“For three whole weeks?”
“Yes. Three weeks in paradise. Alone. You packed your swimsuit, right?”
“Of course! You told me we were going to a beach, but I thought it might be somewhere in the Whitsundays. I never imagined this!”
Nick took her hand, and bringing it to his lips, kissed it softly. “I’m so glad you’re excited. It’s going to be wonderful.”
The island was amazing. A small dot in the middle of an azure sea, covered with palm trees and white sand. Despite the tropical heat, a gentle sea breeze greeted them as they disembarked the jet. Roger drove them to their bungalow in a four-wheeled ATV, and then, after carrying their bags inside, promised to return in three weeks’ time.
“Thanks, Roger. You’re the best.” Nick clapped the pilot on the back in a friendly manner. Not how Phoebe would have expected a billionaire to treat a member of staff, but then, Nick was different.
After Roger left, Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. “Well, Mrs. Barrington. What are we going to do?”
She laughed at the grin that spread across his face. She knew exactly what he wanted to do, but she ducked under his arm and sprinted for the beach. She laughed as he chased after her. Just as she reached the water, he caught up and grabbed hold of her. They landed, arms around each other, in the clear, warm water. Lowering his mouth, he brushed his lips over hers and grinned. “There’s nowhere to run to, my love.”
The next three weeks were bliss. Phoebe couldn’t have asked for a more romantic honeymoon, and by the time they returned to Sydney, she knew beyond doubt that hers and Nick’s futures were safe in God’s hands.
Epilogue
Eight months later
“I don’t understand how you can give all of this up, Nicholas.” Although Charity spoke in a clipped tone, Phoebe sensed she’d be saying a whole lot more to her brother if she wasn’t there.
It was Nick’s last day of work, and Phoebe had come into the office to help him finish packing his things.
“I’ve never felt fulfilled doing this. You know that. I like the work, but it doesn’t fulfill me. Neither does the money. I’ve made my decision,” he said firmly, his gaze steady.
“Well, I’m going to miss you,” Charity muttered, absently picking at an imaginary piece of fluff on the arm of a chair.
Nick stopped what he was doing and walked slowly towards her. Slipping his arms around her, he looked into her eyes. “I’m going to miss you, too, Charity.”
Phoebe struggled to contain her tears as Charity let Nick hug her. Alden had already told him that he’d have nothing to do with him, so this was an unexpected breakthrough and would give Nick hope that he wasn’t about to totally lose his complete family.
“Make sure you come by occasionally.”
“We will,” he replied. “Take care, Charity.”
Nick let her go and picked up the last box.
She nodded and watched as he and Phoebe left the office for the last time.
“Are you okay?” Phoebe asked as they waited for the elevator.
“Yes.”
She smiled at him. “I’m proud of you, Nick.” In their eight months of marriage, a lot had happened for them both. They’d moved to the suburbs and found a home that, although small, was large enough for not only the two of them, but also for two children. If they had more, they might have to size up, but they weren’t concerned at this point in time since they weren’t expecting yet.
He was giving up so much, but he kept assuring her that he was gaining so much more. Her, for a start. They were growing closer every day. And then there was their church family who’d embraced him with open arms and hearts. Phoebe loved watching him grow in his faith, and despite the pain she knew he felt by being disowned by his family, she also knew how much he was looking forward to their future. Nick still had his money in savings and stocks, securely put away, but they’d decided to live on an average income.
And now, they were starting a new venture. Nick had decided to use a large portion of his funds to start a new company. A company selling products made by former trafficking victims so that those who’d finished school and were able could be well employed, helping to prevent the cycle of trafficking with their own children.
In addition to providing jobs, they were also heavily supporting organisations like ‘Regenerate the Nations’ and ‘Hesed’, and others that their new employees had gone through.
They’d already made one visit to Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines to get their company started and to partner with organisations through whom they could hire their artisans. With Nick’s business mindset and Phoebe’s love for people, they were already making inroads.
Phoebe had decided not to return to teaching so she could devote herself full time to the business. She was sad to leave a job she loved, but was thrilled about the opportunities ahead and the difference they would be making.
The elevator arrived and they stepped inside.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.
“I’m doing great.”
“Even with the loss of the job and family?”
He nodded. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” He quoted from Mark chapter eight.
Phoebe stretched to her tippy toes and kissed him on the lips. He was right. He was losing a lot, but the call of Christ was to die to self. And by dying to self, he had gained eternal life. Nothing on earth could top that.
Book 2 - Her Generous Billionaire
BOOK TWO
Chapter 1
Sydney, Australia
The onions needed a little longer. Marcus Alcott placed the lid on the pot to let them simmer further before adding the chicken and other vegetables to the meal he was cooking for himself and his seventy-one-year-old mother, Ruth. The tantalising aroma of the onions made his stomach rumble, but he was a patient man, and he’d wait until they were cooked to perfection.
He turned as his mother wheeled herself into the kitchen. Bending down, Marcus kissed her soft cheek. “Hello, Mum. How was your study?” Ruth suffered from severe arthritis, but it didn’t stop her from attending her weekly Bible study group.
