One To Win. Michelle Monkou

house had enough rooms for a large family and pets. Everything was in place, except the woman who’d torn his heart in two. He’d lived a rough and poor life as a child where forgiveness was a sign of weakness and trust was not to be given so easily. His lessons had been learned the hard way. And no matter how his defenses could crumble at the sight of Fiona, his head was in charge for this go-round.

      Pride, resolve and the bitter taste of rejection had more power than the desire to cave in and be grateful that he’d be sharing the same space with her. He shook his head in response to his weakening resolve. There would be no second chances.

       Chapter 2

      Fiona didn’t wait until Sunday to drive to the Hamptons. Her nerves wouldn’t allow her to reach a relaxed state to wait out the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, she was in her car heading south on the highway. The long drive gave enough time for her to mentally prepare for the arduous tasks of dealing with her grandmother, enjoying a vacation forced by her boss and holding field advantage for Leo’s arrival. The last item held the most importance.

      To be held in those arms, tight against his chest, close enough to hear his heart beat its deep, pulsing rhythm—she sighed over her fantasy. Anticipation grew as she gazed at the mileage signs toward New York City that steadily decreased as she neared her destination. Her foot pushed on the gas pedal in a coordinated effort with her desire to hasten her arrival.

      By nightfall she’d reached the family estate. It felt good to have her feet on solid ground.

      “Good evening, Miss Fiona. Welcome back. Hope you had a good drive.”

      Fiona nodded and entered the house. “Thank you, Mrs. Finch. The drive had some teeth this time. Heavy traffic. Roadwork.” Fiona torqued her body to work out the kinks along her back and hips. Seven hours and then some, driving over and through the mountains with tractor trailers for company, did challenge her reflexes. She looked forward to a long soak in the pool-sized bathtub in her room to find her Zen.

      “Your room is ready. Denton will park the car and take up your luggage. Don’t worry about a thing. Will you be dining in your room?”

      Fiona nodded with an apologetic scrunch of her nose. “I hate to be a pain.”

      “Grilled cheese with bacon. Tall glass of milk. Two chocolate chip cookies.” Mrs. Finch’s rosy cheeks bunched with the wide smile.

      “You know me so well.” Fiona hugged the house manager, whom she’d known since she was ten years old. “Anyone else crashed early?”

      “Mrs. Grace and Mr. Henry are here. They arrived on Thursday. After a full day in the vegetable garden today, they both headed up early.”

      Despite the brilliantly lit entry room, the sitting rooms on either side of the area were dim. A comfortable silence hung over the house. Well, all of that would change when her cousins invaded the castle walls.

      “And my parents?” Fiona looked toward the staircase that stood as the prominent fixture in the middle of the black-and-white-marbled entryway.

      “They haven’t arrived. But their room is ready for whenever they do.”

      Fiona didn’t expect her mother to show up tomorrow. If Fiona felt reluctance to come to the vacation home, her mother experienced dread, an emotion that she barely concealed, and the source was a fairly new annoying mystery. If Grace was the cause, there was no evidence to prove the case. When Fiona asked her mother if she was okay or invited her to share why she was troubled, she was usually pointedly ignored. Yet Fiona couldn’t pretend that she didn’t care if her mom showed up. They were all in this family reunion, for better or worse.

      “You look like you need a good night’s rest. Go on to the room and I’ll have your dinner sent up.”

      “Thanks, Mrs. Finch. Can’t wait for those cookies.” Fiona left the car keys with her to pass on to Denton to park the car. Then she ran up the grand staircase that curved off to the left and right. Its polished walnut banister accented the crisp white stairs. Her hand glided along the wood with appreciation for the perfect slide it had made back in the day for her and her cousins. The prohibited activity was also the reason for her many time-outs when she was caught by Mrs. Finch or, worse, by her grandmother. She smiled at the memories.

      Fiona opened the bedroom and entered her personal space. All three cousins would stay on the same floor in side-by-side rooms. The aunts and uncles and her parents would stay in the other wing on the same level. But she wondered where Leo would lay his head. How hospitable was Grace feeling? The house was large enough for him to stay in one of the many guest rooms, but there was also the cottage off to the side of the property that could be used.

      A knock on the door interrupted her reacquaintance with the room.

      “Come in.”

      A maid entered with the tray. “Hi, Miss Fiona, I’m Shawna. I’m new here.”

      “Hi, nice to meet you. I’ll take the tray.” She crossed the room and retrieved the platter with all the tasty indulgences that Mrs. Finch had promised. She put it down on her bed.

      As soon as the maid left, Fiona stripped off her clothes, grabbed the tray and headed for the bathroom. In no time, Fiona prepared her bath. The water steamed the mirrors and the suds were pleasantly thick, filling the room with a wonderful vanilla scent. After a bit of maneuvering, she had the tray set on a small table next to the tub.

      Fiona sank down into the tub until the water covered her breasts. Her sigh was loud and full of her satisfaction. She reached for the sandwich first and bit into the warm bread and welcomed the gooey cheese. No doubt she’d be spoiled by Mrs. Finch’s staff before her two weeks ended.

      Her phone rang. She gingerly pushed the talk button with her pinkie finger.

      “Fiona? Where are you?” Dana’s question had a shrill edge.

      “In my favorite bathtub. Eating my favorite sandwich—”

      “I can’t believe you headed out early. And didn’t tell us. You’re wrong for that.” Dana carried on with her complaints.

      “It’s not as if we were riding together.”

      “Yeah, but you’re in that fab house. And I’m eating a Chinese dinner by myself. I miss Kent.”

      Fiona took another bite of her sandwich. “Stop whining. Just come out early in the morning.”

      Dana mocked her by echoing her statement.

      “Uncalled for. And I’m about to hang up.” Fiona eyed the other half of her sandwich, which she wanted to consume in peace.

      “Wait. I’ve got some details about your guy.”

      “Not my guy.”

      “Then you don’t need to know. Never mind.”

      Dana’s teasing irritated Fiona’s resolve to maintain indifference under her cousins’ scrutiny.

      “What’s going on?” Fiona gritted her teeth over Dana’s laughter.

      “The reason for him being at the Hamptons is definitely a big secret.”

      “You are really messing with my vibe.” Fiona put down the sandwich that she’d just picked up and waited for her annoying cousin to cough up information. “So Grace told you why Leo will be there?”

      “I did ask and was told that it didn’t concern me. When it was the appropriate time, she would tell me. Then I got the dial tone.”

      Fiona chuckled. “I give you points for going straight to Grace. But that’s not really clarifying anything.”

      “I didn’t say that I was done. I asked Grandpa Henry.”

      “So now you’re ready to get him kicked to the couch.” Fiona reached for a cookie instead.