by C. J. Harte
“Mmhmm.” Mia was grinning. “Good thing it wasn’t something difficult like cooking an egg.”
She stood behind Mia and pinched her butt. “You may be surprised at how quickly I can learn things.”
“That’s good to know.” Mia’s mother walked in. “Now, what is this Tom is telling me about planning a wedding?” She walked up to Mia and lifted up her left hand. “Good heavens! That’s one beautiful and expensive ring.” She put her arm around Teri. “That must have cost a fortune. No wonder she said yes.”
“Mrs. Daniels, you and I both know Mia is too stubborn to allow anything to persuade her to do anything she doesn’t want to.”
Mia glared at her and then laughed. “I am a woman of principles.”
“You are.”
Breakfast was chaos. Several conversations seemed to be going on all at the same time. Teri had trouble keeping up. Her own family meals were much more subdued. Her family. Teri felt some of the good mood slip away. Once plans for the wedding were made, she would have to go and talk with her parents. They would have many objections. None of which would make much sense. The sooner she got that over, the sooner she would feel free to move on with her life.
“Teri, are you listening?” Mia’s voice was raised. Obviously, Mia had tried more than once to get her attention.
“Sorry, I was thinking about the things I need to take care of before the wedding. I don’t want anything to interfere with our plans before and during, and especially after.” Mia’s blush indicated she had made up for the lapse. “Now, what was it you were saying?” Again, everyone started talking at once.
The raucous noise resulted in a sleepy Michel walking into the kitchen. “Mama, are you mad?”
Mia lifted him on her lap. “No, we’re all happy and just talking loud.” She looked at her parents and Teri. “Michel thinks loud voices mean people are angry at each other. Natalie and I never yelled at each other, but he heard others using loud voices and, unfortunately, they were yelling at each other.” Her attention turned back to Michel. “Remember how Maman and I talked about getting married, like your friends’ parents?” Michel nodded. “Aunt Teri and I are going to get married and we want you to be part of it. Would you like that?”
“You going to make marriage with Tante? Can I make marriage too?”
Teri laughed. He was just as charming as his mother. “We will make sure you’re a big part.” His eyes widened and he smiled. Teri was falling in love with the dark-haired, dark eyed youngster. Her heart was exploding with feeling.
“Wanna play now?”
“Hold on,” Mia said, “we need to have breakfast first.” Mia sat him in the chair and got up to fix breakfast. Teri was quickly by her side.
“Please let me help. Tell me what to do.”
Mia stroked the side of her face. “I love you. Now, why don’t you get out the baguette on the counter and the yogurt out of the fridge?”
Teri quickly performed these tasks and then helped Mia’s mother to set the table. Ten minutes later, they were all eating and talking. It was the most relaxing meal she had ever had and the most enjoyable in years.
*
Sunday afternoon was interrupted by a call from Bren. Teri couldn’t wait to tell her the good news. “Mia has finally agreed to marry me and we’re planning on getting married Christmas Eve so keep the date open. Don’t tell Jeremy. I want to.” Bren was excited and promised to be at the wedding with bells on. “In that case, can you play the ‘Wedding March’?”
“I don’t believe it. Your sense of humor is back. Whatever you’ve been doing lately, keep doing it. Mia is a wonderful person. I’m happy for you. And the business is running without you. I’m really quite good at this.”
“Why haven’t you said something sooner?”
“I’ve tried, but you didn’t see me as anything but a corporate lawyer.”
“Bren, I’m so sorry. I’ve been blind to so many things.”
“I’m calling because something serious has come up. Father’s called a meeting of all the top execs for ten Tuesday. He’s asked them all to fly in from wherever. I’m sure he’s planning on announcing a change in leadership. He’s been ranting all week because he hasn’t been able to find you and he wants the Milton deal completed. He’s unreasonable. I’ve tried to discuss the possible legal ramifications, but he doesn’t give a shit. I think he wants to appoint someone who will be a rubber stamp. He’s doing this out of spite.”
