Forever Now (The Barrington Billionaires Book 6)

by Ruth Cardello

  “Sounds like it was a fine place to grow up.”

  “It really was.” He pulled into the parking lot of a splash park near a river, bustling with children and adults. “Family and community are big here. We all played in the same places. People watched each other’s children as closely as they watched their own. It drove me crazy when I was young. I couldn’t sneeze in the park without my mother asking me if I was sick when I got home because someone called her.”

  “Did you miss that when you moved away?”

  “I did. I enjoyed the challenge and felt like I was doing something important, but when I decide to settle down, it’ll be here.” He’d been sharing his gut feelings without thinking of how it might make Dale feel, but when he heard his own declaration, he stopped.

  Dale asked, “So, you see yourself married with children?”

  “One day.” A frazzled-looking couple walking with a stroller spotted Kade and waved. He waved back. “Maybe not as many as they have. That’s Anton and his high school crush, Kira. Every time I see them they have a new baby, so we joke they are single-handedly trying to double the population of Bright. Half the kids in that splash park are probably theirs. I used to know all their names, but I can’t keep up.”

  Dale was smiling and looked relaxed. He seemed to be enjoying the area so much, Kade asked him if he wanted to get out and walk around. He said he did.

  They walked into the splash park to meet Anton and Kira—as well as their herd. Kade enjoyed catching up with them. The only awkward moment was when Kade introduced Dale. He wasn’t going to say much, but found himself announcing, “This is Dale, from my American side.”

  “No idea you had that side,” Anton commented with very little curiosity. His attention was on his four-year-old who was picking up a stick to reprimand her little brother with. Anton trotted over to intervene.

  He was back a moment later and conversation about local events flowed easily. Anton inquired about business in Wabonga and the health of Kade’s parents. Kade caught up on Anton’s renovations on the town’s movie theater. It had been the buzz of the town when Anton had purchased it with plans of modernizing it. He joked that after a few days of picketing, mainly by a retired schoolteacher, Mrs. Simms, and her sisters, everyone adjusted to the idea of more comfortable seating and a better screen.

  Kade thought about what he’d said to Dale about wanting to eventually settle in Bright. It wasn’t just the town that was the lure. Annie was there. When he tried to imagine himself moving back to the area with another woman, he couldn’t. Annie was home to him just like Bright was. A part of him had always known he’d come back to her. He’d never realized it until now.

  More locals recognized Kade and came over with their children to catch up, returning his attention to the present. Dale smiled through meeting each and every one of them and was still smiling when Kade texted his father to meet them for lunch. “If you’re okay with a brewery, we can head to the one Annie’s parents own. Harrison will introduce you to anyone in town you haven’t already met.”

  Dale nodded. Once back in the car, he gripped Kade’s arm tightly. Kade froze, instantly concerned that he wasn’t feeling well.

  Dale’s eyes were misty again. “I can’t thank you enough for today, Kade. This was exactly what I needed.”

  Kade gave Dale’s hand a pat. “I’m glad. Now let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  Lunch went smoothly, as Kade had expected. His father and Dale bonded over everything from sports to health scares. Dale shared stories of his childhood and life in the US, but the focus was on happy times. Harrison was surprisingly quiet. Not at all how Kade expected him to be.

  It wasn’t a good sign as far as Annie went. Had Annie spoken to her brother about them?

  Two hours passed surprisingly fast, and Kade looked back and forth between the two older men. They had more in common than he expected them to. They both loved their wives. Family was their priority. Neither believed in holding grudges. If not separated by thousands of miles and a substantial financial status gap, they might easily have been friends. Dale made sure Dave knew he would be missed if he didn’t attend Grant and Viviana’s upcoming wedding. Dave assured him they would be there. It was a nice exchange to watch.

  Soon after that Dave had Dale chuckling over a story of something Kade had done as a child. Dale followed with a story of his sons doing something similar. His sons. My brothers. It still took him by surprise to think of them that way.

