More Than Scars (20 page)

             
On my way out I heard a very lovely sound coming from the music room. It was the piano and it was most certainly not one of the girls playing. My curiosity won out and I snuck to the room’s entrance. They were all three there at the piano. Their backs were to me. Liam sat in the middle a little one was on each side. He was playing a beautiful piece and one I recognized. It was Pachebel’s Canon in D! It was lovely…it was one of my favorites and it made chills go up and down my spine. I was used to hearing it in weddings or romantic affairs, so hearing it outside of that was different but did not fail to bring to mind all things romantic. I wonder if that had been the composer’s intention when he wrote this song!

             
I watched Liam’s shoulders and arms move as he played and his head as it bowed over the keys. Each child’s face was turned to his, watching him. I wondered at the expression that was there. The music that flowed from his fingertips was effortless and flawless. You can tell the difference between someone who knew how to play and someone who truly loved to play. He loved this. Tears stung my eyes and I leaned against the door and listened until he played the very last note. It reverberated throughout the room and was followed by a hallowed silence as if everyone held their breath. I know I was holding mine.

             
“Play it again Daddy,” Amelia said softly and reverently.

             
Yes please! I wanted to shout from behind them, but I bit my tongue.

             
He chuckled, touched her face, and to my joy did her bidding.

             
Halfway through the encore, I realized I was an interloper. I was invading their time and I had no right! I wanted so much to be seated with them…to be included! This was not my time though and I would not steal! I forced myself away from the scene…but not before I reached in my purse to draw out my camera. I made sure the flash and shutter sound was off and snapped a picture. I would save this forever! I sneaked off to go find my car.

             
My Mom’s house smelled like coffee and cinnamon rolls. “Mom I said I already ate,” I complained, as I made my way down the hall and into the kitchen. The moment I entered the small kitchen, I was grabbed from behind! I yelped and quickly through my elbow into the attackers ribs and my heel into his instep getting instant gratification from a groan and the freedom of my body.

             
“Damn Nerissa!”

             
I swung around ready to fight and relaxed immediately after meeting my brother’s green glare. He was rubbing his injured ribs and hopping on one foot.

             
“Someone taught me well,” I laughed.

             
He grinned and crashed down in one of Mom’s kitchen chairs. “I sure did! But man, didn’t you think I might be here to test you?”

             
I rolled my eyes. “Baby!” I went to give Mom a hug. “I thought we were going to get to visit on our own,” I complained.

             
Al mimicked me from his perch, now rubbing his injured foot.

             
“Al was here when you called. He wanted to…test you,” she teased. “You sounded upset on the phone. “Something happen?”

             
“It’s not Byrne is it?” Al was alert and on the defense. “It better not have anything to do with the lunch out!”

             
I shook my head and dropped my coat on the back of a chair. I went for a fresh cup of coffee. “He was upset at first over it but then he understood. He was actually really cool over the whole thing. No, I found out something else the two of you have been withholding,” I growled, and slumped down in my seat with my cup.

             
Al looked worried. “You mean about the little one?”

             
I nodded, sipping my drink.

             
My Mom sat next to me and patted my hand. “Brianne’s situation was so similar. We thought it might bring up old memories. Plus, I spoke to Liam about it and he agreed…”

             
“Neither you or Liam thought me knowing this might actually help Brianne? I know what that girl is going through! Al, you know what being a young person and witnessing a murder can do on someone…and how it can help to have someone there who has been through a similar situation! Brianne has been on her own! All these weeks I have been lost to why she is afraid to go to sleep…terrified of the dark…so attached to her dad! So afraid for him! Now I know and I can help her so much more!” I shook my head. “Do me a favor and just be honest with me from now on instead of trying to protect me all the time!  I am a big girl now!”

             
Al sighed. “Rissa…”

             
“Don’t Rissa me!”

             
“It’s a hard habit to kick when I’ve been doing it for so long,” he argued.

             
I nodded. “Start practicing. My job is protecting these girls now…even Liam.”

             
“Who is protecting you?” my Mom asked softly.

             
“Me,” I answered, lifting my chin stubbornly.

             
Al chuckled. “I will stop hiding everything from you Rissa…but you are still under my protection…Mom’s protection. You got that?”

             
I rolled my eyes and reached for a cinnamon roll.

             
Al reached for one too, making a face back at me.

             
“So what else are you hiding?”

             
“Nothing!” My Mom said quickly…too quickly.

             
“You spoke to Liam,” I spoke around a bite. I sipped my coffee to wash it down. “He told you about Brianne. There has to be more to the story than what he told me!”

             
“Nerissa…that is all he told me…Brianne saw it all. He wanted me to keep hush over that.”

             
I eyed Al.

             
He blew out a breath. “Don’t make me air his dirty laundry Riss! Wouldn’t you rather he open up to you about the details? You have the outline of the story.”

             
“I barely have the opening line.” I scoffed.