“What about you?”
“I told you. He’s doing this out of spite. You appointed me and he’s ignoring anything associated with you. Teri, we need to talk.”
Teri paced. Mia stopped her, a questioning look on her face. “Hold on, Bren.” Teri covered the speaker on the cell. She quickly explained what was going on.
“What do you want to do? I know how important all this is to you.”
“I don’t know. I can’t believe my father is being so vindictive. If I oppose him, it may tear my family apart. If I don’t, it may tear my family apart. If I do, I may get pulled back into the life I had before. Then I risk losing you. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose you.”
Mia linked her arms around her neck. “If I wasn’t around, you wouldn’t hesitate. In fact, you would have prevented this from happening. The fact that you are hesitating tells me how much you do love me.” Mia placed a kiss on each cheek. “Let’s talk to my dad. I know he thinks highly of you. He’s always given me good advice.”
Teri picked up her cell. “Bren, can I call you back? Maybe twenty or thirty minutes.” Teri turned off the phone. “Mia, I’ll talk to your dad, but I doubt there’s anything he can do.” She grabbed Mia’s hand and went in search of Tom Daniels. Her dream all of her adult life had been to be chief executive officer of the company and be able to run it the way she wanted. While Mia had initially been a distraction, now she was the most important person in Teri’s life. She had worked so hard to make the company successful and now had to watch Pamela Milton become a part of the company and someone else take control. It hurt.
Tom Daniels was in the study listening to music and reading. He was relaxing and Teri felt bad interrupting. “Mia, we can come back later,” she whispered.
Mia walked past her and sat on the couch next to her dad. “Dad, Teri’s father wants to fire her. There are some other problems, too. You’re the smartest man I know. I told her you may be able to help.”
“Honey, you’re a flatterer. I’ll be glad to listen and help if I can. So, Teri, tell me what’s going on.”
She tried to be concise, but still it took at least ten minutes to explain the situation. She carefully edited the problem with Pamela and Mia, saying only that Pamela Milton had been observed sexually harassing a female guest.
“My daughter already explained why she came home with her arm in a cast. This woman is definitely a legal and financial liability. Do you think your aunt and uncle would vote with you if a shareholders’ meeting was called?”
“My sister thinks so.”
“Let me make a quick telephone call.” Tom Daniels got the house phone and dialed a number. Teri was not expecting that. The conversation on this side was vague. She kept looking at her watch, knowing that her sister was expecting a call any minute. Finally, he put down the phone. “I think I’ve got a solution for part of your problem. There’s a French company that’s selling off some of its subsidiaries. One is an American company that has been providing similar kinds of products and services in Asia and South America. They have excellent leadership and good profitability. The French company is unloading their non-European holdings because they’re looking to expand in Europe. The company is available and looking for an American buyer. They’re in Boston, and the president of that company can be here at nine in the morning. I think you can get the company for less than what you’re paying for Milton.” He scratched his head. “Teri, your father is a great poker player. His bottom line is making money, no matter how. If you bring this deal t
o him and threaten to take his position to the shareholders if he tries to remove you, and you have proxies from your aunt and uncle, I think he’ll back down. It’s worth the try.”
She was unsure if her father was that much of a gambler, but it seemed the only course. Teri thanked him and then walked with Mia back to living room. “I’ll call Bren and ask her to meet me here in the morning.”
Mia left to check on Michel while Teri called her sister. Brenna was excited about the new company, but she wondered if their father could be bluffed. “I can call our aunt and uncle and see if they’re willing to overnight the proxies. I think Father will be madder than hell if we threaten to bring in the shareholders. He’ll also realize I made this possible.”
“I’ll take the lead in this. He doesn’t need to know. He’s already angry with me. Call Jeremy and ask him if he can be back here tomorrow. I’d like you to come out here tonight if you can. We can get ready for our meeting in the morning. I’m sending a driver out to pick up the representatives from the new company and bring them here. I don’t want anyone to know about this until after we meet and this is a done deal.”
