See You in September : The Refuge Series Book One

by Debbie Zello

  “I went to Canada to shoot a film. Your card must have come while I was there. I came back and worked day and night on another project until I left to spend the holidays with my family in Arizona.”

  “When I got back from that I left for the next shoot in Texas. If they hadn’t gotten sick there and I didn’t furlough everyone, I would still be there. Cheri, if that had happened, you would be gone.” He folded his arms. She took a deep breath.

  “Right after you left I got a summons to appear because of David. When I went, I was blindsided by fabricated evidence, that I signed checks totaling five-hundred-thousand dollars, which came from client accounts. A few days later, I was served with papers joining me to the suit against him.”

  “I don’t think they’ll believe me. They put liens on this house and my office building. My capital accounts are frozen. I don’t have anything left,” she said defeated.

  “Thanks. I’ve been called a whole lot of things but never nothing,” he said taking her hands. “I believe you didn’t take the money. We’re going to find out who did. Then we’ll get the liens off everything. Then you’re going to marry me.”

  She smiled for the first time. “You can’t marry me. I’m too screwed up.”

  “Right. And you’ve never been to Hollywood. Don’t you read the newspapers? The whole town is chock full of screw-ups, making millions. You’ll fit right in!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  While Cheri drank her coffee, Gareth was making calls. “Tony, I need some good dirt on one dude, by the name of David Gates. Everything from birth to tomorrow. I want to know how many times he shits in a day. Yeah. I don’t care about the cost. Monday…early…east coast time. I don’t care if you sleep. If he squashed a fly in the second grade, it had better be in the report, Tony. You have almost two whole days. You can live without church for one week and I know you can do without mamma’s pasta for one Sunday. You’re wasting time arguing with me. Thanks. I owe you. Bye.”

  He made another call. “Sorry about the time Len, I’m on the east coast. I need a team of the best you know for Monday in Boston. Like five or six, I want to overpower the courtroom. Press coverage and everything. His name is David Gates and if you can get footage, there is a bonus in it for you. Another dude. No, she is gorgeous, it wasn’t that. Nope, not that either. Beats me. Call back when you have it all done. Thanks. Bye.”

  Gareth sat next to her on the couch drawing her over to him to sit on his lap. “What are you doing?” Cheri asked quietly.

  “Protecting you. I’m going after him with all the weapons in my considerably large arsenal. He will not know what hit him, and it will be years before he recovers from it.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “I love you. Haven’t you been listening? I need to know who Connie is. You were asking her for help. I’m a little jealous,” he said, kissing her sweetly.

  “She’s my sister.”

  “I didn’t know you had a sister. Where is she? I’ll send for her if you want.”

  “She died a long time ago. I was a senior in high school.”

  “I want you to tell me everything. I want to know you. All about you,” he said making her feel better.

  Cheri slowly told her whole story from when her sister got sick to graduating from high school. Finding her parents, then living with her best friend who took her in when the whole mess was over. Selling her parents’ house and assets. Starting college and meeting David in October.

  David was a year ahead of her. “When David passed the bar I gave him the money to set up the practice for us. When I passed, I joined him,” she said explaining.

  “You gave him your money from your parents?”

  “We were getting married. It was for our future.”

  “He knew all about what had happened?” he asked, holding her hand.

  “I was still a mess when I met him. He was kind to me and patient,” she said, softly.

  “He knew about the money? Did he ask or did you tell him?”

  “I don’t remember. I think he asked how I was paying for school. I said I had scholarships and was paying for the rest.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I don’t think so. I’m exhausted.”

  “Me too, I haven’t slept since yesterday. Let’s take a nap,” he said placing her on her feet and getting up. They walked to the bedroom and he began to take off his clothes. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took his pants and socks off and threw them aside.

  Gareth looked at her and said, “You’re still dressed. Do you need help?”

  “No. I’m just staring at you for a minute. I had almost forgotten how totally dazzling you are,” she said, breathlessly. He stood naked and crossed the small room to her.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere. And, it takes one to know one. And, every other cliché I can think of at the moment. Get undressed and let’s cuddle. I can’t believe I just said that. Tucker would split his gut if he ever heard me,” he said, sniggering.

  “Who’s Tucker?”

  “I’ll explain after we sleep.”

  Gareth held Cheri against his chest as they slept, his arm around her for comfort as well as security. He could sleep as long as he knew for sure that she was right next to him. He was scared to death thinking of what might have happened if he hadn’t read that card. If he hadn’t gone home. If he didn’t come here. If it was tomorrow when he got here, and she had taken those pills tonight. What if’s were eternal, frightening, and morose.

  He woke several hours later, because Cheri was moving around. He moved her hair aside and kissed her neck. “Do you feel better, sweetheart?” he asked.

  “I feel better because you’re here and you love me. I should have told you when you said it that I love you, too. Sorry.”

  “You told me when you began to cry uncontrollably out on the porch. And in your card. You didn’t say the words but your meaning was clear.”

  “It’s three o’clock. We missed breakfast and lunch. How does dinner sound?”