“Wonderful as always, dear,” she replied in her sweet voice. “Something smells nice. What are you cooking?”
“Your favourite. Stir-fried chicken and vegetables.”
“You do spoil me, Marcus.” His mother’s eyes twinkled as she wheeled closer. “What can I do to help?”
“It’s all in hand, Mum. Just relax.”
“Okay. Thank you, love.” She shifted back, giving him space. A few moments later she asked, “Do you remember Stacie Templeton?”
Marcus ran a hand through his thick, brown hair. His mum knew so many people, but he thought he remembered her. “I think so.”
“Well, she mentioned that her daughter’s company is catering for the annual Breast Cancer Fundraising Ball this year.”
Marcus stiffened as a shudder raced up his spine. He knew what was coming next.
“Have you decided who you’re taking?” His mother quirked a brow.
Trying to appear distracted, he quickly turned to the pot and lifted the lid and inspected the onions again.
“Marcus?”
He blew out a breath. “No, Mum. Not yet.” Tipping the diced chicken into the pan, he grabbed a spatula and combined the chicken with the browned onions. “I’m working on it.”
“Good. Make sure you do. I’ll set the table.”
As his mother disappeared into the adjoining dining room of the harbour-side mansion they shared, a relieved sigh escaped his lips. Why would any woman want to accompany him to a ball honouring his late wife? Bree, his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, had succumbed to the insidious disease five years earlier. He was now the main patron of the fundraising event, an event which always revived memories of his beautiful wife who’d been taken too soon. He went through this same dilemma every year. Who would he invi
te?
Despite the memories it invoked, he loved the ball. The money raised funded research so other men needn’t suffer the devastating loss he had. If only he could go on his own, but he was expected to take a partner—attending a ball on one’s own was frowned upon in his social circle. He blew out another breath. He’d have to think who to invite soon, otherwise his mum would choose for him, and that could be disastrous.
His mother only wanted him to be happy again. He knew that. And although he didn’t want to be alone for the rest of his life, he couldn’t imagine marrying again, even though it was something his mother so clearly wanted. The very idea was painful and seemed unreasonable, even impossible.
They both knew what it was like to lose a spouse. Bree had succumbed to cancer, and his father had been killed by a teen drunk driver. Losing a spouse was an ache no one ever truly recovered from, but Ruth Alcott had done her best over the past ten years to live her life to the fullest, despite her loss and ailing health. She had no desire to marry again, but it didn’t stop her from wishing Marcus would.
“Shall I add some peri-peri to the chicken?” he called out.
“Not tonight, dear. My stomach’s a little sensitive today,” his mum replied. Marcus grinned. It was the same answer she always gave. He’d add the spice separately to his own meal, like he always did.
As he continued cooking, memories of that day ten years earlier crossed his mind. He’d been at work when the call came from the police, and he’d rushed home to find his mum a weeping mess. An eighteen-year-old woman had been arrested, but his dad was dead. He’d died instantly, and to begin with, neither Marcus nor his mum could believe it. The woman, Sally Hubbard, was sentenced and spent three years in jail for dangerous driving causing death. During that time, Marcus and Ruth came to forgive the young woman who displayed deep remorse over her actions but seemed a little unstable. They’d heard she’d spent some time in a Psychiatric Hospital undergoing treatment.
She still came around now and then to visit his mum. It was a strange relationship, and each time they saw her, memories were revived and their forgiveness tested. But as Christians, it was what they were called to do, so despite their sadness and loss, they forgave her and offered her kindness.
Marcus exhaled a deep sigh as he scooped the stir fry onto two plates and turned the gas off. This wasn’t the life he’d imagined he’d be living right now. He and Bree had hoped for at least two children, but that had never eventuated. He didn’t regret living with his mother—they provided companionship for each other, but sometimes he felt saddened by what might have been.
He carried the plates into the dining room, placing them onto the table before helping his mum into her ergonomic dining chair. He then filled two glasses with sparkling water and a squirt of lime juice.
“This looks lovely, dear.” She smiled sweetly at him.
“Thanks, Mum.” Returning her smile, Marcus took her hand and prayed over the meal, thanking God for all their blessings as well as the food before them. Despite having more money than he could ever need or use, he was very conscious that everything he had came from the Lord, and besides, after a busy day at work, it was always good to pause for a moment and settle his thoughts.
Letting go of his mother’s hand, he sipped his water before adding some spiced seasoning to his meal. He’d just taken his first mouthful when she waved her fork in the air. She was mulling something over, and he knew what it was.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the charity ball,” she said, toying with her food.
His mother was far from manipulative, but she was an expert at getting him to listen even when he didn’t want to. It had been a long day, and although his I.T. company practically ran itself, he still invested much time ensuring it continued to move forward. That involved detailed planning and long-winded meetings. Sensing his day was far from over, he took a deep breath and waited to hear what it was that she might have to say.
“What have you been thinking, Mum?”
“That you ought to invite Tiffany.”
He blinked. “Tiffany?”
“Yes. She’s a lovely young woman, and it would do her good to go out and enjoy herself. She’s such a hard worker. And she’s also quite beautiful,” his mother added, her eyes twinkling.