“Let me make some calls and I can be there in about ninety minutes. You two still going to be awake?” By Bren’s tone of voice there was no doubt she wasn’t really hinting at Mia and Teri being asleep.
“Just get here as soon as you can and bring clothes to stay over. We seem to have a spare bedroom right now.” Teri hung up before Bren could make another comment. She realized that she had been in bed no later than ten and up no earlier than six each day for the last few days. With Mia cuddled next to her, Teri didn’t want to get out of bed.
Teri looked at her watch. Maybe they could take a nap before Bren got there.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Mia had just finished reading another book to Michel when Teri walked in. “How’s it going?”
Teri sat on the floor next to them. “Bren is coming out to spend the night. We need to talk with your dad for a little while and get ready for tomorrow.” She stroked Mia’s back. “I’m so sorry. I feel as if I’ve let you down. I promised to take time off from work, and it hasn’t even been a whole week.”
“Is this really important to you?”
“Of course! I’ve worked so hard over the last eight years, since I became C.O.O. to make the company successful. And I’m pissed Father is ignoring Bren and threatening to bring someone else on board just because I’m not there and I don’t want the Miltons active in the company.”
She pulled Michel onto her lap and then reached for Teri’s hand. “Then I’ll support you.” The look of confusion on Teri’s face brought a grin to Mia’s. “Not that long ago, I think you would have said, ‘It’s my damn company and I’ll do what I want.’ But now you’re angry because your sister isn’t given a chance to prove herself and you find your father’s actions unfair.” Mia rubbed her thumb over Teri’s hand. “You’re not the same person who came to Maine. You’re definitely different now.”
“What do you mean by that cryptic comment?”
“For one, you’re usually in bed by the time I am and I’m usually up before you.”
“Mmmm. That’s because you put me to sleep and I don’t want to get out of a warm bed.”
“Mama, can you put me to sleep?” Michel’s lids were heavy.
Teri stood and lifted Michel into his bed, then she put out her hand to help Mia. “I can’t tell you enough how happy I am and how much I love you.”
“You can show me later,” she whispered. “Now go get ready for your meeting.” She kissed Michel and they walked out of the room. “I’ll find my mom and we’ll let you plot and scheme.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
The breakfast meeting had gone so well Teri had the limo drive them into the city to the Stanton offices. Bren would have the contracts written up and signed by the end of the day. That also meant the letter to terminate the Milton offer would go out that afternoon.
Teri arranged for lunch to be catered and she spent the afternoon talking with her new business associate while Bren took care of the legal work. By four o’clock, they were signing the papers. “I’m so excited by this opportunity. I like your company and I think we’re a perfect fit.”
“We’ve got a great company. We just needed the cash infusion. This is a win-win for both of us.”
Teri nodded. She had her assistant call her father and ask him to come to her office.
“Well, it’s about time….” Her father stopped at the door. Mia’s dad was right. Her father hated public scenes.
“Father, let me make introductions. This is Fred Abbott. He is C.E.O and sole owner of Abbott Corporation, our latest acquisition. Fred, this is my father. I’ll leave you two to chat. I’ll be right back.”
She walked to Bren’s office and signed the termination letter and had it sent overnight to the Miltons. “I’m sure Father is bullshitting Abbott. As soon as Abbott is gone, he’ll want to know what the hell is going on.” Teri stopped and briefly hugged her. “Thanks, Brenna, for everything.”
“It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed my older sister. Hopefully, you won’t get lost again.”
“What are you talking about? You’ve known every single day where I was.”
Brenna clasped Teri’s arm. “Teri, I knew where you were physically, but mentally and emotionally, you were gone. And have been for as long as I can remember. I can’t remember the last time you smiled, and lately, you’ve been smiling more. You’re an attractive woman, but you’re beautiful when you smile.” Bren lightly pushed Teri. “The advantage for me was that, with your constant scowl, I was the more attractive Stanton daughter.”
