wonderful day. All my children are in one place. Kate is growing another grandchild. Gavin is getting married. And my oldest son just got elected to Congress. I don't know if I can get any happier.” She adjusted his tie. “Your father would be so proud of you, Miles. Not just because you've been elected, but of the man you've become. You didn't change who that was to achieve your goal.”

He leaned down to kiss his mother on the head. “Thanks, Mom, for everything.”

Her eyes were shining when she looked up at him. “Are you happy, Miles? You look a little strained.”

“Just tired, that's all. It's been a long few months. I'll be fine once things settle down.”

“You should take some time off now that you have the chance. After all, your life will be busy once you get to Washington. Maybe you can go on a little vacation.”

Miles studied his mother's face. She was up to something; he just couldn't figure out what. “Did you have someplace specific in mind, Mom?”

“Well, now that you mention it.” She dug through the large purse on her shoulder. “I don't really want to send this through the mail.” His mother opened her hand and a worn gold wedding band was resting in her palm. “You could take this to Oregon and give it to Lori. I know she'd love to get it back.”

He blew out a ragged breath as his pulse beat faster. “Where did you find it?”

His mother rolled her eyes. “It seems my granddaughter is a bit of a kleptomaniac. She's been ‘collecting' things and
stashing them in a box in my bedroom where I keep the costume jewelry for her. I was looking for a bracelet I'd let Emily borrow, to play dress-up, and lo and behold, there it all was, right there in the sparkly box. Apparently she'd been picking up a few extra trinkets when she followed Cassidy around the inn while Cassidy was restocking the bathrooms each day.” His mother gripped his arm, pleading. “Please don't tell Kate. She and Alden would have the child in therapy or something. Emily and I had a long talk about it today. She seemed to think that everything in the inn was hers to play with. But she knows now what she did was wrong. It's bad enough I'm going to have to grovel to former guests.”

Miles barely comprehended what his mother was saying as he stared at the delicate ring in her hand.
Lori's ring.
It was supposed to have brought her luck, according to her grandmother. She would want it back. His mother was right—the mail was unpredictable and he couldn't take a chance at it being lost again. The campaign was over. His heart felt like he was in the home stretch of a triathlon, it was beating so quickly. Miles could certainly fly out to Oregon and return the ring in person. All that stood between him and seeing Lori again was a rousing campaign speech he'd been rehearsing since he was ten.

“I'd be happy to deliver it in person.” He pocketed the ring and wrapped an arm around his mother's shoulders, feeling like he was having an out-of-body experience when he agreed to run his mother's errand. “But first, I have some people to thank.”

*   *   *

The ragged Oregon coastline was spectacular as the sun dipped toward the sea on the late autumn afternoon. Lori had forgotten how much she'd missed the gorgeous sunsets of her hometown. The sprawling three-story inn sat on top of a bluff overlooking one of the many inlets along the Pacific coast. Unlike the Victorian-style Tide Me Over Inn, the Towering Peaks Inn was covered entirely with redwood shingles, from its roof to its foundation. Nearly all of the ten guest rooms
featured a patio overlooking the bay. There was even a turret with a large sitting room at the top featuring a spectacular 360-degree view of the ocean and the surrounding forest. The interior of the B and B was decorated in the cozy French provincial style with fresh flowers from Bruce's nursery adorning every room.

Lori had been back in Oregon, cooking at her mother's inn, for nearly three months. True to her word, her mom had relinquished complete control of her restaurant to Lori. Now, her mother and Bruce spent part of their time traveling and touring other B and B's around the country, giving seminars to inn owners about their successful farm-to-table approach.

Unencumbered by the disguise she'd been forced to don in Chances Inlet, Lori felt free in the kitchen. She reveled in the ability to create unique dishes and bake delicious desserts for her mother's guests. In addition, she'd instituted a daily tea similar to those Patricia hosted, as well as the weekly wine flights she'd perfected at the Tide Me Over Inn. Given the vineyards surrounding the inn, Lori had quickly been able to work out a partnership with most of the wineries in the area. At long last, Lori had everything she ever wanted.

Most everything anyway.

“Sissy.”

Lori looked away from the dining room's panoramic view to see Ian hesitating in the doorway of the kitchen. He'd stopped asking for his parents weeks ago, and as long as Tessa was by his side, the boy was content and adjusted. Lori felt a rush of pride that her mother had taken her ex-husband's child into her home and her heart as if Ian were her own. A tutor came each morning to help with schoolwork, and in the afternoons Bruce or her mother took the boy fishing or on a nature hike looking for animals. Ian was even asking if he could join her mom and Bruce on their trip to Arizona later in the month. While Lori would miss her brother, she was glad that he had adjusted to the transition in his life so seamlessly.