  “It sounds good. I’m starving.”

  They ordered from a Chinese restaurant in town that delivered in the summer but unfortunately not in the winter. When it was time to pick it up Gareth said, “Please don’t take offense with what I’m about to say. I want you to come with me to pick up the order. I’m not leaving you alone until I’m satisfied that you no longer want to take your life.”

  “I understand, but I’m not feeling the same way anymore,” she said, the tears beginning again.

  “Then why are you crying?”

  “Because now I’m just afraid. Afraid that if this goes badly, charges might be filed and I’ll face a criminal prosecution as well. Then I’ll lose everything, including my freedom,” she said, with her head down.

  “That’s not going to happen. My people will find something. They still have all day tomorrow.”

  They sat cross-legged in front of the fire, eating their chicken and broccoli right out of the box. Gareth schooled her in the art of eating with chopsticks. The laughter in the room was a welcome change from the drama of the morning. Cheri managed to get most of her dinner in her mouth, just not on the first attempt.

  She watched Gareth, memorizing once again the cut of his square jaw covered in the stubble she loved to have scratch her thighs and elsewhere. His nose was the perfect size and fit him. His kind eyes had a deep brown edge that got lighter towards the pupil. Gareth wore his light brown hair in a military high-and-tight style. It suited him.

  It was his arms that Cheri liked best. They were powerful, sculpted and pumped with iron for sure. They were both comforting and ominous. A contradiction for this non-ordinary man. Then it hit her, he was her very own G. I. Joe. Her face broke into an enormous grin.

  “What are you thinking? You should see your face,” he said, grinning back. She placed her box on the end table and rose to her knees. She gently took Gareth’s box from him and joined it with hers on the table. His eyes never left her but hi
s smile softened to a whisper. Cheri put her hand on his chest and softly pushed him to lie down. Crawling over his body, she made her way to his face. “What special ops do you have planned?” he said, tenderly.

  “I want to make love to you,” she explained.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? You’re a little fragile. Maybe we should wait a few days,” he said, taking a tendril of her hair and winding it around his finger.

  “Here’s the thing, Gareth. You have this wound, being accused of taking advantage of a woman. You are so worried about that happening again, you’re overly cautious to insure it doesn’t. I’ve been accused of something I didn’t do either.

  “You had to fight to prove your innocence. I was going to just give up on mine. It’s your strength and your example that’s going to pull me through this. I need to feel you with me, near me, and in me.”

  Gareth woke with Cheri’s head on his chest and her arm draped over his waist. Last night was the best sex he had ever had. Cheri taking the lead was a huge turn on for him. It was the first time he felt he wasn’t the aggressor. He liked her on top. It left him with free hands to roam her curves and tight places. He wanted an instant replay in the worst way, but he wouldn’t wake her. The one thing he knew she needed was as much sleep as she could get.

  He picked up a piece of her hair and was winding it around his finger again when he felt her stirring. Her hand moved and his appendage jumped to life. He shook his head with slight embarrassment, as his hamster was always ready for a turn at the wheel. “Good morning, baby.”

  “Good morning. I slept so well. Must have been all the exercise,” she said raising her head and kissing him.

  “I’ll make coffee. Why don’t you take a hot bath and relax? I’ll bring it in as soon as it’s ready,” he said moving her and getting up. She watched him walk naked out of the room with that fine butt flexing with every stride.

  “Oh God, I’m turning into a strumpet,” she said, admonishing herself. She got up and walked into the bathroom. Turning the water on, she poured some bath salts in. The smell of jasmine filled the small space. Cheri got in and sunk up to her neck in the warm fragrance. “You look so sexy in those bubbles. I wish I could join you but I won’t fit in that tub,” Gareth said handing her a cup of coffee.

  “Thank you. That smells divine. Sorry about the tub. I’ve thought about remodeling and putting in a larger tub but there’s no room. I’d have to take from one of the bedrooms and they’re small enough.”

  “If you’re interested, I know where we can get a much larger tub,” he said, with a conspiratorial smile.

  “Where?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gareth told Cheri about the house down the beach. “So what you’re saying is, I made fun of your house and the car you were driving, and you still wanted to spend time with me. Are you a masochist or something?”

  “I found your comments both honest and even correct. The house was an extension of my hamster as well as the car I chose to rent. You put me in my place, and I found that charming. No one besides Naomi ever does that.”

  “That’s right, you were going to tell me about Tucker and you never did. So, who are Tucker and Naomi?” she asked.

  “Tucker is my best friend. We met in the service, and went to film school together. He went into editing and I went to directing. He edits all of my work.

  “Naomi is my assistant. She does everything for me from running my house to running my life. She is both the bane of my existence and a blessing in my life. I literally couldn’t survive without her. You and she will get along great,” he said, shaking his head at the thought.

  “Why is that?”

  “The two of you have the same kind of humor. It’s effortless and just kind of comes out. Both of you kill me at times.” With her bath getting cold, Cheri got out and dressed while Gareth showered.

