Don’t Hesitate

by Winters, Jeannette

  Who can help me? I lay there racking my brain. It wasn’t hard to find Andrew. He was in Boston - rich, powerful, and very well known. But for a romantic surprise, well, that was going to take more than luck. I needed help from the inside.

  Ted! I smiled. Guess your job duties just expanded. It was too late to call him now, but tomorrow night at work, he and I were going to have a chat. One that ended with him agreeing to help me.

  Before I closed my eyes to sleep, I read Andrew’s text one more time. I could feel my entire body relax. Closing my eyes, I knew if Andrew visited me in my dreams, at least they would be sweet ones.

  Chapter Twenty

  Anne

  “You asked to see me, Ms. Worth?” Ted said, entering my office.

  “Yes, I did. You said you know Andrew’s brother Clark.”

  “I do.”

  “I…I’d like to speak to him, if you wouldn’t mind sharing his number with me.”

  “Ms. Worth, I’m not at liberty to share his number without checking with him first. May I ask why you don’t request it from Andrew?”

  “I’m trying to…surprise him. I thought it would be easier if Clark helped me navigate that,” I replied.

  “If you’d like, I can call him now,” he offered.

  My heart raced. I didn’t know quite what to say, but something was better than nothing. “Yes please.”

  Ted dialed the number and said, “Hey, Clark, it’s Ted. I have Ms. Worth here and she’d like to speak to you if you are free.” He nodded and then handed me his cell phone. “I’ll be at the main entrance if you don’t mind returning it to me when you’re through.”

  “Certainly.” Once he was out of earshot I turned my attention to Clark. “Hi. I’m…Anne…Anne Worth. I’m a…friend of your brother Andrew.”

  “Hi, Anne. What can I do for you?”

  He didn’t seem surprised to hear my name, but then again, he must know who I was since he’d sent Ted to work for me. Don’t overthink it. “I… want to do something for Andrew, but I don’t want him to know. I know it’s probably awkward, a stranger calling you for help, but I figured I would try anyway.”

  “Not a problem at all. It if will help get my brother out of the piss-poor mood he’s in, I’d be more than happy to assist. What do you need from me?” he asked.

  “There is this museum outside of Boston. I need help getting him there. I want it to be a surprise.”

  “A museum? I’m not sure what I can say to get him to go with me there. Now a bar, well, now you’re talking to the right person. What kind of museum is it?”

  “It’s a ‘believe it or not’ kind of thing. You know, the person with the longest arms and the man with the biggest feet. That kind of stuff.” Even as I said it, I knew it sounded crazy.

  Clark laughed, “Okay. You’re joking right?”

  “I wish I was. I know it might sound odd, but my friend owns the museum and is going to do up an exhibit just for Andrew. When he sees it, I’ll be…close by.” With any luck, he will be happily surprised to see me. “I wanted to do something that he’d never expect, that no one else would think of.”

  “Oh, well then. You nailed it,” he said.

  I was beginning to second-guess myself. Then I remembered what Aunt Trixi had said. I could do nothing, but then I’d have to live with never knowing what could have been. I’m doing this.

  “Great. Then do you mind if I take down your number and text you the details?”

  “That’s fine. Do you mind if I hang around the museum, too? I mean…I think I want to see his reaction.”

  How could I tell him no? Clark held all the cards. “I’ll even pay your admission.”

  I knew that was corny as hell. They were billionaires and I was doing things…we’d have done up north. Well, he’ll either love it or hate it. But I’m sure Andrew will never forget it.

  I ended the call and sent Clark all the information he would need. Then I headed off to speak to Ted. I returned his phone and said, “Thank you so much for doing that for me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I have another favor to ask,” I said, hoping I wasn’t pushing my luck. I couldn’t afford to lose Ted now.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m going down to Boston in two days and I won’t be back in time to open The Treasured Chest up. Actually, I’m not sure I will even be back at all that night. Would it be possible for you to open and close for me?”

  He smiled. “Sounds like the call went better than you expected.”

  I nodded. “And the club is the only thing preventing me from implementing the plan.” I could always close the club for a night. But then I’d be risking the night’s income and have to explain that to Andrew when we worked things out. I smiled. When, not if. In my heart, I believed we had a future. I believed in us.

  Ted said, “I’ll be happy to cover for you. And if you find you need an extended stay, just let me know.”

  “Thanks. You are the most reliable bouncer I ever met.”

  Ted laughed. “I’m not really a bouncer.”

  My eyes widened. “You’re not? Then…why are you here?”

  “Because Andrew asked Clark to send the best.”

  “Bouncer,” I said.

  “No. Protection. I actually run my own security company.”

  “You what? And you’re here doing this?” I was flabbergasted.

  “I got hired for a job. And trust me, this one comes with a lot better view than most,” Ted winked.

  I rolled my eyes. “I can’t believe he did this.”

  “Andrew must really care about you.”

  I nodded and turned back to my office.

  Yes, he does. He…loves me.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Andrew

  “Are you sure you want to sign these papers?” Phillip asked from across the desk in his office. “Once you do, there won’t be any going back. I made sure there were no loopholes.”

