Charlotte heard chatter from down the hall. It served as a reminder that she needed to stop daydreaming about weddings and love connections and head toward the parlor. It was a bit unusual that she, along with the other five owners of Savannah House, had been called together so urgently. It made her a little anxious about their inn. Things had been going so smoothly ever since they’d opened the doors to customers. Was their smooth sailing about to be affected by stormy seas?
Once she stepped in to the room, Charlotte sat down at the long, antique table, her eyes sweeping around the room to get a glimpse of the five other women gathered nearby. All of the owners of Savannah House were assembled at the summons of Mr. Mayhew, the executor of Miss Hattie Alexander’s will.
Her cousin, Callie Holden. Her dearest friends—Olivia Rawlings, Hope Matthews, Fancy Tolliver and Morgan Lucas. All of them were looking a bit mystified.
“Ladies, thank you for granting my request for this emergency meeting.” Mr. Mayhew looked perturbed. He was a serious man who wasn’t prone to laughter or frivolity. That being said, he looked even more severe than usual.
What was going on to bring him to Savannah House at the crack of dawn?
“The frantic tone of your voice when you called earlier was a red flag.” Callie’s voice bristled. She leaned forward in her seat, her nerves clearly on edge. “What’s going on?”
Mr. Mayhew swung his gaze around the table. “There’s no simple way to say this, but an individual has come forward to challenge Miss Hattie’s will. He’s claiming to be the sole heir to Savannah House.”
“What do you mean someone is challenging our ownership of Savannah House?” Charlotte asked in a raised voice. “The resort belongs to us.”
“Is this some sort of sick joke?” Fancy slapped her hand down on the mahogany table.
“Ladies, please calm yourselves.” Mayhew studied them from beneath the glasses perched on the end of his nose. “I assure you this is no laughing matter.”
“What exactly is the claim?” Olivia asked.
Mr. Mayhew shuffled through his papers. “A man, approximately thirty years old, is claiming that he’s Miss Hattie’s grandson.”
“Ha!” Hope cried out. “Miss Hattie never had any children.”
Mr. Mayhew nodded. “Not that we know of.”
“Miss Hattie was all about family connections and legacy. We would have known if she had heirs,” Olivia said in a voice that was way more calm than Charlotte felt. Savannah House was their inheritance! It would be a disaster if someone tied them up in legalities. It would cost a small fortune to defend such a suit.
“Do you actually think this claim has any legitimacy?” Charlotte bit her fingernail, a bad habit she resorted to whenever she felt nervous. Savannah House was their inheritance from Miss Hattie, their beloved benefactor. They had renovated the historic bed and breakfast and spent a great deal of money to modernize it. Savannah House had opened a few weeks ago to sold out rooms. So far, the resort was a smashing success. It would be horrific if someone came along and spoiled their exciting enterprise.
“I have no way of knowing,” Mr. Mayhew said. “My first piece of advice is to retain the services of an attorney. One who specializes in probate matters.” He adjusted his glasses. “If I were in your shoes I would also retain the services of a private investigator. This man, Grayson Holloway, needs to be investigated. Vetted. You’ll save yourselves a lot of attorney’s fees and time and stress by cutting to the chase. A private investigator might be able to discover some red flags that would undermine his claim right from the get-go.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Olivia said with a fierce nod of her head. She looked around at the other ladies. “What do you guys think?”
“I’m in agreement,” Callie said with a nod. “I’m going to call Mac and ask for his cousin Parker’s number. Even though he’s in Pelican Bay, Florida, he travels for jobs. He’s the PI who helped Mac track me down, so I’m a big believer in his work.” Callie and her biological brother, Mac Donahue, had been separated as children due to lies and deception. Mac’s cousin, Parker Donahue, had reunited them through his masterful detective work.
Mr. Mayhew closed his briefcase and stood up from the table. “I’ll let you ladies discuss this amongst yourselves. My work here is done.”
“Any other words of advice?” Hope asked. Although Mayhew could be a stick in the mud, they all respected his work ethic and wise counsel.
