Page 94 of When Sparks Fly

He parks near the base of the porch steps and slides off the bike. He doesn’t have a helmet and somehow his hair is impeccably styled despite the wind. Vibrant, green eyes never leave mine as he makes his way up the steps, no cut in sight.

He doesn’t seem hesitant and yet I still have no idea why he’s here. The top button is open on his black dress shirt and a hint of ink and hair peek out. Even coupled with dark jeans and riding boots, he’s far from the quintessential biker look.

The wood planks of the porch thud softly beneath my boots and I let the storm door close with a snap behind me.

“James.” My greeting is formal.Is he here for Colt?My brows are growing sore with how tightly I’ve pulled them in and it’s an effort to soften my expression. Nothing can be done about my heart.

“Maci.” He remembers my name? “Is she here?” His green eyes flit over my shoulder to the open front door.

I cock my head. “My grandmother? She passed recently.”

Returning his eyes to me, he swallows. “I’m sorry to hear that.” His accent filters through again. “I was asking after your mother.”

“Stephanie?” Now, I’m thoroughly confused.

“Aye.” Irish then. He remains silent.

I blink. My heart hurts. Anticipation crashes through my body.

“She’s not. She doesn’t live here. In fact, you just missed her.” I press my lips together before adding, “We had lunch together.” I’m fishing. I know he saw us.

James rubs a hand over his mouth. “I can see now she hasn’t told you.”

What don’t I know? Is Stephanie having an affair? I’m going to be sick. My throat is thick and my voice comes out hardly above a whisper. “Pardon?”

He takes a half-step forward. “Maci, I’m your father.”

Chapter 40

Maci

For an undetermined amount of time, I don’t respond to James. My brain is doing damage control and the best it can come up with right now is to keep me upright and breathing. Anything else is system overload.

James allows for a long silence to linger between us. Finally, he continues, softer than before. “So she didn’t tell you then.” His eyes soften. “I suspected as much at the bar.”

“You knew then?” I finally find my voice.

“Aye.”

“Can we—” I gesture to the porch swing, “—can we sit?”

He tips his chin in affirmation, reaching out subtly as I walk by. No doubt to catch me if I decide to take a tumble off the front of the porch. Thankfully, I don’t. Despite my offer, James leans against the railing of the porch after I’m seated on the swing.

I study his face, taking in features which initially felt familiar, and realize it’s because I saw a bit of me reflected in him. “I have your eyes.”

“Aye, lass, you do.” He looks proud for the first time. Coupled with his affectionate term, it causes the little girl of my childhood to peek out.

“I have so many questions.” I twist my hands in my lap. Did he miss me? What’s his side of the story? Does he know where Colt is?

Finally choosing a direction with my thoughts, I pin him with a look. “Did you hear what happened with Colt on Halloween?”

The proud look in his eyes deepens for a moment before it’s replaced with the composed demeanor I recognize. “I do. He came by the clubhouse going on and on about you.” The pleasing Irish lilt of his voice is more noticeable the more he speaks and I wonder if that’s why he was quiet at the bar. “Had half a mind to re-break his nose for you, but you did a good job. The VP told him to scram before I had to step in. Took his cut. We don’t take to that nonsense.”

My mother’s words about my father being dangerous resurface. “Have you been seeing Stephanie? Why did you come here?”

James crosses his ankles and locks both arms over his chest. “I have not seen your mother in over twenty years. Not since she stole you away in the night.” My eyes widen. This isn’t the story she’s told. “Had half a mind to come looking for you both, but she left a note asking me to stay away. Said it was safer that way. She was right.”

Softly rocking the porch swing, I listen as he continues. “She tell you we ran away to Vegas?” He grins at me.

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