Blake held the phone to his ear. “How did it go?”
“I got the funding,” Elizabeth said quickly. “The foundation is giving the clinic two hundred thousand dollars to finish the renovations. I can’t believe it.”
She sounded so excited that Blake smiled. “Congratulations. They must have liked what you told them.”
“They did, but it was weird. It felt as though they’d been to Bozeman and seen the clinic.”
“It must have been the photos in the presentation.” It wasn’t the right time to tell her that he’d sent the foundation’s chairperson a video of what she was doing. “Are you still coming home tomorrow?”
“Our flight arrives at two o’clock.”
“I’ll meet you at the airport.”
“You don’t need to do that,” Elizabeth said. “Sam left her truck in the parking lot.”
“I don’t mind. Have a good sleep tonight.”
“I will. See you tomorrow.”
He ended the call and stared across the café.
Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “Well?”
Blake pulled his gaze back to his best friend. “I’ve got some explaining to do.”
“No kidding. Good luck with that.”
It would take more than luck to make Elizabeth understand why he’d contacted the foundation. If he didn’t tell her what he’d done soon, she wouldn’t be interested in finding her happy ever after with him. Ever.
Elizabeth stood beside the luggage carousel with Sam, waiting for their suitcases to appear.
“They shouldn’t be too much longer,” Sam said as more people on their flight found their bags.
“As long as our cases made it to Bozeman, I don’t care how long it takes.”
“What time was Daniel expecting you back at his office?”
“I told him we’d be there by three o’clock. If we’re going to be later than that, I’ll call him.”
Sam glanced at her watch. “We should be in town well before three o’clock.”
A man shot in front of Elizabeth, hauling his suitcase off the carousel.
She stepped sideways to miss the edge of the bag. “Thanks for coming with me, Sam. I would have been lost at least a dozen times without you.”
“I’m glad I made the trip easier. I’m even happier that Anton didn’t come to Chicago.”
“So am I.” While they were away, no one had called them about Anton. Elizabeth supposed no news was good news, but it wasn’t helping her stress levels.
More bags moved along the carousel.
“Here they come,” Sam said as she took a step forward. “Are you okay to grab yours?”
Elizabeth nodded and leaned forward.
“Which ones?” Blake’s hand touched the small of her back.
Elizabeth was so surprised that she blurted out the first thing that popped into her brain. “Red bows. On the handles.”
Sam pointed to two bags. “They’re Elizabeth’s.” She lifted her black bag off the carousel and left it beside Elizabeth. “I’ll find a luggage cart.”
Elizabeth barely noticed that Sam had gone. All she could focus on was Blake and the smile that was making her heart flutter.
He sat her cases in front of her. “Anything else?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His eyes gleamed under the fluorescent lights.
She’d missed seeing him each day, spending time with him in the evenings. For someone who wanted to find her happy ever after, she was sure going about it the wrong way.
Blake touched the side of her face. “Congratulations on the funding.”
Elizabeth’s throat went dry. “Thanks. What was the drive like from Bozeman?” She cringed. All she wanted to do was step forward, wrap her arms around his neck and hold on tight.
He smiled and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “The roads have been plowed, so it was a good drive.”
She licked her bottom lip. “Have you heard anything about Anton?”
“No.” Blake’s eyes didn’t leave her mouth.
“Blake, I—”
“Here’s the luggage cart.” Sam stopped beside them and smiled. “Oops. Do you want me to come back in five minutes?”
Elizabeth’s face burned. “No. No, it wasn’t anything like that. We were…we were—”
“Talking about the weather.” Blake grinned at Elizabeth before lifting her suitcases onto the cart. “Where did you park your truck, Sam?”
“Opposite the bus stop in the long term parking.”
“Are you coming home or going into town, Elizabeth?”
She lifted the strap of her laptop bag onto her shoulder. “Into town. Daniel wants me to say hello before I visit the clinic.”
“I’ll drive you into town.”
“It’s okay. Sam—”
Blake’s eyes connected with hers.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll go with you.” Elizabeth frowned at the smile on his face. She was turning into an emotional scaredy-cat, a one-kiss wonder who needed to face her fears and run for cover.
“Elizabeth?”
She looked at Blake.
“Are you ready?”
After a quick glance at Sam, she nodded. Now wasn’t the time to go mushy over a billionaire from New York City.
Later that night, Elizabeth sat in front of the fire in Blake’s living room, watching the kittens. She was sure they’d grown at least half an inch since she’d been away.
“Are they behaving themselves?” Blake handed her a cup of tea.
“The kitten with the black paws is trying to sleep. The other two want to play. Have you thought of names for them?”
“I was thinking about calling them Simba, Milo, and Oreo.”
“Let me guess,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Simba would be the kitten with the white stripe down his chest?”
Blake sat on the floor beside her and nodded.
“And Oreo would be the kitten with the black spots on his back?”
“You’re good.”
She ignored the laughter in his eyes. “And last but not least is Milo.”
The little white kitten with black paws looked at her and yawned.
