Sally giggled. “Penny has invited us to her house for tea in the summer. Do you know she has four chimneys?”
“No, I didn’t know that,” Lilly placed the tray down on Julius’s desk. “Coffee, Julius?”
“Yes, please.” Julius leaned back in his seat. “Thanks.”
“Are you going to tell us what happened?” Lilly asked quietly as Sally helped herself to sandwiches. Lilly took a small fondant cake for herself. “These really are delicious.”
“Yes, what happened?” Julius ate a cucumber sandwich as he sipped his coffee. “I thought I saw Penny walk through the hotel lobby, but she didn’t stop to say hello.”
“She was going to her room to call her parents, I think.” Charlie looked at Sally, hoping she was too preoccupied with her food to listen to the conversation around her. Simply because he didn’t like to tell her she had to keep secrets from Penny.
“Did something happen? Are they okay?” Julius asked with concern.
“They are. Penny’s mom called earlier to tell her the scumbag she married has sold their story to the press.” Charlie didn’t like telling Julius this information, but since he knew the family and was well connected through various guests, she had stayed here over the years, he might be the perfect person to help.
“Sell their story? What, how he set her up? The man is despicable,” Julius spat, his temper flaring.
“Wait, what?” Lilly asked. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Penny got duped by a man who pretended to be her perfect match. She married him thinking it was forever...” Charlie left the sentence hanging.
“Really?” Lilly asked, horrified.
“We all know there are people like that in the world,” Julius said sadly.
“But that’s terrible.” Lilly placed her teacup down on a coaster. “And now he’s going to tell the story to the newspapers. That just makes it even worse.”
“Penny said it’s all over social media already.” Charlie ran his hand through his mop of hair. “Her father insisted on a prenup. Laurence, that’s the name of the ex-husband, didn’t get any of Penny’s inheritance. This is his way of making the deal worth his while.”
“Worth his while? He broke her heart and now he wants money?” Lilly’s voice rose in volume and pitch.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” Sally asked as she stood by the tray of cakes and tried to decide which one she’d like to try. Charlie loved her innocence and he was thankful every day that Lilly had come to him for help. Sally’s childhood, despite not knowing her father, had been idyllic.
“Yeah, I’m good, thanks.” Lilly looked at her watch. “I need to get back to work. I don’t want to get fired in my last week.” Lilly stood up. “I’m sorry this is happening to Penny. I’m also sorry there’s nothing we can do to help. Has she tried reasoning with him?”
“She says it would do no good. Laurence is basically pissed at not getting the money he thinks he’s entitled to,” Charlie explained.
“There is one thing you could try,” Lilly suggested.
“Which is?” Charlie had to admit, his temper was frayed, and he couldn’t think objectively. All he wanted was to track Laurence down and beat him into submission. And that was something he could not do.
“Well...” Lilly hesitated. “It sounds as if he was slick in this sting. I mean I doubt this was his first rodeo.”
Julius sat up in his chair. “So we should try to locate other women he’s done this to. Yes. We could then get a story of our own to the press.”
“If nothing else, it might stop any other woman from getting her life wrecked by this jerk.” Lilly glanced at Sally, who wasn’t listening.
“That’s a great idea.” Charlie sighed. “I’ll go to the library tomorrow and start searching for anyone who might be connected to Laurence.”
“Don’t forget he might have changed his name. If he’s done this before, he might try to cover his tracks.” Lilly kissed Sally goodbye. “Leave some cakes for Charlie and Julius.”
“I will,” Sally told her.
“See you in a couple of hours,” Charlie said. “Maybe we could go to the library now.”
“Can’t we go home?” Sally asked as Lilly left the room.
“You go home,” Julius agreed. “Leave this to me. I have a team of social media experts at my disposal. Maybe I can get them to look into this rather than advertising for the hotel. One day won’t hurt.”
“Are you certain, Julius?” Charlie asked.
