My Charming Billionaire (The Grimwood Legacy Series Book 2)

by Jackie Castle

  * * * *

  Melody wasn’t in his office. Her bag and jacket were gone. Jeremy raced from the office and ran down the hall to the elevators. He’d been stopped twice, giving her a good thirty to forty minute lead on him.

  Once he was outside on the sidewalk, he stopped a cab, not wanting to waste time calling a driver. He was sure she returned to her room at the hotel. Where else would she go?

  But when he finally reached the building, after three traffic delays, he paid the cabby and hurried inside. He was passing the receptionist desk when he heard someone calling his name. He stopped and backtracked.

  “My apologies, sir,” the woman behind the counter said, sliding an envelope and folded note across the counter. “Here is the receipt for the room you booked and I was asked to give you this.”

  Jeremy unfolded the paper to find a handwritten note from Mel.

  Jere—

  I’m sorry for leaving like this, but I’m not making any deals with Evelina. She’s evil and as I said, I’d rather the resort go to a stranger (that’s not really true).

  I’ll figure out something. I know you’ll think I’m being stupid, but I have my reasons.

  I already have a flight booked. Don’t waste your time worrying about coming after me. I’m going home. Thank you for trying.

  Melody C.

  Jeremy’s head lowered. Her letter was cold and to the point. He’d let her down. Pulling out his phone, he tried calling Mel but, as expected, it went straight to voice mail. That’s when he noticed a text from Mike.

  Where did you go? Get back here stat! Hanson is looking for you.

  Great. Now, uncle was involved.

  He did need to return to the office. Melody, evidently, had made up her mind. She’d been quick about it, too. Somehow he needed to make this up to her.

  Another text came from Mike. Hurry. I can’t put him off much longer.

  Jeremy made a quick call for one of the drivers to pick him up in the company car. They’d not get him back to the firm much faster than a cab would, but at least he’d not have to suffer through that awful sweaty shoe smell.

  While waiting for the limo, he sent a text to Mel apologizing and begging her to call him. He doubted that she’d reply, but he could hope. What was he going to do?

  Thirty minutes later, he walked into his office only to be met by Uncle Thomas.

  “A word, Jeremy. In my office.” In a louder voice, he shouted, “Mike, I finally found him. My office. Now.”

  Mike appeared at his side. “How was lunch? Did you bring me back a bowl of chili as I asked?”

  “Um, sorry buddy. I…forgot.” Jeremy’s heart thumped like a flat tire. This might have been his father’s firm, but because of the trust, it did not belong to Jeremy. Not yet. He’d not met the requirements, which meant Uncle was in still charge.

  Which also meant Thomas Hanson could have him voted out if he found a good reason.

  Jeremy was always aware that his uncle might be looking for a reason to push him out. So far, Jeremy had made sure to not give him a reason. He worked long hours, made the firm money, and did everything he could to prove he was invaluable.

  Uncle Thomas gestured toward the round table where several books and a stack of files were piled. Soon as they sat, he leaned forward, knuckles on the table as he leveled his gaze on Jeremy. “Want to explain what happened today?”

  He didn’t think hiding anything would help his situation, so he explained how he was trying to help Melody save her ski resort. “I’ve been trying to connect her with investors. That’s all.”

  Uncle Thomas’ head lowered. He tapped the table as if irritated.

  “Anyway,” Jeremy went on when his uncle failed to make a response to his explanation. “We failed to find an investor, so Ms. Carson is on her way back home. I did what I could, but—”

  “But nothing. We have an interested buyer. Evelina Ash wants to purchase that resort and is willing to pay a fair price for it. You’ll need to contact Ms. Carson and help her see reason. She is your friend. Mrs. Ash explained everything to me after you left for your, um, lunch meeting. Which, I might add, next time make sure you’ve concluded the first meeting you are involved in before you rush off to another one.”

  Jeremy sat straighter in his chair. “Yes, sir. But I’m afraid that Ms. Carson isn’t interested in selling.”

