by Tina Martin
“I know. I just love you so much, son.”
“And I love you. Now stop worrying about me and show me where this cabinet is.”
“It’s the one right over there in the corner. It needs to go over there near the front door.”
“Okay,” Kurt said, standing up. “Let me take care of this so I can treat you to breakfast this morning.”
“Alright, son.”
* * *
Candice got out of bed, snacked on a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast and just as she was done with her quick morning meal, the doorbell rang. She didn’t question who was at her door. It was probably one of her neighbors. One had a habit of borrowing things and the other she considered somewhat of a friend. She even watched her five-year-old daughter occasionally.
Candice took a glance through the peephole and saw neither neighbor. What she saw made her stomach curl. She opened the door and there stood Barringer, Bryson, Everson and Garrison.
Before she could say anything, Everson said, “I’m only here because Barringer said it was an emergency.”
“There’s no emergency,” Candice said.
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Barringer said stepping into her apartment.
The other brothers followed him inside like a clique of gangsters.
“And you know why we’re here,” Barringer said.
“Then somebody enlighten me,” Garrison spoke up to say. “When you first said to meet over here, I thought Candice was in trouble or something.”
“She is in trouble,” Barringer said.
Candice rolled her eyes.
Bryson sat on the armrest of the sofa and didn’t say a word.
Barringer looked at Candice and asked, “On what planet did you think it would be a good idea to marry some cat from the company that’s trying to tear Blackstone Financial to shreds?”
“What?” Garrison asked.
“Yeah, Gary,” Barringer said. “Let me enlighten you of what’s going on here. Our sister done ran off and got hitched to the enemy.”
“He’s not the enemy, Barringer,” Candice said. “Why don’t you just calm down and stop making everything about you.”
“How am I making this about me? It’s way bigger than me. It’s about our father’s legacy. His company—something you obviously care nothing about.”
“Of course I care about dad’s company. I work there. It’s my job!”
“Not for long, especially now that you’re moving to Asheville to be with the enemy.”
The enemy. She could just choke him.
“You’re moving to Asheville, Candy?” Bryson asked.
“Ye-yes. I’m moving.”
“Okay, timeout,” Garrison said. “Candy, did you get married?”
“Yeah, she got married,” Barringer said before Candice could answer. “Look at her hand.”
The brother’s eyes all settled on the diamond sparkling on her left ring finger.
Candice sat on the sofa, buried her face in her hands and released a heavy sigh. She knew her brothers wouldn’t take it easy on her when they found out about Kurt, but she didn’t think it would be this frustrating. She could already feel a headache coming on as she held her head in her hands. This was the story of her life – well what little life she had that wasn’t controlled by her brothers. All throughout high school, she had to deal with their constant over-protection. Even in college they kept tabs on her. Why was she allowing this to continue as a twenty-nine-year-old woman?
“Yes, I’m married, Gary.”
“When did this happen?” Garrison and Everson asked in sync.
“We got married a month ago.”
“We, who?” Garrison asked.
“I’ll tell you who he is,” Barringer said. “He’s an executive who works for The Champion Corporation. He came down here with Desmond Champion trying to convince Blackstone to merge with them. I guess since we didn’t take the offer, they found a new in.” He gestured toward Candice.
“That’s not true.”
“It is true. You really think this guy is interested in you?”
“He is—”
“Then why was the marriage so quick and secret?” Barringer asked. “Tell me that. None of us knew about it. Found out from mom and dad that you didn’t tell them either. Was that Kurt’s plan or yours? I bet any money it was his.”
Candice stood up and said. “Okay, stop! What is this? You’re interrogating me for living my life? I don’t stalk y’all and tell you what to do. I’m grown, okay, and I don’t need anyone’s permission for my decisions. If you don’t like it, fine, don’t like it, but you will not tell me what to do with my life. And you definitely will not tell me who I can and can’t love.”
“Whoa, okay, calm down, Candice,” Garrison said.
“You need to tell your crazy brother to calm down,” Candice shot back, gesturing toward Barringer.
“Everybody calm down,” Bryson said to diffuse the situation. “Let’s talk this through. Candy, do you love this man?”
“His name is Kurt, and yes I love him. I never would’ve married him if I didn’t love him.”
“I think the frustration surrounding us is, we don’t know this guy,” Bryson said. He’d even thought about asking their cousin, Rexford – a police officer – to do a background check on him. “As your brothers, we love you and we’ve always protected you—”
“And I appreciate that, Bryson, but you have to see how overwhelming this is for me to always feel like I have to constantly meet your standards.”
“That’s the thing, sis—it’s not about meeting our standards. It’s making sure the man who’s captured your heart meets our standards. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m entitled to make my own mistakes. If I end up getting hurt in the end, it’s my mistake to make.”