“Absolutely. I’d hate for this Laurence character to hurt you and Penny. And I abhor bullies and conmen, goodness knows I see enough of them walk through the doors of The Catherine.” Julius looked like a man about to go to war.
“Thanks.” Charlie reached out and took a sandwich. “I never knew how difficult it would be to see my mate so unhappy.”
“You’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. But these days, chewing their heads off and spitting them out are against the law.” Julius winked at Charlie. “It’s a natural reaction. One I’ve experienced more than once. But let’s see if we can get this guy at his own game.”
“I’d like that, Julius. I’d like it very much.”
Chapter Thirteen – Penny
“Mom.” Penny was determined not to cry as she called her mom back. Part of her wished her mom would tell her it had all been a mistake, but she knew Laurence too well for that.
“Hi, honey. How are you holding up?” her mom asked.
“I’m okay. What about you and Dad? I’m so sorry this is happening.” Penny swallowed hard, swallowing down her tears.
“Don’t be silly, this is not your fault. The only person to blame for any of this is Laurence, and don’t ever forget it.” Her mom drew a breath. “He set out to trap you. He planned this.” She growled down the phone in frustration.
“And I fell for it,” Penny said.
“We are as much to blame. We should have warned you, voiced our concerns. But we could also see how happy you were. And you were happy, Penny.” Her mom took another deep breath. “You have no idea how hard it is to see your child treated like this. Especially when you have spent your life helping others.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll get over it. I just hate to see the family name dragged through the mud.” Penny got up from the sofa and walked to the window. The mountains were still there, their peaks capped in snow.
“Don’t worry about that. It’s not the first time.” Her mom laughed. “There are more skeletons than closets in this family.”
“I didn’t know that.” Penny knew a lot of the family history, but none of those skeletons had ever been revealed.
“Oh, yes.” Her mom lowered her voice. “Your father doesn’t like to talk about them. But Uncle Albert told me all the gossip over a bottle or two of your dad’s best wine.”
Penny smiled despite herself. “It’s good to know I’m keeping up with the family tradition.”
“It’s life. We can’t control other people’s actions...” Her mom paused. “Laurence is just a selfish, self-absorbed man who saw something he wanted. He is no better than a thief in my eyes.”
Penny sighed. “The one consolation is that we’ll be yesterday’s news to most people a week after the article appears in the newspaper.”
“Makes you feel bad for everyone else, doesn’t it?” her mom replied.
“It does. I just hope the young people I counsel still respect me.” Her voice cracked. “That’s what’s so unfair. He isn’t just ruining my life, he’s dragging everyone I know into the whole sordid mess, too.”
“One day karma will visit him, and he’ll understand.” Her mom always believed life was what you made it. Karma was very real to her. Penny hoped she was right. Even if that meant she was wishing ill on Laurence.
“Thanks, Mom. For being so understanding. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I’m not. The wedding was beautiful. You were beautiful and Laurence is a fool if he thinks he isn’t t
he one who has lost out.” Her mom’s firm tone helped Penny feel better about the whole thing.
“I love you, Mom. And hug Dad for me.” Penny couldn’t bear to think of what her dad was going through. He was the protector. He would do anything for his wife and daughter. But there was nothing he could do right now, other than sit back and watch events unfold.
“I’ll give him a big hug.” Her mom chuckled. “Although a big glass of malt whiskey might be better.”
“Is he okay?” Penny asked.
“He’s out digging in the garden. Since he feels so completely useless.” Her mom lowered her voice. “I was worried he was digging a grave for Laurence’s corpse. But I think he’s only planting another rosebush.”
Penny laughed as she ended the call. Flopping down on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, exhausted by the journey up the mountain and the stress of Laurence’s actions. But she wasn’t about to let it ruin the rest of the day.
Dragging herself off the bed, she went to the closet and pulled out a comfortable pair of slacks and a Christmas sweater. Nothing got her in the holiday spirit faster than a Christmas sweater. After dragging a hairbrush through her windswept hair, she smeared on lipstick and added a touch of mascara. One quick look in the mirror later and she was ready to go and face the world once more.