  “You’ll help change her mind. We are not going to lose this deal, Grimwood. You started this and I expect you to finish it. Mrs. Ash has made it very clear that she wishes to add the Sky High to her other resorts. She is family, from what she said.”

  “Yes,” Mike answered with a nod. “Mrs. Ash is Ms. Carson’s aunt. And she only wishes to keep her family’s resort from being sold off, Mr. Hanson. I think Jeremy is caught in the middle. He is a long-standing family friend with the Carsons. His heart was in the right place, sir. He only wished to help. But, as I told him before, this resort is a sinking ship. I’m afraid Sky High’s only hope is Mrs. Ash.”

  Hanson gave a nod of his bald head. “Yes, I agree. Jeremy, I want you to talk your friend into accepting this deal. Do whatever it takes. If you need to return to her resort, I want you to go immediately. Mrs. Ash is willing to give us a nice bonus if we can help seal this deal. A bonus that will assure that you’ve met your father’s trust requirements, I might add.”

  Jeremy did not like where this was going.

  “Mike, you’ll take over Jeremy’s accounts while he’s gone.” Hanson pushed an envelope across the table toward Jeremy. “Here are Evelina’s terms. You convince Ms. Carson. Understand? Don’t return without having these papers signed. Mrs. Ash will not accept your failure to pull this deal through. Neither will I.”

  Chapter Seven

  Melody sat in the back of Dottie’s SUV staring out the window and holding in her tears. Jeremy had been her last hope. He’d practically thrown her to the worst wolf of all. And there were several prowling around, waiting to make a lunge for the kill and take her ski resort.

  Harriet, who also sat in the backseat, reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t be sad, Melly Pelly. The Lord won’t let you down, even if it seems your friend has.” She shook her head and sipped at her drive-thru soda. “I can’t believe Mr. Grimwood called the Ice Queen, of all people. I was sure that he cared an awful lot for you. I saw it in his eyes. I’d say he even loved you, but I’d need a little more time around him to be sure. Still, there’s something there.”

  Melody turned to face her optimistic friend. Brown curls fell around her pixie-like face. Freckles covered her nose and cheeks. Most would try desperately to hide them, but not Harriet, who believed that God gave her every last one.

  Melody wished she had even a small measure of her friend’s trusting faith. “We’ve been buddies since childhood. That’s what you’re seeing, Harriet. Nothing more.” Her little friend was optimistic, but also quite naive about people. She was much too trusting.

  From the driver’s seat, Dottie said, “You should call him back. Anyone who sends twenty texts and leaves twelve messages is certainly not as bad as you’re making him out to be. This time I’m going to agree with Harriet. I don’t think he realized the past troubles you’ve had with the Queen.”

  From the passenger seat, Mr. George growled, “He shoulda known that evil woman is up to no good. Them Grimwood-richies are much too high and mighty to understand what it’s like for real folks.” He bobbed his head that was covered in fluffy white hair.

  Melody immediately went on the defense, “They’re not high and mighty. They are the most down-to-earth family I’ve ever met.”

  George turned in his seat as far as his shoulder strap would allow. “They’re all sitting on billions, aren’t they? Why can’t he offer to invest in you? If he’s such a good friend?”

  Melody opened her mouth to explain that she wouldn’t take advantage of their friendship when George asked, “Bet he never once offered, even. Did he?”

  Melody shook her head
and started back out the window. She’d been glad that he hadn’t asked. A part of her worried that she was so desperate that she might have accepted, despite what it might do to their friendship.

  Shaking her head resolutely, Melody determined that she wouldn’t take such a risk. She’d not give him a chance to even consider offering. He had his life, his own problems. And she had hers.

  Harriet patted her arm. “He probably knows you’d never accept such an offer. George, you’re being mean again, you grumpy old coot!”

  Dottie let out a laugh at his scowl. Harriet wasn’t one to scold people very often, if at all.

  “Jeremy Grimwood,” Harriet went on, her nose titled in the air, “Is a gentleman. All the Grimwood men are. They’d never make our Melody feel like she’s some kind of poor relation looking for handouts. But I’m sure if she asked, they’d help.”