Elizabeth’s smile grew wider. “They’re great names. Milo already recognizes who he is.”
“You could be right.”
“What did you do while I was in Chicago?”
“I spent most of my time in the office. The police app passed its first speed test.”
“You must be relieved.”
Blake nodded. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but at least we know it works in a controlled situation.”
Silence settled between them, but it wasn’t the comfortable silence they usually shared.
Elizabeth had too many thoughts circling her brain to relax. Blake confused her, left her wondering what was happening between them.
“I should go to bed,” she said quietly. “I’m meeting Paul tomorrow morning. We’re going over the plans for the clinic.”
“Before you go, I need to tell you something.”
Elizabeth looked at the frown on Blake’s face. Whatever he had to say must be important. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about the Amanda Harrington Foundation.”
Her heart sank. “Did Fletcher Security find something bad in their review?”
“No. It’s nothing like that.”
Elizabeth sighed. “That’s good. For a moment I thought you were going to tell me the IRS is investigating them.”
Blake placed his cup of coffee on the table beside him. “The foundation is completely legitimate. I was the person who contacted the trustees. I knew they would be interested in looking at your proposal.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Whew. For a minute I thought I’d have to return the money. Thank you for telling them about the clinic. How did you know about the foundation?”
“My grandmother started it. I’m one of the trustees.”
/>
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. “But you weren’t there,” she whispered.
“I didn’t want to be at the meeting. I was worried you wouldn’t come if you knew I was a trustee.”
“Did you know they were going to give me money?”
Blake shook his head. “No. I deliberately let the other trustees make that decision. It would have been a conflict of interest.”
Elizabeth was in shock. The report that Fletcher Security had shown her didn’t mention anything about Blake. If it had, she wouldn’t have accepted the money.
“You lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie,” Blake said. “I had nothing to do with the final decision.”
“I don’t believe you.” Elizabeth picked up her cup of tea. “Why do you always think you can throw money at something to make it better?”
Blake stood. “Elizabeth—”
“Don’t ‘Elizabeth’ me. You know how important the clinic is. Just once, I wanted to create something on my own.”
“You have.”
“Only because your grandmother’s foundation gave me two hundred thousand dollars.”
“You would have opened the clinic without that money.”
Elizabeth clamped her lips together. Blake was right, but it wouldn’t have been the same.
“The clinic is special.” Blake reached out to touch her, but she stepped away. “My grandmother would have enjoyed being part of what you’re doing. Don’t let my involvement stop you from finishing the whole project.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “You should have told me about the foundation.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
His softly spoken apology upset Elizabeth more than anything else. “I need to go to bed.”
Blake stood in front of her. “I care about you. I told the trustees about your project because I wanted to help.”
Something inside Elizabeth snapped. “You always want to help me. For the last eighteen years, you’ve poked your nose into my business. I’m sick of being your favorite charity. I don’t need your help.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt terrible. Blake was sharing his home with her, keeping her safe. “I’m sorry. I’m tired and disappointed. I need to get some sleep.”
Blake ran his hand through his hair. “Just promise me one thing. Before you decide what to do with the foundation’s money, think about what it could do for the community.”
One of the kittens squealed.
Blake lifted Simba off Milo and gently place him beside his other brother. When Milo looked at him with big sleepy eyes, Blake picked him up and gently patted him.
Elizabeth didn’t know how she could stay annoyed with a man who was making a kitten purr. Or a man with a good, but misdirected, heart. “Okay. I won’t make any hasty decisions. But no more meddling.”
Before she changed her mind, Elizabeth left the room. Instead of heading to her bedroom, she went to the garage. She needed to prepare another batch of soap and take another twelve bars out of their molds. And maybe, if she was lucky, the sweet smell of lavender would clear her mind and help her relax.
The following afternoon, Elizabeth was in the clinic, removing more carpet with Sarah. Sam was in the next room, shoveling rotten trash into a wheelbarrow.
With a frustrated sigh, Elizabeth wiped her forehead with the back of her arm. “And then Blake told me the foundation was started by his grandmother and he’s a trustee.” She wrapped her hands around the edge of the carpet and pulled with all her might. Nothing happened.
Sarah ran her crowbar along the tacks, lifting the ones they’d missed. “You can’t blame him for wanting to help. Try now.”
Elizabeth heaved the carpet backward and nearly fell over. “He’s a compulsive helper. Ever since I met him he’s tried to interfere in my life.”
“Maybe there’s a reason he likes to help you?”
“It’s not just me. He helps anyone he sees. One year, Daniel went with him to buy a truck. Another man was buying a van. His daughter was in a wheelchair and it was difficult taking her anywhere. Guess what Blake did?”
“He bought the man a van?”
Elizabeth nodded. “He also bought the man’s daughter a new wheelchair and a special bed.”
“That’s really sweet. It shows he cares about people.”
“But he gets hurt. People take advantage of his generosity.”
Sarah wiped her forehead with her arm. “So, it’s not the fact that he spends his money on strangers that worries you, it’s that he gets hurt?”