  They filled their cups again and went out for a walk on the beach. Gareth held her basket as she shopped along nature’s department store. At one point he said, “I need you to promise me that you will never again think about hurting yourself. Not ever.”

  “I promise, I won’t,” she replied, wishing that Gareth had been there to exact the same promise from her mother.

  “I only have two weeks, Cheri. I have to complete the film in Texas. I have some forty people in the cast and crew that need the job to pay their bills. I have a few more weeks of shooting before we can wrap it up. Then I can come back.”

  “The trial will be over before you have to leave. I’ll know what the outcome is and I’ll have to deal with it,” she said, sadly.

  “Okay. One day at a time, right? We get through today, then tomorrow.”

  Gareth was on the phone for over an hour checking in with his attorney Len, Tony his investigator, and Naomi. Both Tony and Len had discovered several bits and pieces of information and documentation involving David and his proclivities. They also had obscure bank accounts, offshore dealings, and some very interesting transfers. “Tell Cheri that I am very optimistic with what we have discovered. I don’t think he’ll have a leg to stand on. When we’re done with him, he’ll have wished he never started this with her. Gareth, he has a kid. A son. He’s four-years-old, born during their marriage. I think you should tell her before tomorrow,” Len said.

  “Who is the mother?”

  “She was a paralegal for the firm. When she left, he set her up in a condo and has supported her and the child ever since. The kid is cute, not that that matters.”

  “I’ll talk to her about it. What time should we meet you tomorrow?” Gareth asked.

  “I need time to go over what I’ve found with her attorney first. Then we both want to talk to her before we go in. Give her our game plan as such. Let’s say around eight-thirty. We’ll be at the courthouse. Someone will have a room that we can use.”

  “Thanks for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Gareth said.

  “You’re welcome. Bye.” Gareth ended the call and drank the rest of his wine. Cheri was working in the kitchen preparing their dinner of chicken stir-fry. He walked up behind her and snaked one arm around her waist and the other around her shoulders pulling her against him.

  “Your ex-husband has a lot of secrets,” he whispered into her ear.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she said, with a sigh.

  Securing her tightly against him he said, “He has a son. He’s four and lives with his mother. Did you know about him?”

  “No. Now that you say it, I know who the mother is. She worked for us. There were a few times I caught the tail end of conversations. A look or an awkward moment between them. I questioned him once and with his usual flair, I was dismissed as having an active imagination.

  “He didn’t want kids, at least not with me. He said it would interfere with the lives we wanted. The life he wanted. I wanted kids, a family.”

  “Good, because it looks like that is what you’re going to get. I want a passel of kids. I’m not sure how many that is but we can decide that later,” he said releasing her with a kiss on her neck.

  They ate their dinner and went for another walk along the beach. When they got to his house Cheri said, “When are we going to have that bath?”

  “Not today. I left in such a hurry I didn’t grab the keys. Naomi is sending them overnight. I hope to have them tomorrow. I’m surprised you even want to see it after your less than warm comment.”

  “I said I was sorry about that. That wasn’t nice of you to goad me into saying something without knowing it was yours,” she said, giving him her critical eye.

  “True, but then again, I didn’t think you would be so honest with your appraisal,” he said, laughing. They walked back to her cottage and sat in front of the fire, drinking wine and talking.

  When they were both relaxed and sleepy, he took her to bed. He made love to her without being invited, asked, or told. He gave her his strength with every movement. He poured his love and caring into her and accepted the s
ame from her. Then they slept with their arms around each other.

  The day started early. Cheri chose a dark grey suit with a pencil skirt that fell just above her knee. A light pink blouse and black heels. She pulled her hair back in a neat chignon at the base of her head. She kept her make-up very simple so as to not draw attention away from the facts of her case.

  The drive to the courthouse in Boston was strained and quiet. Gareth tried to engage her in conversation about their future but Cheri remained distant and focused.

  They arrived just a few minutes early and sat outside of the conference room that her team was given for their pre-trial meeting. Cheri fidgeted with picking at her cuticles until Gareth covered her hands with his. “It’s going to be all right. Have faith in you and in me. If we weren’t meant to be, then why would a guy from California rent a cottage next door to a mermaid, meet her and fall in love?”

  “That’s a good question,” she answered with a weak smile. Her mouth was dry and her knees were shaking, when the door to the conference room opened.

  “Miss Winslow, I’m Gareth’s attorney Leonard Goldstein. I’m very pleased to meet you. Come in.”

  “Likewise, Attorney Goldstein. Thank you for helping me,” Cheri said walking in. She saw a table full of people in front of her. The only face she knew was her attorney, Mr. Grison.

  “For the sake of time, I’m going to do all of the talking for the team,” Len said. “Tony,” he said pointing at him. “Has compiled quite a lot of information on your ex-husband. He found several gay and bi-sexual porn sites that have short films of a man calling himself David Winslow acting in what might be called interesting films. We have obtained copies.

  “Then we have a collection of accounts both on and off shore with varying amounts of money going in and out at regular intervals. The deposits occurring on the same days, in the same amounts as the checks with your signature. Your name is not on any of these accounts.