  “I only had one child,” Dave said, “but it often felt like I had three. Kade, Harrison, and Annie were inseparable as children. If you wanted to locate one, all you had to do was listen for the others.”

  Dale took a sip of his water before saying, “The whole family already adores Annie. In fact, she flew the ladies to Melbourne for a day of sightseeing and shopping.”

  “They’re in good hands. Annie’s a pro,” his father answered, before pinning Kade with a look that said he knew things weren’t going well with her. “How is she?”

  “Not now, Dad,” Kade hedged.

  Dale didn’t say anything, but his eyebrows rose and fell.

  Dave made a pained face and lowered his voice. “One day Kade is going to wake up and marry that girl, if she doesn’t find someone else before he comes to his senses.”

  “They do make a nice couple,” Dale said while watching Kade’s expression.

  Kade excused himself to pay the bill then said, “This has been great, but I’m sure Dale would like to see more of the town before we head back to the lodge.”

  Dave shook Dale’s hand. “That’s my cue to go. It was very nice to meet you, Dale.”

  Both men stood. Dale said, “If you and Pamela have the time tomorrow, I’d love for you both to meet Sophie as well.”

  “You’re on,” Dave said with a smile and strong handshake.

  A short time later, while they were driving through another section of Bright, Dale said, “I really enjoyed meeting Dave. I see a lot of him in you. He’s a good man.”

  “Yes, he is. I don’t know how to wrap my head around not actually being his.”

  Dale cleared his throat. “You are his—in every way that matters. I hope one day you’ll be able to see yourself as mine as well. Don’t ever feel you have to choose. That’s not what love or family is about.”

  If only all of the Barringtons felt that way.

  “That means a lot to me, thanks.” It was Kade’s turn to wipe moisture from the corner of his eyes. He sure as hell hoped that was how this all worked out. He wasn’t a praying man, but he sent up a plea that all Ian uncovered was confirmation of Pamela’s version of her involvement. He didn’t want to choose—couldn’t imagine it not destroying him.

  Late in the afternoon, Annie landed her helicopter gently on the side lawn of the lodge and cut the engine. At a safe distance, laden with the Barringtons’ purchases of the day, a second chopper from her fleet landed. The day couldn’t have gone better, mostly due to Claire’s experienced organizational skills. The top shops in Melbourne had closed their doors to other customers so the Barringtons could sip champagne and be catered to.

  It was a productive day. Viviana found her dress, met with a wedding planner, and ordered everything needed for her upcoming ceremony. The other ladies bought clothing and some jewelry for the wedding.

  Annie’s business brought her into contact with successful people on a daily basis, but shopping with billionaires had shown her a whole new level of elite. Every need was anticipated and addressed without ever being voiced. Claire told her that within minutes of mentioning the Barrington name, her phone had begun to ring with requests from people in her network who wanted to invite the family to an event. She’d never seen anything quite like it, not even with her high-profile clients. Of course, Claire hadn’t shared the Barrington itinerary with any of them or even brought up those invites to the family. She was too savvy for that.

  When they’d dropped Claire off at the top of the Sterling building,
Sophie had asked Annie to cut the engine. She surprised Annie by following Claire onto the helipad to hug her and thank her for arranging such a perfect outing. The other ladies had followed suit. Their gratitude was sincere, and that impressed Annie. They hadn’t allowed wealth to make them stuffy or entitled.

  Many of the women had come from modest means, but Annie knew a change in financial status could quickly change a person. Somehow this family had remained grounded—almost humble. Willa’s twin sister, Lexi, was perhaps the most extravagant of the group, but she made it look fun. Why have money if you weren’t going to spend it? She surprised Annie, though, when at the end of her spree she asked if there was a local charity she could donate to. Claire made arrangements for that to happen without seeming at all surprised by the request. Why bother to buy anything at all? Annie would have asked, but Claire handled the request as if it were completely normal.

  When the blades stopped, Annie headed to open the rear door of the helicopter. The men were already on their way across the lawn to meet them.

