One To Win. Michelle Monkou
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need to remember that we are a family.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“He looked worried, but I’d say that he was more...um...introspective, and a bit sad.”
Fiona didn’t like secrets. The burden to hold them close could be unbearable. And her grandmother was the perfect type to have a bank vault of secrets. The Meadows matriarch was a planner and oftentimes a manipulator, but she was also a woman who’d had to work her way up in a man’s world. No doubt Grace had probably seen and done her share of the unmentionable.
“And what has that got to do with Leo?” Fiona didn’t bother to shade her curiosity with subtlety.
“Is he good with secrets?”
Fiona didn’t have to ponder the question. She had firsthand knowledge of their secret relationship and how Leo had done everything to keep it under wraps. He was always so concerned about his career and doing something to mess with his plans to fast-track the career ladder. “Good luck with trying to find out anything from Leo.”
“That’s why you’re the one to pry it from him. This is important.” Dana would not let her interrupt. “I’m not doubting Grandpa Henry’s feelings. Whatever is going on sounds as if it involves the family.”
Fiona felt a momentary pulse of panic. “I don’t need you giving me a job while I’m here. I’ll probably barely see Leo. And we don’t know when he’ll arrive.”
“Grandpa Henry clamped his mouth shut when I pushed about Leo. Can’t tell if he likes the man.”
“What’s there not to like?” Fiona blurted with a heavy dose of defensiveness.
“I don’t know, Fiona—tell me. You walked away from him.”
“My bathwater is cold. Time for me to get ready for my comfy bed. Enjoy the drive.” Retreat was a wiser choice.
Dana sucked in a breath. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to pinch your nerve. See you tomorrow, cousin.”
“Drive safely.” Fiona hung up.
Her mood, like her once-heated water, had cooled, turning stormy and restless with what was to come. Instead of wondering how her first meeting with Leo would turn out, now she was wondering more about why he had been invited to the family retreat. If Grandpa Henry was troubled, then the problem had to be a doozy.
“Leo Starks, what have you gotten yourself into with the Meadows family?”
After dressing for bed, Fiona parted the thick drapes at the window with her hand and peered out into the inky darkness that blanketed the wide expanse of land. The house sat recessed from the main road with its backside close to the bay. Tomorrow she’d catch up with her grandmother. Then she could take a quick walk around to see what had changed or been updated. But she hoped that here, at her perch, she’d have the ideal view to see everyone pull up to the front door. Staking her position at this perfect lookout gave her a smidgen of confidence for the eventual meeting between her and Leo.
* * *
“Well, damn, and well, damn.” Leo slowed to a stop and shifted the gear to Park.
He needed a moment to take in the sight in front of him. Not only was the sunrise a vivid fusion of color and brilliance, but its position just over the rooftop created a postcard effect. The house was something out of a movie. If he didn’t think Eric would lose his mind and do something idiotic, he’d take a photo with his cell phone and send the image to his coworker for the sheer pleasure of witnessing his ugly fall into deeper envy.
Leo’s own admiration had nothing to do with jealousy. The architecture soaked up his appreciation, thanks to a youthful pastime of studying the great builders in history. Though this impressive home had all the modern amenities and an expansive structure, he recognized the basic design from the 1920s, when industrialists flaunted their wealth from the blossoming American industrial economy with opulent family homes.
The Colonial Revival was typical of this area. Despite the contemporary touches, the British Georgian influence made its bold mark on the house with the symmetrical shuttered windows placed on either side of the door. Although the land was relatively flat, the house, with its two floors and broad, gabled roof, stood on a raised dune. Parked at the curve of the mile-long driveway, Leo understood why the original owner had chosen this parcel of land to show off this jewel. Every morning, the residents probably enjoyed the pleasure of seeing the sun’s rise with a fiery dawn kiss on the landscape. He looked forward to sharing in the experience.
After a few more seconds of staring at the view, Leo shifted the car into Drive and steered toward the most important assignment of his career. As he approached, other cars parked in front of the house came into sight. He pulled up behind the last one, stopped the engine and got out. His gaze took in the surrounding area and the close-up version of the estate.
“You must be Leo Starks.”
Leo nodded to the woman who emerged from the car in front of his. He waited for her to reveal her identity.
“Belinda.” She stepped away from her car with her outstretched hand. The warm smile eased his nerves. “I’m one of the granddaughters. And that’s Dana.”
He gave Dana a wave in answer to hers. This was cousin number two, the CEO. He recognized her from afar. So where was the third cousin? Where was Fiona?
“Come, let’s go in.” Belinda had her arm hooked in Dana’s as they marched their way to the open door.
“And I’m Jesse.” A man who was left behind by the women stepped up to shake Leo’s hand. “You’ll get used to being ignored by them.”
An older woman stood in the front doorway. “Please leave your luggage inside, near the door. And come in, come in, all of you.”
Leo followed the woman’s orders. She reminded him of his visa sponsor, Freida Elderhaus, the woman who was like a second mother to him.
After all the introductions, he stayed put, not sure what his next order of business would be.
“We’re heading up to Fiona’s. I know she’s up. I saw her looking out at us from her bedroom window.” Belinda was halfway up the stairs when she turned and looked directly at Leo. “I wonder who she was waiting to see.”
“Couldn’t be us,” Dana offered.
Leo cleared his throat. He wasn’t sure, but it felt like the cousins had marked him to be teased and taunted about Fiona. That was not what he wanted with Grace somewhere in the vicinity.
“Jesse, you are upstairs to the right. You’re in the last room at the end of the hall.” Mrs. Finch was clearly in charge of the operations. “And Mr. Starks—”
“Please, call me Leo.”
She nodded. “Leo, you will be staying upstairs on the left.”
“Oh no, he’s with the adults,” Belinda yelled down from where she hung over the rail.
“Now, that should make things interesting.” Dana cocked an eyebrow as she needled him with her remark, but it was more about the pointed tone. “Fiona, aren’t you going to come out here and greet your cousins?”
Mrs. Finch tsked and walked away shaking her head. “This house is about to get rowdy, Leo.”
Jesse had long since gone, leaving Leo on his slow walk up the stairs.
A door opened behind him from the second floor. He continued up the stairs, knowing that when he rounded the curve of the staircase, he’d see who had emerged.
“Leo, meet our cousin Fiona.” Belinda chuckled.
“But I think you know each other.” Dana’s face was turned toward Fiona.
And so was his.
Fiona, his Fiona, stood outside what he presumed was her bedroom. He immediately looked into those big