Riley’s Billionaire

by Cole, Sunny

  So this was Jack’s grandmother. A lovely vision straight out of a painting. She wore a sky blue cotton dress, cream-coloured ballet flats, and an apron that all but swallowed her small figure. Her silver hair was in a bun at the nape of her neck, and a few tendrils escaped, making her look fragile.

  But when she turned, the sparkling dark eyes let Riley know — this old lady was anything but helpless or weak. She held the wooden spoon she’d used for stirring aloft. ‘For a minute, I thought you might be my grandson. I was ready to smack him for not writing or calling more often.’ She squinted. ‘Who are you?’

  Riley opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a sound, she felt Jack come up behind her and place an arm across her shoulders.

  ‘Grand-mere, this is my wife. Riley, my grandmother Phoebe Beauchamp.’

  The older woman gave Riley a quick glance up and down then muttered. ‘Hmph. She’s not very big.’

  Jack laughed. ‘Neither are you, so the two of you should get along great, as long as she respects the kitchen as your territory.’

  Phoebe folded her arms across her chest. ‘Do you cook?’

  Riley shook her head, feeling self-conscious. ‘Not well.’

  ‘Then get over here. You can watch my stew while I welcome my grandson home.’

  Phoebe handed her the spoon. ‘Jacques, je t’aime!’

  ‘I love you, too, Grandmother.’

  She smothered his face with kisses as he lifted her off her feet in a hug and swung her around. Then she made him set her down and slapped him. ‘Why do you stay away so long? Didn’t you miss me? Your grandfather worries himself sick.’

  The two rattled through an animated conversation in French accompanied by numerous hand gestures while Riley stirred frantically, occasionally catching glimpses of them from the corners of her eyes. Occasionally, she caught words she understood, like apology, an endearment or two, and something about the vineyards.

  Suddenly, silence, and Phoebe snatched the spoon from Riley’s hand. ‘It’s not mud. You stir like this...gently, scraping the sides as you go. Make love to it — don’t beat the shit out of it.’

  Riley instinctively clapped a hand to her mouth, and Jack laughed.

  ‘I should have warned my wife that you speak like a sailor.’

  She whirled, spoon aloft again, but before she could issue a threat, Jack pulled Riley out of harm’s way and asked about the bread.

  ‘It’s brioche, but you know that already. What you don’t know is that it’ll be ready in about ten minutes.’ She flapped her apron skirt at him. ‘Shoo. You go.’ She motioned toward Riley. ‘You stay — I will tell you how to make this recipe.’

  At his mother’s request, Jack left the house to search for his grandfather. The old gentleman didn’t believe in cell phones, so Jack had to guess where he’d find him at that time.

  He lifted his face to the sun and took a deep breath, which brought back memories of visiting Phoebe and his namesake, Jacques. There was something so peaceful, so delightfully refreshing about unpolluted air and hints of a French spring. Back home, Australia would soon be entering autumn and winter, but here an early spring was in the air.

  Jack listened but heard nothing, but soon he saw the familiar, slightly stooped figure he sought. His grandfather looked up as Jack approached. With a huge grin and open arms, he welcomed his prodigal grandson.

  Speaking in French, Jacques hugged Jack and kissed his cheeks. ‘You’ve been away too long!’

  ‘I know.’ Jack returned the affectionate hug. Then he stood back, surveying the land. ‘Already planting, I see. Grafts from the vines near the water well on the north side?’

  ‘Mm-hmm. I fear we may not beat the damned mould spores of last year, though.’ Jacques was thoughtful. ‘If the heavy rains come again, we’re screwed.’

  ‘ Maybe not.’ Jack told him about his new wife. ‘She’s a viticulturist who specialises in mould.’ Jack shrugged and laughed. ‘I suppose somebody needs to be. I don’t see the attraction myself.’

  Jacques exclaimed and hugged him again. ‘When?’

  ‘A few weeks ago. She’s here.’ Jack indicated the direction of the house. ‘You’ll meet her at lunch, which is why I was sent to fetch you. Grandmother’s stew is ready.’

