Page 25 of Tempting Devil

“What’s that?” I glanced his way.

“My charity is planning to build another ball field here in Atlanta in order to expand the program. Make it even bigger. I’d like to name the field in Samuel’s memory. I know Liam kept his charity going in his honor, but I wanted to do something, too, considering all the hours he volunteered for my organization while also running his own.”

“He’d like that,” I said without hesitation. “He loved giving back to the community whenever he could. And he definitely loved baseball.” A subtle laugh escaped my throat. “I’ll never forget the look on his face when he realized you were my step-father.”

“He was always good to you.”

“Yes, he was.”

Swallowing hard, I shifted my attention out the window, watching all the familiar houses pass by.

“I’m glad you’ve found someone who treats you just as good as Samuel.”

“Me, too.” I managed a small smile, pushing away the nagging thought that maybe it was because Gideon was Samuel.

“Come on,” Lachlan said once he pulled his car into the massive garage attached to an even more massive house. “Your mum has been baking up a storm.”

“Please tell me she didn’t stay up all night baking because of me,” I groaned as I opened the door and stepped out of the car.

“Not all night.” He opened the trunk and grabbed my suitcase, meeting me by my door. “You know how she is. She loves to spoil people with food.”

“That she does.”

I followed him toward the door leading into the house, and he held it open, allowing me to walk in front of him.

“We’re home,” he called out, his voice echoing against the high ceiling and pristine hardwood floors.

The aroma of sugar and vanilla surrounded me, reminding me of home. Even when my mother wasn’t baking, the scent still seemed to cling to the air.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” my mom said as she rounded the corner from the kitchen, wrapping me in a tight hug before pulling back, her eyes scanning over me in the way only a mother could. “How are you? Are you all right? How are Liam and James?”

“As good as can be expected.”

“I didn’t even care for Alton that much, but I never would have wished anything like this on him.”

“Me, neither.”

“Will you give Liam our condolences the next time you speak to him?”

“Of course.” I gritted a smile, not wanting to tell her I hadn’t spoken to Liam in over a week. That we’d gotten into an argument over Gideon and now I was questioning whether Liam may have been right about him after all.

“Are you hungry? I made some danishes and muffins. Or I can whip up some eggs or a frittata.”

“Honestly, I’m more tired than anything right now,” I admitted around a yawn.

“Why don’t you go upstairs and rest? Then maybe tonight we can have a girl’s night. Go have some drinks and catch up without any distractions.”

I sighed, tension rolling off my shoulders. A night out with my mother was exactly what I needed.

“I’d like that.”

“Good.” She gave me another hug and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “If you need anything, let me know.”

I turned from her, climbing the familiar stairs to my old bedroom, not surprised to see that Lachlan had already dropped off my suitcase. Exhaustion settled in my bones, and I collapsed onto the bed, relishing in the feel of the soft duvet against my skin.

But despite having barely slept more than a few hours over the past several days, I still couldn’t quiet my mind enough to fall asleep.

Chapter Eleven

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