“I didn’t know that. I guess that’s why I never knew you two were still together until he died. I felt sure you would’ve parted ways once you found somewhere to go.” It’d made sense but he’d never thought his brother was the type that would steal his girl.
“I never went to his fights so it made it easier to stay in the background. He went to great pains to keep us a secret for a few reasons. Our security was the most important thing to him. And our privacy.”
“But when he bought this hotel, surely people would have gotten wind of it? Put two and two together.”
“Everything’s in a company name. Even Tommy Clements didn’t know I was the new owner.”
“So that means you’re no longer scraping for money.” He brushed away the thought creeping into his mind. It wasn’t charitable or kind.
“If you’re asking if I’m a rich widow, I’m not telling you. My finances are my business and nobody else’s.”
“That wasn’t what I meant. It may have come out that way and I’m sorry. It’s just that I know, heck, everyone knows if they read the sports papers, how much Rake made from those pro fights. It’s splashed all over the media.” He squeezed her hand as she tried to pull away from him. “I worried when we had to redo the cost for the ceiling. I even discussed it with Mom and we wanted to offer you help if you needed it. That’s the only reason I brought it up.”
*
He was so sweet. “Oh, Ethan. I’m sorry.” She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that I’m very suspicious of people when they start talking money. I know you’re not like that but the automatic reply kicked in.”
“Hey, I get it and I didn’t mean to trample on your toes. Last thing I want to do is overstep the friends boundary.”
She lifted her head, looked into his troubled eyes. “It’s okay. I’m comfortable, not rich. Rake’s illness cost a lot to keep on top of. Our secretive lifestyle did too but it was important to both of us so we never complained.”
“I know I’ve asked for answers but are you sure you’re ready to tell me now?”
“I don’t mind. You’d find out sooner or later, I guess. Now he’s gone and I’m back home, it doesn’t seem quite so important keeping the secret.”
“You’re not worried about media attention now?”
She shook her head. “No. It all faded away when he stopped fighting and only reignited when he died. After his death it was like a cloud lifted. Nobody cares who I am. I’m just a wedding planner from LA who sold her business to move to Cherry Lake. There’s really nothing to connect us.”
“You’re not ‘just’ anything. You’re an amazing person who has come back into my life. I’m very grateful. Coping with everything like you have and moving on without him takes a lot of guts. Especially considering the circumstances.”
A tingle went all the way down to her toes. “Even if I can’t tell you everything you want to know yet?”
How am I going to keep this up? Secrets ruined my life, made me run, made my life as stressful as it had been in Rake’s final year. What if keeping the information from Ethan started the whole ball rolling again? He might say he doesn’t mind right now but eventually it could ruin everything.
But she’d promised Rake she’d deal with his father first, then give his message to Ethan. She couldn’t go back on a deathbed promise even if it made her feel less guilty than she did now. Mari had committed to seeing this through to the end and she’d do it no matter what it cost her personally. What a mixed up situation!
He tensed and a feeling of doom kicked in. “Yeah. I’m hoping that one day soon you’ll feel comfortable telling me what’s going on because I’ll admit it’s eating at me. I want everything out in the open.”
Mari relaxed and let herself lean against him, the tension easing. The feeling of strong arms around her again gave her something to think about. Eventually, she had to let go of the past and concentrate on her future. She could only hold a grudge for so long before it ate her up. People changed and so did circumstances.
“Mom, Mom.” Footsteps pounded down the stairs and Noah came hurtling into the room. He pulled up short when he saw her wrapped in Ethan’s arms.
“Ethan. Are you staying for dinner?”
“We haven’t discussed it, buddy. I was showing your mom the finished job. What do you think?”
Ethan rested his chin on her head as Noah looked around the ballroom. Ethan used to do that when they were younger and it gave her a sense of ease as she remembered. Not everything had changed. Certainly not her feelings for Ethan.
“I guess it looks good.” He screwed up his mouth and stared at them. “So, are you staying for dinner?”
Mari opened her mouth to say something but Ethan beat her to it.
“How about you two come to my place for a change? I’ve shared enough meals from you and your mom these last couple of weeks. About time I showed off my cooking skills. What do you think?”
They looked at her expectantly. She hated playing the bad guy. “It’s a school night.”
“Mom!” Her son shared a disbelieving glance with Ethan. “Not fair. I’ll be good, promise. I’ll even get up early in the morning if you let us go.”
“Or,” Ethan butted in, “I can go ahead and start dinner while you do your jobs or homework, whatever it is you need to deal with and then you can
