by Jenna Harte
“Money?” There was no doubt the boy was a Carmichael, with the same dark hair and gray eyes. Lexie’s heart went out to Drake that he’d never know the truth about whether or not Tad was his. She also had a sudden urge to dump her wine on Sharon for putting him in that position.
“Not just any money. It’s a two dollar bill. See? That’s President Jefferson. He’s from Virginia near where your great-grandfather is living now.”
“So he’s not coming back,” another voice echoed as Derrick entered the sitting room.
“Derrick.” Drake shook his brother’s hand. “No. He intends to stay there until the end.”
Lexie noticed the immediate tension in Drake’s face and shoulders. She couldn’t imagine having to be on guard with family. It made her appreciate the great brother she had in Mitch.
“He’s really sick then?” Sharon asked.
“Yes.” Drake set Tad down.
“I’m going to put this in my bank!”
Drake ruffled Tad’s hair just as the boy ran off.
“If Oliver is so sick, why are you here?” Sharon turned to Lexie.
“Sharon!” Drake scolded.
“Well, she’s supposed to be taking care of him.”
“Since when do you care what happens to him?” Drake stepped closer to Lexie; she supposed to offer support. But she didn’t feel she needed it. While she didn’t have a lot of experience with rich people, Charlotte Tavern had its share of snooty ones.
“Oliver has another nurse right now,” Lexie said. “She’s caring for him until I get back.”
“Do you often travel with your bosses’ grandsons?” Derrick had gone to the bar and poured a glass of something clear but potent, Lexie was sure.
“Down, Derrick.” Drake’s voice was low but menacing. “This is Oliver’s treat. He’s taken with Lexie. Be grateful he didn’t ask her to marry him and will everything to her.”
“Oh, God, don’t even tease about something like that.” Sharon pressed her hand over her heart.
Lexie thought Sharon might swoon. She sipped her wine to hide her chuckle.
“Looks like you should be grateful too,” Derrick said with a raised brow. “Oliver never did like to share.”
The two men glared at each other. Lexie now understood why Oliver hadn’t wanted his family to visit him. The tension was thick.
“Oh, I don’t have to marry Oliver to get his money. He’s terrible at gin rummy. I think he owes me half his fortune.”
Derrick and Sharon gaped, but Drake let out a hearty laugh. He leaned over, his lips brushing her ear. “Score one for Lexie.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Drake had questioned whether he should have invited Lexie to his family dinner not because he worried about Lexie, but because he felt certain Derrick and Sharon would be rude to her. Drake had done enough to hurt Lexie; she didn’t need his brother and sister-in-law adding to her troubles. Her trip to New York was supposed to be fun, a gift from Oliver.
At the same time, Drake discovered he wanted her there. For reasons he couldn’t understand, he needed her to meet them and see the home Oliver had built for them. To experience his world. She’d been impressed with things money could buy, but not in a way that suggested she saw an opportunity to get some for herself. To her, it was like visiting a different country.
His worry about Derrick and Sharon’s treatment of Lexie dissipated as it became clear she was more amused by them than offended. Once she got the lay of the Carmichael land, she settled in, ignoring some barbs, and responding to others. By the time dinner was finished, Derrick and Sharon appeared to have the same reaction that he had of her: they didn’t quite know what to make of her. Tad, on the other hand, developed a crush on Lexie. He was enthralled by her accent and fascinated by the stories she told about her childhood adventures with her brother. They were the types of adventures he and Derrick should have had but didn’t, because Oliver never gave them the chance.
When it was time to leave, Drake escorted her to the back of the house. “Just a quick stop before we go.”
Seemingly up for anything, Lexie nodded in agreement.
He pushed open the door to the kitchen, motioning for Lexie to proceed him, then he followed her in.
“Mr. Carmichael!”
“Mrs. Monceau.” The portly woman who’d cooked for his family ever since he could remember moved quickly toward him, pulling him into an embrace. Drake leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, the scent of cookies around her reminding him of all the times he spent with her as a child.
