by Tina Martin
“Revenge,” she said through gritted teeth.
Garrison chuckled. “Okay. I’ll be right back with a revenge sandwich and fries.”
Candice dropped her head and rested on her desk. This was too much. It was all getting to be too much for her to handle.
Chapter 15
She hung around the office as long as she could, not ready to go home and face Kurt. He’d called her cell phone. Called her desk phone. Texted her. She didn’t respond. Something about his behavior in the meeting didn’t sit well with her. He was Kurt the businessman and not her husband. He had to have known an offer like this would hurt her and her family. Maybe he didn’t care.
His car was parked out front. He was there, waiting. Waiting to talk after the nonsense of the day. She still didn’t know what to say to him.
When she opened the door, he was standing in the living room with his arm crossed. Smelled like he’d cooked.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” she replied dryly.
“I made a roast.”
Candice placed her keys on the counter and set her bag down.
“Look, Candice, I know the offer caught you by surprise. It caught me by surprise when I first learned about it.”
“And exactly when was that, Kurt?”
“It doesn’t matter when. I told you I couldn’t discuss it.”
“Right—you couldn’t tell me your main objective was to take my father’s company.”
“That’s not my objective, Candy. That’s the objective of the company I work for—”
“You know what—I’ve had enough,” she said cutting him off. “I can’t tell you how humiliated I was to have to sit there between my brothers and listen to you and Desmond spew this nonsense about buying Blackstone Financial. Have you lost your freaking mind? This is my family we’re talking about! My brothers, who I’ve tried my best to defend you against. My brothers who think the only reason you came after me was strictly for business reasons and after this crap you pulled today, I’m beginning to think they’re right.”
“They’re not right—”
“How could you not tell me about this, Kurt?”
“I wanted to, Candy, but I told you, my hands are tied in these kinds of decisions.”
“Yeah. Sure. Your hands are tied,” she said in a way that told him she didn’t believe a word he said. “I want you to leave.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not kidding. I want you to leave. Now. I’m not sure how to handle this and I don’t want to say something I’ll regret. I need some time to think. Please leave.”
Kurt frowned then said, “Sure. I’ll leave. I’ll do anything for you, Candy, like I’ve always done.”
“Yeah, except for having my back when your goons come looking for my father’s company. How am I supposed to introduce you to him after this? Ain’t no way.”
“Candice—”
“Just leave, Kurt,” she told him. “I don’t have anything else to say to you tonight.”
“Alright. You want me to leave. I’m leaving. Have a good night.”
When he walked out, Candice locked the door and pressed her forehead to it in angst. Then she walked over to the stove, turned it off. She saw the dishes on the kitchen table. Ones he’d placed there for their dinner. She saw the candles. The roses in the vase on the counter. These were all signs that Kurt was a good man. Still, she needed time to figure out what his true motives were.
Chapter 16
Kurt sat in the parking lot at a hotel ten miles away from Candice’s apartment. He was so close to Candice yet so far away. He may as well had been back in Asheville. He wanted to tell her about the proposal before he arrived, but at the same time, he couldn’t allow himself to get that involved.
Looking back, he realized he could’ve handled this a lot differently. He should’ve had a talk with Desmond and told him the state of his relationship with Candice. Desmond would’ve probably taken him off the project but hindsight being twenty-twenty, that was the best option for this scenario. He’d have the conversation with Desmond tomorrow, but too little too late. The damage had already been done.
Right now, he had to check into a hotel. He was in town for a week. He’d planned on staying with Candice but that didn’t work out too well. And now he was in limbo. Again. It was bad enough they lived in different cities. Now they were in the same city and were still apart. They’d never had a disagreement like this and it was only because of the job.
He got out of the car, took a duffle bag from the backseat and walked toward the hotel to check into a room for the night. After he did so, he took a shower and sat on the bed.
The look on her face when she realized what Desmond was offering…
He sighed heavily and hung his head. He instantly hated himself for not telling her in advance what the meeting was about. For her to feel like he was a liar and she couldn’t trust him were all signs he wasn’t doing his job as a man. And he didn’t want his woman to feel that way. Didn’t want her to suffer the same way his mother had to suffer when his father moved out. Yes, they’d had a mutual divorce, but after being with someone for so long, it took a toll on you when they were no longer around. She’d kept quiet about it, probably for his sake, but he knew how much the divorce had damaged her.
Candice felt like he had betrayed her. That was enough to eat at him and there was nothing that could comfort him at the moment to make him feel contrary to what he’d caused. He knew he couldn’t allow this disagreement to fester. That would only make matters worse.
He took his phone, considering calling her but an unknown number appeared on his display. A number with a Wilmington area code.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Hey. Is this Kurt?”
“Who’s calling?”
“This is Bryson Blackstone. My name probably clues you in on who I am.”
“You’re one of Candy’s brothers.”
