“We didn’t know that part,” Hope mentioned mournfully.
“Maybe he doesn’t want you to know. It’s in the past, and I think Evan is trying to find his place in the family and in the world. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anybody else,” Randi said, her voice slightly pleading.
All the women nodded their heads.
“We won’t mention it. I want Evan to feel comfortable. But I still don’t understand. God, my father was an asshole!” Hope exclaimed, sounding angry for Evan. “It’s a wonder that Evan turned out to be so successful.”
Randi shrugged. “It’s not really surprising. Dyslexic children can be very creative and extremely intelligent. Lots of famous people are thought to have been dyslexic: Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein, Pierre Curie, Picasso, Ansel Adams, Richard Branson, and Thomas Edison.” She paused to take a breath. “And there are so many more.”
“Evan is just as smart as any other genius,” Mara confirmed. “How did he learn?”
Randi sighed. “He learned by working so damn hard. It takes a lot of repetition, and learning to understand things in a different way. He had to learn the concept of phonics before he could actually apply it to reading. For Evan, dyslexia was one learning problem in a sea of strengths that he possesses. Time and perseverance helped him learn to read and write when he was struggling. Every child is different and has different levels of difficulty. Now we have reading programs that help, and audiobooks are a great tool if kids can read along with the audio.”
“What makes him so uptight?” Hope asked inquisitively.
“He’s anal,” Randi admitted. “But I think in his mind everything around him has to be running optimally for him to be functional. No highs and lows. No ups or downs. No shades of gray. It keeps him organized and focused. The problem with Evan is he’s never had time to be spontaneous or undisciplined. It’s not healthy for him now, even though it was probably his coping mechanism earlier in life. He’s always wanted to prove to your father that he can run his business well, be successful. Unfortunately, I think he’s still trying to prove something even though your father is gone.”
“We want to help. What can we do?” Mara asked anxiously.
“Just care about him and realize that he isn’t wired the same way as everybody else. He’s not going to change so much that he’ll never be an arrogant jerk sometimes, but he’s trying. He wants to be part of the family. Now that you’re all grown up and happy, he’s not quite sure where he belongs.” Evan could protest all he wanted, but he did want to be loved.
“He belongs with the rest of us,” Mara said forcefully. “I don’t care if he’s arrogant. All of the Sinclair men are arrogant in their own way, but their hearts are good. I just want Evan to be happy, and so does everyone else.”
The women nodded their heads enthusiastically.
“It will just take time,” Randi admitted.
“We aren’t going anywhere,” Hope said emphatically.
Randi smiled, knowing the four tigresses in the room would grab onto Evan and never let go. The Sinclairs loved their family, and Randi knew they’d help him find out exactly where he fit in. He would eventually realize he really was loved.
“Are you going to tell us what’s happening between you two?” Sarah asked bluntly.
Randi flushed, turning her face away from the other women on the pretense of wiping the countertops. “Nothing. He’ll leave right after the party. He said he’s got an important meeting on Monday morning. We’re just trying to be . . . friends.” That sounded safe enough. “We got off to a bad start, but I think I’m starting to understand and like him a little,” she added.
“I know that’s bullshit,” Hope answered. “I can see how he looks at you, and how he watches you constantly. But thank you for trying to help my brother.”
“I’m not doing much, really. I’m just trying to get him to relax a little and enjoy life.” Randi sighed.
“Well, he is more relaxed, and he looks like all he wants is to take you home and jump your bones,” Mara observed.
Randi couldn’t deny that she and Evan had off-the-charts chemistry, so she remained silent. She’d probably been just as guilty of watching Evan like a woman who just wanted to strip him naked and devour him.
Hope came to Randi’s rescue. “Shall we join the guys? I think they’ve been deprived of our company for far too long.”
Randi breathed a sigh of relief as they all left the kitchen to go join their men.