Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
I yanked back my hand, wiping it on my dress, meeting the confused gaze of Richard. His similar eyes met my gaze, making me dizzy. I had my mother’s almond-shaped eyes, but the color was all his. The room tilted and my heart raced. My mouth felt dry, and I wanted to turn and run. I wanted to scream. My emotions were all over the map. I wasn’t sure what to do next, but Richard’s wife appeared, bringing him food and introducing herself. She seemed lovely and genuine. Adored by her daughter and husband alike. Watching them together made my throat burn. Feeling the love they had for each other, the assurance of that love hitting me like a wrecking ball.
Anger took hold. Unexpected hatred shot through my veins, but I reined it in. When Heather wrapped her arm around Richard and called him Daddy, I’d had enough. I excused myself and went to get a drink to calm down and rationalize what had just happened. Maybe the monogram was something to do with the make of the shirt. Many other people had the same unusual eye color as Richard and his daughter. Perhaps they were all coincidences. Maybe I was simply reacting to the already overwhelming feelings of being among this group that considered one another family. Except every time I looked his way and he met my eyes, something inside me told me my first reaction was right.
I had just met my father, and he had no clue who I was.
14
ASHLEY
Another thought hit me as I headed to the door. If he was my father, then I had half-siblings in the room—Heather, with eyes like my own, one of them. The thought made me stumble, and I hastened my steps, needing to get out of there.
I slipped outside to the deck, inhaling the cool night air, telling myself not to jump to conclusions. There were probably hundreds of businessmen who wore shirts with monograms on them. Who had hazel eyes. I needed to calm down and be rational. I mean, what were the chances that, out of the blue, I would find my father?
Luc appeared beside me.
“Hey,” he murmured. “What happened in there?”
“Sorry. I got dizzy. I, ah, I didn’t eat lunch, and suddenly I was a little light-headed.”
Instantly, he was concerned. “I’ll get you a plate. You stay here and sit.”
He hurried away, and I walked to the window, my gaze finding Richard immediately. He was laughing and talking, seemingly not bothered by our meeting. It certainly hadn’t affected him the way it had me. He met my gaze through the glass, a confused frown on his face. He lifted his hand, running it over the cowlick in his hair, smoothing it back. There was another similarity—his cowlick was in the same place I had one. It had frustrated me my entire life, always refusing to be tamed. Now, thanks to expensive product and a hair straightener, I kept it under control, but it was still there. Just like his.
I had to turn away before I did something stupid and rash. When Luc came back, we sat, and I forced myself to eat and make conversation.
“Quite the crew.”
He chuckled, chewing the roast beef he’d taken. “They are.”
“I never asked before,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I assume they all have different last names.”
“Yep. I lose track at times. There’s Ridge, Callaghan, Riley, Matthews…” He waved his hand. “I forget some of them. And of course, Morrison is Reed’s and VanRyan.”
“Richard, I assume?” I asked calmly.
“Yep.”
Richard VanRyan. RVR. I was certain those were the initials on the shirt.
“Are Heather’s, ah, other siblings coming?”
“Yeah. You met Gracie—the one with the baby and the overprotective husband. Gavin was hiding to surprise his dad. Matthew and Penny couldn’t come, but they’re going to Zoom in later.”
I swallowed, recalling our brief conversation in the car. He had five other children. Five that he wanted. Only one he didn’t. Me.
I managed to keep my voice level.
“You have the golf thing tomorrow?”
He nodded. “You really have to work?”
“Yes. I should be done around four, and I’ll come out and meet you at the hotel.”
“Perfect.”
“You should have just stayed here overnight. I could have driven myself out.”
He shook his head, leaning over to kiss me. “And miss time with you? Nope.”
“Will you stay later?”
His gaze narrowed on me. “As if I’d say no to spending the night with you, love. Not happening.”
“Then let’s finish eating and make the rounds and go,” I said quietly. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. I needed to clear my head.
“As soon as we can without being rude.”
“Okay.”
It took longer than I wanted. I tried to act normal, though I was anything but. My mind was racing. I was jumpy and nervous. As much as I tried to resist, I kept staring at Richard. Watching his interactions with his wife and family. The love and care he showed them. The ease with which he bestowed his affection.