  “I knew there wouldn’t be.” That’s why I chose Phillip to draft this contract. It was legal, binding, and free of errors. “And for the record, yes, I want to do this.” An apology could never equal what was in my heart, but I would try. And I was ready to make a grand gesture to show Anne the depth of my feelings.

  Phillip handed me the papers and said, “Sign here and here.” I did and handed them back to him. “I’ll get this right over to the courthouse in Bermoose. I will also email you a copy for your records. I’m sure your accountant will have many questions for you, number one being your sanity.”

  “I don’t care what anyone thinks. It’s my money, my decision.” That comment was meant for Phillip as well.

  “Are you going to tell Anne, or just surprise her like last time? I’d like to think you’ve learned from your mistakes,” Phillip stated.

  “You just can’t resist needling me, can you?”

  Phillip shook his head. “You make it too easy. With Anne, you’re really off your game.”

  “Not anymore. I know what I want.” And it’s Anne.

  “I really hope you get it,” Phillip said earnestly.

  I got up and walked out of his office. Once I received the documents, I’d make arrangements to return to Bermoose and deliver them to Anne. For now, Clark was taking me to some museum he said he was thinking about purchasing. It was not in line with anything else he owned, and a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have delayed in telling him he was losing his fucking mind. But I knew my brother. There was more to this museum than he was letting on. I hope whoever she is, she’s as good for Clark as Anne is for me.

  No matter how we fought and sniped at one another, the bottom line was we were brothers. We would support each other’s professional and romantic success. Kenneth and Jerry seemed to have reached theirs, and I’m well on my way now. If it was possible for us, then there was certainly hope for Phillip, Clark, and our evasive brother Richard.

  Can’t wait to see who Clark is interested in, because that museum sounds…
. different.

  My phone rang. It was Clark. Please be calling to say you changed your mind.

  “Hi, Andrew. Want me to pick you up or are you going to meet me there?”

  Definitely taking my own car. The last thing I wanted was to be trapped there any longer than I needed to be. “I have the address. And don’t worry, I’m not going to blow you off.” No matter how tempted I am.

  “Good. I’ll be waiting near this new auto exhibit they have. I hear they have some real unique vehicles.”

  “Great.” I ended the call. I didn’t want to spend my afternoon looking at cars you couldn’t put on a road because they’re actually boats or planes or something ridiculous like that. When I was a kid, I was into that kind of shit, but who had time for fun and games now?

  An hour later I pulled into the parking lot, and just the exterior of the building had me regretting this outing. A giant wooden cyclops and a statue of a three-headed dog flanked the entrance. Oh, yeah. I’m not going to be here long.

  Unfortunately, I saw Clark’s car already parked. Empty. That meant I had to go inside. I parked my Ferrari away from any other vehicles, hoping it would still be in mint condition when I returned.

  When I went inside I was greeted by a woman with bright red hair. “Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

  There were only a few vehicles outside. No way you needed an appointment. But I humored her and said, “Yes. The name is Heart.”

  “Oh, yes. Your brother said to meet him at the new exhibit. Would you like me to show you the way?”

  “I’ll follow the signs, thanks.” The place was a maze, one room after another. I ignored all the exhibits and just continued to make my way to the one I needed.

  As I turned the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks. This one caught my attention. LARGEST MOOSE, the sign read. He easily doubled my height. I flashed back to the night that was almost my last. I like you much better in wax. I enjoyed wildlife, just not around my vehicles.

  Shaking my head, I tried to block that memory. The only accident on my record, and the insurance company wouldn’t mark it down the way I saw it. A hit and run.

  The sign on the next room read AUTOMOBILES. Finally. I’d do a quick run through and get out. Sure enough, the first one was a car that was two front ends joined together. The next one looked like a huge rubber duck. Equally unexciting.

  Turning the corner, I stopped. What the fuck? That car looked familiar. Silver, and crushed on one side. Damn. Great exhibit to put right after the moose.

  The sign above the car said, ALL I WANT. I scoffed. I’m sure even the junkyard didn’t want that heap. I was just about to move on to the next one, but out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a note taped to the dash. I had to see what it said.

  IS TO TELL YOU I LOVE YOU EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE.

  I stood back and read the messages out loud. “‘All I want is to tell you I love you every day of my life.’ Huh. You might have totaled your car, but you’re one lucky bastard to be loved like that.”

  “No. I’m one lucky woman.”

  I spun around to find Anne standing there. “Where did you come from?”

  Smiling, she said, “Right where you left me.” She stepped closer and said, “What do you think?”

  “About the car?” I asked, no longer even thinking about it. All that mattered was standing right in front of me.

  “I meant the note,” she said.

  I looked at the car, then the note, and turned back to Anne. “You did this?” She nodded.

  “I got your text and I…I wanted to tell you that I love you, too.”

  My text? I didn’t recall texting her and telling her I loved her. It was true, but how could I not remember it. Shit. I texted her when I was drunk. I thought I dreamt it. I should apologize, but did it really matter at this point? The important thing is that it brought us together again.

