Discovered by Her Billionaire

by Sophia Summers

  Maggie took a scrap of paper, wrote something on it, and gave it to Sasha. “Can you take this to the hotel?”

  Sasha repeated, “Hotel,” she nodded her head. Brita nodded, and Sasha slipped out the back way under the hanging clothes. Maggie handed a glass of water to Brita and smiled down at her. She tried to explain that she was going to help her, and all would be okay. This was assuming she got away from this place without running into those men with guns.

  Raelyn knocked on Jack’s hotel room door. He opened it and knew immediately who it was. “Please, come in.”

  “I was wondering if you would ride with me to the airport to pick Carson up.” Raelyn looked worried. Jack couldn’t help noticing how beautiful she was. Her hair glistened in the sun from the balcony, and her eyes were a pale blue which looked great with her blue t-shirt and tan cargo pants.

  “Sure, I am dying to do something other than sitting here. Have you heard anything else so far?”

  Jack grabbed his hat. He started to call his driver, but Raelyn put a hand on his arm. “It would be better if we took a taxi.”

  “Oh, sure, okay, I am sure you know what you are doing from what Carson said about you.”

  “What did Carson say?” Raelyn chuckled.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that he talked about you, but he told us if we needed help we should call you, and he wanted us to stop by and see you while we were here.” Jack felt uncomfortable knowing some of the previous histories. This should be an interesting reunion, and Jack was looking forward to witnessing it.

  As the taxi drove up to the airport, Carson spotted them immediately and walked over to get into the taxi. Jack got out and got into the front seat. Carson looked at him funny but went ahead and got into the backseat with Raelyn. She reached over and kissed his cheek. “It’s nice to see you, Carson. I wish it were under better circumstances.”

  “Thanks, Raelyn, you look great! I appreciate your help. I’ve had some difficulties.” Carson seemed a bit tongue-tied, which was something new as far as Jack could tell. It was amusing for Jack to see Carson at a loss for words. It was totally out of character for him. So maybe this Raelyn was indeed someone special in his life.

  “Yes, I heard, but nothing we both couldn’t have solved together.” Wow, she was letting him have it. Jack was impressed. It was gratifying to see him get hauled over the coals for once.

  “I had to lay low…” Carson was interrupted.

  “Yes, but this could have been avoided had we both taken care of it all, permanently.”

  Carson wiped his brow and turned his head to the side.

  “Can we talk about this later? What do we know about Maggie?”

  “Maggie had a moment with a little girl begging for money. She wanted to solve the problem immediately. Sounds like someone I know. But Jack thought he had talked her into waiting till they could decide the best course of action. She may have gone forward on her own.”

  “Jack, I can’t believe you let this happen.”

  “Carson, don’t bite his head off. If she’s anything like you, nothing he could have said would have stopped her.”

  Jack turned around to face them. “No, Carson’s right. I should have known she was not going to be satisfied with my solution to the problem.” The taxi pulled up to the hotel, and Carson helped Raelyn out of the backseat. All three of them walked into the lobby.

  A young girl broke away from the bellboy, screaming as she ran into the lobby toward Jack. Jack turned around just as she ran into his arms. “Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Jack sighed in relief at seeing the very girl Maggie wanted to help.

  Jack turned to Carson. “This is the girl.” She handed him a scrap of paper. Carson read it.

  “She’s trapped in the favela at the home of this little girl. The mother is ill, and men are close by watching the house.” Carson looked relieved. “Well, we better call Claudio.”

  Raelyn walked over. “I already did, he said he would be happy to help us,” Raelyn smirked.

  Carson chuckled as well. “He better be happy.”

  Jack asked the bellhop to get the little girl a snack and a drink while she sat in the lobby. Then he turned to Carson. “Who is this Claudio?”

  “Well, let's just say he thinks he is the boss man of the favela.”

  And Raelyn added, “He owes us a big favor.”

  Raelyn stooped down to the little girl’s level. “Would you be able to show us where you live?” They both chatted in Portuguese, along with Carson asking questions.

  Carson looked at Jack. “So, this family is being pushed out of their home in the favela. I think we have a solution for them which will improve their lives significantly. The tricky part will be getting Maggie and them out of the favela with as few problems as possible. We will make our move today in about an hour. Carson took out a piece of paper, wrote something on it, and gave it to Sasha. She smiled and ran out the door. He looked at Jack. “I told Maggie we were coming and to sit tight until we get there in about an hour.” Then they all went up to the room and made their plans with the men.

  After about a half-hour, a phone call from the front desk alerted them all to head down to the lobby. Jack met them in front of the hotel where he was impressed to see a line of pickup trucks waiting. He had to smile. The trucks were beat up, but he noticed the respect the bellboys gave the drivers. They all loaded into the last two trucks and moved out.

  Jack had never been into the favelas, which, of course, was a good safety plan for anyone visiting the country. It was interesting for him to see the shacks up close. He could see where they had been throwing lose wires up over the power lines hooking up to electricity, and even though the homes were thrown together with metal and cardboard, most of them had satellites. They drove up to one narrow street and stopped. The men driving the trucks got out and stood in the street with their guns showing. Carson, Raelyn, and Jack went to the front door and knocked. Sasha opened the door, smiling from ear to ear, and motioned them to come inside.

