Second Chance Girl (Happily Inc. #2)

“Yes, you will.”

He hung up and stared at his phone. Nick and Del walked into the studio.

“Bad news?” Nick asked.

“Nope. Just Mayor Marsha being her slightly scary self. She’s going to look into the permit issue so we can move giraffes across the state. Oh, she’s bringing Eddie and Gladys to the wedding.”

Nick grinned. “I can’t wait. It’s been a long time since an old lady patted my butt. I’ve missed it.”

Del chuckled. “Me, too. The old ladies in China are much more respectful.”

“Maybe they think you’re ugly,” Mathias teased.

“Not possible. I’m with Nick on Eddie and Gladys.”

“There’s something wrong with both of you,” Mathias grumbled.

“Naw,” Nick said. “I know a good thing when I see it. Or in this case, feel it. We should all be so feisty when we’re their age.” He pulled up a stool and leaned toward the glass piece. “You’re nearly there.”

“With luck, a couple more tries should do it.”

Del joined them. “That’s Carol. It looks just like her.”

“Thanks.”

Nick turned the statue. “You could show it at the event for Millie.”

“If it’s ready.”

Nick looked surprised. “You’d do that? Display art? You know he’s going to be there.”

The “he” in question being their father. “I know.”

Nick had been in the studio all those years ago when Ceallach had sent Mathias’s glass work tumbling to the ground. They’d all stood in the aftermath, watching the glass shards fly across the room.

“Maybe it’s time I let the past go,” Mathias said. “He’s just an old man. To see him as anything more important gives him too much power.”

Del glanced between them. “I used to wish I was like you two—talented like Dad. When I was little, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t have what he had. Now, I’m grateful. It’s not worth the crap.”

“I agree,” Mathias said slowly. “You and Aidan weren’t involved.” Ceallach had never much bothered with his “non-artist” sons.

“Everything comes at a price.” Nick glanced at Del. “You didn’t have much of a father.”

“I know, but I’ve moved on. He might have paid attention to what you did, but he wasn’t much of a father to any of us.”

“When do Aidan and Shelby arrive?” Mathias asked. When it came to Ceallach, the more family around, the better. It would be easier to keep him distracted with a lot of moving parts.

“Tuesday, I think.” Del shrugged. “Maya is the keeper of the calendar. I’m just the guy who gets to marry her.” He grinned. “Which makes me one lucky bastard.” He looked around. “Ronan doesn’t work here?”

“He has a studio at his house,” Nick said.

“How’s he doing?” Del asked, turning his attention to Mathias. “Is he dealing yet?”

“Ronan doesn’t deal. He avoids.” Mathias thought of all the other things he could say. That his brother was withdrawing a little more every few weeks. That they barely talked. They didn’t even fight much anymore. At least the fighting had been a connection of sorts. These days they had nothing going on between them.

He tried to see things from his brother’s point of view but every time he got close, he also got mad. He was dealing with plenty, too. Ronan wasn’t the only one who had stopped being a twin. He wasn’t the only one who had lost something. Not that his brother would listen, he thought grimly.

“Will he be at the show?” Del asked.

“He’d better be,” Mathias said. “It’s his piece bringing in the big money.”

“You donating anything?” Del asked Nick.

“I’ve done a couple of fun giraffe pieces in wood. They’re mostly going to be there for atmosphere.”

Mathias was sure his brother would sell everything he brought and for plenty of money. With luck Carol would have enough to support Millie and her herd in style for years.

“Want me to make some calls?” Del asked. “I still know some famous guys in the sports world. We could try to generate some publicity.”

“Good idea,” Mathias told him. “The more press, the more money we’ll raise.”

“I’ll text Jonny Blaze.” Nick pulled out his phone. “I should have thought of it sooner.”

“The actor?” Del asked. “You know him?”

“He moved to Fool’s Gold a couple of years ago. He married Madeline Krug. You remember her.”

“Not really,” Del said, “but sure. Invite everyone. I’ll check around for rooms.”

“Eddie and Gladys are staying at the Sweet Dreams Inn,” Mathias told him. “In case you want to warn anyone.”

His brothers laughed.

This was good for them, he thought. He and his brothers hanging out together. Hopefully Ronan would put in an appearance and soon Aidan would join them. Everyone in one place. Mostly at his house.

He thought wistfully of the usual silence of his place, then reminded himself it was only for a few days. He would be fine.

*

VIOLET TOLD HERSELF not to read too much into Ulrich’s decision to stay in town for a few more days. Maybe he was genuinely excited to see what happened at the auction. Maybe he’d formed a connection with Millie because of the accident. She shouldn’t assume that he was staying because of her.

Oh, but how she wanted him to be.

She’d come back to her office for an afternoon of catching up while Ulrich dealt with issues back in England. They’d agreed to meet up for dinner. Now that he was fully functional, there was no reason for her to sleep next door, so she’d returned to her place. Funny how she’d gotten used to being near him and found herself already missing having him in the next room.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she told herself as she sorted through the mail and bills that had piled up in the past few days. She’d been fine before and she would be fine again. Ulrich was simply a little emotional vacation from her regularly scheduled life. Yes, he was great and yes, she would miss him when he was gone, but she would go on as before.

For a second, she allowed herself the fantasy of him asking her to go back to England with him. Of him telling her he couldn’t stand to be without her. He would take her in his arms and...and...

Okay, sure the sex would be easy and great all that, but then what? Would she really leave everything she knew behind and move halfway across the world for a man she barely knew? Technically she made most of her money with sales of her buttons, which she could ship from anywhere, and the internet meant staying in touch with customers and family would be relatively easy, but still. She was a self-actualized woman. She didn’t need a man to be successful or complete herself. If she were to get involved with anyone, she planned on a true partnership. Could that happen with a duke who owned a five-hundred-plus-year-old estate?

Not a problem she had to solve today, she told herself.

She made quick work of her bill paying, then started opening the packages that had been delivered. There were dozens of buttons to sort—a few sets looked to be exciting finds.