Elizabeth rubbed her temples. She could feel a monster headache building behind her eyes. “We don’t know if he’s still looking for me. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
“No, you won’t.”
“I’m thirty-six years old. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“If you won’t listen to me, you’ll listen to mom and dad.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
Blake cleared his throat. “What have you told your parents?”
With her spoon and bowl in her hands, Elizabeth walked across to the dishwasher. She hadn’t told her parents anything about Anton de Bresney or any of the people who had harassed her.
“Elizabeth?”
She looked over her shoulder at Blake. “I haven’t told them anything.”
“Why not? They’re your parents.”
“They would only worry and want me to go home.”
Blake crossed his arms. “You try too hard to stop people worrying about you. They worry because they care. It isn’t a bad thing.”
“It is when you’ve been sick and seen what that did to the people you love.”
When she was diagnosed with cancer, her parents smothered her in love. At her rock-bottom lowest, she imagined they were making up for the years they wouldn’t have with her. On better days, when the pain was okay and she didn’t need as much morphine, she took their love and wrapped it around her shoulders, holding it close. It kept her warm, gave her another layer of protection against the cold, hard reality of living with something that could kill her.
Daniel poured himself a cup of coffee. “You can’t stay at the clinic. Even if Paul makes two of the rooms livable, it’s not safe.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I know you’re worried about me, but I need to be in town.” If she stayed with Daniel, she’d feel as though she was cut off from the world. And if she traveled in and out of Bozeman with him, she could be putting her brother in danger.
She thought about Blake’s house. It was large enough that they wouldn’t have to see much of each other. And even though he said they wouldn’t last a week together, they’d practically been living under the same roof since he arrived. It was the only way she would be able to stay in town.
She looked at Blake. “If your offer of accommodation is still open, I’ll take it. But I pay for half the grocery and utility bills.”
“Fine. But I choose what TV channels we watch on Friday and Saturday nights.”
“And I can cook whatever I like, including miso soup and tofu.”
Daniel gagged. “Don’t agree. Miso soup is disgusting. It smells like old potatoes that have been boiled for ten years, then reheated.”
“It’s good for you.” Elizabeth glared at her brother.
“Fine,” Blake said. “You can cook the soup, but I don’t have to eat it.”
Elizabeth held out her hand. “It’s a deal. I’ll help you place the furniture in your house today and move in tomorrow.”
Blake’s hand wrapped around hers. “Deal.”
Fireworks shot along Elizabeth’s fingers. The next week or two would be interesting.
The next day, Elizabeth stopped in front of the gates on Blake’s property. She rolled down her window, pushed the intercom, and waited.
She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the vehicles behind her. The neighbors would think the mafia was moving in. Three black, kick-ass trucks were lined up, stacked to the brim with furniture, boxes of clothes, books, and her beloved plants.
Blake didn’t bother asking who was there. He didn’t need to. With security cameras and motion detectors tracking their every move, he knew exactly who was waiting to come in.
The gates slid open, revealing a huge snow-covered front yard.
Elizabeth still couldn’t believe that Blake actually lived here. Not in this house, but in Bozeman.
He was a dedicated city slicker, the kind of man who sipped coffee under striped umbrellas. He craved the fast-paced, manic lifestyle that had made him one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors. So why was he here?
She stopped in front of the entrance and zipped up her jacket. She didn’t know the answer to that question and she wondered if she ever would. Blake would probably stay for six months, miss the smog and traffic jams, and head back to Manhattan. Thinking about him leaving made her feel sad.
The front door opened and Blake stepped outside. “You’re just in time for a hot lunch.”
“You cook?” The smile on Blake’s face made Elizabeth’s toes curl.
“If you count soup and sandwiches as cooking, then yes, I cook.”
“Don’t be fooled,” Daniel said from behind her. “Blake just wants to make a good impression so that you stay.”
Blake bounded down the stairs. “I don’t need to make a good impression. Elizabeth already knows I’m perfect.”
She held back a smile. “Since when have you been perfect?”
“Since the time I saved you from Harry what’s-his-name.”
“It was Henry, and his last name is Stephenson. The third.”
Blake waved away her speech. “He could have been the fourth or fifth in his dubious lineage and he still would have been an idiot. What can I take inside?”
She opened the tailgate on her truck. “Start here and keep going. Can I make a studio in your garage for my soaps?”
“I can do better than that. Use the guest suite. There’s a small kitchenette that should work okay for what you need.”
Before she could thank him, Blake had disappeared inside with a beanbag balanced on top of a box of books.
Her brother, Holly, and Sam followed her into the house. Even though she’d only been here twenty-four hours ago, the house still took her breath away.
She’d lost count of how many boxes she’d helped move into his house yesterday. The store had sent four men to haul the furniture out of the trucks. But even with Elizabeth, Daniel, Holly, and Sam helping, it had still taken an hour to move everything inside.
Then the fun had really started. Holly had taken charge of the three bedrooms Blake had decided to furnish. Sam helped organize the kitchen, and Elizabeth had made the living room sparkle.