  Raelyn explained to Brita that they were moving her to a new, better home. They called in the men to help pack up her belongings and load them in the trucks.

  Maggie turned to her father. “Dad, I’m sorry.” She looked down, wringing her hands.

  Carson pulled her into his arms. “I am so glad you are safe. It could have been so much worse.” Then Maggie turned to Jack and went to his arms. She leaned up to his ear and whispered, “Isn’t this great? Look at Dad and Raelyn working together. I feel the energy between them.”

  Jack laughed. “Well, this is one way to get them together, but you scared me to death. The possibility that I might not see you again hit me square in the face last night.”

  “Well, I have been thinking about that too, and my future; but first things first.” Maggie looked over at her father and Raelyn. They loaded the last of the household belongings into the trucks, the truck drivers stepped outside, guns still showing, and Maggie helped Brita get into the truck. Brita turned for a last look at her home and then stepped inside. Sasha sat on her lap, and the caravan of trucks drove slowly out of the favela toward the beach and turned south. The truck with Carson, Jack, Raelyn, and Maggie turned north toward the hotel.

  Maggie turned to Raelyn. “Where are they going to live now?”

  Raelyn smiled. “A friend of mine who lives down the coast has a large home with a smaller house on the property. If Brita and her family will help out with gardening and some cooking, they can live in the house for free. There is a good school close by that the children can attend, and they will be paid a salary as well.”

  “What does she think about it all? Is she willing to do household work?” Maggie looked concerned.

  “It’s better than begging on the streets being beholding to those gangsters who run the favela.”

  Maggie nodded, “Well, that is for sure. Having spent a night there is one night too many.” She looked over at her father, who seemed to be troubled.

  Ja
ck noticed Maggie’s concerned look. “Carson, would you and Raelyn have dinner with us tonight? We would love to spend some time with you now that we are all here in Rio.”

  Raelyn spoke up first. “I would love to do that, Jack.”

  Carson stretched his shoulders back. “That sounds mighty fine to me.” Maggie noticed her father looking over at Raelyn. Something passed between them that she didn’t catch.

  Jack turned to look at Maggie and gave her the eyebrow waggle. She almost burst out laughing but managed to cough instead. Things were going very well.

  Maggie snuggled closer to Jack in the backseat of the truck. Raelyn and Carson were sitting in the front with the driver. The three of them were talking about old times; none of which they could hear well or understand particularly when they switchedto code in their conversations. That was fine with Maggie. They can talk code all they want; talk and remember.

  Maggie touched her father’s arm. “Dad, you and Raelyn can use our rooms. We both have suites with plenty of room. Why don’t you stay for a few days and have a little vacation with us?”

  She saw Raelyn look over at Carson. He looked back down at her and smiled. That smile melted Maggie’s heart. He did care for her. Carson looked back at his daughter. “I think I’d like to do that, Missy.. Are you finished with your planned meetings? Because Raelyn and I could show you some places in Rio you would never see otherwise.”

  Raelyn started laughing. “We certainly could, but should we?” She and Carson burst out laughing together.

  Maggie looked over at Jack. She wished they could try that tester kiss again, but with her father in the car, there was no way. Jack looked over, and he seemed to be thinking the same thing. He reached over and took her hand. She blushed and raised her eyes. What’s with this man anyway? Even holding his hand is thrilling.

  Jack leaned over and kissed her neck quickly. “We have a few hours before dinner. Would you like to take a walk on the beach?”

  “Yes, after this day, I would love to rent one of Benji’s beach chairs and take a little nap.” She laid her head on Jack’s shoulder.

  “It’s a deal. We can walk over to Benji’s beach section and watch the waves.” They arrived at the hotel, and as they got out of the truck, Maggie and Jack gave Carson and Raelyn their room keys. “We’ll come up later this afternoon. You can reach us on my phone, and don’t worry, I am not letting this woman out of my sight. You can probably look out the window and see us.”

  Jack and Maggie headed for the beach as Carson and Raelyn walked inside to the lobby.

  Benji saw them coming and walked over to meet them, carrying two beach chairs. Jack smiled at him, handing him ten reis. They followed him over to the shade of a palm tree where Benji set up their chairs. “This is perfect. I was up most of the night helping Brita with her fever.” Maggie leaned back into her chair, kicking off her shoes.

  Chapter 9

  Jack settled back into his chair as well and took the drinks that Benji brought over. They were both exhausted. Jack felt his body sink deep into the lounge chair. He looked over at Maggie and watched her with her eyes closed as he listened to the waves and enjoyed the calm breeze. He closed his eyes as well, thinking about how much better his life was when he was with her. His heart jumped as he remembered the fear he faced when she had disappeared.

