Her eyelids fluttered open, and she smiled up at him. Surprised him when she raised her head and kissed him.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“A job well done, Counselor. I passed out before I could give you a performance review.” He laughed, then leaned down to kiss her again and desire took hold. She moved against him restlessly.
He rolled on top of her, kissed her until they both panted. “I’m sure there is room for improvement.” He lifted his head, began to nibble at her lips. “I want to make sure I get the best review possible.”
She gasped as he slid inside her, eased her hands into his hair, tugging gently. “I appreciate a man who strives for perfection.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The voice was hard and flat. “One more chance before I take matters into my own hands.”
“You didn’t tell me your plan about hurting Joe Stanly. It sent her into a panic. And no one knew she was going to hire another lawyer so quickly. There was no time to put anyone in place.”
“You aren’t blaming me, are you? At least my plan worked to get rid of the lawyer.”
“It doesn’t matter. Nothing has changed really. Do you have any other ideas?”
“What’s the latest from your source?” The idiot took a breath before he spoke. His fear palpable and so easy to read.
“The will is solid. You can’t get any money. The only way is to void the will. The only way to do that is to trip her up,” he said. “If Beverly dies, you don’t get anything either.” He sounded hopeful. What a fool.
“Not true. I get a vulnerable Regina Winslow who inherits a fortune. She’ll be ripe for the picking. But that isn’t what I’m after. The only reason Beverly Winslow isn’t dead is because I’d rather see her fail.”
“Dead? You said you didn’t want to go to jail,” he said. “I don’t either.”
“Then you’ll do as you’re told. I’ve put some thought into this. All you have to do is make sure your source isn’t holding anything else back.”
“They are meeting me again. I’ll make sure we know everything.”
“Good. Then my plan will work perfectly. I watch her suffer as she loses everything. But you should know I won’t hesitate to kill her if this doesn’t work, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
****
“It’s been weeks and nothing.” Bev said. “It’s freaking me out.” She opened the door for her best friend as they walked into the coffee shop across from Winslow Holdings. Len following from a discreet distance.
“I’d be freaked out, too,” Megan said as they made their way to the counter to order. “What were you thinking was supposed to happen, though?”
Bev scanned the menu on the wall. “Well, I guess I thought the FBI would find something on Serena or John. They’re clean.”
“How’s Joe and your mom?” Megan asked.
“Great, actually. Joe is feeling good enough to head back to Salem and take over in time for pre-season. I hired someone to do the tours, which will piss him off, but there’s also a security team watching out for them. Nothing will happen to him or my mom again.”
“That’s what I’d do in your shoes, if I were a millionaire,” Meg said, then placed her order.
The din of the crowded shop made conversation difficult but she preferred it to her office. There were fewer interruptions. She ordered coffee and followed Megan to the pickup counter. “For once, I’m thrilled about the money. It’s a weird feeling.”
“What does that mean?” Megan asked.
“I appreciate the money makes a lot of things easier, like being able to afford the security or hire on staff for Atlantic Charters. The money has made things difficult too, obviously.”
“No kidding. Crazy lunatic wasn’t after you until you had it.”
“Exactly,” she grabbed her coffee from the barista.
“I’m sensing a ‘but’ in all of this,” Megan said.
“I didn’t expect to enjoy it,” She moved out of the crowd. “And I don’t mean the money.”
“You don’t have to tell me that, Winslow. I’ve known you a long time. Which is why I knew you’d take to this.”
“I'll never like trying on clothes or buying shoes.”
“I don’t mean the shallow stuff. You haven’t had a personality transplant. Although, shoes still need to be bought.” Megan laughed. “I can just tell you are fulfilled. Running this company makes you happy. You’ve been at it over a month and you’re kicking ass from what I’ve read in the papers.”
“That’s one part I really don’t like.” She couldn’t shake the feeling she was an imposter when she dealt with reporters, as if they were trying to catch her in a lie. It was a silly feeling, but she couldn’t help it. Nothing she could do about them.
She gestured to the door. “Let’s take a walk.”
They left the shop with their coffee and Len in tow. The spring wind wasn’t quite warm yet, but it was getting there. She could just taste of hint of salt on the air from the harbor. It was a perfect day.
She followed Megan across the street. “I don’t love the press. But you’re right about the rest. And when the year is up and I can start giving away money to causes I care about, it will be even better. I agree with a lot of what my grandfather was doing, so I won’t need to change much, but I’m excited about the possibilities.” She stopped at Megan’s laughter as she led them toward a small park. “What?”
“Doesn’t sound so temporary to me…”
“I’m evaluating.”
“Bullshit.”
“Don’t rush me, Meg. I just heard what I said for the first time too. I didn’t know I felt that way.” They settled on a park bench. Bev’s phone rang. Without looking, she silenced it.
“I’ll leave it alone. You have enough to deal with.” Megan grabbed her purse, took out a lipstick, applied. “I should get going soon. I work the dinner shift tonight.”
“I wish you could stay. I could use a girl’s night.”
“Me too. Why don’t we schedule something? Should my assistant call your assistant?”
