My Beastly Billionaire (The Grimwood Legacy Series Book 1)

by Jackie Castle

  “—prise.” Duncan had to laugh as they were swarmed with happy faces, hugs, and tears from the women. Elisa’s mother hugged her daughter and for a moment, he wished his own mother was there to see this. She would have been just as excited.

  Suzette was at his side, hugging his arm and kissing his cheek. “Can I finally see this ring? He was keeping it top secret. Nobody was allowed to see it before he gave it to you.”

  Elisa held it out for everyone to view. “I can’t believe all of you are here!”

  Several children pushed through the group to give their auntie a hug. Even Colton’s twin girls who’d taken to Elisa from the moment they met her last spring. Colton and Jeremy were pounding his back and congratulating him.

  “That was quite romantic, old man,” Colton dabbed his thumb under his eye, then chuckled. “I’m truly impressed. I never would have believed you of all people would turn into such a sap.”

  Duncan held up his hands. “All right, everybody. We have reservations to get to. You all were supposed to wait there for us.”

  “And miss this?” Belinda said, admiring the ring and hugging her sister.

  “Not on your life,” Suzette finished. “I wasn’t going to miss your proposal for anything.”

  * * * *

  Elisa could hardly catch her breath. A proposal. Another beautiful gift from her talented fiancé. And not missing Christmas with her family, and his, after all.

  “They knew?” She asked as they were led to the long table at the rustic tavern that boasted of serving the best steaks on the mountain. “All along they knew we were all spending Christmas together?”

  Duncan gave a nod. She loved how he’d let his hair grow out a little along with a neatly trimmed beard. In a way, he’d always be her beast.

  “I made a deal with them. A new tradition. We’d spend one holiday with everyone, and the other with just your family at your family cabin. We’ll do the Fourth of July at the manor. Easter and Labor Day are open.” He smiled proudly.

  “You have it all worked out, then?” She appreciated his desire to be close to her family as well as his own.

  But Duncan’s attention had been drawn to something else. A slow smile pulled at his lips. His beard was thin enough that his dimple still showed.

  Elisa turned to see who he was looking at and noticed Jeremy standing at the bar beside a pretty blond woman dressed in jeans and a striped pink sweater. They seemed deep in an intimate discussion. Duncan grabbed Elisa’s hand and headed in their direction. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Our families have been friends for a long time. Which is why this is one of our favorite vacation spots.”

  When the blond woman saw him, she held open her arm and exclaimed, “Duncan Grimwood! I hear congratulations are in order. I’m so happy for you.” She kissed his cheek, then looked to Elisa. “Is this the future Mrs. Grimwood?”

  Duncan pulled Elisa close to his side. “Yes. This is Elisa Lucken, my fiancé. Elisa, this is Melody Carson. Her family has owned this mountain resort for the past three generations.”

  Melody clasped Elisa’s hand in both of hers. “It’s all mine now. And a heavy responsibility it is. Welcome, Elisa. I’m so pleased to have you and your family here. I hope you enjoy your time.” She turned to the man behind the bar. “Barty, drinks for the Grimwoods are on me. Congratulations to both of you.” She grinned at Jeremy. “Are you next?”

  His face turned three shades of red. “Doubtful. I stay much too busy to date.”

  Melody shook her head at him. “Well, you’ll save a couple of dances for me? I’ll see you all in the lounge. Suzette says you’re all here to celebrate. You let me know if there’s anything you need.” She patted Elisa’s arm. “So glad to meet you. See you all later.”

  Blowing a kiss at Jeremy, Melody hurried away.

  Jeremy glowered at his brother who was smirking. “You just hush. We were only talking about a couple of legal matters. She had some questions.”

  “I didn’t think you gave free legal advice, brother. Besides, you’re a banker, not a lawyer.”

  Jeremy pushed past him and headed for the table. Duncan laughed, then explained. “Jere’s had a big crush on Melody since we were all kids, and they were learning to ski together on the bunny slopes.”