             
Al tossed his roll unto his plate. “The Byrnes were attacked on their own property by a crazy man. Jade Byrne died…Liam nearly died saving her…Brianne witnessed it. The killer was captured and is serving a sentence. There is your outline!”

             
“On the property?” Chills ran up my spine.

             
Al gave a short nod. “Near the stables. It was early evening…” he hesitated. “Rissa, its very close…”

             
“Spill it Al.”

             
“It was getting dark. They had just gotten back from a ride. Amelia was at the house…someone had been watching her so it was just Liam, Jade and Brianne. Liam had sent the stable hand off duty…since he could handle the horses himself…apparently he’s apt…”

             
“He loves to,” I agreed.

             
“They were heading to the house when the attacker came out of the shadows…”

             
“But the stable is viewable from the house…”

             
“It was a Sunday.”

             
I bit my lip. Low staff on Sunday…even now a days…probably more so then…when he could trust. “Oh,” I whispered softly.

             
“It happened quickly…Liam was able to identify his attacker when he eventually came around and an arrest was made.” Al reached across and patted my hand. “Did you know it was Ian who found them?”

             
I covered my mouth and shook my head. Another reason the brothers were so bonded and that Brianne was so attached to her Uncle. He was her savior too! “Al why didn’t you tell me these things?”

             
Al drew in a breath. “If you could see your face each time we talk about dad..” he paused. “That…even now…your face pales. It may have been forever ago but you have not dealt with it fully. Maybe I should have and just let you deal with the shock of it…get it over with, but I hate that look!” He looked down at his cup.

             
I worried my lip. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to deal with it as easily…”

             
“Easily?” His gaze swung back up. “You think I dealt with it easily?” I may have been eighteen…and I may not have been witness to it, but it was anything but easy for me Nerissa..God! I can’t believe you said that.” He looked physically shaken. “He was my Dad too.”

             
My breath was lost somewhere between my stomach and my throat. “I’m sorry,” I whispered…I didn’t mean it to sound like that. “I just meant…You’ve always been so strong about it…I just always fall apart.”

             
His face softened. “I fell apart too sis. I just hid it better.” He reached across. “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean anything by it.” He squeezed my hand.

             
My Mom who had been watching us tensely, relaxed and blew out a breath. She hated if we fought. “Let’s just enjoy some time together okay?”

             
We did enjoy the rest of the morning catching up before Al had to head off to work.

             
I promised my Mom lunch the following week and then did some shopping on Liam Byrne’s dime. I got new sweaters, new boots, and a winter coat…all for the job of course. It wouldn’t even dent the available balance on the card. On my way out of the last store, my tummy told me it was time for lunch. I loaded my new things in my trunk and hopped in the car, juggling my keys my purse and a now ringing phone. I smiled at the caller i.d.

             
“Hello Ian.”

             
“I heard about last night,” he sighed.

             
I dropped my purse in the passenger’s seat and sighed back. “It was a little rough.”

             
“I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

             
“Me too.” In the background, I swore I heard a piano.

             
“Where are you?”

             
“The house. I came over to see the girls…and was hoping you too…friend. Instead I find you have high tailed it out for the day and you never even called to see if I wanted to grab coffee or anything! I am hurt! I thought friends did that sort of thing!”

             
My laugh couldn’t be helped. “I didn’t high tail it out. It was a sudden decision and I went to see my Mom and brother. I just went clothes shopping, which I have heard men are not exactly fond of and now I am starving! Besides…no dating.”

             
“I am your friend,” he growled.

             
“Ian.”

             
“Nerissa,” he mimicked my tone.

             
“What is everyone doing?” I asked softly.

             
“Well, the two piano geniuses have been playing all day. Amelia is painting her little heart out…the little one has talent…and me? I may be starving right now. Do you know anyone who might be heading to lunch?”

             
The music had stopped in the background and I wondered if Ian’s conversation had been detected.

             
“I will make a deal with you,” I agreed.

             
“Anything!”

             
“If I let you come to lunch with me, no more covering. You have to tell me the rest of the story! You have to tell me what everyone is covering up Ian. I am tired of all the surprises. I love this family…yes, love! And I need to know why it ticks so I can take care of all of you thoroughly! Do I make myself clear?”

             
“You love me?”

             
I laughed. “Stop being such a boy!”

             
“You will let me pay for your lunch?”

             
“Even better…I will let your brother pay for our lunch!”

             
His laugh was so sweet and so happy it made me smile even bigger.

             
“I think I can agree to those terms. It’s a date?”

             
“No date! I made a promise to Liam…and he can hear you now can’t he? You are playing with him…Ian Byrne…you be kind!”

             
“Nerissa you are making me blush.”

             
“Ian!”

             
“You can’t talk to a man like that and expect him to be on his best behavior when he sees you!”

             
“I swear…I will call this deal off if you do not behave,” I laughed, my cheeks were flames.