“Exactly. I’ve tried telling him to be careful, but he doesn’t listen. His last girlfriend was a gold digger.”
“Hang on a minute.” Sarah straightened the roll of carpet before giving it a shove. “Blake seems like an intelligent man. He must have seen what his girlfriend was like.”
“He saw her long legs and big boobs.”
“Elizabeth!”
A smile tugged at her mouth. “It’s true.”
Sam stuck her head around the door. “Who’s got big boobs?”
“No one,” Elizabeth mumbled.
“Blake’s girlfriend,” Sarah said with a grin.
Sam looked at Elizabeth’s chest.
“Not me.” The heat of a blush hit Elizabeth’s face like a freight train.
“You’re no slouch in the breast department,” Sarah said unhelpfully.
Elizabeth looked down at her T-shirt. “Oh, for goodness’ sake,” she huffed. “We didn’t come here to talk about my chest. We’re here to get a head start on this area of the clinic.”
Sarah stood beside the roll of carpet. “Before we change subjects, I’d like to say that Blake doesn’t seem the type of person who would judge a woman based on her cup size.”
“I agree,” Sam said. “And believe me. I’ve met my fair share of sleazeballs. Do you want a hand lifting the carpet into the other room?”
Elizabeth looked at the stained roll of carpet. “We’ll leave it in here for the construction crew. It’s even more disgusting than the other flooring.”
Sarah sighed. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. It’s a pity Blake isn’t turned on by big, bulgy biceps.” She flexed her skinny arms. “I might be what he’s looking for.”
Elizabeth didn’t say a word.
“You’re supposed to tell me he’s not available,” Sarah said to Elizabeth. “As one of your newest and dearest friends, I would totally understand. And for the record, peach is my favorite color.”
“Peach?” Elizabeth asked.
“For my bridesmaid’s dress. And I’d really like to wear something sparkly in my hair. It would add a touch of class to my outfit.”
Sam laughed. “Now that’s forward planning.”
Elizabeth picked up her crowbar. “I’m not marrying Blake. He isn’t even my—”
A high-pitched alarm screeched through the building.
Sam grabbed hold of Elizabeth’s arm. “Quick. Come with me.”
Fletcher Security had installed motion detector alarms across all entry and exit points. Elizabeth thought they were unnecessary, but Sam said it was standard practice—especially if they were working here on their own.
Sam stopped in the middle of the hallway.
“What are you…?” Elizabeth’s heart pounded and sweat broke out on her forehead. A man wearing jeans and a black jacket stood in the hallway.
Sarah flew out the door, skidding to a stop behind them.
Elizabeth swallowed. Anton de Bresney had lost a lot of weight since she’d last seen him, but she’d recognize his face anywhere.
“Well, if it isn’t Elizabeth Sullivan and her little friends. I thought you would have left this rat-infested dump by now.”
She shoved away her panic. To get out of here alive, she needed to think clearly. Unless Sam had her gun.
She looked at the holster strapped to Sam’s waist.
“Don’t even think about it,” Anton yelled above the siren. “Put th
e gun on the floor and kick it to me.”
The last thing Elizabeth wanted to do was give him a gun.
Anton pulled out his own handgun. “You think I came here to say hello? I want the gun. Now!”
Sam slowly removed her gun and slid it along the floor.
“Now the crowbar.” Anton’s gaze didn’t leave Elizabeth’s. “And don’t try any of your little tricks.”
Elizabeth threw the crowbar in front of Sam. “What are you doing here?”
“Did you miss my company?” Anton’s deep, gravelly voice made the hairs on her arms stand on end. The smirk on his face disappeared. “Do you remember my sister?”
Elizabeth nodded. Anton looked as though he was ready to shoot them.
“She’s dead.”
“I’m sorry.” Elizabeth glanced at Sam’s gun. It was too far away to make a grab for it.
“Not as sorry as you’re going to be.” Anton’s face twisted into a menacing sneer. “If the judge knew what Matheson had really done the night he hit my sister, he would have sent him to prison.”
She needed to keep him talking. The police and Fletcher Security would be on their way. “We could only use the information we were given. If you have more information, we could—”
“Shut up. I’m not here to reopen the case. Turn off the alarm,” he yelled.
Sam turned to Elizabeth.
“No!” Anton bellowed. “She can do it.” He pointed his gun at Sarah.
She shrank against the wall. “I don’t know the code.”
Elizabeth yelled, “1, 0, 5, 0. Use the keypad over there.” She pointed to the keypad closest to a set of doors.
She turned to Anton, hoping he hadn’t seen her tell Sarah to leave. “Coming here won’t bring back your sister.”
The siren stopped wailing.
Elizabeth kept her gaze locked on Anton.
He took a step toward Sam. “My sister is never coming back. I want justice.” He lifted his gun to Sam’s head and smiled. “Looks like you’re going to be first.”
“Don’t do it,” Elizabeth screamed. “Shoot me.”
Anton’s eyes snapped to hers.
Before he could move, Sam ducked and grabbed hold of his hand. She stepped closer, twisting the gun toward his chest.
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