Brokenhearted Beauty(Divine Creek Ranch 19)(92)

“Hell, no. She’s my by-the-book daughter,” Doug said with an answering laugh. “A couple of years after Leah was born, Presley Ann came along, and she was like her mother in many ways. It was like having a fairy-tale princess under my roof. While her mother was alive, she kept Presley Ann on the straight and narrow but once she passed…Presley Ann was never the same. I indulged her entirely too much. I see now she was filling the hole in her life left by her mother’s death with material things, but at the time, I didn’t know how to deal with my own grief, much less hers.”

He turned his head and looked at his daughters inside the house. “I wasn’t a good example for handling grief to either of my girls. I kept it inside…poured all of my time into my business, which included a number of retail stores by that point. It was easier for Leah because she and I had that in common. Her grades in college were stellar. The girls had always been polar opposites, fighting constantly since they were little. Their mother and I had hoped they’d outgrow that as they grew up but it seemed to only get worse. After my wife’s death, I was at a total loss as to what I could do. Then, before I knew it, they were adults. I tried with Presley Ann…but I think the best changes have happened since this baby came into her life.”

Vincent made eye contact with James across the circle of their chairs. They’d know soon if Leah was expecting or not. The timing wasn’t great but in his heart, he wouldn’t mind if she was and Vincent had privately confessed the same thing to him. But their main concern was making Leah happy in her new life with them. Until they knew how she felt about the situation, they kept their feelings to themselves.

Drawing them back to the conversation, Doug said, “Leah told me that she’s been in love with the two of you for a while, and before his passing, she loved your brother, too. I know it’s late but I’m sorry for your loss. I’m also sorry for the lost opportunity between the four of you. I’m afraid my poor example may have somehow played a part in her regrets over not taking that leap of faith. I confess to being a workaholic and I probably influenced her in developing those habits.”

“It’s nothing we won’t be able to overcome, given time. You also taught her a great work ethic, sir,” James said as he raised his beer in salute to her dad.

The back door opened and Leah and Presley Ann joined them on the porch. Vincent opened his arms and Leah climbed into his lap after looking over at James for his nod. Eventually she’d get used to the ménage dynamic. They all would. Presley Ann sat in the chair next to her father and placed her hand in his when he reached for it.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

Presley Ann smiled and nodded as she stroked her rounded abdomen and said, “Perfect.”

Doug said, “Leah, if there is anything I can do to help with your wedding plans or preparations, just let me know. Do you think you can have a wedding and reception pulled together in two weeks’ time?”

“I’m sure I can, Dad. I’m keeping it very simple. I already have several volunteers. Once we set things in motion I may need a little help from you moving rental equipment or helping the girls with decorations. Grace helped plan but she has her hands full with Grant and Rose Marie, so Teresa and Juliana are handling a lot of the orchestrating.” She smiled at James as she snuggled closer and tucked her head under Vincent’s chin. “I can’t wait.”

“Did Teresa, Angel, and Joaquin get their house squared away?” Doug asked, a slight frown crossing his features. “I heard about what happened to their place. Damn shame to hear of something like that happening in Divine.”

Leah nodded. “It took a while but yeah, insurance covered all the damage done by those partygoers, and they’re back in it. Teresa had to promise me that she was completely done with it. Otherwise I wouldn’t have let her take time away to help with the wedding. I couldn’t believe how much damage Luka and Matthias allowed to happen to their home. Teresa told me she still hasn’t spoken to them.”

“Who? Luka and Matthias?” Vincent asked as he stroked her knee. “I haven’t seen them around town in a while.”

Leah shrugged and cuddled closer to Vincent as he wrapped his arms around her. “They left. I’m not sure where they went. Grace wouldn’t have anything to do with them either. Juliana got wind of it and wanted to kick both of their asses.”

“Part of me is mad at them on Teresa’s behalf,” Presley Ann said. “But there’s also a part of me that believes they’ve gone wild because they don’t want to grow up. I feel bad for them. They’re like lost boys.”