by Jill Downey
“I’ll get back to you with my decision by tomorrow afternoon. But first I’d like you to meet Finn. I’ll page my house manager.”
“No, don’t bother Richard—I’ll go get him,” Ella said.
“Okay, that will give Lindsey a chance to ask me some questions.”
“I’ll go find him.”
Much later, Ella and Kyle were supervising while Finn splashed around in the pool with Monique, a little friend from school.
Lying prone, stretched out on a chaise lounge next to Kyle, Ella said, “I liked Lindsey; I thought she seemed a little unsure of herself at first, but most importantly Finn liked her.”
Kyle’s forehead creased, “Yes, she seems to have it all, including a stellar resumé.”
“Why the frown?”
“It’s such a big decision and she is a little young. Can’t put my finger on it, maybe I was hoping to find someone a little more granny-like,” he said grinning.
“Well you interviewed several; did anyone fit that criteria?”
Kyle laughed, “Yes and she was stiff as hell! Finn would have a meltdown.”
“Well there’s your answer, unless you want to have a second day of interviews.”
“Hell no! That was exhausting.”
“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”
“I guess I have.” Kyle reached over and stroked her back, running his fingers down her spine, glancing over to make sure the kids were occupied before slipping his finger between her legs. She spread her legs apart and squirmed under his touch.
“Ella, please stay. You don’t have to go just because I’ve hired a nanny. Live with us. You’ll be off at work, I’ll be working, we’ll come together, we can be a family.”
With her cheek resting on her forearm, she sighed. “It sounds so easy when you say it, but it’s too soon. We just became intimate… we don’t even know how we’ll be when life returns to normal. Things will change.”
“Things are always changing, that’s called life.”
“I know, it’s just that I’m the one with everything to lose. I’m the one uprooting and taking all of the risks.”
“Babe, there are no guarantees about anything, but I want you here, with me and Finn. I didn’t even know how fucking lonely I was until you came along.”
“Same here, but that doesn’t mean we should jump into living together, that’s a huge step.”
“I hate to tell you this but we’re already living together.”
She pushed herself up and swung around to face him. “Kyle, I really like you a lot. In fact, I’m crazy about you and I’m head over heels in love with your son.”
“I want you to be head over heels for me too.”
Eyes twinkling, she said, “Even if I am, I’m not admitting it.”
“Ella, I’m crazy about you too. I’m not afraid to follow where this leads us. Let me take care of you, shelter you, make love to you every night and wakeup next to you every morning.”
“It’s a lot to take in, I need time to think. I need to go back to my condo and have some space…to get my bearings.”
Kyle’s jaw tightened and Ella could tell that he was becoming frustrated with her, which only strengthened her resolve. She had almost forgotten his stubborn streak and determination, along with his domineering personality. But she could be just as resolute as he.
“I can tell you’re getting angry; I’m sorry, but did Mr. Bennett just snap his fingers and not get his way?”
“Don’t twist this around,” he said. “You’re just as much of a butt head as I am…maybe more so.”
“Puleeze! Spare me. I’ve never seen the likes of someone as used to calling the shots as you are.”
“Daddy, Ella, watch this!” Finn yelled, effectively derailing their discussion.
“We’re watching,” Kyle called back. Finn stood at the side of the pool while Monique held a plastic tube steady in the water. He took a leap and jumped right in the center.
Clapping her hands, Ella said, “Yay! Way to go Finn.”
“That was impressive son.”
Ella stood up and grabbed her beach towel wrapping it around herself as she haughtily strode toward the house.
“Ella where are you going?” Finn called out.
“In to take a shower, you guys should get out and dry off. I have to take Monique home soon.”
“Darn!” Finn said.
“It’s almost dinner time… you’d better listen to Ella,” Kyle said as he watched Ella march off. Damn but she was obstinate. He’d have to tread lightly if he wanted to get his way on this one. She was like a skittish stray; if he moved to quickly, she would be a mile down the road before he could even blink.
21
Richard dropped Kyle off at the door to his office building and after grabbing his brief case and cane, he rode the elevator to the ninth floor of the luxurious office suites of Bennett and Sullivan. Although he had warned his staff that he was coming in, everyone in the front office did a double take when he entered. They all greeted him like a long-lost friend, and he felt warmed by their enthusiastic welcome.
He knew he could be difficult to work for. He demanded the best from everyone, but he also expected it from himself. He had always sought to be fair and didn't ask for more than he was willing to give. One hundred percent and nothing less. It appeared that he wasn’t perceived as the ogre he had thought he was, if his reception was any indication.
“Mr. Bennett! So great to see you back. You gave us quite a scare!” The secretary Gillian said.
“I heard you had a scare of your own. Thanks for dealing with that delivery so professionally, Gillian.”
She beamed with pleasure at the compliment. “You’re welcome. It was nothing.”
“It was a lot. I really appreciate it. Could you call everyone into the conference room for a brief meeting in thirty minutes please?”
“Yes, of course Mr. Bennett.”
“I’ll be in my office until then.”
