The Billionaire's Island Bride

by Donna Alward

  “Your father wasn’t a bad man, Cole. He just wasn’t the man for me. And my unhappiness made me a poor excuse for a parent. That’s not on your father, either. That’s on me, and I’m sorry.”

  He hadn’t expected the apology or the endorsement of his father. He’d guessed long ago that their marriage was one of appearances only. It was different hearing it articulated.

  “So you really love Edward, huh?”

  If he’d had any doubts, they evaporated when she smiled. Her eyes lit up and the lines of strain on her face melted away. “Oh, I do. He did get married, you know. And divorced. We crossed paths at an event months ago and it just...clicked. Like it had from the beginning.”

  Cole thought back to that first morning when he’d seen Brooklyn, expecting some middle-aged woman with a set of knitting needles in her hands, and instead being greeted by a woman with gorgeous waves of hair and shining eyes the color of an October sky. Yes, he could understand that “click” all too well.

  He let out a breath. “But don’t you worry that it’ll... I don’t know, be like before? That maybe you’re...” His voice trailed away. “I’m sorry. I think I’m projecting onto you.”

  “Have you met someone?”

  “Yeah. And you know, I thought I’d got past the whole ‘not wanting a relationship’ thing because she’s different.”

  “What happened?”

  “She’s convinced that we’re too different. And she needs guarantees.”

  His mother nodded. “Except there are no guarantees. You just...take your chances and hope.”

  “I’ve been scared to hope,” he admitted.

  “Me, too,” she replied, and in an odd move, she reached over and touched his hand. “But Cole, I fell in love with Edward all those years ago. It didn’t end well, and my heart was quite broken, but we’ve got a second chance. And that’s really quite lovely. Maybe you and this woman—”

  “Brooklyn,” he supplied.

  “Brooklyn. Maybe you can work things out. Because I do want you to be happy, Cole. Don’t wait to be my age to share your heart with someone.”

  His throat tightened and he swallowed. “Well. I think this is the deepest conversation we’ve ever had.”

  “And long overdue.” She smiled again and reached for her coffee.

  “I’m happy for you,” he said, meaning it wholeheartedly. “And I know you probably are planning some elaborate trip for your honeymoon, but you and Edward are welcome to stay on the island if you want. I have a couple who are working as caretaker and housekeeper there, and all it’ll take is me sending word and they can have things readied for you.”

  “Does this mean you’ll come to the wedding?” she asked, leaning forward, her voice hopeful. “Because I thought you’d be angry with me for marrying again.”

  He shook his head. “Dad’s gone. Why would I want you to be alone and lonely? If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you. Simple as that.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “We were such cold parents. I don’t know where you got your big heart.”

  “Not everyone sees it,” he assured her, chuckling. “Just a select few.”

  “Like this Brooklyn woman?”

  He shook his head again. “Maybe before, but not now. She kind of handed it back to me.”

  “Then she’s a fool.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. She was pretty clear that we’re over.”

  “I’m sorry, Cole.”

  “Me, too.” He clapped his hands together and stood. “Let’s change the subject. Clearly, this is an event that calls for more than coffee. I think you should call Edward, and we can set up a lunch date and all go out together. Have some champagne. What do you say?”

  She stood, as well, her face beaming with approval. “Oh, that would be lovely. I’ll call your assistant so she can coordinate it with your calendar.”

  That one line told him everything he needed to know about his mother’s relationship with his father, and with him, thus far. He shook his head. “No, Mom. You call me. You don’t have to have a relationship with my assistant. You’re my mother.”

  “You’re a better son than I deserve, but I’m not going to say no. Thank you, darling. I’ll call you in a few days.”

  She moved forward, as if to buss his cheek, but she hugged him, too, an awkward thing but welcome just the same. “Thank you,” she whispered and stepped back. “And don’t give up if you love her, Cole. It’s a rare thing. At least try to talk to her again, and listen to what she has to say.”

  He walked her to the door and said goodbye. And then went back to the sofa and sat down. He put his head into his hands and sighed. He missed Brooklyn. He loved her. And he wasn’t sure how to go about fighting for her. How could he leave Abbott behind forever? It was a huge responsibility, but one he wanted. It motivated him to get up in the morning, gave him a purpose. He’d be on the island for a month and then be bored out of his mind and miserable. His mother had just shown him what happened to a person who was miserable in their life.

  And yet living without Brooklyn was a painful thought. And he could see no way to do both. Brooklyn had been very clear about her needs, and he also didn’t want to be the reason she ventured into a life she didn’t want and was unhappy.

  Maybe she was right. Maybe they were from two different worlds that couldn’t be reconciled.

  But damn, it hurt.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  BROOKLYN LET MARVIN off his leash and watched as he ran down the beach, spinning up sand, as if his whole ordeal had never happened. She’d been a diligent nursemaid to him, checking his incision, keeping his activity low, cooking him fresh chicken and rice until his stomach had healed. It had almost kept her mind off Cole.

  Almost, but not quite.

  The words he’d said to her that day still echoed in her head and made her question everything. Was she avoiding life? Hiding away on the island because it was safe and secure? Was she afraid to take a chance on them because she couldn’t control the situation or the outcome?

