The color drained from her face—not a particularly good look on her—but the woman had chutzpah that was for sure, as she sucked in her panic, slid a calculating grin onto her face, and strummed her claws on the tabletop.
“So I keep the restaurant and you’ll ensure me a seat on the Board?”
“No.” He pulled an envelope from his back pocket, set it on the table, and slid it across to her. “You’ll sell me the restaurant and I’ll ensure you my mother’s backing. I can’t speak for the entire Board.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“That’s all I’ve got. Take it or leave town because I guarantee after I get through spilling this whole sordid tale to the media, you’re not going to want to be here.”
He’d do it, too. It no longer mattered that he was obliterating the line between his personal and professional lives because Bella’s happiness was tantamount to everything.
He realized that now. Come hell or high water—or even Madeleine—Reese would use whatever talents, strengths, know-how he had to make Bella happy.
Madeleine took a sip of her tea. Oh, she was trying to be cool, calm, and collected, but Reese could see the flutter at the base of her throat.
He could feel the pounding in his temple. He didn’t need this.
“All right. I’ll do it.”
“And you’ll give custody of Sophia to Bella.”
The veneer of civility slipped from Madeleine’s face and she laughed a cruel, heartless laugh. “Over my cold dead body. That little girl is mine.”
“She’s not yours. She’s Bella’s blood, and you care for her as much as you care for Bella. Besides, with your Board activities, you won’t have time to care for her.” He nodded at the papers. “And with the sale of the restaurant, you’ll have more than enough money to live on. You won’t need Sophia’s money.”
“I’ve never taken a dime of that child’s money.”
“So you say. But the speculation could ruin your reputation by the time an audit is conducted. Do you really want to have that specter hanging over your head?” He looked at the time on his cell phone. “I’ve got an appointment with the local news in thirty minutes. Do we have a deal or not?”
Madeleine gnawed on the inside of her cheek—another not-so-good-look on her—and her eyes narrowed to slits. She picked up the papers and nervously unfolded and re-folded them. “Why on earth do you want to tie yourself down to this provincial little town? You could be in Hollywood. New York. And to do it with Bella of all people? God, man, have you no taste?”
Reese reigned in his anger. “Just sign the damn papers. The sale and custody.”
“What? Did you have your attorney up all night? I hope he charged you through the nose.”
“Just sign the papers.” His fingers curled into a fist instinctively, but he unfurled them. He would not go to jail for assault; that’d ruin all his plans.
Of which the first half had just been completed. Reese patted his front pocket. Now it was time to go for the touchdown.
***
Luke leaned over and popped a grape into Staci’s mouth. Thank goodness he’d planned-—hoped—ahead. He had at least four pounds of the fruit to get through.
“You’re not sorry about pulling a fast one on your mother last night, then?” he asked gently.
Staci pulled the sheet up and chewed thoughtfully. She swallowed and shook her head. “No. I’m glad I finally defied her. What I didn’t count on was what she’d do about it. I’d never thought she’d sell the restaurant. Not in a million years. She liked the income too much. That Mr. Fiorello must be made of money to offer enough for her to say yes.” She took the next grape he offered. “Nope, I thought it’d be a way for Bella to get something nice in her life without worrying that my mother would send Sophia away.” Staci sat all the way up.
“You know,” she brushed a swath of hair off her face. “I never realized how controlling my mother really is. To what lengths she’d go to get her way.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Staci turned to him and Luke sucked in his breath. Gone was the tacky broad who’d worn the tight clothing. This new Staci, confident and giving, had an inner beauty which radiated out through her skin. “If you knew why she was the way she was, you might understand.”
He liked this new Staci. Really liked her. Actually… he even loved her. Imagine that. “Eh hem.” He cleared his throat. “So, why is she the way she is?”
“She’s got entitlement issues. She thinks that—”
Luke’s cell phone broke into their conversation. “It’s my attorney. It might be about Jared.”
Staci nodded. “I understand.”
“Hello? What? Uh huh. Yeah. Okay. Sure, sure. What’s the address?” Luke reached for a paper and pen. “Yeah, got it.” He hung up. Boy, the last twenty-four hours were just full of surprises. “Well, I shouldn’t have any problems getting full custody of Jared now that Tanya got arrested last night.”
“She did? For what?”
Luke grinned. “You know, sometimes there is justice in this world. She’s been arrested for solicitation.” He held out a hand to her. “Were you serious when you said you liked kids?” He saw her startle of surprise and the little gnaw on her lip. But then there was a smile as her hand slid into his.
Her eyes sparkled. “Yes. I was. Let’s go get your son.”
“And maybe make him our son?”
Luke smiled as he helped a stunned-silent Staci get dressed and down to his car. This relationship thing was better than he’d ever realized. And good thing, too, because if he’d realized it sooner, he wouldn’t be with Staci. And that would be a damn shame.
***
“I don’t ever want to go home again, Chloe.” Bella wrapped her hands around her coffee mug in her friend’s farmhouse kitchen.