  “Did not,” Jeremy defended not looking back. He took a seat at the long table, making sure he was all the way down at the other end. “We’ve always been friends and will always be nothing more than friends.”

  “Right.” Duncan pulled out the chair for Elisa to sit. “We’ll see.”

  Later that evening, Duncan cornered his little brother. Something had been troubling Jeremy all night, and he wanted to know what it was.

  “So,” Duncan started as they left the tavern and headed for the family cabin. The women had already left an hour ago, giving him time to spend with only his brothers before Colton left to put his twin girls to bed. “Elisa and I have decided to have our wedding and reception here at the lodge. We’re thinking the end of summer, maybe early fall when the leaves are starting to turn.”

  Jeremy buttoned his coat as he looked around the street of various small shops. Most, like the gear store and coffee shop, were closed down for the evening. Only the tavern and steakhouse stayed open well into the night. “You might want to have a back-up plan, brother.”

  “Why is that?” Duncan asked, concern growing.

  Jeremy glanced in one direction of the boardwalk, then the other. Seeing they were indeed the only two people outside, he leaned in closer and answered in a quiet voice. “Melody said that the resort is in serious trouble. Somehow she’s made some bad decision and now she’s deep in debt. Now, don’t ask me anymore. That’s all I know for now. And I feel like a jerk telling you that much, but you’re being such a busybody tonight. I don’t wish to be ducking your questions the whole time I’m here.”

  Duncan started walking. “Sorry, Jere. I saw you talking to her and couldn’t help but feel something was terribly wrong. Mel wasn’t her usual boisterous self this evening.”

  Jeremy remained quiet as he walked along beside him. His youngest sibling always was the brooding, secretive type.

  “So, you did promise to help her, right?” Duncan asked.

  They’d strolled all the way to the end of the walkway where a series of steps led them to the path that would take them to their cabin up on a small hill. Its position offered them a spectacular view of the surrounding mountain peaks and ski runs.

  Duncan stopped. “Jere. Melody Carson is a long-standing friend. We have so few who we can honestly count as close. Tell me there is some way we can help!” He knew Jeremy had always liked Mel more than on a simple friendship level. Would he let his feelings, or the avoidance of his feelings, stop him from…?

  “It’s not that simple, Dunc,” Jeremy finally blurted, sounding flustered. “You know what Dad always said about being too quick to jump in and help people. He’d say the rope you offer for a friend to cling to, can easily end up being the noose you hang yourself with if you’re not careful.”

  Duncan faced his brother, folding his arms over his chest. “Jeremy Cole, you don’t believe that, do you?”

  Jeremy only glared at him, then spun around and headed for the cabin at a quicker pace.

  Duncan nearly had to jog to keep up, but finally managed to overtake his brother and beat him to the front door. Slamming his palm on the doorframe, he asked again, “Do you?”

  Biting at his bottom lip, Jeremy slowly shook his head. “I don’t know what to do to help, Dunc. She’ll never take a handout, we both know how prideful she can be. But I’ve already determined that I can’t sit by and let her sink. I won’t.”

  A slow smile pulled at Duncan’s lips. “Good man. I knew you still cared. You might act like a steel-hearted money man on the outside, but you have a heart of gold on the inside.”

  Jeremy shoved open the cabin door. “Right. A lot of good that’s ever done me. Good night, Dunc. Whatever you do, d
o not mention this to the others. Promise?”

  “Absolutely,” Duncan smirked. His brother would figure something out, somehow. He couldn’t wait to see how it all turned out in the end. Maybe Elisa would have even more family weddings to plan in the near future.

  Before You Go…

  Thank you for taking the time to read My Beastly Billionaire. If you enjoyed this story, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review from the place where you purchased this book. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you.