How many times had Mia complimented her when she smiled? Hearing Bren’s words embarrassed her. Had she been that much of ogre? She doubted it. She just did what it took to make the company successful. Teri also felt there was a kernel, a large kernel, of truth in her words. The last few months had brought a change in her life. Even she was aware that she felt different.
“Bren, you’re beautiful, both inside and out. Thank you. I never felt lost, but I definitely feel different.”
“Well, I hope this is a permanent change.”
Teri hoped so, too, but she knew how easily she got wrapped up in work. Today, she felt the familiar adrenaline rush of closing a deal. Not just any deal: one that would keep Pamela Milton out of her company and still achieve the expansion she wanted. She loved that feeling of power and infallibility that went along with closing a deal. She would celebrate tonight. Suddenly, an image of Mia naked flashed in her mind and she was almost painfully aroused. She still needed to deal with her father first.
As expected, her father was acting like Fred Abbott was an old friend. She sat next to the two of them. “I think Fred is going to be a real asset to Stanton Enterprises.”
“Obviously.” Her father’s comment was probably the most committal he was willing to make. He stood and shook Abbott’s hand. “Good to have you aboard.” He smiled and turned toward Teri. “We’ll chat after you’re finished with Fred.”
He left quickly. The smile was for Fred Abbott’s benefit. To Teri, it was an indication he still wasn’t happy. She didn’t care. She got what she wanted. A great acquisition and no Pamela Milton.
She chatted briefly with Abbott and then walked with him to the Human Resources office. “They’ll talk with you about transitioning your folks over. If you’ve got any questions, you’ve got my number. Look forward to working with you.”
Teri was feeling smug. She knew the Miltons would be calling tomorrow. She’d deal with them when the time was right. Now, her father.
“What the hell is going on?”
“I bought Abbott.”
“Obviously. Are we still going on with the Miltons?”
“Father, Brenna told you they were a liability. This company is much stronger and a better fit.”
“Is that why you haven’t been in the office? You were chasing this?”
She knew what he was asking. Hope you weren’t spending time with Mia Daniels. “No, Father. Mia’s father actually arranged this deal for us. I’ve been spending time with Mia and her family. I promised Mia I would take some time off.”
“For what? What about work? If Daniels was arranging this deal, why weren’t you in the office? I tried calling you. I’ve even resorted to having my secretary text you. Your place is here. This girl is a distraction. You need to get your head back in the game and stop chasing any attractive piece of tail that comes along. I thought you were past that.”
Teri was blind with anger. Her father had never talked to her like this. Even worse, he was talking about the woman she loved.
“I’ll ignore your comments because you’re surprised by the decisions I’ve made and because I refused to proceed with the merger. I won’t forget, however. Mia Daniels is intelligent, talented, and well respected. She saved our butts when the French showed up. Her only concern was for the success of our merger while Pamela Milton behaved abominably.” She paused, forcing some semblance of control back in her voice. She took a deep breath. “Mia finally agreed to marry me, and we’re getting married Christmas Eve.”
“Theresa, you’ve done a great job with this company. I won’t deny that, but now, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. With all the right families you’ve grown up with and the proper girlfriends you’ve dated, your mother and I expected more from you. Now you want to marry this Mia Daniels? What kind of hold does she have on you? You’re neglecting your family and work responsibilities. You’re definitely not showing any respect to me or your mother. You dare choose this—”
“Father!”
“You dare choose this person over your family.”
She could no longer hold back the anger. Mia was being dismissed, even after all Mia and her father had done. “What the hell is a proper girlfriend? Let me make this perfectly clear. Mia is more than a proper girlfriend. She is the woman I love and will spend the rest of my life with. Brenna, Jeremy, and I will choose whom we will love and whom and when we will marry. And I will continue to run this business and Brenna will become C.O.O. when I become C.E.O.”
