All's Fair in Love and Blood: A Romantic Comedy Novel

by Jennifer Peel

  The rest of the trip to my father’s office was uneventful. When I walked out of the hall leading to the inner sanctum, I was met by Sir Randall, who seemed to be waiting for me to appear.

  He immediately wrapped me up in his bulging muscular arms. “Dr. Young Lady.”

  I laughed into his chest. “Hi, Sir Randall.” I choked up. It had been a long time since I’d seen him, and like Rae, Naomi, and Mindy, he was one of those shining spots from my past. Someone I had no doubt loved and cared for me.

  He gave me one more bone-crushing squeeze before letting me go and giving me a big toothy grin. “Our girl is all grown up.”

  I reached into my bag and pulled out his favorite candy, chocolate-covered toffee. “I took a detour and stopped in Alabama.”

  His eyes went misty. “Dr. Young Lady, you’re the sweetest girl around.”

  “Yes, she is,” Kane’s voice startled me as he came strutting out of his office looking way too good in his tailored navy suit.

  “Ignore him.” I focused solely on Sir Randall, who was now chuckling.

  Kane would not be ignored and stopped by my side. “You look amazing.”

  I paid him no attention. “How’s your wife?” I asked Sir Randall.

  He looked between Kane and me with interest before answering, “We’re getting on. Getting older.”

  I supposed he was getting older. I noticed the extra gray in his hair; however, his deep, dark eyes were still full of life and mischief.

  “Please tell her hi for me.”

  “I will.” He held up the box of candy. “She’ll be thanking you for these. I better get back to work, and you two have a meeting, I hear.”

  “Yes, we do,” Kane drawled.

  There was no we.

  Sir Randall narrowed his eyes at Kane. “Boy, don’t be so presumptive. You’ve got a long road ahead of you. Yes, you do.” He walked off, shaking his head.

  “Good thing I like to drive fast,” Kane whispered in my ear.

  I fought off the shiver that went down my spine. “You’re on a dead-end road.”

  Kane laughed. “Darlin’, you’re killing me with the one-liners. I like it.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and walked toward my father’s office door.

  Kane followed and stood in front of the door, leaning against it, before I could even knock. “Scarlett.” He hit me with his magical, mystical eyes. “I’m not trying to make light of the situation. Please, just give me the chance to explain why I left.”

  “I know why. You deserved that promotion. And if you would have let me, I would have been very proud of you. But you never gave me that chance. And I don’t think anything you ever say will make me understand why.” I tried to keep my voice down and my emotions under control, though it was difficult. I wanted to cry. These were painful memories I didn’t enjoy reliving, and I’d done so way too many times over the years.

  His face turned pale. “Scarlett, you don’t know how sorry I am.”

  I shrugged. “It’s all in the past now, and Auggie said I shouldn’t live there.”

  “Could we at least make a visit there to see if we can change the future?” he pleaded.

  My eyes widened. He was always so bold. I couldn’t understand why now, though. It was like he had chosen to hit the pause button on our relationship and now he wanted to click play again. That didn’t seem right, but I didn’t get to answer him because Auggie opened the door, making Kane falter, though he had better balance than me and easily steadied himself.

  “Good, you’re both here.” Auggie waved us in.

  Kane let me go in first. How gentlemanly of him.

  I waited for Kane and Auggie to see where I should sit.

  “Have a seat in front of my desk,” Auggie directed.

  Kane and I each took a seat in the high-back leather chairs.

  Auggie sat at his desk, which was pristinely organized and had two large, curved monitors on it, each filled with colorful charts and graphs. Auggie sat up straight and looked between me and Kane almost wistfully, it seemed. Weird.

  “I know you must be curious why I asked to visit with you both.”

  Kane and I nodded.

  “Well, I won’t beat around the bush.” Except he swallowed hard a few times before he blurted, “I have come to the decision that it’s time for me to retire.”