His office had an ocean view, one entire wall made up of floor to ceiling windows. Another wall had bookcases. He had a dart board in the corner of the room that he used when he needed to clear his head. There was a piece of tape on the floor, regulation distance from the target.
The only personal memento he had was a framed photograph of Jemma and Finn, taken on their last family vacation before Jemma had become sick. He walked over and picked it up to study their joyful faces. Finn was only three in the snapshot, so innocent, all of them in the dark about what was to come only a year later. He set the picture back down on his massive desk which someone had kindly organized while he was away. His assistant Elenore, he was sure; she was the best.
It felt weird to be back in his office. Before the accident everything work-related had seemed of utmost importance, and now… nothing seemed urgent. The wheeling and dealing of his law practice had somehow lost its import. An early morning phone call from the construction foreman had left him with a headache and a feeling of dread. They could no longer pretend that the sabotage was just mischief; things were amping up…and were much more ominous. Someone meant business.
He also felt frustration with Ella and wondered where their relationship was headed. They had made love that morning, both subdued. She was moving back to her condo this coming weekend. Lindsey had accepted the job offer and was moving in on Friday.
So much change. His old pattern was to bury himself in his work and avoid all feelings. The wake-up call of his accident had given him the break he had needed to see the error of his ways. He owed it to Finn to become the father he had never had. Hell, he owed it to himself.
Ella, he felt a hollowness in his gut thinking of her moving out this weekend. She had dug her heels in, and nothing was going to convince her otherwise. Maybe she’d miss him so badly that she’d cave. He was not a patient man, but he had a feeling he was about to learn a thing or two about that.
“Knock knock,” Pete stuck his head in the doorway. “Heard
you called a meeting.”
“Come on in. Missed ya big guy!”
“Sure you did. With that goddess under your roof? I doubt it, but seriously—thank God you’re back.”
“Anything I should know before the meeting?”
“Naw nothing you don’t already know.”
Kyle walked to the door and he and Pete headed towards the conference room. Some of their team were already seated around the long table. Kyle took his seat and his assistant Elenore took her seat beside him, pen and notebook in hand.
Looking around at the engaged faces of his colleagues, Kyle felt a sense of camaraderie that was unfamiliar to him. He cleared his throat, “First, on a personal note, I want to thank you all for your dedication to this firm and your willingness to go above and beyond. It is greatly appreciated and noted. As you are all aware, it’s a miracle that I’m even sitting here right now. Thank you for the get-well cards and words of encouragement. They meant a lot.”
Gillian piped in, “We’re so glad you’re back, sir. It was such a shock.”
“I’m glad to be back, thank you. I’d like to go around the table and give everyone a few minutes to brief me on your cases…any issues you’d like help with, any concerns.” Smiling Kyle said, “Let’s start with you John, what do you have for us?”
Everyone took turns sharing and Kyle was satisfied that none of their current cases had anything to do with either the vandalism and sabotage of his father’s development or the anthrax scare.
“Does anyone have any ideas about who could be trying to threaten our firm?” Everyone looked concerned as they shook their heads no.
“Pete would you fill them in on the latest?”
“Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, there was more machinery vandalized at the Bennett construction site. Kyle got the call about an hour ago. I drove by on my way here and right now, we have two separate groups picketing the site. Earths Saviors and the neighboring billionaires club. Fun times.”
Kyle’s eyebrows were drawn together, his jaw tight. “I’m very concerned. I can’t stress enough the seriousness of this. People, you come first. I want everyone here to be extra vigilant. I’m not trying to scare anyone, but we can’t assume that they won’t escalate their attacks, I’m sorry,” Kyle said.
Pete continued, “Two pieces of heavy equipment were targeted. A grader, about a five-hundred-thousand-dollar proposition, and excavator valued around two-hundred-thousand dollars. Someone broke into the mobile office and took the keys to the excavator and spun it around crashing into the bulldozer next to it. Turned it over and crushed the cab. Then, not satisfied, they poured tar in the fuel tank of the grader and all over the interior of the office, almost impossible to clean up. Ruined for all practical purposes. Some serious tampering going on. As all of you know, this is Kyle’s family business, ouch!”
Kyle added, “Couple that with the powder delivery and the random slashed tires and burglary, we’ve got a big problem. I’ve hired extra security for the office. We’re having more surveillance cameras installed in and around the building and parking lot,” Kyle said.
“At least they’re targeting things and not people,” one of the paralegals offered hopefully.
“Yes, there is that, however we don’t want to assume anything. If you have any concerns or see anything suspicious let Pete or me know immediately, and don’t hesitate to call the police. Any questions? Okay, so I’ll only be in the office a couple hours a day until I build up my stamina. Everyone knows how to reach me. Thanks for your time,” Kyle said. He stood up and shook a few hands as the group filed out of the room.
Elenore lingered behind, concern etched on her face, “You look so pale, are you sure you’re ready to jump back in?”
Kyle smiled kindly at her and said, “I’m only going to be here another hour or so then I’m heading home. Don’t worry about me, you’ve got enough to worry about just keeping this damn place going.”
