Small Town Billionaire

by Cheryl Michaels

  “Wow, it’s a small world. I can’t believe you’ve met Shay… and read her book.”

  “It was beautiful, the book. I cried most of the way through it, knowing what she’d gone through and how much it cost her to trust us, two strangers, with her precious baby.”

  “How did Nick react when he read it?” Chase knew that would be Shay’s first question when she found out Nick read the book and he wanted to be able to provide her with some answers.

  “I think it helped him to understand why you did what you did. It answered a lot of his questions about the adoption and the kind of people his birth parents were.”

  “I’m glad, but there’s no substitute for meeting face-to-face and talking, is there?”

  “No, I guess not. But you understand that has to be his decision, don’t you? I can encourage him to meet you, assuming he asks for my advice. But I won’t pressure him into doing anything he’s uncomfortable with.”

  “I understand.” Suddenly remembering there was another man in the picture now, Chase felt compelled to ask, “Your current husband, do you think he’ll be okay with this?”

  “I know he will. We’ve talked about what would happen if you and Ms. Hanson ever reached out to us. We want Nick to have the opportunity to meet you, Mr. Wright. Whether he chooses to or not, we want him to know that you want to get to know him.”

  “I’m glad, and please call me Chase.”

  “Okay, Chase.” She paused. “Would it be strange to admit that I know a bit about you?”

  “Not at all.” Since she’d had their names all these years Chase would have thought it strange had she not Googled them from time to time.

  “Congratulations on your success with your company. Backwoods Outdoors is one of Nick’s favorite stores. Whenever we’re in the city he always wants to go there. Of course, he orders from your online store too, but he always says there are some things you just need to hold in your hands.”

  Chase smiled.

  “He’s, um, into the outdoors?” He closed his eyes, imagining all of the things they’d missed out on: hunting and fishing trips, camping, hiking…

  “Didn’t I mention we live on a small hobby farm? He’s loved nature and animals for as long as I can remember.”

  “Wow, that’s amazing.” He was starting to get a clearer picture of who his son was and he couldn’t wait to get to know him better.

  “Oh, I think I hear the school bus now. Yup, there it is. If you want to wait a minute, I’ll just step outside and have a word with him. See if he might be up to talking to you now?”

  Chase wanted nothing more than to hear the sound of his son’s voice for the first time, but he didn’t want the kid to feel like he’d been ambushed. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, if you’d rather talk to him first, I can leave my number. If he wants to talk, he can call me.”

  “Trust me, that boy knows his own mind. If he doesn’t want to talk to you, he won’t. It’s as simple as that. So, do you want to wait?”

  “Sure. Thanks.” Chase heard her put the phone down and held his breath, wondering if she’d return to tell him his dream of meeting his son was never going to happen.

  “Hello.”

  Chase immediately recognized the familiar sound of a boy on the verge of becoming a man, trying to sound older and more mature than he was. “Hey, Nick.” He realized he should have taken more time to rehearse what he wanted to say, because now that he his undivided attention he was at a loss. “I hope you don’t mind that I called.”

  “No, it’s cool.”

  “Okay, um…” There were so many things he wanted to say, so many questions he wanted to ask, but none seemed appropriate over the phone. “I was wondering if it would be possible for us to meet sometime. We’d love to talk to you, get to know you better.”

  “We?”

  “Me and Shay.” Your mom. He stopped just short of saying that, knowing the kid could argue he already had a mom and it wasn’t some woman he’d never met. “Your mom said you don’t live too far from Landon…?”

  “No, we’re in Brockville.”

  Less than an hour away. Chase couldn’t believe he’d been so close, yet so far away. “Do you have any plans for this weekend?” Nick hadn’t even expressed an interest in seeing them yet and Chase knew he could still shoot him down, but he was praying for the best.

  “I have a football game on Friday night. You guys can come if you want. Maybe after we can go grab a burger or something?”

  “Yeah, sure. We’d love that.” Chase didn’t even have to ask Shay first. He knew nothing in her life would take priority over this meeting. “Why don’t I give you my cell number? If there’s a change of plans, or you change your mind, you can call or text to let me know.” He didn’t want to believe Nick would have a change of heart after he’d had time to think about it, but he knew it was a possibility.

  “Sure, hold on. Let me grab my phone. I’ll put you in my contacts.”

  Chase couldn’t believe how casual he sounded. Meanwhile his heart was beating so fast he could feel it through his black Henley. As he rhymed off the numbers, he debated whether to ask Nick for his cell number, but before he could Nick suggested he’d text him in a few with the time and place of the game.

  “Your mom told me you’re really into the outdoors,” Chase said, not ready for the conversation to end. “Anything you need, you know, in terms of gear?” It was the least he could do, given how much he owed him.

  “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  Chase tried not to be hurt or offended. He didn’t know many fourteen or fifteen year-old boys who were outdoor enthusiasts that would turn down the offer of free gear. Baby steps, he told himself. He’d never given Nick any reason to trust him or his word.

  “Okay then, I guess we’ll see you on Friday night.”

  “How do you know she’ll want to come? Don’t you have to ask her first?”