Chloe sat beside her and pulled a tray of muffins between them. “I know, sweetie, but you can’t just kidnap Sophia. Sophia’s the ace up Madeleine’s sleeve to keep you dancing to her tune and she knows it.”
Bella sighed. “I know, but I’m just so worried she’s going to send Sophia away. You should have seen how angry she was last night over one little kiss.”
“Little?”
Bella felt her cheeks warm and not with embarrassment. She could still feel the heat between her and Reese. And wanted to relive it all over again, feel the thrill, the shimmering in her stomach, his body surrounding hers, his incredibly potent maleness overcoming her senses—and obviously, her good sense. “Well, okay, it was more than a little kiss, but I am an adult, for Pete’s sake. Can’t I kiss a guy without being made to feel like an awkward teenager?
“Apparently not,” Chloe answered. “So what are you going to do now that she’s sold the restaurant? Have you told Sophia?”
Bella shook her head. “I didn’t have the heart to. I just picked her up from Aunt Theresa’s house last night and brought her here. I told her Senara wanted to have a sleepover.”
Chloe poured another round of coffee. “You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. Luckily, this place has plenty of bedrooms, but at some point you’re going to have to face your evil stepmother.”
Bella dropped her chin into her hand. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. You do. Maybe you should talk to Reese, too. The guy looked pretty bleak when you left.”
Bella shook her head again. “What more can I say to him? He heard her, he knows I’ve got no place to run my catering business from, so he’s definitely not going to be interested in hiring me again.”
“What if he’s interested in something else?”
Bella sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Madeleine’s proven she’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep me in line. I can take losing the restaurant, but I can’t lose Sophia.” Bella sat back, her hands on her thighs. “No, what I’ve got to do is get started on finding a place to build my catering business. Last night was a success, regardless of Madeleine’s theatrics. And there was a huge turnou
t of this city’s top movers and shakers. Hopefully, I’ll get referral business.” She stood. “I’ve just got to go back, eat crow around Madeleine, and keep Sophia safe at home. Once my business is established, I’ll use my portion of the sale to fight her for custody. It’s all I can do.”
“And Reese?”
Bella turned from the tenderness in her friend’s face. The pain was raw, but she could do nothing about it. “Until I’ve got custody of Sophia, I can’t see him again. Period.
“Uh, Chloe? Bella?” Dakota, Chloe’s eldest, called from the front door. “I think you’re going to want to see this.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Reese was more nervous than he’d ever been in a game, or at any post-game interview. He shouldn’t be; he was used to talking to the media, but that’d always been about a game or, of late, his business.
But today was different.
He shrugged into the new shirt and jacket his mom had brought with her. He could use a shower, but time had been his enemy last night so he’d have to make do. Some deodorant, cologne, and toothpaste were going to have to suffice.
“Are you sure you want to do this this way, honey?” His mom brushed some imaginary lint off the black fabric.
“I’m sure, Mom. That way, there’s no question in anyone’s mind. Especially Bella’s.”
His mother rolled her eyes. “She’s a smart lady. She’s not going to question you.”
His mother didn’t know Bella. But he did. And he knew this was right. For both of them.
“Is it here yet?” He looked at Kelly.
“Just pulled up. As ordered.”
Reese ran a finger under his collar. “Good. It has to be perfect.”
“Oh, honey, how could it not be with you behind all of this?”
Reese gave his mom a quick peck on the cheek and shook hands with his father. “Wish me luck.”
***
Jonathan Griff chuckled and put away his iTouch. “It’s not luck you’re needing, Reese, my boy.”
He picked up the reins, gave them a flick and started off to make the rendezvous.
***
Bella could not believe her eyes.
Even with Sophia and Chloe’s kids laughing and hollering about it, and Chloe alternating between amusement and amazement, Bella couldn’t comprehend what was pulling down the driveway of Chloe’s farm.
A carriage.
A glass carriage.
A round glass carriage with big wheels, a liveried driver, a pair of footmen, and a bunch of horses.
And Reese riding inside.
“Uh, Bella?” Chloe nudged her. “I think your Prince Charming has just ridden in on his white horse.”
“Six white horses,” said Senara.
“And television cameras,” added Sophia.
Bella tore her gaze away from Reese for a few seconds to see that, yes, there were indeed television cameras in the news vans following the carriage. When they reached the circular part of the driveway, the vans split up, each vying for the perfect angle as the carriage pulled up to the front porch steps.
The footmen—Giac and Gus—jumped off the back and opened the doors.
Mr. Griff, the driver, saluted her from the brim of his hat.
“Good thing you put that dress back on,” Chloe muttered.
Bella fiddled with the skirt. She’d come straight here after leaving the boat and while she’d slept in one of Chloe’s t-shirts, she’d decided to wear the dress home and change there.
Reese stepped down from the carriage.
Chloe nudged Bella’s shoulder. “You might want to meet him halfway.”
Bella took a tentative step down, but then stopped. What he was doing… Madeleine wasn’t going to like it.