“Okay,” Bryson said. He couldn’t argue with that. For once he understood her position. He was married to a woman before Kalina came along. The woman had cheated on him, left him and subsequently, he ended up filing for divorce. It was an experience he had to go through and he eventually saw the woman for what she was. She wasn’t right for him. Candice deserved to have her own experiences but if he could spare her…
“I don’t like the fact that he works for The Champion Corporation,” Barringer said.
“Yeah,” Everson added. “I don’t even work at Blackstone and that smells fishy.”
“I’m telling you it’s not like that,” Candice said coming to her man’s defense yet again. “Besides, Blackstone will be okay, right? I have a meeting with the new client dad was telling us about. I’m expecting that to go over well. We don’t need any support from The Champion Corporation, we certainly don’t need a bailout and I thought you’d already told them all negotiations were off the table anyway, Barry.”
“I did, so why are they coming here on Tuesday for a follow-up meeting.”
Candice frowned and looked shocked for a moment. “What?”
“Oh, your lil’ boyfriend didn’t tell you he was coming to town, huh? Eleanor confirmed it—Desmond Champion and Kurt Hempstead will be here to discuss more options they said. If this Kurt guy truly had your best interests at heart, why didn’t you know about this meeting?”
That’s a good question, Candice thought. “It was probably just an oversight.”
“Or maybe it was intentional,” Barringer said.
“Look, before we jump to conclusions about Kurt, we should at least talk with the man and feel him out to see what his motives are,” Garrison said.
“That should’ve happened before Candy ran off and married him,” Barringer said.
“Alright, Barry. Enough,” Bryson said. “Gary is right. Since we know he’ll be here on Tuesday, let’s take him out and see what he’s really up to.”
“Um, hello—I’m right here in case y’all forgot I was in the room,” Candice said.
Everson chuckled.
“Let’s go,” Barringer said heading for the
front door. Everson and Garrison gave Candice a half hug before they left.
Bryson stayed back to chat one-on-one with his sister. He perched up on the armrest of the couch and asked, “How could you run off and marry this guy? Do our parents know?”
“Yes. I told them already.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“How did they react?”
“Well, dad was upset. Mom was too, but at least she heard me out and didn’t leave the room.”
Bryson raised a brow. “Dad left the room?”
“Yeah. We were having dinner. He got up and left his food right there on the table.”
“Listen—I’m not going to pretend like this isn’t a shock. When Kalina told me last night, I was completely blindsided.”
“I know.”
“All I’m saying is, you could have at least introduced him to us first.”
“Why? So y’all could interrogate him and make him run for the hills to get away?”
“One day you’ll appreciate how much we care about you, sis.”
“I’m sure,” she said, “But in the meantime, can you make sure Barringer keeps a level head? He’s always barking about something and I can’t have him acting a fool in this meeting on Tuesday.”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to him. He’ll be fine. You know it takes him a minute.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. I never know when he’s going to explode.”
“Well, I hope Kurt has a backbone. That’s all I can say.”
“He can handle his own. Trust me. I just don’t want to deal with Barringer’s ranting. If he has a problem with him, business or otherwise, things can be talked out grown-man-style instead of blaming people and accusing Kurt of marrying me for professional gain. That’s absurd. Who would do something like that?”
“People have done worse.”
“So you agree with him?”
“No, I don’t. I’m a little surprised that you’d make this move knowing how close of a family we are. I’m not surprised at dad’s reaction. I feel the same way. But, hey, I’m open to having a one-on-one with this guy…see what he’s made of.”
“Well, I appreciate that, Bryson. I’m surprised you’re open to doing that considering how much you hated Quinton.”
Bryson smirked then stood up. “I’m not barking up that tree. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?”
“Yes. Sunday dinner. Mom and Dad’s.”
“Oh, jeez. With so much going on, I almost forgot. Okay. Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Chapter 11
“Hello everybody,” Candice said when she walked into her parent’s home. She’d been the last to arrive only because she wasn’t sure if she wanted to come. She didn’t want the dinner conversation to revolve around her and Kurt. She wanted the family to get along. To enjoy good food and good conversation with her mother’s coconut cake and cherry pies as a dessert to top it all off. She could get through one night without being in defense mode about her decision to marry Kurt, couldn’t she?
“Hey, Candy,” Calista said bouncing Gary Jr. in her lap. She still kept him a few times a week when Garrison went to work, in addition to taking care of her own child. She always felt a connection to little Gary. He was the child she never thought she’d have, then little Bella came along.
“Hey, Cali. And who do we have here?” Candice asked, touching Junior’s little cheeks.
He smiled and stretched his arms up high, reaching for her. She took him from Calista’s grasp and held him up on her hip after kissing his cheek. “Hey, you. How’s my favorite little man? Huh?”
Lil’ Gary giggled.
She returned her attention to Calista and said, “Bella must be sleeping.”
“Yeah. She’s in mom’s room.”
Candice returned her attention back to Lil’ Gary and said, “He looks so cute in these little Levi’s and this green Polo.”
“You can thank Cali for that,” Garrison said. “She buys all of his clothes.” Garrison winked at Calista.