“Lexie, this is Mrs. Monceau. Mrs. Monceau, this is Lexie McKenna.”
“Oh, how wonderful to meet you.” Lexie’s eyes shone as she shook Mrs. Monceau’s hand.
“You too,” Mrs. Monceau said, although it was clear she didn’t know who Lexie was or why Drake had brought her back to the kitchen. “I’m so glad you stopped in to say hello. I heard you had a guest, so I didn’t think you would,” she said to Drake.
Drake paused. She was right. Whenever he had guests, he didn’t stop by to visit her. To do so would have been inappropriate. The type of guest he usually brought would be offended at being dragged to the kitchen and accuse him of being too sentimental or soft toward the help. But he hadn’t thought twice about bringing Lexie back. In fact, now that he thought about it, it had been important to him that she meet Mrs. Monceau. He studied Lexie, who didn’t realize or care how unusual the situation was.
“Lexie is Oliver’s nurse. She’s done such a good job, he treated her to a trip to New York.”
Mrs. Monceau’s brows lifted in surprise. “It’s not easy to please your grandfather. I’m sorry to hear how ill he is. There is no hope?”
Drake shook his head.
“Not even a bigger than life man can escape the reaper, I suppose,” Mrs. Monceau said. “But you’re making his last days pleasant?”
Lexie nodded. “I’m doing my best. Some days are harder than others.”
“I was wondering if you had any lemon bars,” Drake said. “Lexie is a wonderful nurse, but she doesn’t allow him any edible treats.”
Lexie’s green eyes flashed in amusement. “I dare you to tell Claire her treats are inedible.”
Drake shook his head. “I’m not as brave as you.”
“I do have a few I can pack up. They’re his favorite. His mother’s recipe.” Mrs. Monceau pulled open a drawer and pulled out a bag then headed to the refrigerator.
“He’ll be so pleased. He spends a lot of time thinking about his mother,” Lexie said.
“Does he?” Mrs. Monceau’s reactions had been the same as Drake’s, surprise that Oliver would be sentimental.
“He’s living in the home he grew up in,” Drake said.
“I never realized he cared about things like that,” Mrs. Monceau said.
“Is the scrambled egg recipe with cream and sugar yours?” Lexie asked.
Mrs. Monceau looked at Drake in interest. It took a minute for him to realize what his making eggs for a woman might mean to her.
“You made breakfast for her?”
He wanted to correct her thinking that he and Lexie were more than friends, but Lexie said, “It was a bribe. Oliver’s cook doesn’t like anyone in her kitchen, but Drake went right in there and started cooking. The only way I wouldn’t tell on him is if he fed me.”
Mrs. Monceau laughed. “I don’t blame her. I don’t like people cooking in my kitchen either. I also have a few chocolate chip cookies if you’d like, Drake.”
“I wouldn’t mind a few.”
“You’re not going to rub it in Claire’s face, are you?” Lexie asked him.
He shook his head. “Not all of Claire’s cookies are cardboard. But no one makes cookies like Mrs. Monceau.”
“I knew it! She does make cookies when I’m gone.” Lexie almost looked like she was pouting. “I can’t ever find them.”
Drake laughed. “I think that’s the point.”
Mrs. Monceau handed Drake
a bag packed with treats. “Tell your grandfather my thoughts are with him.”
“I will.” Drake leaned over and kissed Mrs. Monceau’s cheek.
“And don’t be a stranger. You either.” She added a pointed look to Lexie.
“It was so nice to meet you,” Lexie said. And she meant it. That was one of the many things he’d come to admire about Lexie; her authenticity. Lexie accepted people for who they were and while she’d call them on their bull, she never judged. She hadn’t judged him for walking away from Tad. She understood the anguish the situation caused him, but she didn’t view it as weakness. She’d tamed a grumpy old man like Oliver, and Drake realized she affected him too. The day he’d spent with her was the first he could ever recall in which he felt relaxed. He hadn’t needed to be the Drake everyone had molded and expected him to be.
