Seduction, Westmoreland Style - Brenda Jackson [55]
“Did you ever get the chance to meet your grandparents?”
“Yes, I met my grandmother when I was eighteen. My grandfather had passed on years earlier so I never got the chance to meet him, though. My father had been their only child and my grandmother wanted me to know what would be mine upon her death, like that was the only thing that mattered. It saddens me when I think of all those years I could have gotten to know them, developed a relationship with them, but they didn’t want that because of my mixed heritage. They’d been a part of New Orleans’ elite wealthy society, and my mother had not been the woman they wanted for their son. What they never accepted was that they really didn’t have a say in the matter. That he was old enough to make his own decisions.”
Casey nodded. “You and Mr. Quinn are so close that I can’t imagine him not being your natural father. I was surprised when I heard that he wasn’t.”
“He’s the only father I know. My mother says that John McKinnon was a good man and they had a good marriage. Short but good. They had met at one of those cultural day events at the Nation’s Capital. She was there as a representative of the Blackfoot Nations and he was there representing the Creoles of Color from Louisiana.”
McKinnon pulled her tighter to him. “I gather you never had a stepfather.”
She shook her head. “No. Mom never dated, although I know there were men interested in her. Her heart belonged to my father until the day she died.”
McKinnon shook his head, thinking what a waste. But then wasn’t he doing the same thing? Hadn’t he decided to sacrifice sharing a real relationship with a woman for a reason he felt was important to him? Although he no longer loved Lynette, because of her he had turned his back on ever loving anyone again. “Ready to head back?” he asked moments later.
“Yes.” She smiled up at him as she flipped on her back. “Thanks for bringing me here, McKinnon. It was special.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “No, you’re special.” Then he went for her lips. Casey sighed in pleasure the moment their mouths touched. They needed to head back and the last thing she needed from him was a long, drugging kiss, but she had a feeling that was what he was about to give her. And of course there was no way she was going to deny him.
A couple of days later, Casey got a surprise visit from her father. She had heard a knock at the door and opened it to find him standing there. “Corey? This is a pleasant surprise.”
He nodded, smiling. “I dropped by to see how Spitfire and her colt were doing and wanted to check to see how things are going with you, as well.”
“I’m fine. Would you like to come in?”
“Thanks.”
Casey stood back and watched as he entered, not bothered that he had found her at McKinnon’s home and not the guesthouse. “I was just about to sit down and eat lunch. Would you like to join me?”
He glanced around. “Where’s Henrietta?”
Casey smiled. “She and her husband went to Helena for the day. She’ll be back tomorrow. McKinnon and I usually eat lunch together but he met his brothers in town to help them with supplies, so I’d love the company.”
“Thanks. I’d love to join you.”
“Wonderful. Just make yourself at home while I get everything ready.”
Back in the kitchen, Casey thought her dad’s visit was perfect timing. It was time they had a talk to bury the past, something she hadn’t been able to fully let go of until now. Her talks with McKinnon had helped, so had Corey’s always made her feel special around him.
A few moments later she returned to the living room to find him standing at the window, looking out at the mountains. “Lunch is ready, Dad.”
He quickly turned and met her gaze and she understood why. This was the first time she had ever called him “Dad.” “Okay, let me