  Jacques questioned him the entire walk back to the house. He wanted to know where they met, what Riley was like, where they intended to live. Jack knew he should’ve expected the questions, but some of them he wasn’t sure how to answer.

  ‘For now, we’re staying in Amelia’s house.’ He thought back to a conversation he and Amelia had had a few months prior. ‘Amelia wants to retire, and I don’t blame her. She’s due, and she hasn’t really handled much of the business the past two years.’

  ‘Ah, she’s grooming you, is she?’

  ‘Sort of.’ Jack didn’t go into detail about Patrick possibly being the one who was groomed to take over the business.

  ‘I always liked that woman. Good head on her shoulders, even if she is Irish.’ The old man chuckled.

  ‘Well, get ready for it, Grandpa, my wife is Irish as well.’ Jack told him that Riley might even be one of Amelia’s lost grandchildren.’

  ‘Mon dieu!’ Jacques clapped his hands. ‘How wonderful if that is so.’

  When they reached the house, Jack couldn’t repress a smile. His wife stood next to his grandmother, and both women wore aprons and were sneaking bites of the brioche.

  Riley grinned sheepishly. ‘Hey! Good cooks must sample their food before serving them, you know? Make sure the food is good.’

  ‘If you say so.’ Jack’s heart swelled with pride, and it hit him in the solar plexus that this was the first time he’d truly felt married. And he liked it.

  When he and Riley had first arrived and had discussed cooking, he hadn’t given it much thought, but he remembered her interest, and she’d asked if he’d cook for her.

  That’s what was missing from his life prior to marrying Riley. He’d missed the French country home life, waking to a big family breakfast before everyone went their separate ways to work or split into pairs in order to work together. Family lunches — what the Aussies called having a Ploughman’s Lunch, with various breads, meats, cheeses, and toppings. Or a hearty stew. Everyone gathering around well-worn furniture for conversation and cuisine, validating their unity whether consciously or unconsciously.

  His heart suddenly ached for the younger Riley who’d never experienced life within a large family, and Jack vowed if she still wanted that, he’d find a way to give her everything he could.

  Riley had heard horror stories about how snobbish the French could be, and while she had never lived her life by a bias she hadn’t experienced, she was delighted to discover the gossip hadn’t been true, not for her. After Jack left to find his grandfather, Phoebe had produced an apron, instructed Riley to wear it, and then the older woman had told Riley in broken English how to make a good stew. They’d discussed breads, and when Riley said she’d never made bread, Phoebe had said ‘Then you shall learn this afternoon.’

  Spending only a short time with Phoebe let Riley know Jack hadn’t gotten all of his bossiness from either of his parents, but even Jack wasn’t as decisive as his grandmother.

  ‘I swear, she was born with a wooden spoon in one hand and an apron in the other,’ Riley whispered to Jack after lunch.

  He smiled. ‘I hope you aren’t upset I left you alone for so long.’

  ‘Oh, not at all! She’s marvellous.’ She told him about her upcoming culinary adventure, that of bread making.

  Riley stopped chattering long enough to study him. ‘Why are you frowning?’

  He put his hands in his pockets. ‘I find it interesting that you and I had a left-handed conversation about children, but we never discussed personal likes and dislikes.’ He gave her a wry grin. ‘Don’t know about you, but it never occurred to me.’

  She took his arm and fell into step beside him as they strolled outside toward a porc
h swing. ‘Neither of us considered anything past our business arrangement.’

  ‘And now, how do you feel?’ He motioned for her to sit first then slipped onto the seat beside her.

  Riley thought a moment. ‘If this is still all business, I’m content. No, that’s not what I meant to say.’ She thought a while longer, and Jack kept silent. ‘I should’ve just said I’m content.’

  He sighed. ‘For how long, I wonder?’

  She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, teasing. ‘I don’t recall contentment anywhere in our contract.’

  He snorted. ‘Maybe it should’ve been. Maybe I shouldn’t have had you sign anything.’

  ‘Ah. But then what would we have to fight about or worry over?’