“One word. Pray. I’d hate to see all of this taken away from you gals, especially since I know how hard you’ve all worked and how much Hattie wanted you ladies to own her beloved Savannah House.”
Charlotte, moved by Mr. Mayhew’s words, stood up and wrapped her arms around him as he walked by. He stiffened his posture and untangled himself from her enthusiastic hug. He raised his eyebrow at her. “Good day, Miss Duvall.”
Charlotte nodded, suppressing a grin. Clearly, she’d made Mr. Mayhew a tad uncomfortable. As soon as he strode out of the room, a fit of giggles erupted. Charlotte raised her hands to her cheeks. She knew she was blushing.
“Now that was funny,” Callie said, chuckling. “He looked like he might burst into tears.”
“And now I’m crying,” Fancy said, laughing so hard it was causing her face to turn crimson.
“We desperately needed that laugh,” Hope said, wiping away tears of laughter from her eyes.
“What possessed you to hug him like that? He’s not exactly a teddy bear,” Olivia said, clutching her stomach as she continued to roar with laughter. “And you’re not usually so warm and fuzzy.”
Charlotte shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed. She wasn’t the impulsive type, nor was she very demonstrative. The impulse to hug him had come out of nowhere. She’d felt grateful to Mr. Mayhew for his guidance, and a tad emotional about the possibility of someone crashing into their lives and taking away their inheritance.
“I think we should contact an attorney immediately. I can call Case to get a recommendation,” Fancy offered.
“Great,” Charlotte said. “Callie, can you find out about Parker so we have all areas handled?”
“I’m on it,” Callie said, getting up from her chair and making her way out of the room.
Fancy followed right behind her, ostensibly to call her fiancé about obtaining legal representation.
“I’m going to have to figure out how to deal with this from a publicity angle. If the papers get wind of this it could really blow up and become a nightmare for us,” Charlotte said, chewing her lip. So far her job as publicist for Savannah House had been a breeze. It had taken her a while to figure out what her role was in the bed and breakfast. Although Olivia had initially planned to do publicity, it had been apparent that being liaison for guests and handling all guest-related issues was more than enough for one person.
Charlotte had stepped up to handle publicity and the public image of Savannah House. It suited her temperament and it made her feel invigorated. She loved being one of the owners of this historic resort and handling publicity allowed her to promote the resort in a way that led to more guests and a more visible profile.
“I better head off to the kitchen.” Morgan glanced at her watch. “Breakfast is in a half hour.”
Just then, Callie came walking back into the room followed by Fancy.
“Parker can’t help us out due to other work commitments.” She made a disappointed face. “He did refer me to someone local. He says he’s one of the best security experts in the country.”
“That sounds amazing,” Hope said. “I’d take Parker’s recommendation any time after what he did to bring Callie and Mac together.”
Fancy and Callie exchanged a loaded glance.
“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked. She knew both women well enough to know that there was a hitch somewhere.
“Who is it?” Hope asked.
“Marc Cabron.” Callie tossed the name out like a live grenade.
All eyes swung toward F
ancy. She shifted from one foot to the other.
“No way!” Charlotte said in a raised voice. “I object to working with that guy.”
Callie held up her hands. “Just hold on. Parker is tied up for months on projects. He says Marc is the best in this area. His company is really up and coming. For the last few years he’s been working overseas for major corporations and high-profile clients.”
“I have no problem working with Marc,” Fancy said. “He’s not a villain.”
“But will my brother have an issue with it?” Charlotte asked, referring to Case, Fancy’s fiancé.
Two years ago Fancy and Case’s engagement had been blown to smithereens after a friendship had blossomed between Fancy and Marc, an old high school friend. Although no lines had been crossed, Marc had fallen in love with Fancy. Case—proud and jealous—had broken off his engagement to Fancy after discovering that Fancy had been spending alone time with Marc while he was away on business. Thankfully, Case and Fancy had worked through their issues and gotten engaged again. Their Christmas wedding had been pushed forward to Valentine’s day due to a scheduling conflict at Savannah House.
