Taming the Moguls

by Christy Hayes

  He settled beside her and reached for her hand. “What are you thinking?”

  “We live in different parts of the country,” she said.

  “For now, we do.”

  Her eyes were huge when she looked at him. “What do you mean, ‘for now’?”

  He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’m not letting you go. Geography is the least of my worries.”

  “I have a son. He’s in school. We have a home where he’s settled and feels secure.”

  “A home is where you make it, and I haven’t forgotten about your son.” Although he’d put him in the background, far beneath his desire for Gretchen and his need to have her in his life. He’d have to share her with a boy. A stranger.

  “You said before he’s the spitting image of his father,” Gretchen reminded him.

  “Sperm donor. You can’t honestly tell me you think of Ryan as Alex’s father.”

  “Alex doesn’t have a father. He’s mine.”

  “Which is how I’ll think of him. As yours and, maybe someday, ours.”

  She clasped a hand to her breast. “Oh, Tommy. My heart’s going to burst right out of my chest. I love that you say that, that you’ve considered him, but the reality of him is so much larger. He’s the center of my world. Everything I do is for him.”

  “You are the center of my world now. Everything I do will be for you and for him. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

  “I’m…My head is spinning right along with my heart. We need to slow down and break this down logically. You live here. I live in Chicago. I have a son. You have four businesses.”

  “I can sell my businesses. We can move somewhere new, start fresh wherever you want to live.”

  “You would do that for me? You’d move away from your family, your friends, your life?”

  Tommy squeezed her hand. “We’d make our own family. We’d make new friends. And if we keep going at it like we did today, we’ll make our own life—a new life—not long from now.”

  “Oh my gosh, I never considered birth control. We could have…I could be pregnant.”

  “I’d be okay with that.” His stomach dropped when she slapped her hands over her face until he heard her laughing and saw the dimples pop out on her cheeks.

  “You move so fast I can’t keep up,” she said.

  “If we can get a deal done on Bear Stream, is there any chance you could relocate here? Would you want to?”

  “I…I don’t know. It’s so remote.”

  “It’s a small town, but the schools are good. I have a house big enough for you and Alex and a couple more kids.”

  “A couple?”

  “Just keeping our options open.”

  “Project managers usually oversee things from Chicago while an onsite crew does the work. I suppose I could talk to Robert about applying for something onsite or maybe at the hotel once it’s open.”

  “I don’t want to live in Chicago. Too many memories are there, all of them bad.”

  “Your mother’s there.”

  “Yes, she is. She’s part of the bad.”

  Gretchen blew out a breath. “I’ll have to talk to Alex.”

  “I’d like to meet him. Soon. As soon as we can get this deal done, I’ll fly up.” He’d make time to see his mother. His visit, and their confrontation, was long overdue.

  She reached for him and clasped his hands in hers. “You need to think about this. About what you’re saying. About what you’re doing. I love you. I’ve never loved anyone but you. I want us to be together. This is like a dream for me, hearing you say everything—more—than I’d ever dreamed possible. But when we leave here, this oasis we’ve made, we’re going to have to face reality.”

  “I lost you once. I let you get away. I won’t do it again.”

  “There’s something else.” Gretchen looked down and twisted her hands in her lap. “It’s Ryan.”

  Chapter 45

  Tommy’s house was locked up tighter than a drum. No one answered when Lyle rang the bell and pounded on the door.

  Erica came up behind him. “His truck’s not in the garage.”

  “I figured as much when the snow was undisturbed in the drive. Looks like he hasn’t been home since before it started snowing.”

  “It hasn’t been twenty-four hours. The police won’t consider him missing until twenty-four hours have passed.”

  “Olivia’s not the police.” Lyle rubbed his face. “I guess we should call her.” They got inside the SUV and called Olivia.

  “You checked the restaurant, Mountain Sports, and his house?” she asked.

  “We’re sitting in his driveway now. It doesn’t look like anyone’s come or gone since the snow started late yesterday.”

  “I knew something was wrong,” Olivia said.

  “Don’t jump to conclusions. Is he dating someone we don’t know about? He could have spent the night with a woman.”

  “He dates, and it’s usually on the sly, but he would never not show up for work. You know that. I’m coming down.”

  “I think you’re jumping the gun. Erica had a good point. The police won’t consider him missing until twenty-four hours have passed.”