That was another of her talents. To be simply who she was. She didn’t try to fit in or change herself to stay in the lane society wanted her to drive in. Drake knew personally the pressure to live up to someone else’s plans and ideals. Lexie had the same pressure to conform as he did. The difference was, Drake had the resources to do what he wanted and yet chose to bend to his family’s social status wishes. Lexie, on the other hand, didn’t have the resources, but she still chose to walk her own path. Lexie was striving to live a full life, even if that meant leaving a secure job or having an affair with a man she’d never see again.
At that moment, he wanted to do something that would allow her to continue to live fully, because he knew there would come a time when the pressure to conform would win and she’d settle. What a waste that would be. He might not be able to offer her a commitment, but he could insure she had whatever she needed to find her passion and pursue her dreams.
Drake took Lexie’s elbow to lead her back out of the kitchen.
“I’m so glad I got to meet her,” Lexie said as they walked up the front walk toward the waiting Town Car.
“I’m glad you did too.” He helped her into the car and then climbed in beside her. “How about a night-time tour of New York?”
Her eyes lit up. It was amazing how she could get excited by such little things. “I’d love it.”
“Too bad we just ate, or I’d take you for pizza. No place has pizza like New York. But there are other sights.” Drake leaned forward toward the driver. “Take us to Thirty-Third and Fifth by way of Broadway.”
The car left the curb, making its way through the city. Drake watched as Lexie took in the sights and sounds. She turned toward him, her eyes studying him, as if she’d known he was watching her.
“Taking me to see Mrs. Monceau was unusual, wasn’t it? Because normally, you wouldn’t take someone to meet the help.”
He nodded, wondering what she thought about it. It dawned on him that she might think it was because technically she was hired help, but that hadn’t been it at all. “She’s important to me.”
Lexie tilted her head to the side, her brows pulling together as if she didn’t understand what he was telling her.
“I wanted to say hello to her and knew you wouldn’t mind if I took you with me. It wasn’t because—”
“Drake,” Lexie interrupted. “I didn’t think anything of it except honored, because I know she’s important to you.”
He smiled and forced himself to resist the urge to kiss her. She must have sensed it, because she turned to look out the window, drawn to the lights of Times Square.
“We always hear how northerners are so progressive, not so bound by tradition. But that’s not true. At least not for rich northerners.”
“It’s not tradition that dictates our behavior. It’s social … snobbery.” Finally finding a word he thought fit.
Lexie laughed, looking back at him. “Caste system. I’m glad you didn’t feel the need to adhere to it tonight.”
“Me too.”
She grinned, and it took his breath away. He wished he knew how she did that. How she was able to reach inside him and make him feel things he hadn’t ever felt. He was resigned that he might never understand it. Just as well. After tonight, she’d be returning to Oliver, and Drake would be focused on business.
They pulled up to the curb, and Drake helped Lexie from the car. From the front, the building looked like most other tall, gray skyscrapers in New York. The difference with this one was that it was famous, and frequently, the building was lit in different colors. Today it was red, white, and blue, in preparation for the upcoming Fourth of July.
“Look up.”
She tilted her head. “Great day, Drake. Is that the Empire State Building?”
“Yes. How would you like to see New York from up high?”
Lexie stood at the top of the Empire State Building and felt awe. Not so much at the view, which was spectacular, but at the man standing next to her. She had discovered early on in Drake’s visit to Charlotte Tavern that she’d misjudged him. It was easy to do because he worked so hard to hide who he really was, how he really felt. But tonight, she felt like she was getting the real Drake. He was relaxed and less on guard. He appeared to get a kick out of her interactions with Derrick and Sharon.