Fancy didn’t seem to mind the change in plans since she now had more time to plan the big day. And according to her, Valentine’s Day was the most romantic time of the year to get married to the love of your life.
“He shouldn’t mind at all,” Fancy said in a spirited voice.
Charlotte shook her head, not buying it. “He’s your fiancé, but he’s also my brother. I think it might bother him.”
Fancy continued. “I honestly don’t think it will. Case has evolved in the last two years. Listen, guys. I know it may sound strange, but Marc is a really good guy. I don’t want him to be vilified because of the past. It isn’t right. People make mistakes. They shouldn’t have to suffer forever because of it.”
“I agree. He’s a really nice person.” Olivia chimed in. Charlotte glared at her. Olivia shrugged. “I’m just saying he’s not our enemy. Everyone deserves redemption. It’s not like he killed someone.”
He’d killed Case’s heart, Charlotte wanted to say, but thought better of it.
“But it could get messy,” Hope interjected. “What if he still has feelings for Fancy.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case,” Fancy answered. “I really don’t want to dredge up the past, but Marc was grieving for his fiancée, Gretchen, when he developed feelings for me. Truthfully, I don’t think his feelings for me had much substance.”
“It may not be wise though to wake sleeping dragons,” Charlotte said. “It might just stir everything up again if he’s working on our behalf.”
“We need the best available. We don’t even know if he can take us on yet, but I say we should hire him.” Olivia’s calm voice resonated in the room.
“Let’s take a vote,” Fancy suggested.
“All in favor raise your hand,” Callie said.
Charlotte looked around at the girls. She was the only one who hadn’t raised her hand. She felt a little shocked at the vote. Was she really the only one who saw Marc as a threat to Fancy and Case’s peace and security as a couple?
“I guess we’re going to contact Marc about working for us. I think it’s best if someone else deals with him though rather than myself,” Fancy said, her voice sounding calm and reasonable. “It will be more professional.”
“I’ll do it,” Olivia said, volunteering her services. “If he’s agreeable to meeting us, I’ll invite him over for afternoon tea.”
Charlotte shook her head with disbelief. What in the world had gotten into her best friends? Marc Cabron was not a good guy. He’d deliberately set out to break up Fancy and Case, all because he had wanted Fancy for himself. And he’d succeeded for a time in splitting them up. She couldn’t believe everyone had such short memories.
They could believe what they wanted to believe. Charlotte didn’t trust Marc Cabron as much as she could throw him!
* * *
Charlotte peeped out the front window, wanting to make sure she was the one to head their visitor off at the pass. Perhaps if she could talk some sense into Marc Cabron he would take the high road and refuse the assignment.
She watched him as he emerged from his dark, compact car. He was tall and lean, with a figure that seemed athletic and slightly muscular. He was wearing a dark pair of jeans paired with an oatmeal-colored sweater. He walked with a bit of a swagger, which immediately got on Charlotte’s nerves.
“Full of himself,” Charlotte muttered. Who did he think he was?
Just as he approached the front door, Charlotte sprang into action and wrenched it open, right before he could press the bell and alert the others to his presence at Savannah House.
Surprise registered in his eyes at the sight of her. “Good afternoon. Charlotte? Am I right?”
“Yes,” she said in a cool voice. “I’m Charlotte Duvall. Please come in.”
“Thank you,” he said, walking over the threshold and into the resort. Once inside, his masculine presence seemed to take over. His energy immediately filled up the space.
“Why don’t you come into the parlor and sit down while we wait for the others.”
“Sure thing,” Marc said with a nod as he looked around him. He let out a low whistle of approval. “This place looks fantastic.”
“Thank you. We wanted Savannah House to have a make-over but still retain the same charm and elegance of yesteryear.”
“You achieved your goal then,” Marc said. “My family stayed here once when I was a child. Wonderful memories.”