“Very funny.”
“I really am hilarious.” Megan put away the lipstick, checked her phone, and then pushed her friend in a playful nudge. “I don’t need to leave just yet. What else is bothering you?”
“I hate I haven’t asked you anything about your life. So tell me what’s happening?”
“I’m evaluating too.” Meg raised her brows suggestively.
“I’m intrigued. What is being evaluated?”
“I’ve been on five dates with Michael and I am contemplating sleeping with him. I’m also contemplating introducing him—in a more formal way—to my family.”
“Those are big steps. He’s a lucky guy.”
“I’m quite the catch.” Meg leaned her head on Bev’s shoulder. “Would you mind meeting him first? We’ll be in the city next week for a tasting. You could give him your seal of approval.”
“I’d love to meet him.” She sipped her coffee. God, this felt good. Normal. She wished it could be that way all the time. One of her phones signaled a change for her schedule. She ignored it for now. Megan was more important.
“Thanks, Winslow. Now tell me what else is bothering you…you and I are good, right?”
“I’m uneasy.”
“About?”
“No one has heard from Chuck Devon since Finn and I had a run-in with him down in Salem. It makes things worse even the FBI can’t track him down. I’m surprised he hasn’t hit me up for money again. Even though I can’t give him any.”
“I don’t get it?”
“He can’t get anything from me. I’m not allowed to give him any money—it’s a term of the will.” She picked at a piece of lint on her shamrock-green skirt.
“So that would be a good thing. Right?”
“Yeah, that is the one thing helping me sleep at night.” She twisted toward her friend. “My father would never go for something this big. It is
n’t his style.”
“Anything or anyone else helping you sleep at night?” Megan poked her in the shoulder.
Her face burned. “If you keep up the smart-ass questions, my assistant will lose your contact information.”
“I’m not afraid of you. You need me too much.”
“Finn Callahan has been keeping me company these past few weeks. I’m pretty sure you know that.”
“My ma checks in with your ma. So of course I know.” Megan fanned her face. “Hubba hubba, how’s the sex?”
She almost dropped her cup “Jesus!”
“Not enough time for my usual subtle self. Spill.”
“Amazing. He’s amazing. Sweet and considerate. He brings me food.”
“I might have to end our friendship over this one. Food? The sex is amazing, and he delivers takeout?” Megan put her head in her hands. “Where can I find one like him?”
“I’ll ask if there’s a brotherhood or something. He might know someone. But you have someone now.”
“I do, but many women would do cartwheels for a guy who delivers.” Megan said. “What kind of food? What kind of sex?”
“I’m not answering sex questions. He brought me pepperoni pizza last night. He cooked the night before.”
“Now I’m really going to cry. He cooks?”
“He’s good, too.”
“I can tell he’s good. You’re glowing,” Megan joked. “I thought you weren’t supposed to see each other?” she asked. “Isn’t it dangerous?”
“We’re being discreet. We meet at hotels or very rarely my apartment. The caller said to fire him. They didn’t say I couldn’t sleep with him. I’m being careful. Every protection is in place I can think of, and my family is safe. I’m nervous, obviously, but I can’t let this completely control my life.” She raised a shoulder. “Besides, we haven’t been seen in public since Joe was attacked.”
“So all of this is happening like a secret mission? That’s pretty sexy.”
“Yes.”
“How often have you seen him during the last month?” Megan asked.
She hesitated. Tried to think. “Through the week. I’m in Maine on the weekends.”
“So this isn’t just sex?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Are you freaking out?”
“Yup.” She swallowed. “I’m not the girl who asks where a relationship is headed, but I’m worried he’s attached, and it will end badly. I like him. I don’t want to hurt him. I want to keep it light.”
“Bullshit, again.”
“Megan, I need help here.”
“No, you don’t. You need relationship counseling.” Megan stood. “A gorgeous guy cooks you dinner. He doesn’t smoke, gamble, make passes at you on the docks, or mind you are in a fucked-up situation.”
She rose to look her friend in the eye. “What’s your point, Murphy?”
“You’re scared. This guy could be the guy, and you’re doing what you always do.” Megan turned toward the park gate. “On behalf of women all over the world, do me a favor: don’t screw this one up.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“Try harder,” Megan said and walked away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
She still thought about Megan’s visit two hours later when Ms. Garrett’s stern voice sounded through the intercom. “Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are here to see you, Ms. Winslow.”
Bev jumped off the couch and smoothed her jacket and skirt. What the hell did John and Serena want? She pressed the button on the phone at the coffee table. “Send them in, please.” She walked around the sitting area and greeted them at the door.
“John, Serena, what a pleasant surprise,” she lied.
“Sorry to pop in like this. Serena and I just had lunch, and she asked to come up and see the changes you made in the office. I hope you don’t mind.”
Well, this was weird.
“Not at all. I hope your lunch was nice.”
“Lunch was wonderful.” Serena strode in, made an immediate bee-line for the new furniture. “I adore springtime in Boston. I see you’ve gone with gray. It’s a sophisticated neutral. You’ve done well,” Serena turned on her heel and smiled at her.