  Control. That was what it all came down to. To her, control equaled safety. Because for a very few moments one spring day, she’d had absolutely no control and she’d been in horrible danger. She didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Her mind skittered back to the night they’d spent at the Sandpiper. He’d known, even then, hadn’t he? Because he’d told her that she was in control of what happened between them. And she’d been the one to take the lead.

  She and Marvin were nearly at the end of the beach when she saw two people heading down over the bluff. Dan and Raelynn, holding hands, and her heart warmed at the sight of them. It was a little bittersweet, watching their happiness. One night not long ago, she and Cole had walked down the same dune, hand in hand in the moonlight.

  Marvin ran up to the couple, begging for pats as was his usual style. Moments later Brooklyn caught up to everyone. She hadn’t spoken to them since Cole left. Dan had taken Cole to the mainland in the boat, and Raelynn had gone along to do some grocery shopping. They’d stopped at the house to see if Brooklyn needed anything, a truly neighborly gesture. She’d awkwardly declined.

  Raelynn gave her a hug. “Oh, it’s good to see you. And Marvin. He looks fully recovered.”

  “He is,” Brooklyn answered, trying not to think of how nice that hug had felt. “And it’s good to see you, too.”

  “Maybe now we’ve broken the ice and you can stop avoiding us,” Raelynn continued, while Dan added a shocked, “Rae!”

  “No, she’s right,” Brooklyn said, shaking her head. “I have been. Things ended on a weird note with Cole, and I wasn’t sure what to say.”

  “Cole wasn’t himself, either. He stomped around for the few days before he left. Wasn’t fit to be around, really.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault,” Raelynn said.
<
br />   “Except maybe it is.” Brooklyn watched Marvin as he raced around the dune below. “I didn’t give him the answer he wanted.”

  “Yeah, well, he’s still responsible for his reaction. So there.”

  “Rae...” Dan’s voice held a weary caution that Brooklyn found funny. It was so very...couple-ish. Clearly they’d already had this conversation.

  Marvin brought back a piece of driftwood and Dan said, “That’s my cue.” He took the stick and went down to the beach to play some fetch.

  Raelynn watched him go. “He’s mad at you for breaking Cole’s heart.”

  Brooklyn gaped at her. “Breaking his heart? I don’t think I’m capable of that.”

  “Oh, I think you are.” Raelynn’s eyebrows shot up as she spoke. “He’d really fallen for you.” Brooklyn opened her mouth to protest but Raelynn held up a hand. “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying that was the result.”

  Brooklyn didn’t know what to say. She finally sighed and said, “We’re too different. It would never work.”

  “Really, too different? I can’t see how.”

  Brooklyn made a sound that was half scoff, half disbelief. “Come on, Raelynn. Look at his life, look at mine. He’s a freaking billionaire, and I’m...well, I’m a thousandaire. That’s about the size of my savings account.”

  Raelynn laughed. “Oh, for Pete’s sake. That’s just money. That’s all...window dressing. It’s in here that counts.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’ve known Cole a while now. I’ve never seen him light up like he did with you. Or laugh. Maybe he needs someone like you. You ground him in a way bank accounts and employees never can, Brooklyn. And you need him, too.”

  “I do?”

  Raelynn met her gaze evenly. “You’re hiding away here. He can pull you out of that fear and uncertainty. And why shouldn’t you enjoy some of the finer things?” She raised an eyebrow. “It won’t change you, if that’s what you’re worried about. You’re too stubborn.”

  Brooklyn choked on a laugh, but she kept thinking of what Raelynn had said about Cole lighting up. She’d lit up too, every time he’d walked into a room or into her front yard.

  “Cole is not stuck up. If anything, he’s crying out for love. He didn’t have much as a kid, as far as I can tell. He’s had a lot of advantages, but not that. And yet he’s one of the most giving people I know, expecting nothing in return.”

  Brooklyn knew well enough. She’d tried to wire the money for the hotel and vet bill to him, but he’d refused the transfer. She’d thought it was because he was still angry with her. But now she wondered if it was more than that.

  “I hurt him, but I didn’t mean to.”

  “We know that. Despite Dan’s attitude, we both know that. But we also think you’ve made a big mistake, turning him away when you could take a chance on him. On you as a couple.”

  Silence fell for a few minutes. They listened to the crash of the waves, and the wind, and the plaintive wail of the gulls soaring overhead. It was cold, and Brooklyn shoved her hands into her jacket pockets before her fingers turned numb.

  “I’m afraid,” she finally said.

  “We’re all afraid of something,” Raelynn answered, her voice steady and sure. “Every damned one of us. We can either let our fear rule us, or we can reach out for what we want and deserve in spite of it. Something made you quit, Brooklyn. Something made you wrap yourself in what was comforting and familiar. And that’s okay for a while, but don’t you want more? Don’t you want love and excitement of the best kind, and surprises and...and life?”

  Tears pricked the back of Brooklyn’s eyes. It was basically what Cole had said to her, but without the blaze of hurt and rejection behind it. That she was avoiding life and playing it safe, and giving up the opportunity for something wonderful.