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  Blessings and Peace

  Ephesians 4:32

  Jackie Castle

  Sample Chapter From

  My Charming Billionaire - Book Two

  Chapter One

  Melody Carson watched the Grimwood family’s celebration with a heavy heart. All of them were gathered in the private party room: Colton, the oldest, then Duncan, who she once had a huge crush on. Suzette with her raven black hair tied into a bun at the nape of her head and finally Jeremy, the youngest, yet most level-headed of the clan. He favored his sister more than the others.

  Duncan held his new fiancée, Elisa, wrapped in his arms. What a darling and perfect for her old friend. She’d not seen Duncan smile so widely in years. Especially since their parents had both passed away a couple of years back. This had to be the first time all of the Grimwood siblings all gathered under one roof in ages.

  Jeremy had told her it was a special occasion. Duncan had purposed to Elisa and wanted both families there to celebrate with them. Elisa Lucken’s parents and siblings were also crowded around the long wooden table.

  Melody turned to the bartender, Barty, whose shy smile and quiet manners always made Melody grin. “Their drinks are on me. Just put the bill in my office after they leave. Don’t let Duncan argue with you about it.”

  Barty jerked his head in a nod. He never had much to say, either.

  Melody shook her head at his silent answer. Her blond curls brushed against her cheeks and she pushed the annoying tendrils behind her ears. Someday she’d draw him out of that introverted shell of his.

  “Say, have you seen Susie? I wanted to make sure to send a basket of drinks and snacks to each cabin.”

  Barty’s thick brows furrowed. “Think she’s in the office. Want me to give her a call?” He reached for the old-fashioned rotary phone sitting behind the bar.

  Melody should have had it replaced a long time ago. Most of her newest employees didn’t even know what it was. Dad had never seen a reason to replace a perfectly well-functioning phone with one of those small contraptions that were easily lost. Mom had agreed, as she was often losing anything not tacked down by nail or string.

  Her parents had left everything to her. Everything. Including the outdated phone, among other things. If only her parents had had more than one child. Maybe then she would have someone else to blame for the mess the resort was in. But no, she was the sole owner and manager. Melody had nobody to blame but herself.

  She’d reluctantly asked Jeremy Grimwood a few questions about finding investors, and he’d graciously answered as well as he’d been able with what limited information she’d offered him. He was here to celebrate, not fix her problems. She already felt like a complete jerk for even bringing the matter up in the first place.

  Except she was bordering on desperation.

  Suzette and Duncan had been going on about how well Jeremy was doing with the portion of the Grimwood investments he’d been given charge over. Each child was given a part of the multi-billion-dollar conglomerate to manage on their own. Suzette said they were to make a profit within a set amount of years in order to receive their whole inheritance.

  Suzette rolled her pretty blue eyes. “Daddy, bless his conniving heart, wanted to drive home his rule about not taking advantage of what we’ve been blessed with.”

  Duncan, who’d been sitting beside her at the long table nodded his head. “I don’t blame him. Busy hands and focused minds will never be the devil’s playground. Mother’s favorite saying.”

  Melody laughed, agreeing with Mrs. Grimwood’s assessment. It was true, but that hadn’t stopped Duncan from wasting the first two years of his term. At least now he seemed back on track. Melody was happy for him. She had a feeling the pretty brunette he was engaged to had a lot to do with softening his hardened heart. He seemed like a new man.

  Seeing his change gave Melody hope that circumstances could change in the blink of an eye. Something, somehow, would work out and she’d find a way to save her resort from the wolves that were starting to circle. Try as she might, the word had got out that the resort wasn’t making enough to cover expenses.

  So many of the large cooperation resorts had her beat with their packaged plans they had to offer customers. Melody still had landlines and rotary phones, for goodness sakes. She had to find a way to bring her resort up to date. Even that wouldn’t be enough, she feared.

  She would come up with something.

  She had to. Everything was a stake.