“Bella.” Reese held out his hand as he climbed the porch steps to her.
Bella wanted to take it, but there was still Sophia to worry about. “Reese, I can’t—”
He ran up the last three steps and put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out first.”
Oh how she wanted to nibble on that finger. To suck it into her mouth and do all the stuff her dreams had imagined for her last night.
But she didn’t. Because there were kids around. And camera crews.
Camera crews?
“What’s with the reporters?” she whispered.
“Just pretend they’re not there.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You might be used to them, but I’m not.” And didn’t want to be. She wasn’t quite sure where he was going with all of this, but she had a feeling he wouldn’t want to get shot down on live tv.
Oh, God. Live tv…
He reached for her hand. A dozen cameras honed in on her face.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, trying not to enunciate clearly for lip readers watching at their homes.
He smiled at her. “It’s all going to be all right, Bella. I spoke to Madeleine this morning.”
“You what?” That she said loud and clear for everyone to hear.
Reese smiled and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. “I told you. It’s all going to be all right.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded stack of papers bound in blue and handed it to her. “It’s all right here.”
“I don’t understand—”
“Read them.”
She bit her lip before taking the papers warily as if they were going to bite her. She didn’t like blue-bound papers. Legal papers. She was almost afraid to open them.
“Go ahead. They won’t bite.”
She cracked a smile at that, but still took her time.
And then she read the words.
And she couldn’t read them fast enough.
Now she certainly wasn’t a law scholar, but words like sale of Casteleoni’s restaurant to Reese Charmant, and full custody of Sophia Analiese Castaleoni to Lucinda Isabella Casteleoni, effective immediately were easy enough to understand.
It was the idea behind them, however, that still had her stumped.
“What does this mean?” Her voice was a whisper because of the shock.
“They mean just what they say. Madeleine sold me the restaurant and is giving custody of Sophia to you.”
“But why?”
Reese glanced behind him at all the news vans. “Let’s just say that it’s in her best interests, especially if she wants to be on the Arts Center Board.”
“But your mother has the last seat.”
“No, my mother was offered the last seat. She declined—and very generously suggested Madeleine as her replacement.”
“But why would the Board want Madeleine? She doesn’t have a high profile or any big social or philanthropical connections.”
“Ah, well, you see, that’s where this gets a bit hazy. It’s where you come in.”
“Me?”
Reese nodded and pulled something from his jacket pocket as he bent down.
Onto one knee.
And then she saw what he was holding.
Her shoe. The one she’d lost on the boat.
Just like the first time they’d met.
Reese smiled up at her. “The reason you come in here is because Madeleine will have enough cachet for the Board if you would do one little thing.” He held out his hand for her to put her foot in it.
Bella bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. “Oh? And what little thing is that?”
He slid the shoe onto her foot. “That you marry me.”
“Marry—?” She hadn’t seen that coming.
Reese stood up and gripped her arms as she teetered in shock. “Yes, marry me. Be my wife. I love you, Bella, and I want you, me, and Sophia to be a family. Forever.”
His gaze was so intense, this had to be real. It wasn’t a dream. She glanced around. The cameras were trained on them, Gus, Giac, Mr. Griff, Chloe and all the kids, especially Sophia, were watching, hopeful smiles on everyone’s face.
“Marry me, Bella. Make me the happiest man in the world.”
She flung her arms around his neck. “Yes! Yes! Of course I will marry you!” she said as she rained kisses all over his face.
Until he gripped her head in his hands and brought her lips to his and sealed their pact for ever.
Bella got her family’s legacy, her little sister, her Prince Charming, and her fairy tale all wrapped up in one.
The End
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Raphael, Archangel
RE: HEA, Case #HRHCLICC11134529875004213534.A1A
As follow-up to report A1 concerning Charges, Henry Reese Hapsburg Charmant and Lucinda Isabella Casteleoni Charmant, I have the following additions:
This angel-in-training wishes to acknowledge the exemplary contributions of fellow Guardians, Giovanni Fiorello and Angela Custode for their diligent supervision of their Charges, who were not always the most “suggestible” of individuals.
Angela Custode has affected great change in Anastasia Fontaine and cemented by the bidding process at the hospital auction, bringing about the woman’s True Love three years early. As such, Colton Jamison has been granted a life that had not been Foreseen. His big brother Jared is thrilled with the latest addition to the family. Plans are still on track for Olivia Jamison to be born in the normal timeframe.
And to Giovanni Fiorello for diligently directing Madeleine Jean Smith Fontaine’s contrary actions down a path that led to the final reconciliation with her objectives and The Grand Plan. Not knowing the final outcome is always tricky with maverick Charges such as Ms. Fontaine, and Giovanni comported himself well and in the best interests of his Charge, The Grand Plan, and our working relationship.
This Guardian-in-training is thankful to have had two such talented Guardians to assist him in this assignment and is happy to report that everyone has attained their prescribed Happily-Ever-After.
If The Shoe Fits Page 25