  “Anne, I should have told you what I was doing. I fucked up and I’m sorry. I’m…not going to make that mistake again.”

  “I know why you did it. Every time you tried to talk to me about the club, I stopped you. I know how important it is to you, to your development project. That’s why I’m here.”

  “I’m not doing the development anymore,” I said.

  “But you can now.” She handed me an envelope and I opened it.

  It didn’t need to read it all to know what it was. “Anne, this is the deed to the land for the club.”

  She nodded. “I am not closing it, just moving it. All I need is sixty days to get everything settled. I hope you don’t mind granting me that time.”

  I handed her back the deed and said, “I have no use for this any longer.”

  “But it’s what you wanted,” Anne said, a note of doubt creeping into her voice.

  “Yes. I did. But the funny thing is, while in Bermoose I learned there is a difference between want and need. I wanted the land. But I need you.”

  I watched her eyes glisten with tears. “I need you, too.”

  I pulled her into my arms and said, “I love you, Anne.”

  “I love you too, Andrew.”

  I kissed her briefly, knowing that if I claimed her lips too long, the passion I’d tried to bury would take over. Besides, there was something I needed to tell her before we went any further.

  “I need to tell you something, Anne.”

  “I know all I need to, Andrew. You love me. We can figure the rest out later,” she said.

  I wish it was that easy. The last time I kept something from her I almost lost her. Never again. “Sweetheart, I want to explain why I don’t want your land anymore.”

  “You can, but it’s already done. I went to the courthouse and signed the deed over to you.”

  I laughed. “And what do you expect me to do with it when I no longer own all the land surrounding it?” I said.

  “You sold it?” she asked.

  “No. I…signed it over to you.”

  She looked shocked. “You aren’t serious, are you?”

  “I am. I wanted you to know that money and success are nothing to me without you.”

  She laughed. “Well, I guess I have a problem. You see, there is one piece of property that is in the center of all of mine. I hear the owner is stubborn and probably won’t sell. What do you think I should do about it?”

  “I guess there is only one thing you can do.”

  “What is that?” she asked.

  “Accept his offer for a merger.”

  “What type of merger?” Anne asked.

  “The ‘until death do us part’ kind.” I pulled her back into my arms and said, “Anne, there is so much we need to learn about each other, but I want to learn them with you by my side. These past few days have been hell thinking I’d lost you for good. I never want to feel like that again.”

  “Me neither. I never knew what emptiness felt like until you weren’t there. But I want you to promise me something,” she said.

  “Anything for you,” I replied.

  “I want you to move forward with that development.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Because when you love someone, their hopes and dreams become yours. And what’s important to them becomes important to you. And besides, what on earth would we do with all that land anyway?”

  I grinned at her and said, “I know what I wanted, but I think we can make that decision together later.”

  “And what would you like to do in the meantime? she asked.

  I looked over her shoulder and saw Clark standing there. Thank you, brother. I owe you. He gave me a brief nod before walking away.

  I scooped her up into my arms and said, “I have a few suggestions, but none that we can act on here.”

  “Hmmm, your land or mine?” she teased.

  “How about ours?” I said.

  “I love the sound of that,” she smiled.

  As I carried her out the red-haired woman said, “Hey, what am I supposed to do with that car?”

 
“I’ll have it picked up,” I said.

  Anne said, “I was going to have it junked.”

  “It’s your first love note to me. Do you really think it belongs in a junkyard?” I asked.

  Anne laughed. “We could just grab the note on the windshield.”

  “Sorry. I don’t want just pieces of you. I want all of you. And that goes for your note as well.”

  She snuggled her head into my neck and whispered, “I’m all yours.”

  And I’m going to make sure you never spend a moment regretting it.

  Epilogue

  Anne

  “Sorry. That call lasted longer than I wanted,” I said.

  Andrew walked over and kissed me. “I’m glad to see you’re in such demand. Just don’t forget, I need you, too.”

  Bermoose might be small, but it was growing fast, and my paralegal office was booming. It was funny that I had to run this business under the name The Treasured Chest, but it was the only way I could fulfill my dream and uphold the terms of Uncle Carl’s will. And my former employees were thrilled with their severance package. A year’s wages, without having to work a day. “You need legal advice?” I teased.

  He nodded. “There’s this hot, sexy woman holding my heart captive.” He kissed me again, “And she promised to come to bed, but her phone won’t stop ringing.”

  I needed to work on that. Although I wanted to help everyone, I had to remember none of it mattered if I wasn’t taking care of the one who takes care of me.

  “That’s easily remedied.” I grabbed my cell phone and turned it off. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. Now, how can I make it up to you?”

  “How about a glass of wine under the stars? It’s a clear night, not one cloud.”

  “That sounds perfect.” I got up from behind my desk and Andrew took my hand in his as we headed outside.

  Aunt Trixi had been living in Florida for a month and we were happily renting the cabin from her. It worked for us. When we needed to be in Bermoose, we had this place and when we were in Boston, we stayed at Andrew’s apartment.