Just One More Temptation (The Sterling Family Book 4)

Noah pulled into the long driveway surrounded by tall trees leading to his parents’ house. They’d moved to the white clapboard colonial-styled home after his father had retired from his career as a lawyer and then a federal court judge. While growing up in nearby Westchester, New York, his mother had stayed home with the kids, donating her time to charity and being a class-mom presence for her children throughout the years.

As they reached the front door, he noticed Fallon visibly draw in a nervous breath and he reached for her hand, squeezing in reassurance. “I promise they don’t bite.”

The front door opened before she could reply and the twins hugged their grandparents, then raced inside where no doubt his mom had whispered she had homemade chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen.

They all stepped inside and Noah began introductions. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Fallon Sterling. Fallon, my parents, Nina and Joseph Powers.”

“So nice to meet you,” his father said, enclosing Fallon’s small hand in his.

“It’s a pleasure,” she said. “Happy Birthday, Mrs. Powers.” She held out her gift and his mom took it from her hands.

“Thank you, Fallon. So unnecessary but very sweet. Welcome! Come, let’s go to the kitchen. I have warm cookies… if the girls left any for us.”

“Where is everyone else?” Noah asked, following them to the noisy room where his girls were talking loudly.

“Shannon and the boys should be here any minute.” She ushered them around the center island where the twins already sat next to each other and were, predictably, munching on cookies.

“Girls, leave room for lunch and cake,” Noah said.

His mother placed Fallon’s gift on a side counter and walked up beside her. For the next twenty minutes, the women chatted, his mother asking questions about Fallon’s career and art, which they’d heard about from the twins. She seemed genuinely interested, so he turned his focus to his father and they caught up until the doorbell rang.

His mother rushed to answer it and Noah used this time to sidle up to Fallon. “How are you doing?” he asked.

“Good. Your mother is so warm and sweet,” she said with a hint of melancholy in her tone. Before he could question her, she said, “She reminds me a little of my mom.”

And he knew immediately she was missing her own mom. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing the side of her forehead. “I want to know more about her,” he said.

She nodded just as his siblings entered the room en masse and the chaos began. The rest of the day passed with the same friendly vibe from his siblings, who welcomed Fallon easily. Since she’d already met Shannon, they talked for a while. Liam and Simon paid her a good deal of attention and he knew for certain she fit into his family.

Especially when, after cake, the gifts were opened. His mom picked up Fallon’s midway through the pile of presents. She cut the ribbon and ripped open the paper, pulling out a 5×7 picture frame.

She glanced at the photo and a huge smile lit up her face. “This is perfect! Thank you! Look, everyone!” she said and turned the frame around so everyone could see.

“That’s us!” Dakota exclaimed.

In the center of the intricate silver lace-looking design was a photo of the twins the day they’d painted their pictures at the studio. Each girl smiled wide as they held up the unicorns they’d painted, which now hung in their room. Dakota had a streak of pink paint on one cheek and Dylan was pointing at the unicorn with one finger. Fallon had captured their elation from the day perfectly.

“I remember you taking that,” Dylan said.

At the thoughtful gift, a lump rose in Noah’s throat. Not only had Fallon brought his mom a gift but it had been well considered and exactly what his mother would love. He wished he wasn’t across the room from her so he could squeeze her hand or let her know how much the gesture meant to him.

“Fallon, this is perfect. Really. I’ll put it up by my side of the bed.” She said the last part more to herself than anyone else.

“I wanted to paint an elephant but Fallon didn’t have any as examples,” Dakota said. “Hey! Did you know they used to ’xecute people by having elephants sit on them?” she asked.

Execute, he thought as the room went silent at her fact spouting. He loved how much she learned about ancient civilizations thanks to her mother, but he wished the information wasn’t always so… gruesome.

“That’s fascinating, honey. Okay, next gift,” Noah said, breaking the silence and shooting his brother Simon, who was about to laugh, a warning look.

His mother cleared her throat and went back to opening gifts. Once she’d finished, Fallon and Shannon insisted on helping with cleanup, throwing out all the wrapping paper and straightening up the kitchen.

Noah excused himself to take a call from one of the associates in his law firm who was working over the weekend and when he returned, his brothers were gathered around the leftover cake with the girls, who were eating an extra piece. That made him glad they were staying with his parents tonight. At least he wouldn’t have to get them to sleep while on a sugar high.

Shannon and his mother were talking in the corner and he’d passed his father, who’d dozed off in the recliner in the family room. Bless the man, he could sleep through the girls’ excitement and shrieking. Probably came from having three rambunctious sons and one outgoing daughter.

Looking around for Fallon, he found her looking out the sliding glass doors in the kitchen which showcased the view of his parents’ large yard. A pool, an old wooden swing set he and his siblings had used, and a beautiful sitting area under a gazebo.

He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist, his chin on her shoulder. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “You and your siblings must have had a blast playing outside when you were younger.”

“We did. The girls love it now.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder and whispered, “Did I mention they’re sleeping here tonight?”

A shiver racked her body and she leaned back against him. “I did notice their duffel bags.”

“So… your place or mine?” he asked.

“I—” Her words were cut off by the sound of a phone ringing. “That’s mine.” She slipped her hand into a pocket in her skirt, pulled out her cell, and glanced at it. “It’s Clara.” She slid her thumb across the screen and took the call. “Hello, Clara.”

Because he stood so close, he could hear the conversation.

“Hello, dear. I’m sorry to bother you but I’m at the gallery and I’m not feeling well. I can’t reach Oliver and I’m worried,” she said, lowering her voice.

Fallon’s body stiffened and she turned to Noah. “I need to go to her.”

He nodded, knowing how close she felt to her boss and mentor. “Why don’t you have her call 911, find out what hospital they’re taking her to, and we can meet her there?”

“You should stay with your family, I can take a rideshare.”

He shook his head. “Not happening.”

She shot him a grateful look, her gaze softening, then returned to the call and repeated what he’d said to Clara.

They said their goodbyes to the family, calmed the girls, assuring them Clara was a friend of Fallon’s and she’d be fine, and they were off.

Fallon was silent on the ride to the city, her worry for Clara causing her foot to tap while drumming her nails on the leather on the door.

Though he attempted to join Fallon inside the ER, he wasn’t family and they only wanted one person at a time. After claiming to be Clara’s daughter, she was allowed in.

She paused to talk to him first. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here, so you should go home. I can take an Uber home.” She rushed off to see Clara before he could reply.

He had no intention of leaving her to come out alone later. So Noah settled in to wait.