  Sophie took both of Annie’s hands in hers. “Thank you for the most incredible day. I hope we see more of your friend Claire. She was a joy to get to know.”

  Annie leaned forward to give Sophie a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll tell her you said that. It’ll make her day.”

  Kenzi hugged Annie next. “Seriously, what a perfect day. Thank you, Annie.”

  Viviana was smiling, but she looked tired as she thanked Annie. Willa and Lexi were laughing as they tag-team embraced Annie. Helene and her mother thanked Annie with the same sweet smiles. Emily dove in for her own hug. “We’ll never forget today. What a great memory.”

  “It’s no wonder your business is doing so well, Annie,” Sophie gushed.

  Annie was still basking in that praise when she spotted Kade striding toward them. Her throat tightened, and she swayed on her feet. For a moment it had felt as if she belonged there, as if she were a part of this group. Reminding herself that she wasn’t, stung.

  Kade walked right up, taking his place beside her as if he belonged there. The women moved off to greet their men and fill them in on how the day had gone.

  Lexi paused to ask Kade, “Have you heard from Clay? He hasn’t been answering my texts.”

  “No, sorry.” With all that had gone on, Kade had forgotten Clay had headed to Wabonga. “He might be in an area without phone service. That’s common up there. I’ll call my office in a few and have him jump on a landline.”

  “Poor cell coverage is what I figured. I’m going to head in, but text me if you hear anything.”

  “Will do,” Kade assured her.

  Then it was just Kade and Annie standing beside her helicopter. Annie hoped she looked more composed than she felt. “I brought them all back safe and sound, so I’m ready to call this day a success.” She searched Kade’s face. “How was your day?”

  “Good. Good. I showed Dale around and introduced him to some of the locals.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “We had lunch at your family’s pub. Dad met us.”

  “How did that go?”

  “Better than expected. They got on really well.”

  “That’s awesome.” She clasped her hands to stop from throwing herself in his arms. If there were any chance they could make their way back to normal, she’d have to be stronger.

  It wasn’t easy, though. In the past she may have yearned for his kiss, but she hadn’t known the pleasure of it. Her body had warmed at his nearness, but now it craved him with an intensity that made it difficult to think of much else. She could remember every kiss he’d trailed across her skin, every touch of his hand, every thrust of his cock. Her body flushed as desire licked through it.

  Every time her eyes met his, she saw the same hunger burning within him. It wasn’t enough to be wanted by him, though. Not anymore. She’d thought she could do the friends-with-benefits thing, even told him she was fine with it—but she knew she couldn’t. Her heart was all or nothing when it came to him. She needed to break away from him again.

  I didn’t have to be here today. I didn’t have to torture myself this way.

  But I needed to know if I could see him and not be miserable.

  I can’t. At least not yet. This hurts too much.

  That realization saddened her, but it also gave her the path she needed to take—one that didn’t include him for a while, or possibly ever.

  He groaned. “Annie, I hate this . . . I feel like I can’t hug you to me. Could we—?”

  “Not yet.” She didn’t give herself time to wonder what he might ask and disappoint her by not saying what she wanted to hear. “I have to go, Kade.”

  “Oh, I’d hoped you’d stay for dinner.”

  “I can’t.”

  He reached for her but she took a step back. “Annie, don’t do this. Stay. I’m sorry about what I said the other night. We do have things we should talk out.”

  Annie’s stomach clenched, and she feared she was about to be sick at his feet. “I can’t do this.” She took another step back. “Do you think I want to be like this? I don’t. I want to be casual and sophisticated, but I’m not. I’ve never been. You said you didn’t want to see me hurt. Well, I’m hurting.” He stepped closer, and she moved farther away. “I did it to myself, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Do me a favor, Kade, and stay away from me for a bit. I need time.”

  “Time for what?” he demanded, grabbing her arm when she would have turned away.