  Melody shook her head more vehemently. “I’ll never ask. I’ll not put them in an uncomfortable position, either. We’ll figure out something. I don’t want any of you to worry. I still have some ideas. I…just need to…work things out.” Melody had no idea what she’d do next, but they didn’t need to know that. Not yet, anyway.

  * * * *

  Jeremy hurried into Suzette’s building and rode the elevator up to her penthouse apartment. Duncan and Elisa promised to be there. Colton was back on his yacht but agreed to video chat with them.

  The elevator doors opened into her foyer. When he entered her expansive apartment, he found Duncan and Elisa sitting at the dining room table with Suzette. Her black hair was pinned up in a sloppy bun. For once she was actually comfortably dressed in one of her designer jogging suits.

  “Hey Sweets,” she quickly stood and greeted him with a peck on each cheek. “We’re still waiting on Colt to get online. He sent a text that he was getting ready to dock for the night.

  “Where is he now?” Jeremy asked, sitting his briefcase on one of the chairs.

  “Somewhere in the Caribbean.” Duncan stood and shook his hand while Elisa wrapped him in one of her warm hugs. She was going to make a great addition to the family.

  “You want a coffee, darling?” Suzette headed for her fancy espresso machine sitting near the end of the gray marble kitchen counter.

  “Yes, but just pick something to make me. Don’t ask, because I never know what to order without looking at a menu.” Jeremy removed his suit jacket and hung it on the back of the chair. “Fill me in on what’s going on. Have you found a buyer for your stores?”

  Duncan grinned and draped his arm behind his fiancée. “Yes, I did. I’m keeping the Los Angeles and New York store where I will have teams working one-on-one with customers. We already have several appointments scheduled. People love the idea of ordering custom made engagement and wedding rings. Our L.A. store has a long list of people wanting to have original pieces made just for them. Legacy Jewelers is already thriving.”

  Jeremy sat and folded his hands together on the glass tabletop. “It was a brilliant idea, Dunc. I’m so glad you found a way to turn things around.” If only he could do the same for himself. He hated what he was doing. And since Uncle Thomas’ requisition, Jeremy was beginning to have a sinking feeling this was the moment the old man had been waiting for.

  There was no winning for him. If he talked Melody into selling, she would lose her family’s land. If he tried to help her find a way to keep her resort, he’d suffer the consequences at the firm.

  He was grateful for the monthly meetings Duncan and Suzette insisted they hold. No excuses. Either be there in person, or by video, but each one had to be there at the allotted time.

  A ringing sound came from Suzette’s laptop that had been placed at the head of the table. Duncan reached over to accept the video call. “Hey, Colt. Can you hear me, buddy?”

  “Loud and clear. Hang on. Addison and Avery want to say hi first. Where’s Suze?” Two eleven-year-old girls with blond braids shoved their way into the picture.

  Avery waved and smiled. “I see Uncle Jeremy.” She blew him a kiss.

  Chuckling, he blew them one back.

  “Hey, how about some of those air kisses for old Uncle Dunc? Elisa is here, too.” He turned the computer so all of them were in better view.

  The girls squealed when they spotted their future auntie. Suzette hurried over to sit next to Jeremy and started asking the twins all about their day and the weather in Nassau.

  “Elisa is cool, my darlings, but don’t you forget that I’m your first and favorite auntie. How long will you be in Nassau, Colt? I have a new line of pre-teen outfits. I wanted to send some samples to the girls and get their thoughts.”

  “We’ll be here through February. Then I suppose I should head to our island. I wanted to visit in the summer.” Colton told the girls to tell everyone good night then get on to bed. “Go on, girls. We have boring stuff to talk about now. Uncle Jeremy only has an hour before he is supposed to leave.”

  Colton looked out from the computer now. “Where are you going?”

  “Back to Sky High Resort.”

  Suzette batted her darkly lined eyes. “He’s become the regular snow bunny. He’s too stubborn to admit that he’s totally smitten with the beautiful owner.”

  Jeremy rolled his eyes. Duncan smirked at him and nudged Elisa. “See? Told you.”

