“I’m not sure I understand. Mia. Please talk to me.”
She suddenly shoved the papers in front of her face to try to hide. “I don’t have an actual contract.”
Shock was how he probably should have felt, stunned is how he really felt, and for a moment, he lost his voice. No contract? No signed document? Scott walked up to her and slowly pulled down the corners of the papers she held so he could at least reveal her eyes. “So. Let me see if I can get this straight. You have no signed paperwork? None?”
“Yes. None. Zero. Zilch. It was all verbal. My aunt said contracts could be changed, so she’d rather value someone’s word.”
“Mia, you’re a successful business woman. How could this happen?” Scott asked with a soft voice.
“I don’t know.” Mia bit her lip and looked at her feet before responding. “It’s family. I didn’t feel right pushing my aunt to sign a contract right before she made plans to go into a nursing home. Everything was happening at once, so we agreed we’d get the paperwork officially documented when she was settled, and when my business got off the ground.”
“Is there any kind of documentation?”
“There might be this one little thing that I just remembered. Doug had my aunt sign something right before she was admitted to the nursing home.”
“That’s what they do. It’s part of doing business. It’s procedural.” He suddenly had a knot in his gut that told him he wasn’t going to like hearing any more to her story.
“After Doug left, the head nurse told me that they didn’t have my aunt’s paperwork on file. I needed to fill out all kinds of forms and sign them for my aunt. I tried to contact Doug but he never returned my calls and then I guess I forgot about them.”
“Jesus, Mia.” Scott locked his fingers behind his head momentarily to give himself time to think. “Okay. Okay. Let’s see. Would your aunt back you up on that, on how she wanted you to have the house?”
“Of course. My family knows that I’ve been covering the mortgage and that I’m even sending an additional $300 to the nursing home to help cover her care. Not everyone was thrilled to pay the mortgage on a cottage that needs work, even if it was beach front. I was the only one who stepped up to do that.”
Scott scratched his head and then took out his phone and pressed a button. “Okay, we should be able to use that. Hey, Mike. It’s Scott. Listen, I’m calling about Doug Bates’ contract that we discussed. Mia just told me that she has a verbal agreement with her aunt to cover the mortgage and some of the nursing care. I’ll get those figures over to you as soon as I can. Give me a call after you get this message. Thanks.” After ending the call, he put his phone back in his pocket.
“So, can I assume you just called your lawyer?”
Instead of the confident, strong willed woman Scott had fallen in love with, Mia had lost the sparkle in her brown eyes and looked like her world could fall apart at any time. He stepped over to her, took the papers from her hands to place them on a nearby chair, and brought her close. He wrapped his arms around her. “Yes. That was my lawyer.” The warm breeze coming through the open window didn’t hide her shiver. “Listen. Think of this as a small setback. We have the best people working on your behalf. You’ll keep your home and I won’t have to honor Doug’s contract.”
“I wish I was as sure as you. Over the time that I’ve gotten to know Doug, he can surprise you with his deception. I wouldn’t trust him if you paid me.”
“Of course I’m sure. I don’t like surprises.” Scott felt her shrug. He hoped he sounded positive because he’s dealt with creeps like Doug in the past. He looked into Mia’s eyes. “You know what you can do for me? Get a list of your check numbers and a copy of your mortgage statements, and then ask the nursing home to send you a copy of the payments you’ve sent for your aunt’s care. We can show that your aunt had every intention of giving the house to you.”
They gathered the records that Mia had in her possession and faxed everything to Mike, Scott’s corporate attorney. “Well, this will be a day to remember,” Scott joked. He knew it wasn’t a good situation, but it hurt him to see her as worried as she was, knowing things haven’t been easy lately. “You know, maybe my attorney can find some sort of, I don’t know, virtual corrupt DNA to get Doug out of your life.”
“Scott! That’s it! You’re a genius.” Mia gave him one hot kiss before rushing to her office and booting up her computer. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.”
He followed her into the room. “This is the happiest I’ve seen you since this all started.”
“If this works, I’ll be thrilled.” He watched her type away on her computer and when she was finished, she leaned back in her chair in a triumphant posture.
“Are you going to let me in on your little secret?”
“I’m just excited! Remember the dating app that I said I developed?” she stood, not expecting a response. “Well, I sent an email to my developer to test the app with Doug’s name. I sent his name, age, and where he supposedly lived before he met my mom. If I’m right, and I really think I might be, it’s possible that his background could lead us to finding out if he really is corrupt.”
Scott smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “That sounds like a fabulous idea. But aren’t there companies that already provide that service? For a fee of course.”
“True. Nothing’s really free. But my app goes further. It actually connects to each town’s public records department of not only where they live, but also their last known address, to determine if there are any foreclosures. The app also helps determine if there are any credit issues with missed mortgages or rent payments, as well as consistent employment.”
“Ah. So that’s where the privacy concerns pop up. Doug can sue, but he might get it blocked in court.”