Charlotte closed the parlor door behind them. She turned toward Marc, deliberately making her expression as blank as possible.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you, Marc. I think perhaps this assignment is ill-advised. Maybe you should just say no,” Charlotte said in a sharp voice.
“And why is that?” Marc asked, his dark brows knitted together.
He was standing so close to her. For the first time she noticed his chiseled features and his espresso colored eyes. There was a quiet intensity about him that radiated in the parlor. Energy bounced off him in waves.
“Because Fancy and my brother are getting married in a few weeks.” She tilted her chin up in a defiant stance. “And I don’t want anything to get in the way of their happiness.”
“I’m not a threat to that. Truth is, I never was.”
Charlotte let out a harsh laugh. “Really? From what I remember they called off an engagement because of you.”
“I don’t think anyone benefits from dredging up the past, Charlotte. It’s best forgotten.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she said angrily. “You did your dirt and then left town without having to face any of the fallout.”
He took a step toward her, quickly swallowing up the distance between them. “Charlotte, I want to stay respectful, but you’re making it extremely hard. I didn’t come over here to discuss the past or justify my actions. Frankly, it’s none of your business.”
Charlotte sucked her teeth. Was this guy seriously trying to tell her Case wasn’t her business? “Case is my brother, so it was very much my business when his life was torn apart.” Her cheeks felt flushed with anger. “You busted up their relationship. And it took a very long time for them to get back on track.”
“Fancy forgave me a long time ago,” he said in a quiet voice. “And Case ended up with the woman of his dreams, so from where I’m standing it all ended well.”
Charlotte let out a snicker. “Forgiving is one thing, but forgetting is another. Just be aware that I’m going to be watching you,” Charlotte warned.
A wide grin broke out on his face. “Well, I’m giving you fair warning, Charlotte. I’m going to have my eyes on you as well.” He slowly looked her up and down, causing a wave of embarrassment to flow over her.
She turned on her heel and left the room in order to assemble the other ladies to join them in the parlor. Just as she’d expected,
Marc Cabron was not the choir boy that everyone believed him to be. And he didn’t seem to be remorseful at all about stepping in between Case and Fancy. Hiring Marc Cabron had been foolish and short-sighted. And if there was anything she could do to make certain that he wasn’t hired, she would go to the ends of the earth to make it happen.
* * *
The moment Charlotte Duvall left the room, Marc let out a hissing sound that was equal parts frustration and anger. He didn’t know Charlotte very well—they’d never really crossed paths back in school—but from what he did know about her, she was a pampered princess who had never wanted for much in this world. And from the sounds of it, she was a judgemental know-it-all. How he hated those types. Her looks were deceptive though.
On the outside she appeared soft and sweet, as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. She was beautiful, he realized. He had only seen her on a few rare occasions. Each and every time she seemed to fade into the background, as if she didn’t relish the spotlight. And although he’d guessed that Charlotte was shy, he now knew that was the furthest thing from the truth. She hadn’t hesitated to blast him to smithereens.
“Seems like she needs to get her own romantic life to worry and wonder about,” Marc muttered. “And stay out of mine.”
If there was anything he absolutely despised it was a busy body. And he had a theory about people like that. They focused on other people because they really had nothing going on with their own lives. Was that Charlotte’s problem? Was she focused on his past with Fancy because she was single and didn’t have her own romantic life?
Fancy Tolliver’s face flashed in front of his eyes. With her blond hair, blue eyes and striking features, there was no doubt of her stunning beauty. At one point in time he’d developed strong feelings for her. After the death of his fiancée, Gretchen, Marc hadn’t known if he was coming or going. He’d been extremely vulnerable and buried in grief. A friendship with Fancy had turned into something deeper. On his part. Fancy had been feeling neglected by her fiancé, Case, and spending a lot of time in Marc’s company had blurred the lines. He had fallen for her hard. Fancy’s relationship had imploded when Case discovered that his fiancée had been spending so much time with him and discussing with him their relationship issues.
Falling in Love (Secrets of Savannah Book 5) Page 2