  And no matter what, she would not, could not, sell out to her aunt. All her employees had dubbed Aunt Evelina as the evil snow queen. Evelina Ash had been trying to get the Carson’s to sell her Sky High ski resort for years. Her parents didn’t want to see the homey resort converted into an over-priced tourist attraction.

  Ski-High was a place to come to get away from the bustle of life, which was why her most dedicated customers, like the Grimwoods, still enjoyed booking their vacations with her. They loved the rustic setting and family atmosphere. People who came loved the personal atmosphere. Melody knew almost every last customer by their first names. She made it her sole purpose to make sure new visitors were soon welcomed into her extended family.

  Aunt Evelina had managed marry into the skiing business and was now owned Snow Inc. With resorts located in several states. Her company also sold snow gear such as skis, boards, clothing, and more. But, for some reason, Evelina still had her eyes on the Carson’s little mountain, and wouldn’t leave Melody alone about selling.

  No way would she ever sell the only link to her parents and grandparents that she had left.

  Never in a million years.

  * * * *

  “If you keep staring with your mouth hanging open, a fly will set up camp on your tongue,” Duncan said, elbowing Jeremy in the ribs.

  Jeremy scowled. “I’m not staring. And my mouth is not open.” Except it probably was. When had Melody Carson turned into such a beauty? Gone were her lanky arms and skinny legs. She was curvy and her curly blonde hair reminded him of honey dripping straight from the comb. He even liked how her lips were a pretty shade of red and seemed to pop from her heart-shaped face, especially when she smiled.

  When they were growing up, she’d had a terrible crush on Dunc.

  But now his older brother was taken. Even Colton, who was currently ushering his twin girls off to their cabin for bed, was out of reach. He’d said several times that he wasn't interested in relationships. He had his boat and his girls and that was more than enough for the eldest Grimwood.

  Suzette had smirked at Colton’s declaration and said they’d see. “Time will tell, Sweetums. You’re still a looker and I bet if you’d let your shoes touch land for more than a couple of days, that the women will come flocking.”

  Colt had glanced nervously at his girls who were occupied with Elisa and her sister. The twins knew no strangers and were curious about everything and everyone they encountered. “That’s why I stay on my boat, Sis. I’m safe there.”

  Colton turned toward Jeremy. “What about you, little brother? Any prospective interest that we sh
ould know about?”

  Jeremy simply shook his head. He was much too busy with work to bother with the dating scene. Besides, as his sister knew, one had to be careful. Dunc was lucky. Elisa seemed good-hearted and not in the least bit greedy or interested in Duncan because of his money. She was even working in her own business as an event planner.

  Duncan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, despite how often Mother had scolded him for doing that. “I think he’s still crushing on our hostess. Some childhood crushes never die.”

  “Oh please,” Jeremy defended. “Mel has never been interested in me. She had questions about seeking investors, that’s what we were talking about earlier, Mr. Nosy.”

  Duncan’s brows furrowed. “Investors? Why?”

  “I don’t feel comfortable sharing other people’s situations with all of you. If you wish to know what’s going on with Melody Carson, you’ll have to ask her yourself.” Jeremy stood and pushed in his chair. “I’m off to bed. I have a few emails that need my attention, then I’m turning in. It’s been a long day.” He patted Duncan’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, old man. You picked well. Elisa is a real jewel.”

  Duncan nodded as he gazed toward the end of the table where his intended sat with her family and the twins. “She is. I didn’t pick really. I wasn’t looking for someone at the time, either. The Lord blindsided me with her. I honestly believe it was all His doing and I’ll not hesitate to say that I’m extremely blessed.”

  Suzette looked away as if uncomfortable. Colton grinned and nodded. “I know how you feel, Dunc. I felt the same way with Heather. She was my heart.” A sad expression passed across his stern face at the mention of his deceased wife. “Don’t take anything for granted, Dunc. Enjoy every day that you’re given with your love. You never know…” He sank back into his chair, leaving the last thought unfinished.