A Tempting Proposal

by Dara Girard

  “It was great, thank you.”

  Abigail began to turn then James stopped her. “I’ll take these.” When she hesitated, he said, “It’s okay.”

  She nodded then left them alone.

  Ava opened her mouth to offer him a greeting, but he looked away and set her bags in the corner. “There’s no need to unpack.”

  She put up her guard, sensing something was wrong. Had he found out something? Had they discovered the true reason for her trip to New York? Had someone leaked about her meeting with Lortis? “Why? I don’t understand.”

  James rested his hands on his hips. “We don’t have to pretend anymore.” His gaze lowered as did his voice. “Mom died yesterday.”

  Chapter 33

  “But that’s impossible,” Ava said, refusing to believe what she’d heard. “She was fine a couple of days ago. I was just with her in the garden.”

  “Ava—”

  “I even called her from New York and she sounded great. Full of life. We laughed about—” Her throat tightened and she fought against tears. “You said six months. It’s barely been three, how could this have happened?”

  “It was an infection. It caught us all off-guard. We thought it was a minor cough, but it quickly progressed to something else and spread faster than anyone expected. She passed peacefully. Just tell me where you want me to send your things.”

  She hesitated not understanding his cold words and behavior. They’d parted as lovers and now he was treating her like a stranger. “But I don’t have to leave yet.”

  “It’s up to you.” His cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said before he turned and walked away.

  Ava stood frozen in the foyer, not knowing what to do, where to go or what to think. Flo wasn’t supposed to be dead. She’d even bought her a gift, a silly little T-shirt with a picture of Lady Liberty holding a garden cushion and hoe. She was supposed to have more time. How could Flo be gone? Why did she feel so bereft? Wasn’t this what she wanted? Now she could focus on her main goal. Ava grabbed her bags without thinking, needing something to do, and headed to her bedroom.

  She hesitated when she walked past Rudy’s bedroom and saw him sitting on the bed staring down at his hands.

  “Are you okay?” she asked him.

  He looked up and shook his head.

  “I’m sorry about your mom.”

  He pursed his lips. “I’m angry at her.”

  Ava set her bags down in the hallway, entered the room and sat down beside him. “Why?”

  His voice cracked and tears filled his eyes. “She left without telling me she was going to heaven. I don’t know why she didn’t tell me first.”

  Ava hugged him, hoping to offer him comfort. “It happened so fast she didn’t know.”

  An hour later, after sitting alone in her room, trying to decide her next move, Ava returned downstairs and found James sitting alone in the great room. She took the time to make sure it was really him, scanning his clothes and the way he sat just to make sure. But although she knew it was James she felt as if a chasm had suddenly formed between them and she didn’t know when or how.

  But his pain was palpable.

  Maybe that was it. This loss changed everything and she felt helpless.

  She’d slept with him, but didn’t know how to comfort him. She’d never comforted someone before.

  “After the funeral we can announce our separation,” James said without turning.

  She started; surprised he knew she was there. She entered the room and sat in front of him. “Let’s not discuss that right now. How are you? What do you need?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Anything you want?”

  He closed his eyes and a smile spread across his face. “Peaches.”

  Ava frowned. “I was being serious.”

  He looked at her. “Me too. My mom used to take me to the farmers’ market to buy them when they were in season. She’d show me how to choose them, and I remember how she looked when she smelled them.” His smile fell and for a moment he looked like a little boy who’d lost his mother and that tore at her heart.

  “I’ve never selected peaches before,” Ava said, not knowing what else to say. Desperate to ease the pain in his eyes.

  “Really?”

  “Most of my fruit comes out of the can.”

  James glanced at his watch. “Then let’s go now. The market’s still open.” He stood. “I don’t want to leave Rudy alone right now. Do you mind if he joins us?”

  “No, of course not. I’ll get him.”

  Ava enjoyed the unfamiliar sights and sound of the farmers’ market under the warmth of the summer sun. For the new adventure, she wore the floral print blouse James had bought her in Grenada. When he saw her, his gaze lit with appreciation for a brief moment then disappeared to something more distant, confusing her.

  At the market she listened patiently while both Rudy and James showed her how to pick different fruits. Back at home, they made a peach crumble, scenting the kitchen with the smell of sweet peaches, cinnamon, and brown sugar. James teased Ava about using the metric system to measure the ingredients. They served the dessert with vanilla ice cream, sat together and laughed while remembering Flo.

  “I wish she were here now,” Rudy said, scooping up a large portion of his dessert. “She’d like this.” He sniffed. “I miss her.”

  James patted him on the back. “It’s okay to be sad. I miss her too.”

  “Are you sure she’s not coming back?”

  James nodded. “I’m sure.”

  He picked up his bowl and stood. “I’d done. Thanks Ava.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I love you.”

  She smiled. “I love you too.”

  James watched his brother leave the kitchen then sat back in his chair. “Thanks for today. I needed that.”

  “I did too. I learned a lot.”

  He carried his plate over to the sink. “I’d like to stay friends.”

