Page 46 of Slow Kind of Love

Chapter Sixteen

The year after his mother died, Link had been sent off to boarding school in Switzerland. Though it was hard to leave the only home he’d ever known, he didn’t mind so much because it meant he didn’t have to see his father sad all the time. With his mother gone, their grand home seemed empty and cold, and it was easier to disappear in his studies in the Alps and pretend that back in England, things were normal. He could fantasize that his mother was still alive waiting for him to return for summer break.

Of course, that was just the delusions of a heartsick and lost little boy, and summer break came and went, with him staying on in Switzerland at his father’s request. The headmaster had been a gentle bloke, and he’d told Link his father was traveling abroad and there was no one back in England to take care of him. At the time, he’d been too young to ask questions. Too young to wonder why his beloved grandfather hadn’t stepped in, or why his father hadn’t just taken him along on his travels. He found out months later when he’d returned to England for the Christmas holiday that his father had already moved on and was with another woman. A thin, nasally creature with ice-blue eyes and winter-white hair set perfectly to cascade down one shoulder just so. A woman who spent more time gazing at her reflection in the mirror than anyone he’d ever met, including his pal Mason’s sister.

She smiled at Link when his father was present, and asked questions about school and his studies. She looked interested, but as soon as his dad turned away, her smile fled, replaced by boredom. It was as if he didn’t exist and she wanted nothing to do with Link.

On a cold winter’s afternoon as he sat quietly in the drawing room of his father’s new London house, he realized he’d been replaced in his father’s affections. This woman who’d come from nowhere now sat beside his dad at the dinner table. They shared jokes and laughs that didn’t include him. And his father said nothing when she’d instructed the help to toss all his mother’s favorite Christmas decorations into the garbage bin.

Luckily, Vera the maid had saved his mother’s favorite nutcracker, and it was one of Link’s most treasured possessions.

He’d thrown an absolute fit, as young boys do, and been severely punished for it. That Christmas, he’d spent the entire day in his room and two days later was shipped back to Switzerland.

Link had grown up fast and learned to adapt. He kept his head down when it was needed and pressed his point when it was called for. A natural leader, he’d made friends easily, but more importantly, he kept them. He learned early on to be blunt and to the point. To ask for what he wanted, instead of wishing for it. Because if he didn’t make things happen, he’d be left behind.

Like his father had done to him.

That attitude had carried him far, to the heights of the European Football League and a career that most boys in England could only dream about. Of course, there was a part of him that had done it purely for his father’s affection, and when that never materialized, the game had fallen away from him.

Life had fallen away. At thirty years of age, he found himself in the United States, in a small town where he could hide from the world. He’d been prepared to coast through an existence of sorts, finding women to warm his bed when he needed that itch scratched, and pushing them out when the scratching was done.

He’d been fine living his life in some kind of peace.

Until the evening he’d walked into that coffee shop and laid eyes on Elise Avery. Until he smelled that freshness that clung to her skin and basked in the smile that lit up her face. And later, in the backseat of his truck, he’d tasted heaven and never let go.

She was in his blood. She’d claimed a part of him he never thought he’d give to anyone, because it was the only part he owned that left him vulnerable. Left him out in the open and exposed. His heart.

He loved Elise. And tonight, he planned to make her his in every way possible. But first, being the gentleman that he was, he had something to do.

It was early afternoon, and he had hours until he was supposed to pick up Elise, but he’d swung by the complex after confirming that Boone was there taking care of the last-minute arrangements and headaches a grand opening undoubtedly spawned. Link parked around back and skirted the flower trucks parked by the double doors before jogging up the steps and into the building. He followed the hallway on his right to the end and then took another flight of stairs up to the mezzanine, where he spied Boone chatting with the Blackwell brothers, Hudson and Travis.

He gave the brothers a quick nod and waited for their conversation to end. When the brothers left, Boone glanced over. He rolled his shoulders and pointed below as Link walked up alongside him.

“Things are coming along. They just brought in the pigs.”

“What was that?” Link peered down, surprised to see a young man leading three large pigs through the lobby toward the arena entrance where the gala was being held.

“Pigs.” Boone grinned. “It’s genius, really, and truthfully one of the biggest money-makers for the support center. I’ve got a Benjamin on that black-and-orange one. His name’s Tuffy.”

“How do they make money if you’re betting on the winner?”

“It’s not really betting. You plunk down money on the pig you think will win, and they draw a ticket for half the pot. Everyone donates the money right back to the center.”

“Right.” Link glanced around. “You about done here?”

He nodded. “I think so. Things seem to be running smoothly.”

“Fancy a pint?”

Boone checked his watch. “Poppy is expecting me home by two at the latest. Says she’s got some news that can’t wait, but I’ve got time for one beer and maybe some wings. I haven’t eaten since six this morning.”

The two men headed down the stairs to the lobby and over to the pub, which was now officially open and nearly full. They grabbed a couple of stools at the end of the bar and ordered up some wings. The bartender brought them each a frosty mug of ale, and Link took a long pull before setting the mug down.

“You seem like you have something on your mind,” Boone said, eyes on the TV screen over the bar.

“I do.”

Boone took another sip from his draft and turned to Link, his expression unreadable. The man hadn’t exactly been happy at the idea of Link and Elise together, but he’d come around the last few weeks. “I’m all ears.”

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