Chapter 23
The first–floor bathroom at the Leonard Manor sat way in the back, near the base of the mountain behind the property. Outside its window, a stream trickled through thick, leafy trees–their shade blocking the summer heat, keeping the air cool and fresh.
“Ms. Sullivan.” Daryl’s voice suddenly cut through the air behind Lydia.
Lydia, who’d only just started to relax after the tense dinner, tensed up instantly. She turned to give Daryl a dry look and muttered, “Like mother, like son, huh? You two have a thing for sneaking up on people, don’t you?”
Dary Neaned against the bathroom doorframe, his deep eyes raking over her face, slow, deliberate.
Lydia was still in the lavender bodycon dress she’d worn to the party. Her curly hair cascaded over her shoulders; the soft lip color made her skin look even tenderer; her bright, clear eyes stood out, unlike any woman Daryl had ever met.
His leering gaze made Lydia’s stomach turn. “What do you want?” she snapped.
Daryl crossed his arms, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Didn’t peg you for the wild type, while you look like a harmless little rabbit. One wrong move, and you’ll totally strike back.”
With that, he reached out, grabbing her wrist and yanking her toward him.
Lydia bit back her anger, balling her fist. In one quick move, she “accidentally” knocked over a nearby vase.
The heavy ceramic hit Daryl’s foot. Struggling to maintain his composure, he hopped awkwardly on one leg away from the shattered vase, his face twisting in pain as he sucked in a sharp breath.
Lydia mimicked his sharp intake of breath, batting her eyelashes with an exaggerated look of innocence. “Oh no, how’d you get so clumsy?”
“You!”
While he was distracted by the throbbing in his foot, Lydia pulled her wrist free–red from his grip–and hurried back toward the dining room.
Everyone in the dining room had heard the commotion.
Lydia had only run a few steps when she spotted Hayden approaching. She slowed down, darted a quick glance at Harper behind him, and pinched her thigh hard. Instantly, her eyes reddened, tears pooling at the corners.
Hayden caught on to her little act and played along. “Lydia? What happened?”
Lydia choked back a sob, sounding thoroughly wronged. “I just had a little back–and–forth with Winona in the dining room. I never thought Daryl would get upset and follow me to the bathroom and totally tear into me.
“He was sticking up for her mom, so I didn’t dare say a word. But then he shoved me, and that’s when the vase fell. I tried to catch it, but it hit my hand.”
Hayden had been going along with the act–until he followed her gaze to her wrist, where a red mark stood out. His
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expression instantly hardened, eyes darkening as he turned a frigid glare on Daryl, who was already trying to sputter an explanation.
“Guess having parents to raise you does make a difference,” Hayden said, his voice sharp.
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Harper doted on Hayden more than anyone. He’d lost both parents young, and she’d taken him in and raised him herself. His words hit a nerve, making her think of her late eldest son, Yosef.
She rounded on Daryl, fury in her tone. “If your parents can’t act right, that’s on them. You should be calming them down, not egging them on. You guys will ruin yourselves at this rate.”
Daryl slumped against Winona, struggling to find the right words. When he caught Hayden’s blazing glare, he clamped his mouth shut, swallowing the bitter anger rising in his throat.
As Harper was so worked up she could barely stand, Lydia hurried over to steady her and said, “This is on me, Harper. Don’t let this get to you. It’s not worth it.”
Matthew, seeing there was no winning here, grabbed Winona and slipped away without a word.
Not long after Matthew’s family of three left, Harper’s third son, Lucas, and his daughter, Yvonne, showed up.
Harper sat on the couch, taking the warm water Lydia handed her and taking a sip. And it seemed to ease the knot of anger in her chest. “What brings you two here?” she asked.
Unlike Matthew, whose scheming was written all over his face, Lucas looked calm and steady. His clear, straightforward eyes made him seem like a genuinely honest man.
“I heard Hayden and Lydia are registering their marriage tomorrow, so I came to congratulate them,” he said. “Yvonne’s studying design. Maybe she could help Lydia pick out an outfit and accessories for the occasion.”
Yvonne had a hint of Harper in her features, with the same dimpled smile lighting up her cheeks. “We’re gonna be family soon,” she said. “I can’t do much, but let me help out consider it an early wedding gift.”
Harper adored Yvonne. As she filled Lydia in about Yvonne’s major, her eyes sparkled with pure admiration and pride.
Lydia studied the pretty girl, catching a glimpse of what Harper might have looked like years ago. She guessed this might be why Harper doted on Yvonne.
Yvonne settled into the seat next to Lydia, grinning. “I’ve always wondered what kind of girl could keep up with Hayden. Now I get it, seeing you.”
Lydia glanced at Hayden’s cool face, and a playful smile curled at the corner of her lips. “Then what were his ex–girlfriends like?”
Hayden looked up, catching her playful gaze.
Yvonne held out her hands. “Hayden, you gonna slip me some hush money? Or should I spill?”
Hayden grabbed an orange from the table and handed it to her. “Hush money.”
Yvonne pouted. “If you’re gonna be stingy, I might not stay loyal.” She leaned in, whispering to Lydia with a mischievous
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chuckle. “Hayden’s never had a girlfriend.”
Lydia was a bit surprised, but it made sense. After all, people weren’t just talking about Hayden’s bad leg; there were rumors about some other hidden health issue between his legs.
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Hayden caught her stealing glances at him, cleared his throat, and turned to Yvonne. “Aren’t you supposed to help Lydia with her outfit? Enough chitchat.”
Lydia couldn’t help smiling at how hard he was trying to change the subject.
The atmosphere here was warm and harmonious, while over there, Harper and Lucas were also thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Yvonne pulled a jewelry box from the bag slung over her shoulder. “I designed this myself. Do you like it, Lydia?”
She opened the box, and inside lay a diamond–studded necklace, glinting like stars scattered across a dark sky.
“It’s a bit fancy, but it’d look amazing with a white satin dress,” Yvonne said, passing the box to Lydia.
Lydia couldn’t hide her admiration. “Wow, you’re really good at this. The design and craftsmanship are better than some top studios I’ve seen.”
A5
