Second Chance with the Billionaire. Janice Maynard

one point, Grandpa Porter sat straight up in his ladder-back chair and pointed an accusing finger at Conor. “I remember you,” he said. “You used to have a soft spot for my little granddaughter, Ellie.”

      Though Ellie flushed with mortification, Conor took it all in stride. “Yes sir, I did. But that was a long time ago.”

      Kirby intervened. “Do you want some cake, Grandpa? It’s homemade.”

      The ruse distracted the old man, fortunately. Ellie couldn’t decide what was going on with Conor. He and Kirby laughed and joked together as if they had never been apart, but Conor scarcely looked at Ellie. Fortunately, Emory demanded much of her attention.

      When everyone had finished eating, Conor stood. “If you all will excuse me, I have to get back to the ski lodge. This was great. Kirby, I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll make a plan.”

      Again, Conor avoided eye contact with Ellie. “I’ll walk you out to the car,” she said, miffed that he was being standoffish.

      “It’s not necessary.”

      Was it only her, or did his smile seem forced? “I know that,” she said. “But I want to.”

      Conor didn’t even pause on the front porch. He strode down the path as if he had a plane to catch and not much time to make his connection. “Bye, Ellie.” He tossed the words over his shoulder, barely slowing down.

      “Wait,” she said, grabbing his shirtsleeve. “Tell me how Kirby sounded to you. Do you think he’s okay? This was the first time I’ve heard him laugh like that since the accident.”

      Conor pulled away but came to a halt, turning to face her. “He’s going to be fine, Ellie. Losing the foot has knocked the wind out of him, but he hasn’t given up, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

      “I was worried. Thank you for coming today,” she said. “And thank you for the lunch.”

      Conor seemed uncomfortable with her gratitude. “No problem.”

      Well, shoot. “Did I do something to offend you?” she asked bluntly. “You’re acting weird all of a sudden.”

      The tiny flicker of a muscle in his cheek told her that he understood what she was saying. He stood there staring at her, his expression impassive. But his hands clenched in fists at his sides.

      The sky was cloudless, the sun beaming down unforgivingly. A trickle of sweat rolled down her back. Conor’s posture was like stone. He was a completely different man from the one she’d spoken with at the saloon...or even at the ski lodge.

      She saw his throat work.

      “I owe you an apology,” he said. The words seemed ripped from his chest.

      “I don’t understand.”

      “Kirby told me about your husband. About Kevin. I’m so damned sorry, Ellie.”

      His sympathy caught her completely off guard, though she should have guessed at some level that Kirby would spill the beans. “Thank you.” What else was there to say? She couldn’t tell him how she was feeling...how she had suffered. How she still suffered.

      “To have dealt with that and also caring for Kirby...you’re a strong woman.” She could swear he was anguished on her behalf. But instead of feeling warmed by his empathy, it made her want to run.

      She shrugged. “I don’t feel strong. Most days I feel like a juggler with too many oranges and too few hands. But I don’t see why this requires an apology.”

      “I flirted with you. I saw you weren’t wearing a wedding ring and I assumed—”

      “That I was divorced,” she said quickly.

      He nodded, his eyes bleak. “Lord, Ellie, I never even considered the fact that you were a widow.”

      “Does it matter?” She was shriveling inside, actively pained at the thought of discussing Kevin with Conor Kavanagh. Her guilt consumed her. What would Conor think if he ever found out the truth...the truth that not even Kirby knew?

      “Yeah,” he said, the word harsh. “I’m not usually such an idiot. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”

      “You didn’t do anything wrong. I am single, Conor, whether I want to be or not.”

      He ignored her words as if she had never spoken. “I’ll do what I can for Kirby. And if I can help you in any way, all you need to do is ask. You’re a mother and a daughter and a sister and a granddaughter. That’s a lot for anyone to handle. I’d like to make things easier for you.”

      “Kirby needs your help, not me.” She didn’t want to be Conor Kavanagh’s charity case. She was lonely and afraid and confused. The thought of resurrecting her friendship with Conor had kept her going lately. Now, even that was in jeopardy.

      Conor stared at her, his gaze shuttered. “I’ll be in touch with Kirby. Goodbye, Ellie.”