  “Which will be right about the time I arrive. I’ll be there in four hours.”

  “Is there any way to talk you out of this?”

  “Nope,” she said. “My brother’s in trouble. I just know it.”

  “All right, all right, I’ll meet you at the Tap. Don’t hurry. If I hear anything before then, I’ll give you a call.”

  “She’s coming?” Erica asked when Lyle hung up.

  “Couldn’t talk her out of it.”

  “So what do we do?”

  Lyle shrugged. “Let’s go back to the Tap and let Stevie and a few others know to call me if they hear from him. Then we can go find Mom. We’ve got some time to kill before Olivia shows up. May as well make the most of it.”

  Lyle parked his SUV behind Dodge’s truck in the drive of his mother’s home. “Didn’t expect them both to be here.” He reached for Erica’s hand. “Ready?”

  Erica clutched her stomach. “Not really. I’m nervous.”

  “You’re being silly. She’s going to be thrilled. Trust me.” He kissed her lips and led her from the car, into the garage, and up the stairs to the main residence. “Hello? Anybody home?”

  His mother called from the back hallway, “Be right out.”

  “We’re interrupting,” Erica whispered. “We should come back another time.”

  “Don’t be silly. She’s probably just working.”

  “And your stepdad?”

  Lyle shrugged. “Who knows? He may have ridden out somewhere with Kevin or Miguel.”

  Moments later, his mom and stepdad emerged from the hallway. His mother’s cheeks were flushed as she bustled out and gave them a quick hug. “This is a surprise.”

  Dodge narrowed his eyes at Lyle. “Yes, it is. What’s so important you couldn’t wait until later?”

  Sarah nudged Dodge. “Can I get you something to drink? Some cookies, maybe?”

  “I’ll have a cookie,” Lyle said. “Erica?”

  Her face had gone ghostly pale. “No, thank you. Lyle, I think we should go.”

  “Don’t be silly,” he said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “They hadn’t gotten started yet or he wouldn’t have let her come out.”

  “Honey, Dodge was just helping me replace a light bulb in the bedroom.”

  “Right, Mom, those light bulbs are tricky. Anyway,”—he sat at the bar and pushed a seat out for Erica to join him—“we wanted to stop by and let you know Erica and I are getting married.”

  Sarah spun around, a plate of cookies in her hand. “Married?” For a second, Lyle wondered if Erica was right and his mom was going to be upset. Then a wide grin stretching from ear to ear eased over her face, and she set the plate on the counter. “Oh, honey.” She reached across the bar and grabbed his hand and then Erica’s. “My baby’s gettin
g married!”

  Dodge walked up behind Lyle and slapped his shoulder. “Good for you, son. Good for you. I suppose that was worth an interruption.” Erica dropped her head and stared at her hands, her cheeks flaming. “You sure about this guy, little lady? He’s a pain in the ass.”

  Her head flung up, and a smile broke out on her face. Dodge, in his own distinct way, had managed to ease Erica’s discomfort. “I’m sure. He’ll be my pain in the ass.”

  Dodge laughed. “You hear that, Sarah? I do believe Lyle’s met his match with this one. You’re a smart guy for not letting her get away.”

  “No one ever said I was stupid.”

  Sarah walked around the counter and pulled Erica to her feet. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart.” She enveloped her in a hug. “My boy did good.” Her eyes filled with tears when she hugged Lyle. “My baby’s a man, a grown man making a family of his own. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Erica was worried you’d be upset.”

  “Upset?” Sarah clasped Erica’s hand. “I’m thrilled. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”

  Erica’s face blanched. “We haven’t gotten that far yet, Mrs. Dodge.”

  “You’re going to have to call me Sarah from now on. And why haven’t you gotten that far?”

  Lyle scratched his neck. “I’m working on the ring first. Then we’ll worry about the wedding.”

  “You haven’t gotten her a ring yet?”

  “I’m working on it. As usual, my mouth got ahead of everything, and I couldn’t wait to ask. I think it’s a good sign she agreed on faith alone.”

  “We should celebrate,” Sarah suggested. “How about dinner tonight? Dodge can throw some steaks on the grill, or we can go out. I’ll call Kevin.”