  Because in all her life, there’d never been anything as wonderful as being in Cole’s arms.

  Could she do it? Could she go to him and ask for another chance? Could she handle a place as big and chaotic as New York, when even now she found going into unfamiliar places difficult? She wanted to believe she could, but even now, panic threaded through her, cold and tight.

  “I can’t leave Marvin,” she said.

  “Oh, good heavens. You don’t even sound convincing saying that.” She pointed at Dan, who was tugging on the stick that was in Marvin’s mouth. “We’ll take care of him. We’re staying for at least another month.”

  Brooklyn’s heart started to pound as she actually considered going to New York, fighting her demons along the way. “I don’t know if my passport is still valid.”

  “Well, that might be a barrier. You should probably check.” Raelynn was smiling now, her eyes glowing. “And we’ll watch the house for you, too. Whatever you need.”

  “Raelynn... I don’t know what to say. I’m still terrified. But I think I need to at least try, you know?” She swallowed against a lump in her throat. “I’ve been miserable since he left.”

  “He’s a good man. And he loves you. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but please don’t miss out on what could be wonderful because you’re afraid to take a chance.” Raelynn nodded toward Dan. “Trust me, the rewards can be more than you ever dreamed.”

  Someday, Brooklyn wanted to hear the story of Raelynn and Dan, but right now, she had some arrangements to make. She reached out and put her hand on Raelynn’s forearm. “Can you help me with the details? I don’t even know where to find him.”

  Now Raelynn’s grin was wide. “Oh, yes. You find your passport. Then come up to the house and we’ll get everything arranged. I’ll help.”

  Brooklyn called for Marvin and then looked at Raelynn as a fizz of excitement started to run through her veins. “Why are you so determined to set us up?”

  “Oh, honey. Because Cole is a great boss, but the few days before he left? I don’t want to be stuck with that guy as my employer. He needs some Brooklyn sunshine in his life, stat.”

  Brooklyn grinned, then hooked Marvin up to his leash once he knocked up against her knees, tongue out and happy. “Thank you, Raelynn. I’ll come back to the house when I’ve found my passport.”

  Dan came up the dune behind Marvin. “All good?” he asked.

  “Better than good.” Raelynn went to him and tilted her head up for a kiss. “We’re going to dog-sit.”

  * * *

  It had been years since Brooklyn had been on an airplane, and she’d found her passport though there was only six months left on it. Now she was buckled into her seat, preparing for landing at Newark airport.

  The flight had been full, and since being trapped with no way out was one of the things that ramped up her anxiety, she’d spent most of the flight listening to a calming meditation app. It had helped.

  With a couple of light bumps, they were on the ground, and before she knew it she’d grabbed her carry-on bag and was following the signs for ground transportation. She could do this. She could not hide forever, and this was a normal thing for most people.

  It was better in the cab. The crush of people was held at bay and once she gave the driver the address, she sat back and watched the scenery as they left New Jersey for Manhattan. By ten thirty, she was dropped off outside a massive skyscraper. Inside were the executive offices of Abbott Industries, and Cole was in there, too. He didn’t know she was coming. She’d thought about calling him, but then didn’t want to in case she couldn’t go through with it. Or...for him to tell her not to. She shouldered her bag, straightened the thick wrap she wore, and made her way inside.

  One step closer.

  Up the elevator, ten, twenty, twenty-five floors...

  The doors opened and she thought she might be sick. Instead, she took a deep inhale and stepped off the elevator. She’d tackled some big things. She’d got on a plane and come here, faced crowds and a bit of the unknown and all because Cole Abbott migh
t just be in love with her...and it was time she started living her life instead of settling for half of one. It had taken Cole to shake her out of that, so why would she let him slip away without fighting for him?

  “May I help you?” The receptionist’s voice was warm and pleasant, and Brooklyn stepped forward.

  “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. I’m here to see Cole Abbott.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Oh, Lord, what if he wasn’t in the office today? Or stuck in meetings?

  “He’s in a meeting at the moment, but I can let him know you’re here. It might be a bit of a wait, I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Your name, please?”

  More misgivings. What if this woman said her name and he didn’t come out? “Brooklyn Graves,” she answered, that sick feeling overtaking her again. What was she even doing here?

  Then she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. She was here because for the first time in the past several years, something was more important to her than protecting herself. It was time she listened to her heart. And her heart said that there was something between her and Cole that was special, and that she’d been a fool to send him away as she had.

  She kept going back to what Raelynn had said—that deep down they were the same sort of person, and the rest was just trappings. God, she hoped so.

  So she waited in the seating area, dressed in a hand-knit shawl and clutching her ancient carry-on bag, daring to hope.

  She didn’t have long to wait. Cole came rushing around the corner, his tie slightly askew, his hair ruffled. His gaze clashed with hers and he stopped abruptly and stared.

  “It is you. I couldn’t believe it when I got the message.”

  Brooklyn was light-headed and her knees shook as she stood. “She said you were in a meeting. I didn’t want to interrupt. I can wait...”

  He shook his head. “No, the meeting can wait. We’ll break until this afternoon. Come with me so we can talk.”