“Don’t push it. Remember what you said, people first, that includes yourself,” she turned on her heel and left him standing there with Pete.
“She’s right. Why don’t you go home? You look like hell.”
“Gee thanks.”
“I know I was pushing you to return, but we’ve got it covered. You can deal with your old man from home. I’ll let you have that honor.”
“Just shoot me, will ya?” Kyle knew how that conversation was going to go. He would somehow be to blame for the problems at the construction site. “I’ve just got a few things to finish up and then I’ll head out of here.”
“Back into the arms of your sexy nurse for hire. Maybe I could retain her services. I’ve been a little under the weather lately,” he grinned wolfishly.
Gritting his teeth Kyle said, “Her name is Ella. And she’ll be returning to the hospital, this was a one and done.”
“One and done huh? Money talks. Only the best for the Bennett family.”
“What the fuck is your problem?” Kyle asked.
“No problem. Did you develop a thin skin while you were convalescing?”
“No but I’m thinking maybe your sensitivity chip got misplaced while I was recovering.”
Touching his hand to his forehead in a mock salute, Peter said, “Good one chief. Never had one of those chips to begin with. I’ve got to run, see you tomorrow.”
“I thought you said you had it covered. How are you going to do that if you’re not around?”
“It’s not like our staff need us hovering over them to do their jobs.”
“There has to be a leader or things start to fall apart,” Kyle said.
“Well I’m a little tired of being the “leader” it’s been a very long nine weeks buddy.”
“Wow, really? Get the fuck out of here then.”
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Don’t sweat it.”
Kyle ignored his last statement and turned toward his office. He shut his door forcefully behind him. He was fuming. If the situations were reversed, he would have gladly picked up the slack, in fact he had carried most of the weight of the practice since the beginning. I guess you find out who your friends are. Maybe Pete had always been this self-centered and he just hadn’t noticed. Maybe I’m the one who has changed.
22
Ella and Finn were outside playing kickball when Kyle returned home. Their laughter pierced the air and he felt himself relax from the sound of it.
Finn spotted him, “Daddy!” Running full speed towards Kyle, he stopped just short of barreling right into him.
“Looks like you two are having fun without me.”
“Sorry dad, we couldn’t help it.”
Kyle eyed Ella warily as she approached, waiting to see what the weather conditions between them were going to be this afternoon.
Eyes downcast she said quietly, “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
“How was your first day back?”
He lifted her chin with his fingers and looked piercingly into her liquid green eyes, “Lonely.”
“Me too.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes which was his undoing. Tenderly he said, “Come here you.” Pulling her tightly to his chest, he inhaled her intoxicating scent, “I’m sorry.”
Her voice was muffled against his chest as she replied, “I’m sorry too.”
He whispered softly in her ear, “Could you repeat that.”
Ella smiled against his chest her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Finn snuggled his way in and sandwiched himself between them. Kyle felt an ache in his chest and his throat tightened with emotion. I’m in real trouble here. How the hell did this happen?
Ella struggled with her own vulnerability. When she had looked up from their ball game and saw Kyle standing there in his suit coat and dress shirt untucked and unbuttoned, her heart had literally flip-flopped. Her earlier anger had vanished and was replaced with a deep longing. Hell, she didn’t want to leave, but she knew it was the sensible thing to do. Th
ings had moved so quickly between them and giving herself a breather seemed like the right thing to do. So why did she feel like bawling her eyes out?
As if reading her mind Finn looked up, eyes brimming with tears, and said, “Why do you have to go? Why can’t you stay and live with us forever? Daisy doesn’t want to go either.”
“She doesn’t?”
He solemnly shook his head no, “Besides, me and dad love you, you’re our family now.”
Ella’s eyes widened and she burst out in laughter as Kyle joined in.
“What’s so funny?” Finn asked bewildered.
“Nothing you little munchkin,” Kyle said squeezing him tight. “You’ve got it all figured out. Way ahead of us adults.”
“I know,” he said impishly.
“How does ice cream sound?” Kyle asked.
“Yes!” Finn said.
“Let’s go. Ella will you drive us? It’s a jeep kind of excursion.”
“Sure.”
They held hands while Finn raced ahead to the six-car garage where her vehicle was parked right next to the Porsche 918 Spyder. He hadn’t replaced his Ferrari yet but most of the garage stalls were full. Parked next to his Porsche was a gorgeous Harley-Davidson bike which made Ella practically drool with envy.
“I can’t wait until you can take me for a ride on your bike.”
“Me either,” he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
Finn crawled in the back of the jeep, sitting in the booster seat that had become a permanent fixture, and Kyle sat in the front passenger seat.
“Buckle up,” Ella said joyfully.
Finn called out, “I love this jeep!” He stuck his hand out the side before pulling it back in at Ella’s sharp glance.
Ella hung back while the gates swung inward and then she took off. She put in a classic CD of Derek and The Dominos, and Bell Bottom Blues blared out from the speakers. She glanced over at Kyle and warmth spread through her body at seeing his look of contentment. It really was easy between them. The sexual tension was always there but that was exhilarating and made everything seem brighter and more alive.