She wheeled two suitcases into the living room and stared at the transformed space. It was simply beautiful.
“Blake hung the mirrors,” Holly said as she stopped beside her. “I never would have bought black wrought iron frames, but they look great.”
“They were Blake’s idea.”
“My ears are burning,” Blake said as he walked into the room. He looked at the wall and smiled. “I hung the mirrors after you left.”
Daniel balanced the box he was holding on the edge of the sofa. “Not bad for an amateur. Where do you want this, Elizabeth?”
She looked at the words scribbled on the outside of the box. “The guest suite. Just leave it on the kitchen counter. I can unpack it later.”
One by one, all the boxes, cases, and small pieces of furniture were brought inside. When they’d finished, everyone made their way through to the kitchen.
“Did you bring all the furniture from Cedar Rapids?” Blake asked.
“Most of it. Daniel’s still got a lot of my furniture in his garage. I’ll use it at the clinic.”
“Was Paul relieved that he didn’t have to finish the rooms for you?”
Elizabeth nodded. “He was worried about me staying there.”
“What did we tell you?” Daniel said as he pulled out a stool. “This is a lot safer than staying at the clinic.”
“And a lot warmer.” Elizabeth took off her jacket. Blake was already moving around the kitchen, pulling out pots and pans.
“Can I help?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’m looking for the medium-sized pot.”
She walked around the counter and opened a drawer. “It’s in here. Sam organized them by size. Smallest to largest.”
Blake looked at Sam. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t make soup for me. Now that Elizabeth’s here, I’m going home to enjoy the rest of Sunday.”
“I’m sorry you had to work today,” Elizabeth said.
Sam shrugged. “I don’t mind. What time do you want me here tomorrow?”
“Is eight-fifteen okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
After Sam left, Elizabeth sighed. “I hope Anton and his family stay in Cedar Rapids. It will be good to get back to normal.”
“At least you don’t have to worry about not having anywhere to stay,” Blake said as he took the lid off a can of soup. “Especially when I make the best chicken noodle soup in Bozeman.”
Elizabeth turned the second can around. “Mr. Campbell would be proud.”
“He’s not the only one.” Blake pointed to the pantry. “Have a look in there.”
She opened the pantry doors and frowned. “What am I looking for?”
“A brown paper bag.”
She smiled as she opened the bag.
“I’ve been told it’s the best bread in Bozeman.”
Elizabeth showed Daniel. “Gourmet soup and organic bread. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave.”
Blake pulled a ladle out of a drawer. “That’s what I’m hoping.”
Before Elizabeth could think of something to say, a little meow filled the kitchen.
“Is that what I think it is?” Elizabeth asked Blake.
The tips of his ears turned pink. “Could be.”
Holly followed Elizabeth across to the mudroom.
“Be careful,” Blake warned. “They’re like miniature Houdinis. Whenever my back is turned, they try to escape.”
“They?” Elizabeth slowly opened the door. Perched on the cutest climbing frame she’d ever seen were three little kittens.
“Aww,” Holly said from behind her. “Where did you find them?”
Elizabeth slipped into the room and picked up a kitten. It cuddled against her neck, purring like a freight train.
She returned to the kitchen and stood beside Blake. “Are these the kittens we found at the clinic?”
He tickled the kitten under its chin, then turned back to the soup. “I couldn’t let them be separated. The animal shelter has been looking after them for me.”
“You’re a big softie, Blake Jefferson.”
His gaze connected with hers. “I have been for a long time. You just haven’t noticed.”
Elizabeth sighed. He was wrong. She had noticed, but she didn’t know what to do about it.
By Thursday, Elizabeth knew she was in serious trouble. Each morning, she had breakfast with Blake, then drove into town with Sam. Even though she didn’t see Blake again until dinner time, she thought about him. A lot.
It wasn’t healthy. Obsessing about a man who would probably move back to New York City was dangerous. Especially to a woman who wanted to find her happy ever after.
“That was a big sigh,” Sam said. “Are you worried about your meeting?”
Elizabeth looked through the taxi window. They were in Chicago, driving toward her meeting with the trustees of the Amanda Harrington Foundation.
“A little.” It wasn’t a lie. They’d flown into O’Hare Airport last night and gone straight to their hotel. For more than an hour, Elizabeth had stood in front of the bathroom mirror, practicing the speech she would deliver.
After a restless night’s sleep, Elizabeth had never been more grateful for her time as a public defender. For most of her career she’d survived on almost no sleep. The only thing that kept her going was coffee, energy drinks, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It was no wonder she’d become sick.
“Do you want to practice your speech again?”
Elizabeth shook her head. Earlier in the morning, Sam had listened to her speech. She’d pretended to be one of the trustees and asked lots of tricky questions. “I’m all right. If I don’t know what to say now, I never will. I’m glad John was happy to send you to Chicago with me.”
“So am I. I’ve only been here twice. It’s a great place for a vacation, but I’m not sure I could live here.”