  She. Her. It pained Chase to think Nick didn’t know what to call Shay. This would no doubt be awkward for all of them at first, but he hoped it would be the first of many meetings. “No, I have no doubt she’ll want to be there.”

  “Okay, whatever you say…?”

  “Chase, call me Chase.” He didn’t want there to be any confusion about what he thought his role was in Nick’s life. He’d had a father. Now he had a step-father. The most Chase could hope for was to be his friend.

  “Okay, later.”

  Shay was sipping a glass of iced tea when the doorbell rang. She’d been on pins and needles all day waiting to hear how Chase’s call went, so she was relieved to see him standing on the other side of the door.

  “Finally,” she said, pulling him inside. “Why didn’t you call me? I was dying to hear how it went. What did she say? Was she mad that you called?”

  “Relax,” Chase said, smiling. “It went great. She seems like a really nice lady. In fact, she seemed happy that I called.”

  “Really?” Shay took a deep breath, tipping her head back as her gaze hit the ceiling. “I’m so relieved. I didn’t want her to think that we were trying to move in and re-claim him or something.” Logically, she knew that was ridiculous. He was almost fifteen years-old, with a mind of his own. If he didn’t want to have anything to do with them he wouldn’t.

  “Even better than that. I got to talk to Nick and—”

  “Nick? That’s his name?”

  “Yeah. Nicholas Barrett.”

  Chase smiled when her lip trembled as she tried to keep her emotions in check. She’d always imagined what his given name might be. It was so nice to finally know for sure.

  “That’s nice,” she said, clearing throat. “I like it.”

  “Yeah, me too. Anyways, he invited us to come to Brockville to watch his football game on Friday night. He said we could grab a burger afterwards and…” Chase frowned when Shay set her glass down on the hall table because her hand was shaking. “That’s okay, isn’t it? You still want to meet him, don’t you?”

/>   “More than anything.” She walked past him when she couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. “But I can’t believe he wants to meet us. Me. I can’t believe he wants to meet me.”

  She walked into the livingroom and picked up the photo of Nick she’d brought home from her office. She’d stopped at a little gift shop on Main Street that specialized in handmade local crafts on her lunch hour and selected a small mother of pearl frame for her most treasured possession.

  Chase came up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I honestly think we’ll be more nervous than he will be. He sounded really cool, like a normal, well-adjusted teenager.”

  “I’m glad.” She ran her hand over the chubby cheeks that she’d only had the chance to kiss one time before they whisked him away. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d have the chance to kiss or hug him again.

  “Can you believe he lives on a hobby farm?” Chase chuckled. “He’s not only into the outdoors, but sports too.”

  She smiled at the pride she heard in his voice as she tipped her head back to look at him. “Hmm, sounds a lot like someone else I know.” It felt so good to be with Chase again, to feel his hands on her, even if only as a supportive friend who wanted to see her through a tough time.

  “I didn’t know how I’d feel,” he admitted, dropping his hands to his sides when she stepped aside. “Talking to him for the first time. I was nervous the first few minutes. But after that it felt really natural.”

  “Then he didn’t give you a hard time?” Shay re-claimed her glass, taking a sip.

  “Not at all. I’m sure he was surprised to hear from me, but he didn’t let on.”

  “Can I get you anything? Have you eaten?” When he didn’t respond, she said, “I was just about to throw a steak on the grill. Care to join me?”

  “You haven’t eaten yet either?” he asked, checking his watch. “It’s almost 7:30.”

  “I was too nervous to eat,” she admitted, knowing he would understand.

  “Then why don’t we go out and grab something? Save you from having to cook.”

  Landon was a small town and tongues would no doubt start wagging if people saw them out together. “If it’s all the same to you I’d rather stay in tonight. I’m pretty tired.”

  “You didn’t sleep well last night?”

  “Not really.”

  She drained her glass, thinking she wouldn’t mind something stronger. Not that alcohol would help settle her nerves. She knew the only thing that would put her mind at ease was seeing and talking to Nick.

  “In that case, let me do the honours. Just lead the way and I’ll fire up the grill.”

  Shay led him through the dining area to the kitchen, which led to the back patio. “Have at it,” she said, gesturing to the stainless steel barbeque in the corner of a large, semi-circular, stone patio. “I’ll just toss the salad. Baked potatoes okay with it?”

  “Sure, whatever. I’m easy.” He turned the gas grill on and reached for the brush hanging off a hook, to clean it.

  Shay got a flash of what their life might have been like if they’d been a real couple, a real family. Would every summer night be like this, barbeques on the patio, while they talked about their day?

  “What’re you thinking?” he asked, smiling when he caught her staring. “And don’t say nothing. I can practically see the wheels turning.”

  “Nothing. I should get the steaks for you. Be right back.”

  She tried to collect herself, to focus on the reason they were spending so much time together. Nick. It had nothing to do with residual feelings from a lifetime ago. He was just trying to be a good guy, to keep her in the loop about their son. She had to remember that.

  “Is it weird for you, being with me again?”

  She nearly squealed when she realized he was standing behind her, watching her. He’d let the door close without the tell-tale slam and she’d been so caught up in her own thoughts she hadn’t heard him come in.