  “I’d like to stay married.”

  He spun around and stared at her in surprise. “But you told Jackson that—” He stopped and turned on the faucet.

  Ava walked over to him. “I told Jackson what?”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter now.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You want to see this through?”

  “At least for another three months.”

  “Why?”

  I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing! “Because it doesn’t feel right to end things yet.”

  James looked at her for a long moment then nodded. “Rudy?”

  “Yes, but–”

  “You’re worried about how the stockholders will feel about a funeral and divorce so close together.”

  “No, that’s not—”

  “It makes sense. You’re thinking more clearly than I am. Edgar would be proud.”

  She sighed. She’d gotten what she wanted, more time with him, but it felt like a hollow victory.

  Chapter 34

  “This is the perfect time to strike,” Walter told her over the phone once she’d shared the news about Flo.

  Ava sat in her car staring up at the BioMed Solutions headquarters standing tall against the cloudy blue sky. “I just don’t think—”

  “Are you getting soft on me? Have you forgotten what they have stolen from me? Stolen from us? This is your chance. They are weak and it will make it easy for you.”

  She sighed. To hurt them at such a painful time may have seemed smart three months ago, but now it felt cruel. She couldn’t hurt James this way. But Edgar? Edgar was another target entirely. And she kept waiting for Jackson to strike, but he hadn’t yet. When he’d arrived for dinner the evening of the funeral, she’d managed to get a moment alone with him on the patio.

  “Don’t say anything to James yet.”

  Jackson leaned against the railing. “Why not? Mom’s gone so you can’t hurt her.”

  “James has already gone through enough.”

  Jackson sent her a cold look.
“When did you start caring about him? About any of us?”

  “I liked your mother.”

  “Sure. That’s why you were sleeping with her son and conning her husband right under her nose and with her blessing. I stayed quiet but I’m not going to anymore.”

  “What do you want?”

  His eyes pierced hers. “You. Out. Of. Our. Lives. Especially my brother’s. You’ve been able to toy with him long enough.”

  She felt frantic. She didn’t want to lose James; she didn’t want him to know the truth. Not yet. “I’m not toying. I really—”

  “Love him?” Jackson finished. “That’s your problem not mine.”

  “I will be out of your lives in—”

  “Tonight. That’s all the time you have,” he said then left her alone on the patio.

  She had to do something before he did. Perhaps she could please her father and protect James by revealing who the true traitor was.

  Dinner that evening was somber, even though Jackson had joined them and tried to make Rudy laugh, Flo’s absence felt like a heavy weight around the room. Ava thought of her as she gathered the courage to do what she needed to do. She turned to Edgar. “I didn’t want to say this, but I saw you with another woman. Now that Flo’s gone are you ready to tell us her name?”

  Edgar didn’t look up from his plate of rice and stir-fried vegetables. He continued to eat as if she hadn’t spoken.

  “Or are you going to keep her in the shadows a little while longer for the sake of appearance?”

  He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Rudy, go to your room. You can finish your dinner there.”

  “But Dad—”

  “Now.”

  Rudy shuffled away.

  “He’ll find out eventually,” Ava said. “You can’t shield him from the truth forever.”

  “What are you talking about?” James asked.

  “I was hoping your stepfather would tell you,” Ava said, staring at Edgar’s calm expression. “Since Flo is gone it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  James turned to him. “What is she—”

  Edgar shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “I saw you with her,” Ava said.

  “You were seeing another woman?” James said.

  “No.”

  “Yes,” Ava countered. “An attractive younger woman.” She sniffed. “I’m not surprised to hear you deny it.”

  “There was nobody else,” Edgar said firmly.

  Ava took out her cell phone and held out the picture she’d taken of them. “You call this nobody?”

  Edgar’s jaw twitched. “You were spying on me?”

  “I saw you both by accident. I shouldn’t have seen it at all. I knew you could be heartless but to cheat on your dying wife—”

  Edgar grabbed her phone, slammed it on the ground and crushed it under his heel. “The matter is closed.”

  “Who is that woman?” James asked.

  Ava reached to pick up her broken phone, but Edgar kicked it away. “I was never with another woman.”

  James nodded. “I believe you, Dad.”

  It was the first time James had ever called him that. Edgar didn’t know if it was a slip of the tongue or a strategic move, but it affected him. He hung his head in shame and despair. “Her name was…is Lynn. She is a healing psychic. She promised me that she could heal your mother. That she’d done it for many others before. There was proof. I met some of her clients. Your mother wouldn’t see her, but Lynn said that she didn’t need to touch whoever she helped.”

  James shook his head. “But—”

  “I know it sounds strange, but people pray for loved ones faraway, don’t they? Is it wrong to want help?”

  “How much did you pay her?”

  “I’m not proud of what I did. I know what investors would think if they knew the truth. That’s why I kept it a secret. I didn’t use any company funds. No money can be traced to her.”

  “How much?”

