Secret Cinderella (The House of Morgan Book 16)

by Victoria Pinder

  In the second to last box, she found a pair of black slacks much softer than the polyester blends her store sold, with a red and black top that seemed appropriate for breakfast. Jack came out in his robe as she dressed and she asked, “On your dime?”

  He hugged her from behind and kissed the back of her neck.

  Heat coursed through her when he said, “On ours. You’d be my wife.”

  That was so hard to imagine.

  Until yesterday she’d been stocking canned soups in aisle twelve, dreaming of a different life where she ran the store until Jack came home from work and they had dinner together, as a family.

  Jack grabbed a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. He tucked it into his jeans—so different than his superhero t-shirts from years ago. She helped him tuck it in where he couldn’t see a gap in the back. “I don’t want you to think that I’d say yes to get away from Nancy.”

  He laughed and tipped his head to the side, whispering, “Well, that is a benefit if you do.”

  She stepped back and checked to ensure that he looked perfect.

  He’d have to fit in downstairs with his always-being-photographed Morgan family. He was very put together. She squared her shoulders and said the truth, “I’m hedging because of my father’s store.”

  He brought her arms around his waist so they were chest to chest. “Marrying me has to be better for you than working as Nancy’s slave.”

  ”Yes,” she agreed without thinking twice. But the superstore had once been her father’s dream. Not that it mattered. Right? He’d want her to be with the man she might love forever and here Jack was. She felt her eyes watering a little but she refused to cry. “Jack, I love you. You’ve been the only good part of my life in years.”

  He swayed them around the bed as he asked, “But?”

  The past shouldn’t matter. She was here, with Jack. She spoke from her heart when she said, “That’s it. If you want to marry me, I want to marry you.”

  His eyes widened in shock and he froze mid-step. “You really do?”

  “Absolutely.” She held her breath. Did his reaction mean that he hadn’t meant his proposal? She swallowed and glanced down at the bed they’d shared. “If you still want to?”

  He kissed her cheek and she turned toward him again as he asked, “No buts?”

  “No.” She hugged him tight.

  Jack was everything she’d ever wanted, ever. She’d been clearly blind but the idea of being without him sent a chill through her that made her think her life would be hopeless and never-ending.

  He traced her back. “I thought getting you to agree to be my wife would be harder.”

  She went onto her tiptoes and kissed him fast. His lips still made her ache in places she hadn’t ever been sensitive in. As the kiss ended, she said, “I know with you, I’m safe. Cared for. And I love you. You love me. My father would have liked our marriage, I think.”

  The words resounded with truth. Her dad would have wanted her to be happy and in love. Jack smiled like he’d won the lottery, which he kind of had with his whole identity being exposed, but she hoped in part because of her agreement to spend their lives together. He said, “My mother adores you.”

  Patricia O’Conner had often lent her ear and offered food. She'd worried Charlotte didn’t get enough to eat at her own house as a teenager, which was the closest thing she’d had to a maternal role model, as she had no memories of her own mother. Charlotte stepped away from Jack to go through the shoes he’d left for her and hoped to find at least one pair of flats.

  Heels weren’t a breakfast fashion statement that matched her personality. She opened a few of the boxes and said, “She’s the closest person I have to a mother figure, other than Nancy, and I’d rather be an O’Conner.”

  He handed her the next box as the first was a bright blue heel but held it in his hands when he said, “You’re not going to be that.”

  Jack released the box and she jerked back. “What?”

  He leaned down and opened the next bag. “I’m Jack Morgan now…but that’s just semantics.”

  Ah. His new name…she’d heard him, but hadn’t fully realized that he would go that route. She opened the box and said, “The Morgan family is clearly more than semantics—they’re a powerhouse.” Finally she found a pair of simple black shoes. She took one out and saw how Jack stared at her like his gaze needed to penetrate her skin. She rubbed her arm and wondered what was going on. What did he see? She said, “You’re different.”