  Jack groaned. ‘I can think of one thing. My schedule. I got a text earlier; another meeting day after tomorrow, so we’ll only be able to spend a couple of nights here.’

  He looked at her. ‘Unless you’d rather stay without me and meet me in Nice at the end of the week?’

  The devil that had been pushing Riley to visit the prison reared his ugly head. Jack had unwittingly handed her the excuse she needed to fly home without him. He’d be busy, leaving her to...

  ‘I think I’d rather meet you back home. I really should get back to Sydney.’

  ‘I see.’ His voice was quiet, not judgemental, but definitely concerned. ‘I need to give you one final present from this trip.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Up in the room, in my luggage. I bought you a new phone, one that has universal dialling — I saw your old one on the dresser at home. Looked like you needed an upgrade, so I purchased one for you. I took the liberty of having it activated in Sydney. Just forgot to give it to you.’

  What a strange man. Riley nodded. ‘What do I do now?’

  ‘You stop using your old phone. Unless you want two of them.’ He shrugged. ‘I programmed the business and home numbers in it for you, but I didn’t have those of your friends, of course.’

  Riley wasn’t married to her current coverage carrier, but she found it odd that her husband would take it upon himself to do such a thing.

  Then again...this was Jack, who was always full of surprises, and who always had a reason for his actions.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Two days later Riley found herself on a flight from Sydney to Hervey Bay, where she’d meet up with Lex and give her friend time to talk her out of visiting the prison. If she knew Lex, though, Lex would quiz her without judgement and allow Riley to decide for herself the best course of action.

  Going against Jack’s wishes — and probably good judgement — was the most difficult task Riley had undertaken. Self-righteous justification told her Jack had never been in her position, so he wasn’t capable of deciding for her. An over-abundance of self-actualisation told Riley she wasn’t necessarily qualified to decide either, but here she was, several miles above the ocean on her way to stubbornly attempt what she shouldn’t.

  She had all her ducks in a row. She’d shopped for what she needed and had the equipment and supplies shipped to Cadigal Valley, and she hoped Amelia or Patrick would sign for them without ringing Jack. But what if they didn’t? What if they told him she hadn’t gone home once she landed in Australia? He’d worry. He might even have the police search for her. He’d certainly be angry.

  All she had to do was list visiting Lex as her excuse for travelling north. Surely, her husband would understand, if not agree, that she was entitled to visit her friend.

  Thinking about what lay ahead didn’t lessen her guilt, though. Riley knew without doubt that she could’ve and should’ve spoken with Jack further before striking out on her own. If she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to risk hearing him flatly disagree with her or turn high-handed, forbidding her to go. So not only did she feel guilty — she felt cowardly.

  She argued with herself that it would’ve been so easy to stay in France and fall in love with her husband. Every day talking with him, every night sleeping beside him, each minute of conversation and the slightest nuance of affection drew her closer to what she considered her danger zone. Out of her element. Totally out of control. Unable to resist his charm and her own desire to be with him. It shouldn’t feel wrong to fall in love with her husband, but considering their business arrangement, she’d be foolish to allow herself the luxury.

  And it would indeed be luxury. She’d never felt more pampered in her life. What was missing was that she didn’t feel adored, and for all his obvious love for his family, he’d never indicated he loved her. Riley knew he cared. He’d said as much. / give a damn. No sensible man could possibly think a line like that would make a woman feel cherished. And Jack was sensible, which meant he couldn’t have meant them to mean more than they did.

  She was so engrossed in thought that the trip to Hervey Bay seemed only a few short minutes. She was hungry, though, and hoped Lex didn’t mind stopping at a fast food restaurant so Riley could grab a sandwich before they headed for Lex’s home.

  Just before touchdown, she made a last minute decision to use the new phone, in case Jack rang her on it. Wouldn’t do for her not to answer it after he’d taken the trouble of buying it and readying it for her.

  Riley plugged in the few numbers she needed from her old phone then shut it off. She’d have it disconnected once she was back at Cadigal Valley.

  She felt the belly of the plane groan as the landing gear dropped and realised she had arrived in Hervey Bay.