“I asked people in my family if they’d test the app for me, and I promised them $200 if they’d sign the waiver agreeing not to sue for any reason.” Mia smiled. “I think all Doug heard was the $200, so he didn’t care what he signed.”
Scott kissed her on the nose. “If there’s someone who can get around that, I believe you could.”
“I have a cousin who works in a law office. I’ve asked him to see if his firm had any cases like this. If it’s as big as we think it’ll be, I told him I’d grant him part ownership in my company.” She nuzzled her head against his chest. “He’s not an attorney, but one of the lawyers gave him some advice and he’s going to talk with my aunt. We should celebrate.”
“You’re full of great ideas today.” And he knew just what she was thinking. He let her lead him to her bedroom—the same room they’d made love in when they started seriously dating. Given their recent past, he wanted to take it slow to let her savor the moment.
Mia leaned back on the bed and pulled him on top of her. Her legs wrapped around his waist and his mouth was on hers. Gentle and teasing, he nipped her shoulder and then slid his hands under her shirt until they found her breasts.
“I think this will help.” She sat up and first pulled off her shirt, then pulled his over his head. Then she wriggled out of her shorts and watched as he pulled his off. She placed her hands on his shoulder and brought him on top of her once more. “Better?”
“Oh, much better.” He squeezed her breasts gently and she moaned when he took her hard nipples in his mouth, his tongue teasing them through the silky bra. He unclasped and removed her bra and then her panties, and Mia didn’t hesitate to make sure he was as naked as she was.
He looked at her lying there. “God, Mia. You are so beautiful.” Before he could say another word, her hand wrapped around his erection and she stroked him gently at first. “Mia.” He had trouble saying anything more, his breathing staggered. He took her hand and placed it on his chest so he wouldn’t lose control. Scott wanted to give her as much pleasure as she was giving him.
“I want you, Scott.”
“Oh, baby, you have me.” He kissed her neck and ran his fingers over her s
ilky skin until he reached the wet, sensitive folds beneath her soft mound. He gently stroked her, his fingers going back and forth, and he slipped a finger into her core, applying just the right amount of pressure to have her cry out his name. Her breath came in gasps and her long lashes seemed to brush the tops of her cheeks as her eyes squeezed shut.
“Scott, I want you inside me.”
“You read my mind.” He reached over to her nightstand and grabbed the condom he’d placed there when she led him to the room. As soon as he broke open the wrapper, Mia’s hands were on his and with a gentle, slow movement, she helped slide the condom over his thick shaft. She stroked him again before he angled himself above her. He heard her moan with pleasure when he entered her. Scott couldn’t tell who lost control first, but he’d have sworn they climaxed together. Then he collapsed onto the bed next to her. Breathless, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
***
It was hours later that they’d gotten dressed and went downstairs. Scott kissed Mia deeply on the lips. “I have to head out. I’ll try to get in touch with the attorney and then I’ll be back tomorrow with a helper to tackle your roof.”
Mia watched him leave, then went inside to look at the contract again. “I can’t seem to find anything here.” Of course, she had a hard time concentrating after the day she had. She got up and was about to check her email when her phone pinged. Pulling it from her pocket, she checked the display and saw a text from Krista.
R U doing anything? Thought I’d see latest movie.
Nick said he’d bring a friend 4 U.
The movies? Mia thought about the things she needed to do before she saw Scott again. She not only had to get in touch with the nursing home, she really wanted to see if the developer she was working with found anything. She sent off a quick text.
Can’t. Too much to do. And seeing someone.
Thx.
No sooner had she sent the text, her phone rang. “What?” Krista asked. “You’re seeing someone? Who? Tell me all the details. Don’t leave out a thing.”
Mia laughed. “Okay Miss Nosy. Since you’re back together with Nick, I guess it’s safe to say I’m seeing Scott.”
“Scott? You mean my Scott? The Scott who took me on a lunch date Scott? That Scott?”
“Yes. That Scott. Did you forget when you called the day after our lunch? You said he was your mercy date?”
“Oh, I said that? Oops. He wasn’t insulted, was he?”
“Not really. As a matter of fact, he’s an old boyfriend of mine. It was serious and I was going to tell you about him, but then we had a difference of opinion and broke up.”
“Are you kidding me? At least you guys are back together, hopefully for good if it was serious.”
She thought about Krista’s statement for a few seconds before answering. “Yes. We are definitely back together again. And this time, I think we’ll be okay. Listen, I’d love to chat, but I have lots to do.”
“Okay. But keep me in the loop with Scott. I have a good feeling about that one.”
Mia laughed and put her phone away after turning it off. She had already started toward her office when the sound of the doorbell caught her attention. Maybe Scott forgot something, but her smile went away as soon as she opened it.
“Hello, may I help you?” Mia had no intentions of helping the red head in her doorway, yet she couldn’t help but wonder why she was here. “Do I know you?”
“I think you know who I am. I’m Lisa Neely, and I think you know why I’m here. Don’t be a home wrecker. You need to stay away from Scott. He’s sleeping with me, not you.”
Mia couldn’t understand why this woman was so obsessed with trying to break them up. Did Scott have a stalker? “How could you possibly think that’s okay to say? I think you need to leave.”