  I was rendered speechless. Auggie’s plan had been to retire when he turned seventy. That would give me seven years to learn all the ins and outs of Armstrong Labs, especially the business side, which was still quite foreign to me. Oh. Maybe that’s why he’d called Kane in here, too. He wanted Kane to mentor me. That wasn’t going to happen. Though it might be kind of nice to fire him right after he’d helped me. Sweet revenge. But did I really have it in me to fire Kane? The golden boy? The man I loved?

  The answer was probably not.

  The big question was why Auggie was retiring now. He had to be . . . no. I couldn’t think like that, but my mouth was way ahead of my brain. “Are you sick?” I blurted out.

  Auggie adjusted the knot of his tie as if it were strangling him. “I’m fine.”

  He wasn’t convincing me. “Dad,” I squeaked.

  Auggie gave me a half smile. Something was definitely wrong. Two almost smiles in one day. He was dying. I knew it.

  “Scarlett, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s time for me to turn over the reins, which is why I called you both in here.”

  Kane sat at attention like he was in the running for the job.

  I scrunched my nose at him, but he was too focused on Auggie to notice.

  “The truth is, this is earlier than I’d planned for, and as you both know, the plan was always for Scarlett to take my place. However, given her lack of experience, the board would like to be reassured of the company’s future.”

  That perked Kane up even more. Was Auggie seriously making him the next CEO? And why was Auggie talking about me like I wasn’t even here? Oh. My. Gosh. He was totally giving the job to Kane. Not to say Kane didn’t deserve it. But I had just given up seven years of my life for this job. Well, really three—I would have gone to medical school either way. Still, I could have done the residency I’d truly wanted to do had I known this was going to be the outcome.

  “With that said, I assured them Scarlett was more than capable.”

  Kane’s shoulders rose and fell. That’s right. Go be a CEO of another Fortune 500 company. And, please, give me back my heart on your way out the door.

  “The board, though,”—Auggie paused—“would like some additional assurances and . . . options. And given that you are my two favorite and most capable children . . .”

  Excuse me, I wanted to raise my hand and say, “You only have one child. That’s me. Your flesh and blood. And since when did you have favorites? And how did I not know I was one until now?”

  “. . . the board would like you each to submit a business plan before next month’s third quarter meeting. This way, they can evaluate each of you. You will also be expected to present during the meeting. And you will go through a formal interview process. Given my tenure won’t end until the end of the year, if they feel like neither of you are qualified, we will expand the search. But I don’t see that happening.”

  Kane perked right back up. And I noticed his cocky smile.

  I wanted to slide off my chair. I wasn’t prepared for this. At. All.

  Auggie turned toward me. “Scarlett, I realize this puts you at a disadvantage, which is why I would like to delay your lab director duties until after a final decision has been made. This will allow you to focus all your energy on crafting your plan and presentation, while preparing for your interviews.” He said it like he was rooting for me.

  I nodded, so many thoughts going through my head. Thoughts like screaming and running out of the room. Or just letting Kane take over. But I hadn’t given up my dreams for nothing.

  Auggie clapped his hands. “Well, that’s all.”

  What? That was i
t? I needed direction. I had no idea how to write a business plan.

  Kane stood, while I sat there dumbfounded. He reached across the table to shake Auggie’s hand. “Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to presenting my vision and goals for the company.”

  Auggie shook his hand and nodded.

  Kane gave me an expectant look. I think he was waiting for me to walk out with him.

  “I want to talk to my father.”

  “Of course.” Kane walked toward the door.

  As soon as I heard the door close, I asked, “Why this sudden change?”

  Auggie rearranged some folders on his desk. “It was time.”

  “No, it wasn’t. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Scarlett,” he sighed, “I’m not going anywhere, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He stood. “I have a meeting I need to get to. I’ve had Randall prepare the office next to Kane’s for you. He will give you access to any reports or information you may need. To keep it fair, I told the other board members I wouldn’t coach you. But like I said, I have every confidence in you.”