  He helped her put on her black shoes like she was a princess—she hadn’t been so cared for since her father had died. He said, “So are you, but my love for you hasn’t changed.”

  He kissed the back of her hand and she said with confidence, “Then let’s just give in to being happy. I’m tired of waiting for my life to begin. Things are better… with you.”

  He offered a hand to get up. She took his, not because she needed his help, but because she wanted him forever in her life. He asked, “Are you ready to go?”

  Technically she was ready, showered, and dressed, but she stalled when he opened the door to the hall and said “I feel a bit like a fraud.”

  He winked at her. She’d never seen that wink before, but she liked how it made her feel. “You’re radiant. My mom and my family you already know will be excited to see you.”

  They made it to the elevator down. She ignored the patter in her heart due to nerves because this was it. She’d finally found her happily-ever-after. Jack pressed the button and she said, “Your mom was wonderful with me.”

  “She loves you,” he said. “She’ll be happy about us.”

  Hopefully. Patricia had always asked for her help when she’d wanted Jack to do something, so maybe little moments like ensuring he picked up garlic for a sauce mattered. They made it to the private breakfast room full of strangers, mostly adults who were very put-together and on top of the world. Charlotte recognized a few faces from magazines she’d unpacked at the checkout counter. They took the first step inside and Jack held her hand. “Here we are.”

  No one jumped out of their seats to accost them or throw her out. The buffet line was clear. Jack guided her toward a stack of plates and silverware. She opened the hash browns and scooped extra on his plate as she knew he loved the burned ones.

  No one stared at them, but she recognized John, scandalous banker; his wife, who seemed much nicer than the articles declared; Axel, the lead singer of Indigo Five; and Matthew Morgan, the movie star. Everyone sat at tables and ate like normal people.

  She glanced around for Patricia, Lucy, Finn, Max, and William, but didn’t see them. It was just the billionaires who’d never accept her. Until now she’d thought celebrities weren’t exactly real, and she wasn’t sure how to react to the fact that they ate and conversed just like everybody else. Charlotte picked an empty table for four near a window for them.

  They’d both eaten a few bites when a pretty, dark-haired woman slid into the seat beside her. She held out her hand to Jack to shake. “Hi, Jack, I’m your half-sister Aurelia. I heard you and your girlfriend worked in a store together. Hello, Charlotte.”

  Aurelia Morgan was the latest of the thought dead but surprise, ‘alive’ headline stories. She’d been living in obscurity and was currently single according to the news, but for some reason Charlotte wasn’t nervous talking to her…she seemed very real.

  Charlotte rested her fork on her plate. “That’s true. We went to school together too and Jack’s been my best friend, forever.”

  Aurelia squeezed her arm as if to invite Charlotte to be friends and said, “Good. I’m always looking for reliable board members who understand retail. When you’re ready to talk business about your future, let me know.”

  She then left just as fast.

  Charlotte wasn’t sure. Had Aurelia wanted Jack, or Charlotte, to work with her?

  Neither of them had experience sitting in a board room making decisions unless it was about how to stock the shelves.
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br />   Once she was sure no one was listening, she asked Jack, who continued to eat his breakfast, “Jack, what future? Did you tell them about us?”

  He swallowed and patted his mouth with his napkin. “She doesn’t know we’re getting married. No one does.”

  She ran her hand through her hair and pushed it behind her ear. Her skin was jittery again. “Right. Jack, I’m nervous.”

  Jack playfully rested his thigh against hers and her body relaxed when he said, “Don’t be. After breakfast we’ll head out and get you a ring, then return here and just hang out for a while getting to know everybody.”

  Jack. Yes. He was the point of all of this. And the rest of the people wouldn’t be in her life, not without him. She smiled. “See, that sounds good. I just want to be with you.”

  They finished their breakfasts and turned to the coffees they’d grabbed. A waitress cleaned their table and took their plates as they sat in silence.

  Every sip made her new world easier to digest.

  Today she would quit her job and devote herself to being happy.

