Finding Ronan’s Heart by Melanie Moreland

Chapter Fifteen

Beth

Ibreathed in the scent of summer approaching. The storm yesterday had cleared the air, and as I walked along the street, I smiled at the blooms starting to appear on the flowers, the new green leaves in the trees. Even with the trace of the traffic and the city, underneath was the aroma of the new season approaching. I felt different these days. Lighter. Happier. And I knew why.

Ronan.

He had somehow become incredibly important to me. A part of my life. We spoke on the phone, and he texted regularly. We saw each other whenever we could, whether he picked me up and drove me home after work, hung out with me while I baked cakes, played with Evan and Lucy, any and all of it was great. He was open and honest. Affectionate. When we were alone, he showed his feelings openly, his lovemaking thorough and passionate. I worried about him getting enough sleep with the odd hours we were keeping, but he assured me he was fine. Paige liked him, Lucy adored him, and to Evan, he was a big brother. He had somehow lit a fire in Evan, who was now faithfully doing the exercises Ronan showed him. It was as if Ronan had given him back his hope.

Even though it had only been a matter of weeks, Ronan had influenced all of us. I stopped at the corner, waiting for the traffic light to change as I thought about him with a smile.

I was falling in love with him.

I huffed a small impatient sigh when those words hit me. I hadn’t planned on it or wanted it to happen, but it did.

I crossed the street, one person among the crowd, still lost in thought. There was so much I still didn’t know about him. I had the basics. His name, birthday, favorite color, favorite food. I knew he had four siblings and his parents were alive. He worked in the construction field. Somehow, though, whenever the topic turned personal, he became evasive. He was good at distraction. Kissing me until I forgot what I had asked. Teasing me until I laughed and he changed the subject. I was determined to find out more about his family. More about him. My feelings were already strong, and I needed to know we were on the same wavelength and for him to know he could trust me and tell me anything.

I walked into Nifty Fifty, hoping to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich. It had been a busy morning with class, and I had a project due. I wanted to grab something to eat on the way to the library, then I would start back to work. My boss Mike looked up, relief flashing across his face when he saw me. My heart sank, worried he was going to ask me to cover a shift for someone who hadn’t shown up, and I hated the fact that I was going to have to say no. I needed to get this project done.

He smiled. “Just the girl I need.”

I shook my head. “Mike, I—”

He laughed. “No, I don’t need you to work, but I have a favor.”

“What is it?” I asked, relieved.

“We got a last-minute order for two large cakes. I have no one to deliver them. I’ll cover a taxi if you take them and drop them off.”

“Where are they going?”

“The company is called BAM. They’ve ordered before. They’re in the same building as the ABC Corp that has ordered a lot of your cakes. They’re a few blocks away.”

“I can walk them over.”

He shook his head. “They ordered the big ones. Two are heavy. You can take a cab, and I’ll pay your way home too. They were happy to pay the extra fees.”

I laughed, the mystery of how another company had heard of the cakes explained. They must somehow be connected or a staff member had mentioned the cakes.

“I can do that. But no need for a cab home. I’m heading to the library. I’ll take a sandwich in exchange. I’m starving.”

“Great. I’ll box them up, and you eat.”

“Perfect.”

* * *

I slipped from the cab and carefully took out the large box, grateful for the wooden board in the bottom supporting the cakes. I glanced up at the structure, taking in the well-kept appearance of the building. I paused on the steps, admiring the landscaped garden starting to bloom and manicured bushes. It was nice to see in downtown Toronto. The building spoke of wealth and an understated elegance. Different from many in the area that were plain concrete edifices.

Inside, I was given directions to BAM, and I rode the elevator to the top floor. I stepped out into a welcoming area, hearing the hushed sounds of voices down the halls. I made my way to the reception desk, and the woman there looked up with a smile.

“Oh, the cakes!” she gushed. “That is wonderful.”

“Would you like me to take them somewhere?”

Her phone rang, and she grimaced. “Would you mind setting them on the boardroom table?” She indicated the glassed-in room across the hall.

“No problem.”