Elizabeth looked at the concrete, steel, and glass skyscrapers towering above them. She’d take the Rocky Mountains any day. “Blake would like living here.”
Sam nodded. “Probably. I bet it’s easier to get around than New York City.”
“I don’t know,” Elizabeth said. “It looks almost as busy.” A row of taxis lined up, ready to zoom ahead when the traffic lights turned green.
Sam looked through the window. “You’re probably right. Did Blake give you any tips?”
Elizabeth nodded. “He must have listened to my presentation about twenty times. I think he’s almost as nervous as I am.” Which was strange considering the number of meetings he had with high-powered executives.
“I heard him give a presentation to the staff at Fletcher Security. He was impressive.” Sam grinned. “You’ll nail your speech. The foundation will want to know where they can bank the check.”
“I hope so. The foundation has similar goals to mine. Hopefully, we can make a bigger difference by working together.”
The taxi slowed down. “We’re almost there. Are you ready?”
Elizabeth nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“That’s the spirit,” Sam murmured as they got out of the taxi. “Remember to smile, and whatever you do, don’t fidget.”
Elizabeth wiped her hands down the side of her coat and stared at the building in front of them. Somewhere, behind the marble and glass exterior, four people were waiting to talk to her.
All she had to do was get through the next hour and then she could do whatever she wanted. Except drink coffee or eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Chapter 11
Blake glanced at his watch. Elizabeth would have arrived for her meeting with the trustees by now. He’d called her this morning, wishing her all the best. Even though she’d practiced her presentation until she knew it inside out, she’d still sounded nervous.
“Earth to Blake. Are you there?” Daniel waved his hand in front of Blake’s face.
When Blake looked at his friend, Daniel smiled.
“You wouldn’t have a blond-haired, blue-eyed lawyer on your mind, would you?”
“Elizabeth will be presenting her proposal soon.”
“I know. Have you talked to her since she arrived in Chicago?”
“I called her this morning. She was nervous.”
“I’m not surprised,” Daniel said. “Getting the clinic up and running means everything to her. Have you told her it’s your grandmother’s foundation?”
“No.”
Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “Do you think that’s wise? She doesn’t like surprises.”
Blake had no idea how he was going to break the news to her. If she didn’t receive any funding, then he wouldn’t have to worry. If she did, he was in trouble.
A waitress brought their coffee and sandwiches across to their table.
Daniel thanked her, then opened a packet of sugar. “How’s the project for the police app going?”
“Better than I thought.” Blake sipped his cappuccino. “We’re testing the accuracy of different cell phone cameras. So far, it looks promising.”
One of the apps they were developing would be tested by the Montana Highway Patrol. Instead of expensive speed cameras, Jefferson Technologies were developing an app that could be used on cell phones. When an officer held his phone toward a stream of traffic, the inbuilt camera would calculate multiple vehicles’ speed. If the drivers were going faster than the speed limit, tickets would be mailed to the vehicles’ owners.
If the project went as well as they expected, the app would be marketed to the police and highway patrol organizations around the world.
Blake rechecked his watch.
“You’ve really got it bad.”
“What?”
“Elizabeth. You’re worried about her.”
Blak
e carefully placed his cup on the table. It was better than spilling the whole lot over himself. “What if I told you I like her?”
“A blind man could see that you like her. Anyone who hires a private investigator to spy on her fiancé either loves her or has a serious mental health issue.”
“I didn’t ask the investigator to spy on him,” Blake muttered. “He did a background check and followed him to his weekend hideaway.”
“In Maine.”
“He was sleeping with an intern while he was engaged to Elizabeth.” Blake knew he’d gone too far when he’d hired the private investigator, but he didn’t want Elizabeth to marry someone like that.
Unfortunately, Elizabeth didn’t appreciate what he’d done. After ending her engagement, she didn’t speak to Blake for months.
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “You want to date my sister, don’t you?”
“What if I did?” he asked softly.
A scowl settled on Daniel’s face. “You don’t have a great track record with women.”
Blake knew how his life looked from the outside. But Daniel, more than anyone else, knew how hard it was to find someone who loved him for himself and not his money. “I care about Elizabeth. I know we haven’t always agreed with each other, but I think it could work.”
The bell above the door jingled.
A man walked into the café, holding a young girl’s hand. She giggled, then ran across the room, throwing her arms around a woman who was sitting by the window.
The man kissed the woman, then whispered something in her ear. The closeness, the comfort, the love, it was all there for everyone to see.
Blake sighed. He wanted a wife. A family. He wanted to be loved deeply and unconditionally.
Daniel’s steady blue eyes settled on him. “Elizabeth wants to find someone who believes in happy ever after. Is that you?”
Blake looked at his best friend. “I want it to be me.”
Daniel’s cell phone rang. “It’s Elizabeth.” He answered the call, listening intently to what his sister said.
Blake’s heart pounded. The meeting with the trustees could change Elizabeth’s life.
“That’s great. Blake’s sitting beside me. Do you want to tell him yourself?” After a short pause, Daniel handed him the phone. “Elizabeth wants to tell you something.”
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