  With Jack.

  As she stole a glance at his handsome face and broad shoulders, she became sure. Love mattered more than her father’s dream.

  The bubble of serenity ended when Antonio sat in the chair beside her, and Bart, if she remembered his name correctly. Today Antonio smelled like a cheap imitation of her Jack. “Jack, this is Bartoleme-”

  “I remember,” Jack said.

  “Bart is fine and what my wife calls me anyhow,” the other man corrected and nodded at them both. He then turned his full attention to Jack as he said, “I was wondering if you’d like to help me sponsor a green energy contest at various university engineering schools to help us uncover worthy tech we should invest in.”

  She saw the light of inspiration in Jack’s eyes mixed with hope that he could do good works. She nodded and he said, “I don’t know how to sponsor, but I’ll help, as that sounds like a terrific cause.”

  Antonio tapped her hand and she felt nothing as he said, “Charlotte, you’re glowing.”

  She turned and smiled. “Jack is the best boyfriend I can ask for.”

  Antonio beamed like he was pleased for them, or for himself, she couldn’t tell. “Glad you’re both happy.”

  Neither she nor Jack said anything else. The two men stood and went back to the table they’d come from. Once they were out of ear shot, Jack said, “I get the whole Morgan thing is a lot. Did you want to talk to Antonio more?”

  She shook her head and reached for Jack’s hand. Sparks sizzled inside her as she said, “Absolutely not. Now that I understand more of my own feelings, I think he just reminded me of you. And why would I want a copy when I get the best, here, with you?”

  He kissed her knuckles and murmured, “We’ll be alone soon.”

  Her hand now had trembles that hopefully never went away as this was a good feeling.

  She’d just set her cup down when two people with a baby she’d only seen at the checkout stand as big news elegantly took the vacated chairs. The man was nice-looking enough but a little too on the muscular scale for Charlotte’s taste. “Jack, it’s good to meet you. This is Belle, my wife, and our son.”

  “He’s adorable.” Charlotte smiled at the baby, who cooed.

  The articles claimed that somehow the woman next to Charlotte had an evil power over Peter Morgan that had destroyed the actress Jennifer Gonzales’s life with the banker. Belle Morgan in person seemed genuine and kind.

  Jack said, “This is my…fiancée, Charlotte.”

  Peter said, “Congratulations. Morgan weddings are eventful.”

  Jack’s eyes widened and he spoke fast, “I don’t have any crazy ex’s.”

  She winced. He’d never had a filter. She waited for the banker to get upset, but Peter and Belle exchanged a smile. “Lucky you. If you ever design a business plan, I hope you come to me first for investment advice before we spend any of our own money. You and your brothers didn’t grow up with money so I’m happy to advise how you can keep it and invest more anytime you want, instead of buying recklessly.”

  What was the purpose of having money if he didn’t spend it? But Jack said, “I will. My savings account is mind-blowing now.”

  Peter folded his hands. “That’s just a taste of your inheritance. There is much more we need to discuss, in my office. Or with Mitch if you prefer, or any of us bankers. We’re here to help.”

  The idea that one of his half-brothers had their father’s name clearly rocked Jack as his face went white.

  The baby cried and Jack regained his composure. “Finn and probably Max are the ones more interested in finance, but I will need all the help I can get. Thanks.”

  Peter patted him on the back as they stood and he said, “Nice to meet you both.”

  And then the power couple who were in all the news outlets just walked away.

  Charlotte sat with Jack, happy that no one was going to ever interfere with them in that manner. She and Jack had the power to live happily-ever-after and no one needed to go to the press about it.

  Chapter 11

  The drive to Squirrel Hill in Sewickley, the suburb of Pittsburgh where the Morgans had their party and Andrew Carnegie and his ilk had once roamed the streets, retained the feel of the Gilded Age. Charlotte could practically smell old money. The brick building that was now a bank but read Car Barn had been where original cars were sold in the 1800s. Across from that was a yoga studio, Talbot’s, and of course, the jewelry store. The main street had a farmer's market on the weekend she’d been to years ago, when she’d gone out on a Saturday.

