“Possibly.”
“Then maybe you should stick around and encourage that,” Abby said. “That’s all I’m saying. Forget whatever’s going on between the two of you for a minute. Don’t we all want him to take another look at this depressing career track he’s on? It’s practically our duty to do anything we can to encourage that.”
“Your brother is actually on a very successful career track,” Heather corrected.
“In the wrong kind of law,” Abby insisted. “And for all the wrong reasons. I know you don’t disagree with that.”
“No, I don’t,” Heather admitted reluctantly. As much as she liked Abby, she was uncomfortable with this sudden feeling that Abby saw them as coconspirators.
“Then go out there and talk some sense into him,” Abby told her. “However his second thoughts started, press the advantage.”
Heather smiled. “Don’t you think if I’d been able to get through to Connor, it would have happened a long time ago? When it comes to his job, Connor pretty much tunes me out.”
Of course, earlier he’d actually said he’d been hearing her voice in his head. Maybe now was the time to press the advantage, as Abby had just said. Before Abby could summon more arguments, Heather caved in.
“I’ll go and talk to him,” she said. At least she wouldn’t have to listen to any more of Abby’s less-than-subtle attempts at persuasion.
Abby beamed. “Good for you! We’re all counting on you.”
Heather frowned at her. “Don’t. I’m not doing this for you or your family. It’s only because I care as much about Connor as you do.”
“Whatever,” Abby said blithely. “At least you’ll be talking. That’s what counts.”
Heather sighed. Perhaps in the world of a sneaky O’Brien it really was all that mattered.
* * *
Heather found Connor sitting at the top of the steps leading down to the beach. High tide had waves lapping all the way up to the bottom step, completely obliterating the narrow strip of sand beyond. She dropped down beside him.
“Who’s Abby fixed you up with now?” he asked without looking at her.
“I beg your pardon?”
“That’s what she’s up to, you know. She’s determined to set you up with some rich investment guy just to make me crazy.” He scowled at her. “It’s not going to work.”
Heather smiled. “And yet here you are, sitting out here all alone with a nasty attitude.”
“My attitude’s just fine.”
She swallowed a laugh. “Yes, I can see that.”
He faced her then. “Why are you out here? Did you come to gloat about the hot new man in your life?”
She did laugh then. “No, actually I’m here because your sister seemed to think you had a lot on your mind. I was persuaded, however, to think it had something to do with second thoughts about your career.”
His mouth gaped. “That’s how she got you out here?”
“Pretty much. Since it fit with the conversation you and I had earlier, I thought I’d check it out.”
“Then there’s no man?”
“Not at the moment.”
His gaze immediately narrowed. “You’re leaving the door open?”
“It seems wise,” she said, her tone casual. “And your career? Are you thinking of abandoning it?”
“I’m a bit disillusioned, not crazy.”
“Which means your sister is up to another of her manipulative tricks,” Heather concluded.
“I swear I’ll never trust another word out of that woman’s mouth,” Connor declared with feeling. “You probably shouldn’t, either. She stirred the twins up about being in our wedding. Did you know that?”
Heather chuckled, knowing how Carrie and Caitlyn could get carried away when they wanted something. “How’d you handle that?”
“With the truth. I said we weren’t getting married, which led to a whole discussion about having babies without the sanctity of marriage.” He shuddered. “It was not the happiest few minutes of my life.”
“I can imagine.”
He turned and studied her face. “I know I’m making light of this, but do you hear much about the fact that we have a baby and aren’t married?”
“Nothing I haven’t been able to handle. It helps that your whole family is so openly supportive. I doubt anyone in town would dare to say much behind my back, much less to my face.”
“I’m sorry if anyone’s ever made you uncomfortable. It’s not fair.”
She shrugged. “I knew when I moved here that there could be questions. It’s actually been better than I expected. I hear a whole lot more from my mother.”
Connor grimaced. “I can imagine. Have you spoken to her recently?”
“Why? So I can hear another lecture? I’m not interested. She’s made her opinion plain.”
A guilt-stricken expression crossed his face. “Heather, you have to know that I never meant for things to turn out like this. I thought we’d be together forever, and eventually that would be enough to silence all these people who think marriage is the only way to be happy.”
“Hey, we both made our choices, Connor. And little Mick is a blessing. I won’t let anyone, especially not my own mother, say otherwise.”
“Of course he is,” he said just as vehemently. “Still, I can’t help being sorry that there’s a rift between you and your mother, and it’s my fault.”
“It’s not all your fault. I knew what I was getting into practically from our very first date. By the time we moved in together, I’d accepted the way things were. It would be totally wrong for me to cry foul now. If anyone changed the rules, it was me.”
A breeze stirred off the water and blew a strand of hair into her face. Connor reached over and tucked it behind her ear, his knuckles grazing her cheek. Even such an innocent touch sent heat and need spiraling through her. She told herself she should get up and go back inside, but when he met her gaze, she couldn’t even make herself look away, much less move.
“God, I miss you,” he said quietly.
Tears stung her eyes. “I miss you, too.”
He skimmed a finger across the dampness on her cheeks. “Why do you have to be so beautiful?”
She smiled at that. “Just to torment you, I guess.”
He leaned closer then. Her breath caught