I carried in the box and slid it on the table, where a pile of plates and forks was already set up. I looked around curiously. I had no idea what BAM stood for, but there were pictures on the walls of various buildings. Large houses. An aerial view of a community of homes set by the water. I cocked my head to the side as I peered at that one. It looked familiar, but why, I wasn’t sure. The boardroom held a huge wooden table, the rich oak gleaming in the light. I counted twenty chairs around the slab of wood, all upholstered and comfortable-looking. There was a large-screen TV on one end and in the corner a door that I assumed led to a private office. As I turned to leave, I spied a neat kitchen tucked to one side. It all spoke of the same understated elegance as the outside, and I wondered if BAM was an upscale real estate firm. I would have to look it up when I got home.

A tall, silver-haired man walked in and eyed me speculatively. “Hello?” he said.

I indicated the table. “Hello. I was delivering the cakes.”

A smile broke out on his face. “Ah. Great.”

“Nice, um, room,” I sputtered.

He chuckled. “We like it.”

“Okay, well, enjoy.”

“You work for the diner?”

“Um, yes. I, ah, I bake the cakes,” I offered.

“Really?” he asked, sounding delighted. “They’ve become a favorite here. Aiden had a piece downstairs and raved, so we ordered a couple.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Bent, this lovely young lady is the baker of our new favorite treat.”

I turned and met the intense blue gaze of “Bent.” He was tall, with broad shoulders and a severe, unsmiling expression. Both men were in their early sixties, I assumed, and wore suits I was certain cost more than what I paid for a year in rent. Bent’s face changed as he smiled.

“Well hello, cake lady. I think we need to put you on retainer.”

I laughed and edged toward the door. “Glad you enjoy them.”

“We do.” He smiled. “Thank you for bringing them.”

“You’re welcome.”

The silver-haired man opened the door, and I stepped into the hall, waving to the woman who was still on the phone. I peeked at a few of the other pictures on the walls. I pushed the button for the elevator and waited for it. Another picture caught my attention, and I moved over to look at it as I waited. The elevator opened, drawing my attention as a group of men, all laughing and talking, filed out. I startled as I looked at the first man, his face familiar. He was an older version of Ronan. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and dress pants, a silk tie loose around his throat. He was tall and well built. Two younger men followed, dressed in high-priced suits, their green eyes verdant, their dark hair and build eerily similar. The fourth man in the group was bigger—his shoulders wider, stockier—and slightly dangerous-looking, although he was laughing. He was dressed more casually, but his leather coat appeared expensive.

But it was the fifth man who grabbed my attention. His dark hair gleamed under the lights, the width of his shoulders, his imposing height, and the sound of his laughter easily identifying him. I gasped as I took him in.

It was Ronan. But a Ronan I never dreamed existed. He was dressed in an expensive suit, obviously custom tailored to his large form. A striped tie hung around his neck, perfectly knotted with a glittering pin holding it in place against his snowy shirt. Loafers encased his large feet, polished to a high gloss. An oversized silver watch was clasped around his wrist. His face was smooth, none of the scruff I was used to showing on his chin.

All the men looked too alike to be anything but brothers. The older man obviously their father. Even the more casually dressed one shouted money.

His name escaped my lips in a painful sound. “Ronan.”

They all stopped, looking my way. When he saw me, Ronan’s face drained of color, and his eyes grew round.

He stepped forward, and I pushed at the elevator button as my breathing picked up in my panic.

“Beth,” he pleaded quietly. “I can explain.”

I looked at the picture behind him.

BAM.

Bentley Ridge, Aiden Callaghan, Maddox Riley, it read under the frame.

Callaghan.

Ronan’s father. He was part of this wealthy company. From the looks of it, the entire family was.

I looked at him again. Construction workers didn’t dress in three-thousand-dollar suits. They didn’t work in fancy offices and wear watches that would pay for a car.

He’d been hiding his identity.

I felt the flicker of shame and anxiety when the obvious conclusion as to why became apparent.

A sense of déjà vu hit me. He was hiding me. I wasn’t good enough for him. Hurt and betrayal rolled through me.

He moved closer. “Please,” he murmured, holding out his hand. “Come with me.”

I shook my head, unable to talk, only needing to get away.