As she opened the door and went into the hallway, she thought of Charlie and how she wished he was here with her. It was so easy being around him. No awkward moments, no gaps in their conversations that needed to be filled. As she waited for the elevator, she tried to figure out exactly what Charlie meant when he said they were mates. Did he simply mean they were compatible?
“Hi there, Penny.” Felicity’s beaming smile met Penny as the elevator doors opened.
“Hi. Where’s Harvey?” Penny asked as Felicity stepped to the side to make room. There were three other people in the elevator. A couple with their teenage son, who had a mutinous expression on his face and wore a Christmas sweater that rivaled Penny’s for its cheesiness.
“He’s gone for a run on the mountain,” Felicity said as she watched the numbers count down to the ground floor.
“A run. Is he in training?” Penny’s stomach growled, she needed food and coffee. Lots of coffee.
“No. He just loves running over the mountain. It’s one of the reasons we chose to come here for Christmas. Once we decided to avoid a family squabble, we chose somewhere we’d both enjoy. We both get to indulge ourselves. Harvey likes going out over the mountains and I like reading a good book, with room service.” She gave a bright smile and the couple with the teenage son smiled, too, although they tried not to be too obvious.
“Sounds as if you have the perfect marriage,” the wife said. “It’s all about compromise and giving each other their own space. When they need it.”
Her son rolled his eyes and looked relieved when the elevator doors opened. He was the first out.
“Looks as if someone is in a hurry,” Penny commented. “Is he okay?”
“Yes, he’s at that age. You know...” The husband watched his son as he sauntered toward the door leading out of lobby and stared out at the mountains. “Soon he’ll be running over the mountains, too, while his mate enjoys a good book and room service.” He winked and followed his wife out into the lobby.
“What is it with mates?” Penny asked as she and Felicity headed toward the dining room.
“What about mates?” Felicity asked.
“You tell me. I mean I know that mates are supposed to bond for life. But I’m still not sure I understand why. Or how.” Penny blushed. “Sorry, you might not have any idea what I’m talking about.”
“Sure I do. Harvey and I are bonded mates.” She giggled and linked arms with Penny. “Honestly, it’s a relief that you know. When Harvey isn’t around, I have no idea which couples are shifters, and which aren’t. So I have no idea who I can talk freely with.”
“Harvey can tell? He has super senses, too?” Penny nodded her head, but she was still missing something.
“He can. Shifters seem to have this way of telling who is a shifter and who is a normal human. I guess it’s an animal pheromone thing.” Felicity held the dining room door open for Penny. However, Penny was rooted to the spot, her eyes wide.
Shifters. Where had she heard that phrase before? Sally had used it earlier, but she’d heard it somewhere before. On TV? They were like werewolves. Weren’t they?
“Oh my goodness.” Felicity put her hand to her mouth and her face flushed pink. “I thought you knew.”
Propelling Penny forward, Felicity entered the dining room, took a quick look around and headed for a table in the corner. Penny sat down, her breathing heavy as she tried to regain control of her mind which was racing around in circles. “That’s the part Charlie didn’t tell me.”
“Charlie. Who’s Charlie?” Felicity asked in excitement. “Oh. You found your mate.” She slapped her hands down on the table. “That’s incredible!”
“Is it?” Penny asked, flustered as a waiter approached their table.
“Coffee. And cake. Lots of cake,” Felicity grinned at the waiter. “We’re celebrating.”
“Coffee and lots of cake it is.” He wrote down their order and then headed toward the kitchen, leaving Felicity and Penny alone.
“So Charlie is your mate.” Felicity reached out for Penny’s hand and held it tight. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. Are you seriously saying that Charlie...shifters can turn into...” Penny couldn’t say the words, they were too preposterous.
“Yes. I don’t know what Charlie is, but Harvey can turn into a bear. That’s why we come here to Bear Creek.” She gave Penny a lopsided grin. “It’s in the name really, Bear Creek. Bear Bluff.”