  Maybe when she married Jack, if this was all real, she’d have Saturday mornings to do as she pleased. That might be nice.

  Now mattered more though.

  Alone in the car with Jack was the best. They sang songs the whole way.

  But… she’d never been able to afford anything around here. This area was where the one percent lived, with helicopter pads on their roofs and the history of the Carnegie family everywhere.

  The Masters had once had the best general store around. Corporate giants and her stepmother’s mismanagement combined should have spelled doom but the fiercely independent streak of the area kept loyal customers away from the big markets. It wasn’t going to keep the store afloat for forty more years, like her father had hoped. He'd wanted to provide for her.

  Especially now that she was leaving.

  She tried to shake that thought off and stared at Jack’s handsome, familiar profile. Her father had once advised that she should marry her best friend.

  He hadn’t known Jack but he’d have liked him. She was sure of it.

  Jack parked and escorted her into the luxury jewelry store where no one knew him, or her.

  No clerk offered to help until he walked over to a brown-haired woman in her thirties, and asked for the engagement rings.

  The woman took out the tray of small diamonds but Jack pointed to the larger rings. The clerk’s eyes widened but Jack slipped one on Charlotte’s finger before she could protest.

  Charlotte noticed the Cartier brand on the ring and held the huge solitaire in the sun to make it sparkle. “This is gorgeous, Jack.”

  “Then that’s the one, Charlotte.” Jack reached for his wallet.

  The clerk said, “That’s the Cartier Destinee Solitaire. It’s one of our more expensive designs.”

  Right. And big. Charlotte took the diamond off. “We should get something smaller.”

  He stopped her from giving the ring back and asked, “Are you ashamed to marry me?”

  Her jaw dropped. That wasn’t why, and he should know it. She trembled as she said, “No. Never. I just don’t want other people to be jealous and this ring is calling for it.”

  “We’ll take it,” he told the clerk and handed the startled woman his card.

  The dark-haired woman called over to another clerk to run the card like she thought they’d bolt out the door with the ring.<
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  They all sat in silence until the card and receipt were given and Jack signed the name Jack Morgan.

  Charlotte jumped up from the chair once he’d signed and ignored how her heart raced as she walked out the door with him. Jack showed the receipt to the security guard near the door too. As they stepped out onto the sidewalk, she twisted the diamond inside her palm so no one might comment on her life. “Okay, but I want to turn it toward my palm when I go and get my stuff at Nancy’s.”

  They hopped in his Mercedes and headed back to the North Hills by the river. “You don’t have to go there. We can hire people to get your things.”

  Nancy wouldn’t let Charlotte have half of what she wanted. She knew her stepmother. The pictures might already be ripped to shreds. Nancy had tossed almost everything of Charlotte’s mother’s when she’d moved in, except what Charlotte kept hidden.

  If she didn’t go now, all would be gone that mattered. She reached for his hand and said, “I want my picture of my mom and dad and a few small things. It won’t take me ten minutes.”

  They were getting closer to the house and he said, “I’ll go inside with you.”

  Jack was sweet. Soon they’d live happily, but for now she wanted to avoid a confrontation. “No. It’s better if I rush in, get my things, and leave.”

  They headed down the last of the side streets before her house. He said, “I’ll wait right outside your door.”

  And his car would alert Nancy that something was up and her stepmother always reacted worse when confronted. She’d slip in the house through the side door…and if she walked in the side gate, she wouldn’t trip the alarm. Charlotte said, “Wait at the end of the street, at the gas station, as always.”

  He parked his silver Mercedes in the same spot he’d placed his brown Ford that was older than both of them and said, “I’m coming if you don’t show up within twenty minutes.”

  She kissed his cheek. “This isn’t like two weeks ago when we were supposed to go to the movies and Nancy wanted me to stay home. Relax. We’re getting married.”