  “For a while it seemed to be working. You saw it too, didn’t you? Your mother had more energy and seemed so happy. And the pain wasn’t what it had been.”

  “Just give me a range,” James said.

  “It doesn’t matter. I would have paid her millions if it would give your mother one more day.” He turned to Ava with cold eyes. “I loved my wife. So much so I didn’t tell her the truth about you. I made sure not to let her know what you’ve been up to behind our backs.”

  Ava felt her skin grow cold. How could she have been wrong about him? Everyone knew the marriage had been one of convenience. Edgar Fortune didn’t love anything but money, right? He was lying. There was no psychic healer and what could he possibly know about her? He was trying to shift blame and confuse her. “I was only thinking about Flo when I saw you with that other woman. I didn’t mean to—”

  “You can stop the act. I know you’ve been trying to buy up shares. I had a very informative conversation with Lortis who likes to keep me up-to-date about things. Your pathetic little purchases won’t do much harm. I don’t know the reason, but whatever you’re planning won’t work.”

  Ava kept her voice level. “I’m not planning anything.”

  Edgar rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together. “In boxing there are many great moves. The Haymaker, The Bolo Punch. I really like the Jab and Grab, which is a mixture of offense and defense. You lead in with a jab and quickly proceed to grab your opponent. It helps to neutralize any more attacks coming at you.” He leaned forward. “But my favorite is The Body Drop Feint. It’s a move of distraction. It allows your opponent to think you are about to do one thing, like punch him in a certain way, while you switch it up with another punch aimed at a different spot. You really should have thought carefully before trying to tussle with me.”

  “I know—”

  “I taught my boys the same. James was a master at distraction. I’m sure you’ve seen some of his moves, but not all of them. Do you really know who you’re in love with?”

  “Not now,” James said in a warning voice.

  “Do you think he needs your protection?” Edgar continued. “He’s the strongest of all of us. I thought I was tough, until I met this kid. This kid knows where his allegiance should be. You will not come between us.”

  Jackson flashed a cruel smile. “Did you really think you were part of this family? Did you really think you were the only one pretending for Mom’s sake? She was the only reason you lasted as long as you did. James is a master player and he played you. You think that trip to Grenada happened by accident?” Jackson tapped his chest. “I helped him choose the spot.”

  “That’s enough,” James said.

  “He wanted to make Mom happy, but with her out of the picture, there’s no longer a reason for you to stay.”

  Ava didn’t dare look at James, afraid to see what would shine in his eyes. Had it all been a lie? Grenada was just a plan to seduce her? She remembered his first warning, When I seduce a woman she doesn’t know it. She now saw all his care and tenderness as an act.

  “Ava,” James said. “That’s not—”

  “You don’t have to console her,” Jackson said, “or worry about getting a divorce. You married an imposter.”

  James turned to his brother. “What?”

  Jackson nodded. “Your marriage isn’t legal because she married you under a false name. Her real name is—”

  “What are you talking about?” Ava said. “Ava is my real name.”

  “Sure it is. And you haven’t been buying up stock either, right?”

  “I admit to that. My father is Walter Hughes and he once worked with your stepfather in the early days. But Edgar stole his ideas and took everything from him, forcing my father to flee the country and start over again. I just wanted my father to have a taste of the revenge he deserved.”

  “What’s her real name?” Edgar asked Jackson. “I want to understand what’s going on.”

  “Amelia Bremmer.”

  “And
her father?”

  “Walter Bremmer.”

  Edgar nodded then turned to Ava with pity. “Your father lied to you.”

  “My father would never—”

  “He did work briefly with me as did your mother. She was a talented office manager and I respected her. When she asked for my help I agreed. I know that doesn’t fit my reputation, but it’s the truth. Your father, at the time, made your mother very unhappy.”

  “My father was a brilliant man. He gave you ideas. I saw his notes.”

  “Maybe, but he didn’t share them with me. There was no exchange of ideas. He had nothing to do with the founding of BioMed Solutions. He’d briefly worked in one of the labs that was all. Whatever he’s told you is from his imagination. The last time I saw your father it was in a courtroom. Your mother had divorced him and wanted to get custody of you. My testimony helped her win that case and your father never forgave her. Or me. He kidnapped you and disappeared.”

  “No.” Ava swallowed hard, bewildered by his words. “My mother left me. She—”

  “She’s been looking for you, for years.”

  Ava jumped to her feet. “This is all a lie. My father would never hurt me like this.”

  James rose too and took her arm. “Go upstairs. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  She yanked her arm away. “Don’t pretend to care,” she said before she stormed out of the room.

  Chapter 35

  Jackson stared at his brother outraged. “You’re letting her stay here? You should have kicked her out immediately.”

  James sat down and glared at him. “Keep your voice down.”

  “Why? She’s dangerous. Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

  He looked at Jackson then Edgar. “I know, but we must also think about Rudy. He’s gone through a lot and is already struggling with depression. More change could—”

  “Don’t you care what she’s done?”

  “Of course I care.”

  “Maybe not enough,” Edgar said. “You let her get to you.”