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Olivia could only imagine. “He is strong in his beliefs.”
“Tell him I say hi and look forward to the next meeting. We’ll be discussing the geese issue on the football field and track. I’m sure he’ll have plenty to contribute.”
Dad had been complaining about the geese since she was in school after he was chased off the track by a very aggressive mama goose. Every spring he was driven out of his daily track laps after school because the geese took up residency. “I wish you all the luck with that one.”
Connor joined them few minutes later, and Olivia wondered if Mr. McConnell himself would show up. Connor instantly fell into roll of bartender, mixing drinks for everyone and laughing when Mimi tested his knowledge on basic mixology. He aced all the questions she threw his way.
The elegant society woman Olivia envied and always wanted to be turned out to be a woman who loved her family. Being with her family, laughing with them, put an extra twinkle in her blue eyes. Her smile had nothing to do with the big house, the amazing view, or the designer glasses she drank from. It was her family.
Olivia couldn’t believe how wrong she had been. She didn’t need money to be happy. Everything she needed to be happy, she already had.
The tension in the air shifted, and Olivia turned just as the patriarch himself stepped onto the patio. “Are we eating or what? I have a conference call in an hour.”
Mimi grabbed her martini glass and shuffled toward the door. She kissed Mr. McConnell on the cheek. “Olivia, darling, come help me. Let the men fraternize.”
Shane squeezed her hand, and she headed toward the door.
“I have work to do. Call me when dinner is ready.” Mr. McConnell went back inside and disappeared down the hall.
“He’s always so busy.” Mimi waved her hand in his direction like she was used to making excuses for his departures.
“What’s left to cook?” Olivia asked, hoping it was something she could handle.
“Oh sweetie, I don’t cook. But I’m a pro at calling for takeout. We just have to empty the containers onto serving plates.”
“I like your style,” Olivia said.
“Stick around, darling, and I’ll teach you all my tricks.”
The thought warmed Olivia’s heart. She didn’t even care anymore about the McConnell name and what it represented. Just the idea of being a part of Shane’s family was enough for her.
***
Grandfather, as Shane learned he liked to be called, finally joined them at the table. Shane couldn’t help but wonder if he was the reason Grandfather had stuck to his office. God forbid he opened himself up for dialogue.
Shane moved his food around his plate. It was all delicious, but his appetite was nonexistent.
The ring weighed heavy in his pocket. He had so many questions, and the only people who could answer any of those questions were at this very table. Someone had information, knew something that he didn’t, and it was time that he knew. He slipped the ring from his pocket and rolled it between his fingers.
There was a pause in conversation, and he decided it was now or never. “I found this at the house I’m staying at.” He held up Mom’s long missing ring.
“Must be from one of the past tenants,” Mimi said.
“Except it’s not,” Shane said. “It’s my mothers.”
Mimi’s eyebrows fought the Botox and rose. “That’s not possible.”
“I didn’t think so either. She wore this ring every day. Only took it off to put lotion on her hands. It was given to her by my father the night before he died.”
“I’m sure there are thousands of rings that look like that,” Grandfather said. “It’s just a coincidence.”
“I thought so too. Except for the inscription. My father proposed by giving my mom this ring and pointing to these words.” Shane looked at the inscription and read it aloud. “Forever you and me. It was then she told him she was pregnant with me. It was the happiest day of Mom’s life other than when I was born. And I know this because she told me. Because she never took this damn ring off. Until one day after I was in the hospital, and she told me she had to go away for a few days, but not to worry, she’d be back soon. And when she came back, the ring was gone. She never told me where she went, but now I know. She came here.”
Every expression at the table filled with shock except for a select few. Those few knew something. They were keeping secrets, and Shane was done tiptoeing around. He wanted answers, and damn it, he was going to get them.
“Tell me I’m wrong,” Shane said. “Tell me this is all just some crazy coincidence, and my mother’s ring just magically appeared.”
“She was here,” Uncle Grady said, and Shane’s attention snapped to him.
