The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Eileen - NEVER

Thankfully she didn't have to figure out a response. Once again Mrs. O'Hara's presence rescued her from an awkward situation.

"Goodness, I suppose I should have dusted," Mrs. O'Hara said, using the washcloth she carried in her apron to dust off the nightstand.

"Whoa," Eileen whispered, looking around. It was exactly how she'd left it, down to the little bear sitting in the middle of the two pillows. "I hadn't realized how long it'd been..."

"It's been a while," Ben agreed, and she felt his eyes on her again. Thankfully, since they were several feet apart, she could choose not to taste his energy.

"Yes, well, you're back now," Mrs. O'Hara said briskly, blinking back tears, "and that's all that matters. You can stay home for as long as you'd like. I know you've been thinking about moving, but I promise you there's no need to do that so soon, even after you get a job. Save up for a while. Buy yourself a nice home--preferably one that's close by."

"Move?" Ben repeated, and even from the distance between them she caught a hint of dismay. "Why would you move?"

"I'm a grown woman, Ben," she explained. "I should have my own house."

"That can wait, though, right?" Ben said quickly. "Like Wid--Mrs. O'Hara said, you should stay for a while and save up for your own house."

The sudden sadness she felt from both of them caught her off guard. Had they really missed her that much? She knew they loved her, but she still couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that there were people that actually cared about her to the point it made them sad when she wasn't around.

"I'm sorry," she said, saddened by their sadness. "I didn't realize...I would have come back more if..."

Mrs. O'Hara wrapped her in a hug again, "I can understand your need to find yourself, your need for independence. But I'm so happy you're back. You've always been like a daughter to me."

Eileen felt tears gather in her eyes; her own parent had hated her, resented her for even basic needs like food. Mrs. O'Hara had been more of a mother to her than her own had ever thought to be. She didn't know how to express that, though, so she buried her face in the old woman's shoulder and gripped her tightly.

Somehow, she felt that Mrs. O'Hara understood, because the love that flowed from the other woman washed away Eileen's own sadness and hurt. She'd always been in awe of Mrs. O'Hara's capacity to love so wholly without restraint.

"And Ben," Mrs. O'Hara, said through the tears in her voice, "he's missed you something fierce too. You're like his...what? Sister?"

Ben laughed, "No, not my sister. Remember, I told her I was going to marry her someday."

Mrs. O'Hara laughed at that, still taking it as a joke, but when Eileen reached out to test his emotions, she found him completely serious.

Her eyes jumped to his face, and his gaze was steady, vulnerable, but determined.

Eileen suddenly wondered if he'd been joking at all over the years, because from the look in his eyes, he was dead serious.

She bit her lip, and his eyes followed the movement, darkening slightly as he continued to look at her mouth.

Eileen pulled her senses back as she felt the first hint of romantic interest, looking away with her heart hammering.

What on earth was she going to do with Ben?

"Would you mind if Ben and I went to the park?" she asked, pulling away from Mrs. O'Hara. They needed to get some things clear, right now.

"Of course, sweetie. I'll be working on supper--fried pork chops, your favorite."