Bev nearly fell to the floor. “Thank you. Complimenting me must be difficult for you.”
“You are blunt. So was my father. So am I.” Serena stared out the huge windows. “John has convinced me you are what Winslow Holdings needs. I wasn’t on board a month ago, obviously,” She gave them both a wry look over her shoulder. “However, the Winslow name is the most important thing, and we should work together to ensure its success.”
“I understand the enormity of heading up the Winslow family, Serena. I didn’t ask for this job, but I am trying.”
“You’ve done a nice job—from what John has told me. Our stock is safe.” Serena moved to the sitting area, looked at the chairs, inclined her head. “May I?”
“Of course. I apologize for my rudeness. Frankly, I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m not used to having your approval.” She sat across from Serena. “John, please join us.”
Serena smiled. “I doubt you need my approval, Beverly, but you have it. In order to show you I mean what I say, I’m accepting your olive branch and offering one of my own. It was lovely of you to offer me the inventory job for the estate. It’s going smoothly. However, I fear Regina will never forgive me for what I did all those years ago. I was wrong; I know that now. Defying my father at the time didn’t seem possible. I have missed my sister.”
“My mother is not up for discussion, Serena.”
“I understand.” She reached into her handbag and withdrew a small box. “Which is why I’m giving this to you instead of her. I doubt she will see me.”
Bev took the offered velvet box. Opened it and gasped when she saw the teardrop emerald surrounded by diamonds.
“It’s very old-fashioned,” Serena said. “But it was our mother’s. It belongs to Regina.” With that, she rose to her feet; John followed.
Bev was reluctant to close the box. The emerald was so beautiful. She snapped it shut and stood. “Thank you for that, Serena. It probably wasn’t easy to say.”
“Please see your mother gets that.” She kissed John’s cheek. Approval softened John’s eyes as he looked down at her.
“I’m off to Saks. I need some perfume.” Serena sniffed. “I’ll leave you both to get back to work. See you at dinner, John.”
“Yes, dear,” he responded.
Serena headed for the door but stopped and turned back. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t tell you your shoes need work, but the suit is terrific. You also need some art on the walls.” She turned on her heels and spoke airily. “I’m giving Ms. Garrett the names of a few people who can help you.”
John laughed as Serena closed the door behind her. “That is my wife in a nutshell.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry if she offended you.”
What was wrong with her shoes? She cleared her throat. “Not at all.” She couldn’t worry about that right now. Walking to her desk, she said over her shoulder, “What can I do for you today? Are we on schedule in Plymouth?”
“No, that’s the other reason I’m here. We hit a snag. The fishery wasn’t completely on the level with their financials. We need to tweak the offer to reflect that. Additionally, there is room for expansion if we include a building next door. It can be fitted for our needs while still keeping everything operational. Your grandfather ultimately wanted to expand the operation.”
She picked up a file she needed to review. “If we expand once it’s ours, we can employ more people in Plymouth.”
“Exactly what your grandfather thought.” John stood in front of her desk.
She still wasn’t completely comfortable being compared to Reginald, but found she was curious. “Sit down.” She nodded at the chair across her desk.
“Is anything wrong?” John asked at he sat. “The Plymouth contract will work out. I just need your appr
oval if it’s what you want.”
“It’s approved. Buy the building.” She lowered herself to her own chair. “It isn’t Plymouth. I was wondering if you could tell me about my grandfather.”
“Of course…but wouldn’t your mother be better suited for the task?”
“I want your impressions. I want to understand him and how he felt about Winslow Holdings.” She played with the corner of the file folder. “I find myself curious as to what motivated him.”
John blew out a breath. “I thought you wanted to know why he disowned Regina.”
“I’m not ready for that. I can guess his reasons,” she didn’t meet his gaze.
“Yes. Well.” John scooted his chair closer to the desk. “You already know your history, so I’ll try to explain what I think motivated your grandfather in business.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Your grandfather was born poor, you knew?”
“Yes, but up at the big house in Maine, Conroy pointed out portraits of generations of Winslows. Was my grandfather pretending he came from money?”
John laughed. “No. Like you, your grandfather didn’t pretend about most things. Your lineage can be traced back to the Mayflower landing with Josiah Winslow. Winslows have indeed been influential in politics, society, and charity in New England since then. Fortunes come and go. Your grandfather realized that mattered little. Once he learned his family history, he felt a great responsibility to the name Winslow.”
“I understand,” she muttered.
“I bet you do. Josiah Winslow was a very powerful man in early colonial days. He made a pact with the original settlers to further the success of the New England colony. This pact had no ending date. He built settlements, brokered negotiations with Native Americans, and built the first clinic in the city of Pembroke. Even though some later Winslows failed in honoring the pact, Reginald picked up where Josiah Winslow left off. He meant to restore the family back to its origins. Reginald believed in duty and honoring Josiah Winslow’s promise.”
She said nothing for a long time.
“You look stunned,” John said.
“Not stunned, but surprised. I didn’t know a lot of that, but that’s my fault. Over the years I’d made a habit of avoiding my grandfather’s press.”
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