  She pulled her arm free. “I’m sorry, Kade. I don’t know if telling you would make it better or worse, and I can’t take that risk.” She spun and rushed to her chopper, starting it up immediately. He backed away from the dust the rotors kicked up. She’d never forget the expression on his face. He looked as miserable as she felt, and she hated she was the reason.

  It’s not his fault, has never been his fault.

  I’m sorry, Kade.

  She pulled up and flew off without looking back. She didn’t let herself shed a tear. Been there, done that. Claire was right—she was better without him. She didn’t want it to be all or nothing. She loved him, not only as a mate, but also as a person. If she were stronger he would always have a place in her life. She’d find a way to be happy for him when he eventually found a wife. Her children would be friends with his.

  But I can’t do that.

  You’d think by now this would have gotten easier.

  Later that day, she walked into her family’s pub. There were customers seated at tables but none at the bar, so that’s where she sat. Harrison offered her a beer that she declined, then a wine that she also refused. When he pushed a ginger ale with grenadine and a cherry beneath her nose, she smiled sadly at it. Her father had started serving her Shirley Temples as a treat when she was a young girl. He’d claimed it could cure a scraped knee, ease the pain of losing a pet, and when shared, even help end an argument with a best friend. When Harrison had once argued that no drink had magical powers, their father had said this one did as long as it was served with a kiss.

  Harrison surprised Annie by leaning over the bar and planting a kiss on her forehead in the same way their father had done all those years ago. She chuckled and wiped the corners of her eyes. “God, you’re getting sappy in your old age.”

  Harrison shrugged. “I’m not the one who’s thirty.”

  “Touché.”

  “So, I’d ask you how today went, but you look like shit.”

  She balled her napkin and threw it at him. “Thanks for nothing.”

  “So he still has no clue?”

  Annie took a long swig of her childhood drink. “Don’t you think he has enough on his plate right now without me dropping that bombshell on him?”

  Harrison bent to rinse a towel before wiping it across the bar. “I’d want to know.”

  “Well, considering I just told him I want him to stay away from me for a while, that might be a moot point.” When Harrison didn’t say anything, Annie raised her
eyes to his. “Not going to tell me I’m an idiot?”

  Leaning forward on one elbow, her brother said, “Annie, you’re one of the smartest people I know. I’ve seen the good and bad in both you and Kade. Staying away from him is probably a good choice, but I think you owe him the truth about why. Even if he doesn’t feel the same way you do, he does care.”

  “I know he does.” She straightened her shoulders. “I intend to tell him. Just not now. Not while he’s dealing with so much.”

  “That makes sense.”

  She took another sip of her drink. “Am I really one of the smartest people you know?”

  He referenced the crowd behind her and joked, “Well, look at your competition.”

  “Smart-ass.” Annie glanced around. The room was full of people she adored and had known forever. None of them were intellectually challenged. Harrison was being unusually sweet. “Have you seen Viviana’s brothers today? Didn’t you say they were regulars now?”

  “They are, but I hear they flew out to Wabonga with a friend of the Barringtons—some guy named Clay. I guess Kade was having issues with his staff and they offered to help him out.”

  “Really? I can’t imagine Kade not handling that himself.”

  “Like you said, he has a lot going on right now. Besides, when you’re suddenly a billionaire, how much could a small local tour company matter to you?”

  “Not much, I suppose. Still, he built it up himself.”

  “The Kade we grew up with is gone, Annie. When the Barringtons leave, you know he’s leaving with them.”

  Annie let out a shaky breath. “Claire said that too.”

  “I can’t imagine it going any other way.”

  Annie frowned. “Then why the hell do you think I should tell him how I feel?”

  He gave her a long hard look. “For you, not for him. Maybe if you say it you’ll finally move on.”

  Maybe.

  Annie shook her empty glass at Harrison. “Another round, bartender. Two cherries this time.”

  Harrison refilled her glass and plopped the maraschino cherries in with dramatic flair. Then his expression turned serious again. “Love sucks.”