Marcus inhaled deeply. He’d never thought of his mother’s part-time caregiver as someone he might invite to an important event like the gala charity ball. Nothing against the woman; he’d just never considered her in that way. He did have to agree with his mother, though. Tiffany was attractive. But she was their employee. How could he invite her to the ball? No matter that she was an excellent caregiver to his mother, Tiffany was still…an employee. And he knew very little about her. Not that taking her would mean it was a date. But what if she considered it as such and it caused confusion in the future? Wasn’t that why he hadn’t invited any of the women from church? Because he didn’t want them to get the wrong idea?
“I don’t know about that, Mum. Don’t you think it would be confusing? I mean, we hired her to do a job. If she’s suddenly asked by her employer to be his date for the night, don’t you think she might feel manipulated? Or that she’d get the wrong idea?”
“Oh, come now, Marcus. She’d understand. You can tell her she’s doing you a favour, and I’m sure she’d be a wonderful companion for the evening.”
He wasn’t sure. Maybe he could ask her. Ensure she understood it was just for one evening. Like she was working. But still, it didn’t entirely make sense that this was a good idea. It could cause problems. And even if it didn’t, did he want to go to an event honouring his late wife with his mother’s caregiver?
“I’ll consider it,” he promised. But as he ate his meal, he concluded that the idea was next to impossible. It simply wouldn’t work.
Chapter 2
“Can you get the paperwork on my desk by Tuesday?” Marcus asked into the phone, leaning back in his chair.
His lawyer confirmed he could, and Marcus thanked the man before hanging up.
The new contract was about to settle, and he was excited. Pumped. It was the biggest contract since his company, Quantum Technology, had landed the deal with the Great Vacations Travel Company six years earlier. That contract had exponentially escalated the growth of his firm and taken it to where it was now—a Top Ten publicly listed company worth billions, and this new contract would keep it there.
It had been a risk when he and Bree bought the firm from his former boss, John O’Malley. They’d used their life savings to buy him out and lived on next to nothing while they built it up. Although they’d seen potential, they’d never expected it to be quite so successful. If only she was here to see the full fruit of their efforts.
Needing another coffee, Marcus pushed back in his chair and headed to the break room, smiling at employees he passed on the way. He had a great team, and he was glad for each and every one of them.
“Hi, Mr. Alcott,” greeted Joan, the young barista who maintained the coffee and pastries for the staff.
“Hey, Joan,” he replied in a friendly manner.
“Single or double?” she asked, knowing his order and its variations.
“I’m going to need a double today.” He laughed lightly as he leaned against the counter.
“Easy enough!” She smiled before proceeding to make his americano.
After she finished, Marcus thanked her and strolled back to his office, sipping his coffee as he walked. Reaching his office, he noticed through the floor to ceiling glass wall that someone was sitting in the chair opposite his. Curious, he quickened his pace.
“Hello?” he said, entering his office. Typically, no one was allowed inside without his consent, although he never locked his door.
The slim young woman stood slowly and turned to him. He stopped mid-stride, his mouth dropping open.
“Marcus!” she greeted, stepping to him and giving him a firm hug.
Marcus stiffened. “S-Sally.” He tried to pry h
imself from her grip. The way she greeted him with such familiarity was strange. Unusual. He’d never known her to do that, and he was quite sure he didn’t want her to do it again.
Once she released him, he gestured for her to sit. As she did, she pushed her large, thick-rimmed glasses up her nose and smiled as if they were best friends.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, as he walked around the large mahogany desk and eased into his director’s chair.
“I thought I’d stop by and say hello since I’ve just started working somewhere pretty special.” Her voice had taken on a sing-song tone, like she wanted him to guess where it was she worked. He didn’t have time to play games, but he also didn’t want to be rude. “And where’s that, Sally?”
“Great Vacations!” she exclaimed, her heavily dyed black bob bouncing as she sat tall, her eyes wide.
“That’s great, Sally. I’m really happy for you.” He knew she hadn’t worked much since getting out of jail, and that any job she’d had had been in the service industry or in a retail store. Getting a position with a company like Great Vacations was a huge achievement, and he was glad for her.
“Thanks! Honestly, I’d never thought about working in travel, but when I heard that they were working with your firm, I thought it was a great fit,” she said with a nervous laugh.
Marcus’s brows furrowed. He wasn’t sure how to interpret her statement, but he nodded politely.
“So, I was also thinking about something else,” Sally continued.
“Oh?” he replied. “And what’s that?” He glanced at his computer screen as an alert popped up. He didn’t have time to be sitting here chatting with Sally, but she seemed oblivious to the fact that he was a busy man and she hadn’t made an appointment.
“Well, I know the charity ball is coming up soon. I mean, I just thought you should know that I’d love to go with you. I know it’s a difficult time for you, and I’d be honoured to be by your side on such a challenging evening.” She spoke with such compassion that he was completely taken aback. The charity ball? She’s offering to go to the charity ball with me? He ran his hand across his hair. It was thoughtful of her to acknowledge the evening would be challenging for him, but the thought of taking her was far stranger than the thought of taking Tiffany.
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 13