“I suppose you need proof.” Lisa stood with her bony arms across her chest.
“Proof? Proof of what?”
“Proof that Scott and I are sleeping together.”
Mia braced her hands on the door frame and leaned forward. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You know, I really don’t have time for this. I—”
“Scott has a mole on the bottom of his foot. It looks like a small boat, so he had it tattooed and made it look like it’s sailing in the ocean.”
Mia’s breath was taken away. Did he have a tattoo? How could she not know this? She suddenly felt light headed as though her world was caving in. “You need to leave.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Stunned, Mia closed and locked the door. A tattoo was minor, but they’d been dating for years before the breakup and last night seemed like a new beginning for them. She thought she knew everything there was to know about Scott. If he had a tattoo, it was an intimate detail that she wasn’t aware of. She had to get herself together before Scott came to the house tomorrow. Was this a sign that she shouldn’t be here? With everything that was going wrong, Mia was ready to give up the house, give up on love, and move north to take care of her aunt.
EIGHT
It wasn’t quite nine in the morning when Scott arrived at Mia’s house. He gave Tony, his assistant, instructions to set the ladder in place and start ripping the shingles from the roof. Then he went back to his truck to get a latte and chocolate croissant that he knew were Mia’s favorites, along with a Beach Sunflower plant. He knew maintaining the curb appeal of her house with native Florida plants was also important to her.
He balanced everything in his arms and pressed the doorbell. When Mia opened the door, while in the middle of a phone conversation, she looked at everything he’d brought, shrugged, then turned and walked into the kitchen with the phone still at her ear. Well that was an unexpected response.
“Coffee break already?” Mia asked putting her phone in her pocket. “Didn’t you just get here?”
He had placed the items on her kitchen table and placed the croissant on a small plate. “Um, these are for you. As I remember, the latte and chocolate croissant are your favorites. And Bud from Bud’s Buds suggested the Beach Sunflower. He said it’d add a nice touch of color and can withstand droughts. This will help with the yard maintenance.”
“Droughts. Huh. Be sure to give the new owner that information.” She turned and headed toward her office.
“Wait. What?” Scott followed Mia to her office and was surprised to see her suitcase by the door. It was the same one she’d used the first time she left. He knew Mia was happy here and he knew this could be the place of her dreams if she gave it a chance and updated smartly. But his first thought was that something happened to her aunt and that would devastate her. He couldn’t bear to see that happen. “What do you mean, new owner? What’s going on?”
“Do you have a mole on the bottom of your foot?
“What? Yeah, sure I do. It looks like a small boat.” How had she known about his mole? He’d only told a few people about it when he was a teen and he hadn’t mentioned it since then because he didn’t think it was a big deal. But now he was totally confused. “What does that have to do with you leaving? Is this about your aunt? Is she okay? I don’t get it.”
“My aunt’s fine. Your mole has everything to do with…never mind. You don’t get it.” She shook her head and grabbed her suitcase. “I’m going back to help my aunt. I’m putting the house up for sale and the new roof will help.”
“But you love this home.” Scott gently held her arm, and when she turned to face him, her eyes were moist. He heard her breath catch and his heart seemed to slam against his chest. Taking the suitcase and placing it aside, he was able to take her in his arms and then he kissed her on the top of her head. “Mia. Whatever’s going on, I want to know. I want to help, but for me to do that, I can’t be shut out.” He felt her stiffen when his phone pinged notifying him he’d received a text. Then she moved from his arms.
“My life’s complicated right now. I don’t want to complicate yours, too. I’ll get out of your way so you can spen
d time with your girlfriend.” She picked up her suitcase again and headed for the door. “Lisa told me about your mole, and that it was tattooed to make it look like a sailing ship in the ocean. She told me that right before she said she was sleeping with you. She basically laughed because I didn’t know about it. I guess I really don’t know you as well as I thought I did.”
“Do you mean Lisa Neely? The red head? Damn it, Mia. I don’t have any other girlfriend. I have someone I love right in front of me. It’s you, Mia. I love you.”
She froze and slowly turned around.
They’d never verbally declared their love for each other. It was just something he’d known. Scott took three steps to close the gap between them, bringing her into his arms. “I was an idiot to let you leave the first time. I’m not going to make that same mistake again. I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep you here. If not here, then I’ll go anywhere you need to go.” She looked heart broken, like someone who was trying to keep control of a complicated life. His phone pinged again and he suddenly wished he’d left it in his truck.
“You might want to answer that. It could be Lisa.”
“I’m sure it’s not.” He turned away, pulled out his phone, and looked at the display. He read the text from Mike, his company’s attorney and couldn’t believe what he’d read. He wanted to show her the good news, but when he turned around he only saw the open door. Running outside, he almost bumped into Linda Hurst, his real estate agent. “Linda. What are you doing here?”
“Mia wanted me to take a look at her house before she puts it on the market. She called to have me give her some ideas on how to spruce it up.”
Second Chance Summer Page 5