  Colton’s brows furrowed. “Melody Carson? Right.” He chuckled as if the idea were preposterous. “They would get along as well as a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon served with a peanut butter sandwich. Stop harassing Jere. He has more sense than that.”

  Annoyance over his brother’s arrogant attitude crept up his back like sharp claws scratching over his flesh.

  Duncan’s brows furrowed. “Mel is a wonderful person. Stop being such a snob, Colt. With that attitude, you’ll never find anyone.”

  “Fine with me,” Colton shot back. “I’m not interested in finding anyone. I’ve already met the love of my life and have no heart left for another.”

  Jeremy found that kind of surprising. He’d been sure there was something going on between Colton and the girl’s nanny. The woman had been so attentive not only to the girls but even more with her boss. Colton must have his head so high in the clouds that he’d not even recognize his employee’s ardor even if it smacked him upside the face with her feelings.

  “Can we get on with our business?” Jeremy asked, checking his Rolex. It had diamonds surrounding the clock face. A gift from Mom after he’d graduated from college. “I don’t have time to discuss everyone’s love life. Or lack of one.”

  Suzette’s eyes widened a moment before she quickly recovered. “Jere is right. Let’s get on with this. I suppose you still have nothing to report on the island, Colton?”

  He shook his head and turned away from the screen, probably addressing something with his girls. They did need a mom. Their nanny had given Jeremy the chills when he’d been introduced to her. Something was off about that woman.

  Not his problem. He had a tower of his own concerns to focus on.

  Duncan reported his news again for Colton who approved of what he’d done so far. They wanted to know of Elisa’s progress with her Event Planning business, even though it made no difference toward them coming into their full inheritance.

  Suzette stated that she was looking for someone to manage the clothing stores that had been left in her care. Like Duncan, she had no business sense. Jeremy had offered to show her, but she wanted nothing to do with managing them. “I’ll find the right person who will get them running full speed again. I have some good prospects that I’ll be interviewing over the next couple of months.”

  “Don’t dally too long, sis,” Colton advised. “The clock is ticking.”

  “You have room to lecture,” she shot back toward the screen. Her bottom lip popped out in a pout. “I told Daddy that I wasn’t interested in managing those stores. I’m a designer, not a business manager. He was horrid about giving them to me and saying I had to turn a profit with them. It’s so un
fair.”

  Elisa reached across the table and patted her hand with a sympathetic frown. “You’ll find the right person. And you have somewhere to sell your clothing line. Somewhere besides those box stores. With the right help, I know they’ll go over fabulously.”

  Jeremy held in his laugh when Suzette fluffed up like a peacock over her future sister-in-law’s praise. Elisa Lucken had been a big fan of Woodwind’s clothing even before she’d been trapped with his grouchy brother, Duncan, over the Thanksgiving weekend.

  The two of them were from different social circles and were doing fine. Why couldn’t things work out— well, because there was nothing to work out with Melody Carson. She wasn’t even willing to return his calls. He feared that when he did return to her resort, she’d kick him off her mountain at first sight.

  “Jeremy?” Colton whistled, trying to get his attention.

  Suzette nudged him with her elbow. “You can sleep on the plane, Sweetums. Stay awake, we’re almost done.”

  “Right. What did you say?” Jeremy snapped his attention back to the family meeting.

  “I said,” Colton repeated, irritation in his voice. “How are things at the firm? Has old man Hanson tried any foul plays? His time is running short before he has to hand over the firm to you.”

  Jeremy ducked his head and turned the cooling mug between his hands. “Things are fine. I guess. It’s just this deal with Sky High. I never should have brought it to the firm. Now, Uncle Thomas is involved. And so is Melody’s aunt, Evelina Ash. Do any of you remember her?”

  Duncan sat back in his leather chair. “I remember Aunt Maddie. Or Madeline, right? But we all called her Maddie.”

  Colton added, “I called her Aunt Mad. What a character. She was always scolding me.”

  “Because you were always stealing food from the kitchen,” Suzette stated. “Mother threatened to duct tape your mouth if I recall.”

  Colton scowled. “Did not. I was Mom’s favorite.”