She smiled. She did whatever she needed to do to make sure Lil’ Gary was taken care of. She owed that much to Vivienne. She promised her she’d take care of him, and in doing so, she helped Garrison out a great deal.
Candice pulled out a chair and sat next to Kalina.
“Aw, look how he’s looking at you,” Kalina said, watching Lil’ Gary. “He misses his Aunt Candy.”
Candice smiled, then glanced around the table at all the inquisitive eyes beaming back at her. There was Barringer who’d flipped his lid yesterday. He looked like he was ready to do more flipping.
Bryson was buttering a piece of bread like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Garrison was talking to Daddy Blackstone who had yet to acknowledge Candice was there.
Everson was whispering something in June’s ear.
And Mama Blackstone – she was in the kitchen working.
“Let me see if mom needs any help,” Candice said.
“You know she’s going to send you right back in here,” Kalina warned.
“Oh, well…”
She walked into the kitchen, feeling the temperature rise a few degrees. Elowyn had the kitchen blazing. “Hey, Ma.”
“Hey, lil’ girl. I didn’t think you would make it.”
“I’m here. I had to handle some last-minute business, but I’m here.”
Last-minute business…
She cracked herself up with that one. She had considered calling Kurt last night to ask him about the surprise meeting Barringer told her about but not wanting to react off emotion alone, she took a step back and reconsidered. Kurt had tried to call her, but she didn’t answer. She’d call him tonight.
She adjusted Junior on her hip then said, “Tell me what can I help you with?”
“You can grab that salad over there.”
“Okay,” she said walking toward the counter. “What’s in the oven?”
“I made lasagna and barbecue chicken. I kept it simple this time.”
“Na-na,” Junior said, smiling, showing the two little teeth at the bottom of his mouth.
“Hey, handsome,” Elowyn said, smiling at her grandson. She opened the oven and removed two pans of lasagna and a large tray of chicken.
“Jeez. You cooked enough for an army, didn’t you?”
“You know I need a lot for the men in this family.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Your father and I had a chance to talk about you and Kurt—is that his name? Kurt?”
“Yes. Did dad calm down any? He didn’t say anything to me when I came in.”
“Well, he’s worried, dear. Men worry more about their daughters than they do their sons. That just the way it goes.”
“I know. I’ll talk to him at some point. I just need a breather.”
“I’m sure you do, especially after yesterday. I heard your brothers ambushed you.”
Candice glanced back into the dining room to make sure everyone was occupied and no one was listening to their conversation.
“They did, and Barringer was the ringleader. He was heated.”
“When is Barringer not heated about something,” Elowyn said and chuckled.
“I know. He thinks Kurt is using me as a pawn to gain control of Blackstone Financial.”
“Has that thought ever crossed your mind?”
“No. Not at all. When I’m with Kurt, it’s like everything is right. Like, nothing exists but me and him. I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.” She said those words while trying to rationalize why he failed to tell her about his meeting coming up on Tuesday…
“Go ahead and take the salad in there for me,” Elowyn said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Candice took the bowl to the dining room and all conversation immediately ceased in a way that would make a person think they were the main topic.
“What?” she asked.
Kalina smiled. �
�Ooh, that looks good.”
Bryson threw a piece of bread in his mouth and glanced over at Barringer who’d promised him earlier he’d keep his mouth in check at dinner.
Candice walked back to the kitchen. It was an uneasy feeling to know the family was gossiping about her but she couldn’t do anything about it if she wanted to. People – family – talked and everyone had an opinion on things that didn’t concern them. Especially family. That’s just the way it was.
“Anything else I can take, Ma?”
“No. Go get your seat, hun.”
Candice walked back to the dining room, pulled out her chair and sat down. Lil’ Gary reached for Calista again.
Elowyn brought out the rest of the food. Theodore prayed and then they took turns adding servings to their plates.
“So, what’s new?” Theodore asked.
What’s new? Everyone knew what was new. She and Kurt were new.
“Umm…” Kalina said. “Nothing new on my end.”
“Me either,” June said.
“This lasagna is really good, Ma,” Candice said to divert the conversation.
“Thank you, dear.”
“So, Candice surprised us with some news this week,” Theodore said.
Candice smiled. Her diversion didn’t work. “Yes, Dad. I did. I’m glad it’s out and everyone knows now.”
“And when did you say we would meet this fella again? What’s his name?” Theodore asked.
“Kurt,” Candice replied. “And he’s—”
“He’ll be in town on Tuesday, Pop,” Barringer broke in to say.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yep. He’ll be at Blackstone Financial to discuss more options about taking over our company.”
Candice took a sip of water. She wasn’t about to start up with Barringer again and she definitely wasn’t going to interrupt dinner with an argument about her personal business. Keeping it light, she said, “I know you all don’t know much about Kurt and you will meet him soon, but just so you’re not completely in the dark, let me tell you a little about him. He’s smart. Handsome. He went to college to study marketing and he’s good at his job. He works as marketing manager for The Champion Corporation—”