  “Auggie, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.” I was honest with him. A rarity for me.

  He pressed his hands against his desk and leaned toward me. “Scarlett, I wouldn’t have recommended you had I not believed you could do this. Don’t let me down.”

  Those were always the magic words. My kryptonite. “I won’t.” I stood.

  “I’ll see you at home.”

  “Oh, about that. I think it would be best if I checked into a hotel.”

  His face dropped and he took a second to recover. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “Why?” I whispered.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ve missed you.”

  My jaw dropped. I was definitely in the Twilight Zone. “Really?” my voice cracked, full of emotion.

  “Do you need to ask?” He sounded hurt.

  “Yes.”

  He hung his head. “I guess I better work on that. We’ll talk later, at home,” he emphasized.

  I was beginning to think my father was a doppelgänger. Or more likely, he was sick. “I’d like that.” I needed to get to the bottom of what was going on.

  I walked out of Auggie’s office in a daze. Kane was waiting for me and unceremoniously pulled me into his office next door, which was almost as nice as Auggie’s. I was in such a state of shock, it didn’t register that Kane was manhandling me, albeit gently.

  Once he shut the door, he let go of me, smiling his charming smile. “So, did you tell Augustus you were out of the running and finally ready to pursue your dreams?”

  I scrunched my face. “Why would I do that? And what do you know about my dreams?”

  He stepped closer and ran the back of his hand down my face.

  Oh man, did I miss his touch. Snap out of it, Scarlett. He’s your enemy now. I backed up, trying to shake off how good that felt, how I longed to be touched more by him.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t take such liberties with you.”

  “You’re right.”

  “That said,”—he smiled—“I do know your dreams. They still live in those beautiful eyes of yours. You should be out pursuing them.”

  I folded my arms. “I know what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to psych me out because I’m your competition now. Well, it’s not going to work. I intend on presenting the best plan to the board.” I had no idea how, but that wasn’t going to stop me.

  He laughed. “Scarlett, you are probably the smartest woman I know, but darlin’, you don’t know business. You never wanted to.”

  “Things change,” I scoffed. “I changed.”

  “Maybe some, but not like that. What happened to you pursuing your dreams?”

  My eyes betrayed me and filled with tears. “You lost the right to know. All you need to know now is that I have every intention of continuing my father’s legacy and becoming the next CEO of Armstrong Labs.”

  He reached out to wipe a few errant tears off my cheek, but I turned my head. “I didn’t mean to upset you. And I don’t want to hurt you, but you and I both know you aren’t qualified for that role.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Well, Mr. Hudson, get ready to be proven wrong. From here on out, you and I are at war.”

  He smirked his smirkiest smirk. “Bring it on, darlin’.”

  “I plan to.”

  He grabbed my belt and pulled me toward him, our faces a mere inch apart. “While you’re at it,” he spoke intimately against my lips, lips that ached for his, “plan on me pursuing more than the office next door.” He let me go and walked toward his desk.

  I stood there breathless for a moment before I could respond. “Get used to being disappointed.”

  He chuckled and waved. “See you later, darlin’.”

  Not if I could help it. Maybe he had stolen my heart, but I wasn’t going to let him take my company.

  Heart Surgeon, Anyone?

  I pulled How to Write a Business Plan for Dummies off the shelf at the local bookstore and added it to my ever-growing stack of books. My arms were getting a workout.

  Naomi helped me out and relieved me of a few of them.

  “Thank you.”

  She browsed the titles she was holding. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “Yes. Of course. Besides, this is what my father wants. And in my heart, I know something isn’t right with him. He wouldn’t just up and retire like this.” Plus, there was the little matter of beating Kane.

  Naomi’s face went ashen, and she dropped the books she was holding. She scrambled to pick them up. “Do you really think he’s sick?” Emotion filled her voice.