“There are lots of shifters around here?” Penny asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes, it’s a hotbed of shifter action.” She giggled. “Sorry, that’s one of Harvey’s jokes. All it means is there are a lot of shifters around here. The mountain draws them from out of town, too. It’s one of the best vacation spots for shifters. The mountain is like a jewel to them. They can run over the trails in their animal form and no one takes much notice.”
“That explains why I saw the fresh bear print trail this morning. I asked Charlie about it since bears hibernate for the winter.” It all began to make sense. Even though it made no sense at all.
“So tell me about Charlie,” Felicity prompted. She let Penny’s hand go now that she was certain her friend wasn’t about to pass out or run away screaming.
“I met him last night. He was outside with the little girl who lives with him.” Penny stopped talking as their coffee and cake was brought to the table. “Thank you.”
“Thanks. Oh, this looks delicious,” Felicity said, practically drooling over the cakes.
“I have to be careful what I say, since Sally, she’s the little girl...her mom works at the hotel.” Penny helped herself to a squidgy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
“Wait, rewind a little. Charlie lives with a little girl. And her mom works here at the hotel?” Felicity looked confused.
“Her mom also lives with Charlie.” Penny bit into the cake, “This is heavenly.”
But Felicity was more interested in Charlie’s living arrangements. “Is the child his?”
“No. He just let them live with him. It’s a long story and not mine to tell.” Penny sipped her coffee, feeling better already. She’d had enough shocks today to last her a lifetime.
“And how do you feel about that?” Felicity asked.
“It’s none of my business.” Penny was not about to tell Felicity that Lilly had decided to move out. Until it was settled, and Sally knew, it was a secret she would definitely keep. Not that it was any of her business. She rubbed her temples, trying to get it all straight in her head.
“Are you all going to live together?” Felicity asked. “I mean it might work.”
“Hey, we only just met. Like yesterday.” P
enny helped herself to another cake. “Anyway, I have other problems right now.”
Felicity set her cup down on the table. “What’s wrong?”
“You know that husband I had?”
“The one that set you up?” Felicity leaned forward. “Does he want you back?”
“No, he’s selling his story to the papers.” Penny’s mouth turned down at the corners, but she didn’t cry, she’d shed enough tears over Laurence.
“He’s what?!” Felicity turned red with anger. “The bastard. What are you going to do?”
“Nothing.” Penny shrugged. “He wants money and if this is how he chooses to get it, then that’s up to him.”
“Oh, he wants you to buy him off?” Felicity asked.
“I don’t suppose he cares where he gets the money from. But he hasn’t been in contact with me.” Penny hated the idea of Laurence making any money from their relationship. When he bid to get a divorce settlement, he’d even tried to bill her for out-of-pocket expenses. He’d itemized things like renting his suit for the wedding and the honeymoon. All the things he’d paid for, thinking he’d get a big cash return when they divorced.
“Why don’t I call him?” Felicity asked. “I could pretend to be from a rival newspaper, get him to come to Bear Creek and then Charlie and Harvey can frighten him into the mountains. A couple of days in the freezing cold would teach him to be more respectful to women.”
“Remind me to never get on the wrong side of you.” Penny laughed at the thought of Laurence running over the mountains in his expensive suits, it would ruin his Italian leather shoes.
“I mean it. This guy needs to be taught a lesson.” Felicity had a point. Penny hated the idea that he would go on and do the same thing to other women. But he’d broken no law as far as she could tell.
“You’re right. He does. And I know just what to do.” Penny stood up. “But first, I’m going to find my mate.”
“You’re okay with the whole shifting into an animal thing?” Felicity waved her fingers in the air as if she was performing a magic trick.
“Yes. I am. I’m intrigued to know what he shifts into, so I’m going to go and ask him.” She looked down at the table and reached inside her purse.
The Lion Loves a Lady (A Second Chance Christmas in Bear Creek Book 3) Page 9