He stepped closer.

“Don’t.”

My hand flew up, and he stopped, his eyes beseeching. The other men stared at us, the one wearing the leather jacket shaking his head and looking upset.

I stumbled into the elevator, unable to think clearly. To process what was happening. Tears filled my eyes as pain lanced through my chest. I met his pleading gaze as the door shut.

I had been fooled again.

I hung my head, letting the tears fall.

* * *

I ran across the lobby, pushing open the door. I could barely see the steps through my tears, but I made it down, and for a moment, I stood, confused. I had to go to the library—I had work to do. But I wanted to go home. Lock myself in my room and figure this out before Evan got home.

Oh God, Evan. How was I going to tell him? It would break his heart.

With a sob, I turned to the right, heading toward the house. I needed time to think, so I would walk. I’d go in through the side door so Paige didn’t see me, and by the time she did, I would be calmer.

Except the sound of running footsteps and my name being shouted came from behind me. I began to hurry, trying to rush away from that voice. His voice.

A large hand closed around my elbow, forcing me to stop.

“Beth. Little bird, please.”

I spun, jerking my arm from his touch. “Don’t call me that,” I snarled. “Don’t you ever call me that again. I don’t want to talk to you, Ronan Callaghan. If that’s even your real name,” I spat.

“It is.”

“It’s the only thing that was real, wasn’t it?”

“No. Everything was real,” he insisted, his voice sounding thick and odd.

“Oh. Really?” I looked at him, blinking away the tears, ignoring the looks we were getting.

“So, you’re a construction worker?” I indicated his clothing. “Dressed like that?”

“I design buildings.”

“At your father’s company.”

“No. I work for ABC, not BAM. Well, not directly.”

I rolled my eyes. “Trying to figure out the lies, Ronan?”

He stepped closer. “Beth, come with me. I’ll tell you everything. Answer any question you want.”

“As if I could believe you?”

“Please,” he murmured. “I’m begging you. I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry because you got caught, you mean.”

“No. I was going to tell you. To explain. Give me a chance.”

I laughed, wiping my cheeks. “So you can lie some more?” I indicated the building behind us. “How are you going to explain me to your rich family, Ronan? Your little piece on the side? A joke?” I looked at him, suddenly feeling ill thinking of the odd times he would appear. “Oh God, you’re not married, are you? Was that your little fuck pad you took me to?”

“No!” He wrapped his hands around my upper arms. “Jesus, no, I’m not married. That is my condo.” He looked horrified. “I’m not hiding you away. Please, I need to explain it to you.”

I stepped back and shook off his hold. “There is nothing you can say to explain this away. You had plenty of opportunities to tell me. That night at your condo, you could have said something. I asked you questions—you could have told me! Any of the times we were alone making cakes. You’ve been lying to me for weeks. Worst of all, I let you. I should have pushed, but I was waiting for you to trust me.” I wiped my face. “My brother adores you, and you’ve been lying to him too.” A sob caught in my throat. “Now I have to go home and tell him the person I let into our home was nothing but a liar. Someone using us for whatever the hell reason.” I clapped my hand over my mouth. “I slept with you. And you were lying about your life the whole time.”

“I wasn’t using you. I swear to God, everything I told you about how I was feeling, every touch, was real.” He lifted his arm, his hand shaking. “I’m falling in love with you, Beth. I need you in my life. Please come with me, and we can talk.”

“You’re falling in love with me?” I laughed, the sound brittle. “Another nice lie. Good try, Ronan, but I’m not buying it. You think you can take me somewhere, lie some more, fill my head with your sweet words and I’ll fall for them again? That I’ll fuck you again?”

He narrowed his eyes. “It wasn’t fucking. Don’t say that.”

“Don’t bother denying it.” I exhaled hard, my chest aching with the need to scream. “I have nothing else to say to you but this. Leave me alone. Don’t come to the house. To the diner. Lose my number. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

I turned and hurried away. At the corner, I looked back. He was standing in the same place, his head hanging down, his shoulders dropped. I felt a pang in my chest and something stirred inside me, but I ignored it.

He meant nothing.

I just had to keep reminding myself of that.