  Jack knew he was dishonest, but he felt he was doing the right thing. Riley was up to something — he was sure of it, and the best way to keep tabs on her was to hand her a new phone with a built-in GPS tracking device. He wasn’t particularly proud of his action, but she’d been jumpy, dreamy one minute and fretful the next, for days, even before they left Australia. He’d hoped she would tell him what troubled her, but she hadn’t. He told himself it was his duty as her husband to look after her, no matter the consequences should she discover his intrusion.

  He glanced at his watch. She’d landed in Sydney hours ago, and she’d phoned when she landed, as he’d asked her to, but she’d called from her old phone, which disturbed him. Even though he’d been in one business meeting after the other, he’d glanced periodically at his laptop to see her location. What the hell was she doing in Queensland, and why in blazes hadn’t she consulted him...at least told him her business?

  You’re a controlling, manipulative arsehole, mate. He set his jaw, wishing he could go back to the hotel and ring her, not that it would do much good. He couldn’t very well give himself away and announce what a distrusting fool he was.

  He’d known Riley long enough to believe she was faithful to her vows. It wasn’t like her to cheat on him, even though there were no clauses in that damnable contract he’d had her sign. But he couldn’t for the life of him understand what prompted her to be so secretive. She was lying by omission, wasn’t she?

  God, he hated not being there to force the issue, make her tell him what troubled her to the point she’d take off on her own. If she’d been one of his employees, she’d have faced his wrath. Then again...she was just that, his employee. And so much more.

  What if I fired her? The drone of the man giving his report set Jack’s teeth on edge, and it was all he could do not to roll his eyes and tell him to get on with it, to wrap it up.

  What if she fired me as husband? Jack sat up with a start. Nothing was in their agreement about the possibility that either of them would be unsatisfied with the arrangement.

  Suddenly the drone he’d heard faded, and when he looked up, all eyes were on him. Crap. What had he missed?

  ‘Mr Beauchamp, is everything alright?’ The man to Jack’s left leaned forward and repeated his question in a whisper.

  ‘No.’ Jack closed the folder containing facts, figures, and what should have been important information to him. ‘Gentleman, I’m sorry, but I’m needed elsewhere. Family emergency. I’ll have my secretary reschedule the
rest of our business at a later date. You are free to go home to your families. I’m sorry I kept you as long as I did.’

  As the rest of those at the conference table looked at one another in bewilderment, Jack rose and headed for the elevators. He might be mad as the proverbial Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, but he was damned if he’d let a mere slip of a girl wreck what was left of his serenity. She was, after all, the one who had destroyed it, the first time he’d kissed her.

  The only decent sleep he’d had, the most contented days he’d experienced, and the most freedom he’d felt...all were due to Riley. He’d find her, and after he did, they were having a come-to-Jesus on everything from what had happened between them in the bedroom to what might happen next. They were tearing up that infuriating contract and starting from scratch.

  First he had to find her.

  ‘You look wonderful! ‘ Lex enveloped her in a bear hug. ‘Marriage agrees with you.’

  Riley wanted to cry What marriage? There would be time for commiserating later. For now, she wanted food followed by a hot shower.

  Lex tilted her head toward a sack of bottles resting on the back seat. ‘I picked up some wine. Figured if we need to sleep on this one more night perhaps a few sips of inspiration wouldn’t hurt.’ She eyed Riley shrewdly. ‘You going to tell me why all the subterfuge and why you don’t want your husband knowing what you’re doing?’

  Riley lolled her head on the seat’s neck rest. ‘I’m probably making the worst mistake of my life by hiding this from Jack, but, Lex...I just found out I was supposed to have been killed twenty years ago.’

  ‘What?’ Lex took her eyes off the road and had to swerve to right the car.

  ‘I was dropped at the orphanage when I was three and the man who left me was supposed to kill me but for whatever reason couldn’t go through with it.’

  Riley rushed through a fractured explanation of what she knew and what had occurred at Cadigal Valley.

  Lex seemed dumbfounded. ‘And your husband knew...when he proposed?’