  Considering the best way to answer his question, she repeated, “Is it weird for me? I don’t know. Is it weird for you?”

  “It’s…” He chuckled. “Uh yeah, it’s weird. But it feels right, somehow. After the way we left things I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came back, but seeing you again was like catching up with an old friend. You know how it is. Sometimes you can go twenty years without seeing someone and feel like you just saw them yesterday. That’s how it is with you.”

  He saw her as an old friend? An old friend he’d conceived a child with!

  “I’m glad we’ve been able to put the past to rest,” she said, faking a smile as she passed him a small platter containing two rib-eye’s, along with a plastic container of her favorite steak seasoning. “It’ll make things a lot easier, especially since we’ll be running into each other all over town, I’m sure.”

  “If I have my way, we will,” he said, smirking as he walked outside, this time letting the door slam shut behind him.

  Shay braced her hands on the granite countertop, taking a few deep breaths before she re-filled her glass and retrieved a water from the fridge for him. She took a pair of tongs from the cupboard and returned to the patio to find him seasoning the steaks before setting them on the grill.

  “Here you go,” she said, passing him the water.

  “Thanks.” He tipped it back, his eyes never leaving hers as she sipped her iced tea.

  She knew she should go inside to nuke the potatoes and toss the salad, but she was having trouble tearing herself away from him. “So, tell me more about Nick.”

  “His dad died awhile back,” he said, resting the tongs she’d given him on the platter. “His mother re-married, but she said he gets along well with his step-father. Like I said, he’s into the outdoors and love sports. That’s really all I know.” He opened the lid of the barbeque to flip the steaks. “I didn’t think it would be right to pump either one of them for information at this stage of the game. If it feels right to him I’m sure he’ll open up to us about his life.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Shay was glad Chase would be there to help her break the ice with their son. She knew nothing about teenage boys. But since Chase had been one not too long ago, she assumed it would be easier for him to relate to Nick.

  “It seems your neighbour has got her eye on us, by the way,” he said, winking. “She told my mother that my truck was parked at your house for a long while last night.”

  “Oh no,” Shay said, covering her face with her hands. “You must mean Mrs. Banks. She’s a sweet old lady, but a real busy-body. She knows everyone’s business.”

  “Yeah, I remember her.” Chase laughed. “We went to school with her grandson, Jimmy, right?”

  “Hmmm-mmm.” She took a sip of her drink. “Every time I have someone spend the night, the whole town knows about it by morning.” Shay stifled a gasp when she realized how that slip might have been perceived.

  “Ugh, I’m sorry.” She groaned. “That’s not what I meant to say.”

  He shrugged, obviously trying to play it off. “You’re a beautiful woman, Shay. It’s not like I don’t know you’ve had other boyfriends since we broke up. Does it make me feel good to think about it? No. But it is what it is. We both moved on with our lives.”

  “Yet we’re back here again. Together. What does that mean?” She wouldn’t have asked that question if she hadn’t seen how tense he got when she hinted at other men.

  “I don’t know.” His gaze strayed to hers. “It doesn’t have to mean anything, unless you want it to?”

  She had no idea what she wanted right now. The only thing she could think about was the fact that she’d be meeting her only child in just a few short days. “I should prepare that salad now. It looks like the steaks are almost ready.”

  “Way to dodge a bullet, Shay.”

  She could hear the laughter in his voice. He was undoubtedly calling her a coward and maybe she was, but she knew she couldn’t go on prete
nding forever. Eventually she would have to acknowledge there was definitely something still between them.

  Chapter Eight

  Even though it was just supposed to be a casual dinner with an old friend, Chase couldn’t remember the last time he’d had more fun with a woman. They talked and laughed, teased each other about old times, reminisced, talked about their dreams: the ones they’d made come true and those they hadn’t. It normally took months before he opened up to a woman like this, on the rare occasion when a relationship progressed to that point. But this was Shay. The girl he’d built his world around for years.

  “So, any regrets?” she asked, as he re-filled her coffee cup. “You’ve done what you set out to do. Made a fortune in an industry that you’re passionate about. That’s got to feel pretty good, right?”

  “It feels amazing.”

  He poured himself a second cup of coffee, knowing there was no chance he’d sleep tonight. He’d be too busy thinking about what he would say to Nick when they finally met and whether he and Shay would still have an excuse to get together like this after they met their son.

  He wanted more nights like this with her. As many as possible, in fact. But he didn’t know if she was still interested in him and couldn’t bring himself to ask.

  “I love that I’m able to work with my best friend, building a brand that we both believe in. Professionally I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

  “And personally?”

  “Now that’s a different story.” He knew he had to be honest with her if they had a shot of taking their relationship beyond the friend stage, so he said, “I’d like to get married someday, have a family. How about you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. The dealership keeps me too busy for much of a social life, to be honest.”

  “But you must date some.” He couldn’t let her earlier reference go, though he knew he should. It was none of his business who she was dating, but if he had competition, he wanted to know. “Or Mrs. Banks wouldn’t have anything to gossip about.”