  Jack squirmed and stretched to once again find a comfortable position. He couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. “Maggie, I’m happy we have this time together to talk. We have been so busy with all that went on that we haven’t had a chance to talk about us. When I thought I had lost you, my priorities became clear, and well, I might as well say it. I love you, and I would be honored and thrilled if you would be my wife.” Jack hadn’t intended to blurt that out. What in the world am I doing? He held his breath, waiting to see what she would say. After a full minute, he looked over at her and discovered she was sound asleep.

  “Phew, that was a close one,” Jack whispered under his breath as he wiped his sweating brow. His heart stopped pounding, and he relaxed, smiling down at her, loving her even more. He prayed she would see in him a man who would set her happiness and a possible family as a priority in his life. He reached down and placed his hand over hers and drifted off to sleep.

  That evening, as Jack and Carson were getting ready for their dinner dates, Carson sat down in the lounge and invited Jack to sit with him.

  “I have something I would like to discuss with you, Carson.” Jack picked up a soda and took a drink. He was nervous and felt like his hand was going to start shaking if he didn’t keep it busy, so he kept taking drinks.

  Carson smiled and leaned back as if he was ready to hear what he had to say.

  “I would like your permission to ask Maggie to marry me,” Jack said, finally.

  Carson laughed. “First, let me say I am pleased. I think you and Maggie would be perfect for each other.”

  Jack choked on his drink. “Well, I have already asked her, but she was sleeping when I did it. It turned out to be more of a practice run.”

  Carson laughed. “Well its good to have practice at this sort of thing.”

  Jack continued., “If she says yes, it means we will be family, and so I have a question for you. What are you going to do about Raelyn? She is amazing, and I can see that she cares about you.”

  Carson fidgeted in his chair. “The truth is, I don’t think she wants to get saddled with an old rancher, and I’m tired of living abroad.”

  “Well, you need to let her make that decision. Trust me, if you let her go again, you will regret it.”

  “It might be hard for Maggie to see me replacing her mother.” Carson lifted his hand and wiped his brow.

  “The reason we both came down here was to try and talk Raelyn into coming back to the ranch. She would be thrilled to see you happy.”

  Carson smiled. “I am thinking that daughter of mine is more like me than I’m am happy with.” He laughed. “I had no idea.”“How did she even know about Raelyn?” Carson turned and looked at him squarely in the face. “Why would she do that?”

  “She stopped off and visited Jeffrey when she went to town.” Jack looked triumphant. “Actually, she was a little peeved that you were trying to set her up with me, for which I must take this opportunity to thank you. So while she was visiting Jeffrey, he mentioned Raelyn, and then her plan took form.” Here was something he knew that Carson didn’t. It was a small victory, but he was relishing it.

  “Well, in that case, I think I will change.” Carson got on the phone to the lobby store and made some purchases. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. There were four packages.

  Jack stepped into the next room and called Maggie. He told her that her father was planning to dress up just in case they wanted to also.

  Maggie laughed. “Well, I have the cutest dresses, and I wondered if I was going to get to wear them. Raelyn can borrow one; she looks about my size. This will be so exciting and fun!”

  When Jack saw the clothes Carson purchased, he was impressed. He raised his eyebrows. “You’ve raised the bar on this date, I better change.”

  At the restaurant, a nice band was playing Samba music. Jack loved Brazilian food. He looked over at Maggie; her eyes were sparkling as they watched her father with Raelyn. Carson reached over and took Raelyn’s hand. “Rae, do I still have a chance?”

  Raelyn’s face softened and filled with love. “I think we should take this conversation to the dance floor.”

  Carson stood up and took her hand. “Yes, ma'am.”

  Jack took a drink and set his glass down. “I think we can declare victory here, Maggie.” He looked over at Maggie; her eyes were full of tears.

  “What’s the matter? We should celebrate.”

  “I know, it’s the first time I have seen my father laugh like that since, well, since my mother was alive.” She took the napkin Jack offered and wiped her eyes. “I am very happy. I didn’t realize how unhappy Dad was until this moment.�
�� Maggie leaned over toward Jack. Her smile dropped. “So, are we going to see more of Rio tomorrow before we head back?”

  “We have accomplished our goals here, but yes, I think we need to tie up some loose ends here with Dr. Woodbury.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s what I was thinking. We can’t let him tie my research to Dr. Brickson, and we need to tell him all the reasons why.” Maggie sat up straight.

  “We can make an appointment with him tomorrow morning.” Jack reached over and took Maggie’s hand. His face was flushed, and he turned and looked into her eyes.

  Jack’s heart started beating furiously; he began to sweat as he contemplated his next question.

  “Maggie, I’m happy to see your Dad so happy as well, but I would like to know if we have a future.”

  “Jack, what are you saying?”

  “Would you marry me?”

  Maggie had lights dancing in her eyes as she smiled up at Jack. “Well, I don’t know, I might need one of those tester kisses to decide.”

  Epilogue

  Back at the ranch, Mary and Henry went to work planning a double wedding. Friends and family came from all over the world. On the morning of the wedding, Maggie rode Stacy back to the stable from her ride around the lake. Her father was brushing one of his favorite horses in the stable.