  I bent down to help her, placing my books on the floor so I could reach for her hand, which I noticed had a few age spots. When did my parents start getting older? I didn’t like it. I gently squeezed her elegant hand. I had always admired how soft and smooth they were. Her nails were always well manicured, even though they were constantly in latex gloves or being meticulously washed.

  “He says he’ll be fine.” I tried to comfort her.

  “I don’t buy it. You’re right. He would never step down.”

  “Maybe you could talk to him,” I suggested.

  “Me?” Her brow raised. “We haven’t spoken in years. I haven’t even seen him since you graduated from Johns Hopkins.”

  I stood and helped her up alongside me. She was a petite thing. It didn’t seem all that long ago that I was shorter than her and she was the one comforting me.

  I wrapped my arms around her. “If he’ll talk to anyone about this, it’s you.”

  She laughed. “Oh, honey, you underestimate the animosity between us.”

  “No. I’m counting on the love that still exists.”

  She leaned away with her eyes full of tears. “He stopped loving me a long time ago.”

  I gave her a pressed-lip smile. “Uh-huh. That’s why he still lives in your house, haunts your library, and has the housekeeper fill vases with your roses.”

  She wiped the corners of her eyes. “That’s not love; it’s unhealthy coping mechanisms.”

  “Sure. Okay,” I said playfully, though I agreed with her on some level.

  “Are you disagreeing with your mother?”

  I rubbed my heart as it leaped with incomprehensible joy. “You’ve never called yourself my mother,” I said, so overcome.

  Her cheeks pinked. “I’m sorry.”

  “Please don’t be. I’ve always thought of you as my mom.” It was Auggie who didn’t want me to call her mom, as he felt like it was a betrayal to my momma, Callie. I could understand that, but even though I never knew Callie, when I looked at pictures of her and me, I got the feeling she would understand. That she would want someone to love me like she had. And I knew Naomi loved me every bit as much as Callie had.

  She threw her arms around me and squeezed the life out of me. “I love you, daughter, and if you want me to talk to your father, I will.”<
br />
  “Please,” I begged.

  She nodded against me, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

  “Thank you.” I had to know what was going on with Auggie. He wasn’t father of the year material, but despite his many shortcomings, I needed him to stick around so maybe we could figure out our relationship. And I wanted him to see how capable I was in running his company.

  Naomi let go of me. “We probably look like two ninnies in here. Let’s get your books and go eat dinner.”

  “Good idea.” I gathered up my large pile. I liked physical books. It made researching easier for me. Something about being able to write in the margins and highlight passages helped me internalize information.

  With two large bags full of books, we walked out into the Georgia heat. Naomi asked once again, “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  I nodded, very unsure.

  Naomi knew the truth. She patted my cheek. “I hope in the end, you get what makes you happiest.” She left it at that.

  Happiness? I didn’t really do things to make me happy. I mean, I wasn’t unhappy. But for me, I did things that made sense. Like Ethan and me. I had thought we made sense. He was intelligent and all about me pursuing my career goals. At least, I’d thought he was, until it impeded his own. Even taking over Armstrong Labs made sense. It was my family’s company, and I had been preparing for it for the last several years—to switch gears now wouldn’t make any sense at all. And, admittedly, the last time I was ridiculously happy, it came to a soul-crushing end, and I didn’t want to feel like that ever again. Better to be safe than sorry.

  So, all I could say to Naomi was, “Me too.” But, as had been the case for a long time, I knew that wouldn’t happen.

  ~*~

  I wasted no time getting to work. The house was quiet when I got home from dinner with Naomi. I wasn’t surprised. Auggie lived for work, and Kane obviously did now too. He was probably already perfecting his business plan. I knew I was at a disadvantage. A severe disadvantage. Kane lived and breathed business. He made deals in his sleep and could probably recite the last quarterly report by heart. Possibly the last ten years’ worth of reports. He likely knew the company’s net worth down to the last penny and could list every asset as well as our testing and processing procedures. Even though it wasn’t his area of expertise, he was well versed in our research and development initiatives. He had to be to make those big deals.