“I am. I apologize for introducing myself to you over the phone. I’d much rather talk to you in person.”
“Give me the time and place and I’m there.”
“Good. There’s a steakhouse at the Riverwalk.”
“Yeah, I know the place.”
“Can you meet me there tomorrow at six?”
“I can. I’ll be there.”
Chapter 17
On Wednesday, Candice couldn’t bring herself to go to work. She woke up after ten and even then she didn’t get out of bed. She just laid there, thinking – thinking things she didn’t want to think. Things she didn’t want to believe. Things like maybe her quick marriage to Kurt had been a mistake – one she never saw coming but one her family could predict. Leave it up to them and she should make a clean break while the marriage could still be annulled. Of course, that’s not what she wanted. She wanted him, but she couldn’t allow herself to be with a man she didn’t trust.
She walked to the kitchen in her robe and made coffee. She took a sip and sat down when a call from Calista came through.
“Girl, where are you?” Calista asked.
“I’m home. I didn’t go to work.”
“I know. Barringer said he tried to call you a few times. He sounded worried. Are you ignoring him again?”
Candice chuckled a bit. “You make it sound like I ignore your husband on a regular basis.”
“Well, let’s be honest—you do. I know Barringer gets on your nerves, but he means well.”
“I know, and I’m not ignoring him. I just needed to take a moment for myself. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been pretty stressed out over the last few weeks.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“And it doesn’t help that Kurt is in the mix. It was hard enough without him being here but he adds to my frustration so much, you just don’t understand, especially after that lil’ stunt he pulled last night.”
“Honey, welcome to marriage. That’s all I can tell you.”
“Is that right?”
“You doggone right that’s right. That man will get on your nerves, twist your gut, make you want to slap him over the head and have you asking why you got married in the first place. They say that’s how you know it’s real.”
Candice laughed. “If that’s the gauge for determining if a marriage is real, I must’ve hit the jackpot.”
“Think about it. You see those couple who always look like they got it together in public. Like the woman being all prissy while the man follows her like he’s her personal assistant instead of her man—those people ain’t happy. They’ll be the main ones hollering for a divorce. But people like us—people who have to struggle to hang on to our marriages, I think that’s where the beauty lies. It’s hard, but after every dispute, it’s a win.”
“Sounds like something Kalina would say.”
“Yep. I’m sure it is. So, don’t let frustration ruin your new marriage. If Kurt gets on your nerves, trust me, you’re on the right path and you got the right man.”
Candice chuckled. “Thanks for that, Cali.”
“No problem.”
“How’s Bella this morning?”
“She’s good. I just fed her.”
“You have Junior today, too?”
“Yeah, he’s playing with his toys. I’m so glad they get to spend time together.”
“They are the only Blackstone children for right now.”
“Yeah, that is until you and Kurt have a few.”
“A few?” Candice laughed.
“Girl, as much as you love kids, you know you’re going to have some babies.”
“Yeah, but the only thing I want right now is a shot of Tequila.”
“Maybe you can get that since you’re not working today.”
I’ll definitely need it tomorrow when I meet with Quinton…
“You know what, Cali…I think I will,” Candice replied.
“Good. Hey, I have to go. Junior is trying to take the phone out of my hand.”
“Aw, he wants to say hi to his Aunt Candy. Hey, Junior.”
She heard his sweet laughter. Sounded like music to her ears.
“Okay, Candy. I’ll let you go.”
“Alright. Later.”
Chapter 18
Kurt wasn’t sure what he was walking into. Was he meeting with Bryson alone or Bryson and all the brothers? He didn’t mind meeting with them. He already met Garrison and Barringer. He could plan better had he known what he was walking into.
He parked then took the Riverwalk toward the restaurant. He spotted who he thought was Bryson waiting near the entrance. He was tall, a little taller than him and he favored Barringer and Garrison.
“Bryson?” he said, just to be sure.
“You must be Kurt, the man Barringer put a hit out on,” Bryson said as he shook his hand.
Kurt chuckled. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”
“This is Barringer we’re talking about. Of course.”
Bryson opened the door and Kurt followed him inside.
After they were seated and drink orders were placed, Bryson said, “I’ll get straight to the point and hopefully we can talk like men and be open and honest about this.”
“Sure.”
The waitress placed two beers on the table and the men both ordered steaks, then Bryson took a long swig of his beer and looked at Kurt. “I have to admit, when I first learned about your relationship with my sister, the first thought that came to my mind was that this was a business move for you.”
“How so?”
“Well, by getting my sister to fall for you, you’re basically putting her in a precarious position to take sides with you over the welfare of her family.”
“I can understand how you might think that way, but that was in no way a part of my thought process.”
“How could it not be? You’re a businessman—you’re the marketing manager for The Champion Corporation. You know how to play your cards. I just hope my sister wasn’t one of them.”
“She wasn’t. I wouldn’t do that to the woman I love.”