What she loved most about the evening was seeing Drake with Tad. At first, Lexie couldn’t figure out why Drake was having dinner with his brother and sister-in-law. They were adversaries, locked in a battle over the future of the business. But the minute she saw Drake scoop Tad up into his arms, she understood completely why he was there. Lexie hadn’t thought much of Derrick and Sharon as people, except that they seemed to recognize the importance of and supported Drake’s relationship with Tad. As far as she was concerned, it was their only redeeming quality.
“I know I ruined your trip in the beginning, but hopefully, this makes up for it.” Drake’s hand pressed lightly against her back. It was a little gesture, yet it made her long for everything she couldn’t have with him.
She wanted to tell him that his kindness toward her made up for it, but she wasn’t sure how he’d take it. He was charming and relaxed now, but she knew his mood could change on a dime, especially if he discovered how much she cared about him.
“It’s wonderful.”
“You didn’t get to see a show. You’ll have to come back for that.”
Lexie studied him, trying to decide if there was more behind his words. “I imagine it would take forever to see everything there is to see in New York.”
He nodded. “With Bobby Lee’s money and Oliver’s salary, you probably have a little breathing room now. You’ll be able to take some time to find something you enjoy.”
Where was he going with his conversation? “It will give me some time, but I’m still not sure what I should pursue. I guess that adds to my flake factor.”
He frowned. “You’re not a flake.”
“You’re the only one who doesn’t think so.”
“It’s true that on paper, your jumping around from job to job doesn’t look good, but you’re not doing it because you’re a flake.”
“Then why am I doing it?” Lexie asked, intrigued.
“You’re searching. I might live in a different world, but I get that most people aren’t able to discover and pursue their passions in life because they need to pay the bills.”
Lexie wanted to ask him if he was pursuing is passion. It seemed to her that he was swept up in Oliver’s grand plan, not following his own dreams. “That’s true.”
“What if that wasn’t the case with you?”
“What do you mean?” She searched his handsome face for a clue to what he was saying.
“If you could do anything, what would you do?”
Lexie thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I’ve enjoyed my work with Oliver. I like being able to spend time with people and see their improvement. I know that sounds weird because Oliver isn’t going to improve, at least not physically. But I think he’s grown emotionally.”
Drake nodded.
“So I want to find work that allows that. Maybe I could go back to
school for physical therapy. They work long-term with people helping them get back on their feet, so to speak.”
He took a deep breath. “Whatever you want to do, Lexie, I want to help you.”
Lexie felt her heart flip, but fought to tame it. He wasn’t telling her wanted to be with her. Only that he wanted to help her. “How?”
“You tell me. If you want to go to school, I’ll pay. If you want to see all the big cities of the world, I’ll pay for that too.”
Lexie felt a combination of gratitude and annoyance. It was an incredible gift, and yet a part of her wondered about his motives. After all, at one time he’d accused her of being a gold digger. Was this some sort of test?
Drake looked away for a moment, but she felt certain it wasn’t to take in the view. When he turned back, there was a fierceness in his gray eyes. “You deserve to find and pursue your passion, but that will be difficult for you. Finances will limit that. Your family will pressure you to take the safe route, and get a secure job. But I don’t want you to do that. You have so much life in you, Lexie. I know if you can find your passion, you’ll spread it, and make the world a better place. And if I can help you achieve that, then in some way, I’ve made the world a better place.”
Tears welled in Lexie’s eyes. This was no test. He was being sincere. She wasn’t sure she could accept Drake’s offer, but she was overwhelmed by the generosity of it. That he would even think of it and offer it. “That’s the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. His expression was serious, full of intention. “You’ve done so much for Oliver and you’ve reminded me that despite my current challenges, I’m very fortunate. You deserve this gift, Lexie. I hope you will accept it.”
She nodded, not wanting to commit one way or the other. More than anything, she wished she could give him a similar gift. One that would let him be himself. She hoped he’d win in his struggle over the business just so he could prove to the world that a company could care for its people and still profit. Then he wouldn’t need to hide his compassion in an effort to appear a strong leader.