Bryson squinted, trying to accept those words. He asked, “Is she the only woman you’ve ever loved?”
“Besides my mother, yes.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m thirty-three.”
“Thirty-three and the only woman you’ve been in a relationship with that you actually loved is my sister.”
“That would be correct.”
“Sounds a little suspect to me.”
“There’s nothing suspicious about it. I waited until I found the right one. Candy is the right one.”
“So why are you staying at a hotel right now?”
“How’d you know I was staying at a hotel?”
Bryson shrugged and didn’t give up his source.
Kurt sighed and shook his head. “Well, after the business meeting with your brothers, things went sour. She was upset with the offer presented—actually, I think she was more upset with me that I didn’t tell her in advance about The Champion Corporation wanting to buy Blackstone Financial. Look, Bryson, I tried to warn her about keeping business out of our marriage.”
“Yeah, and how did that work out?”
“It didn’t. Didn’t work at all.”
“Exactly. Look, I’m going to be honest with you, Kurt. I have an uneasy feeling about this. I’ve had one from the start. I realize Candice is a grown woman, but she’s my little sister and I will do anything to protect her, especially if I think she’s caught up with someone who isn’t right for her.”
“You don’t think your sister is free to make her own choices?”
“Of course. We all have that right, but with us Blackstone brothers comes an extra obligation to protect Candice.”
“Why?”
“She’s the youngest. Most vulnerable.”
“You don’t have to protect her from me.”
“I have to protect her from everyone, especially you.”
“Wow. Now I understand why she didn’t want to tell you all about our marriage. Leave it up to you and she’d die single.”
Kurt took another sip of beer. He wasn’t about to let Bryson or anyone else tell him what he felt for Candice. He knew the truth and after telling him his position, if he wasn’t buying it then that was on him.
“So why her?” Bryson asked. “What is it about Candice that made you want to put a ring on her finger?’
“She’s a good woman. She’s fun. I love being around her.”
“That’s it?”
Kurt sighed again. “What more do you want me to say because whatever I say won’t be good enough to satisfy you. I don’t think there’s a man on the planet good enough for Candice in your eyes.”
“There’s not.”
“So why call this meeting with me? It seems like a waste of time on your end and mine.”
“Because I’m making an attempt to like you. For Candice’s sake.”
“Now I feel like I’m on an interview.”
“That’s how you should feel. Look, man—if you had a sister, you’d be the same way.”
“How do you know I don’t have a sister?”
“I’ve done my homework. You’re an only child. Your parents are divorced.”
“That’s right.”
“I made it my business to know things about you in advance, but I asked you here to get to know you on a more personal level.”
Kurt took a drink of beer, then asked, “What do you want to know?”
“Candy told us you collect rocks.”
He nodded. “Yes, I do. I love nature. Hiking, you know—being outdoors.”
“She told us that, too, which I thought was odd. Candice is the complete opposite. She likes makeup and glitter.”
Kurt smiled. “They say opposites attract.”
“That’s true.” Bryson drank more beer. “How’d you get into marketing?”
“It was my father’s line of work. It wasn’t something I enjoyed, necessarily—just something I w
as good at so I stuck with it.”
Bryson nodded.
When the food arrived, the conversation continued. This time it was Kurt with the questions. “So why are you the only brother who decided not to work for the family business?”
“It’s not what I wanted. Don’t get me wrong—I respect my father and all he’s accomplished over the years, but I wanted something that was my own.”
“And what did you come up with?”
“What do you mean what did I come up with? You didn’t do your homework on me, man?”
“I didn’t want to investigate any of you. I wanted to get to know you organically, so no, I didn’t do any homework.”
Bryson wiped his mouth and said, “I own Blackstone Tree Service.”
“What do you do? Tree removal?”
“Planting, pruning and removal. I also do landscaping.”
“Hmm. Interesting.”
“What’s interesting?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m just doing what I do. I always go into work mode when I shouldn’t.”
“Okay, then marketing manager—let’s hear it. I saw the lightbulb go off. What are you thinking?”
“I was thinking about how your business name is geared only toward one service. That could be hindering your company’s growth.”
“I’m going to tell you the same thing I told my wife when she told me that. My website lists all the services that Blackstone Tree Service offers.”
“Yes, but that’s for those people who make it that far. Most will have already moved on to another company.”
Bryson grinned. “Are you trying to sell me your services?”
“No. I’m not an independent contractor. I’m simply giving you free marketing advice.”
“And that advice would be…?”
“To change your business name to Blackstone Tree Service & Landscaping.”
Bryson smirked. “Not bad.”
Kurt continued with his meal and then said, “I love your sister. I’m not playing games. I’m not doing this for any financial gain. I’m not trying to steal your father’s company. I truly, genuinely love your sister. I don’t know if you believe that or not. In fact, I don’t care if you don’t believe it. I love her and that’s that.”