  Lyle checked his watch. “Not tonight. Olivia’s on her way down from Denver. Tommy’s missing, and we’re meeting her at the Tap in a couple of hours.”

  “Missing?” Dodge asked.

  “No one’s seen or heard from him since yesterday before the storm rolled in. Erica and I just came from the Lower Fork. He hasn’t checked in, his house is locked up tight, and he never opened Golden Mountain Sports.”

  “That’s not like him.” Dodge’s brow furrowed.

  “Which is why she’s worried. I thought she was being overdramatic, but I’m starting to get worried myself. She thinks maybe he went up the pass and got stuck in the storm.”

  “Anybody check the local hotels?” Dodge suggested.

  “For what?” Lyle asked.

  “Holcomb’s rep’s in town. Turns out she’s a lady from Tommy’s past. He’s been torn up about it for days. I just wonder if maybe they’re together.”

  “I didn’t know to check. Do you know where she’s staying?”

  “No, but she’s from Chicago, so I’d imagine she’s staying at one of the hotels in Westmoreland.” He grabbed his cell and the laptop on the kitchen counter. “There’s only two or three where an out-of-towner would stay. I’ll make some calls.”

  Lyle reached for a cookie as Dodge dialed. “May as well eat,” he said when Erica snarled.

  “Bingo,” Dodge said. “She’s at the Wentworth Inn. My friend Chuck works at the front desk there, and he said she hasn’t checked out, but no one’s seen her since yesterday. She uses the gym every morning and eats in the lounge, but didn’t do either today.” He looked at Lyle. “Sounds like they might be together.”

  “But where? If she’s not at her hotel, and he’s not at home, where are they?”

  “Wait,” Erica said. “There was a car at Golden Mountain Sports. Stevie said it looked like a rental.”

  “Blue sedan?” Dodge asked.

  “That’s it,” Lyle said. “How do you know what car she’s driving?”

  “I met with her and Tommy last week. Hers was the only other car in the lot.”

  Lyle sighed. “They must be together.”

  “Wonder if they went up the pass to look at Bear Stream?” Dodge asked.

  “Tommy had to know a storm was coming,” Sarah said. “They’ve been predicting it for days.”

  “The pass is closed,” Lyle said. “If they went up, chances are they’re still there.”

  “If they went up and found shelter, chances are good they don’t want to be found,” Dodge said. “Do Tommy a favor and don’t let word get around he’s missing.”

  “Why?” Lyle asked. “Maybe someone’s seen them.”

  “Garrity’s not happy with Tommy about STS. It’s a long story, but it involves the woman. I think the fewer people who know they might be together, the better.”

  “What about Olivia?” Erica asked. “What should we tell her?”

  “Tell her to keep her mouth shut until we know more,” Dodge said. “I know a guy who rents cabins on this side of the mountain. I’ll give him a call, see if he’s seen Tommy and ask about the road. If they open the pass, maybe he’ll be home by the time Olivia arrives.”

  Chapter 46

  “What about Ryan? Tommy asked. “You said he was out of your life.”

  Gretchen took a deep breath and wiped her hands on her pants. She had to get off that mountain and deal with Ryan before he got his claws into Alex. “He has been. Every holiday, he declines his time with Alex but not this year. He wants to take him skiing when he goes out to New England to cover the game.”

  “You’re going to let him?”

  “I can’t stop him. He has visitation rights. Just because he’s never exercised them before doesn’t mean he can’t now.”

  “When was the last time he saw Alex?”

  “He and his parents took him for Christmas when Alex was one. Alex cried the whole time, and they couldn’t wait to give him back. They were strangers to him. They’ve never asked again. Ryan calls several times a year and threatens to take him, but he never does. Until now.”

  “Why don’t you think this is just a threat?”

  “His assistant usually calls and declines for him. He called this time and argued with me. Robert said he’s heard Ryan’s under investigation for being with a minor.”

  Tommy’s jaw went hard. “He’s raped someone else.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Son of a bitch!” He hopped up from the couch and paced in front of the fire. “He hasn’t seen the boy in nine years? Haven’t you talked to an attorney about sole custody? Surely that would be an option considering his lack of interest in Alex’s life.”

  “Attorneys cost money. Money I don’t have. Besides, Ryan would never let me have sole custody.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not going to let Ryan get anywhere near Alex or you. I’m going to stop him.”

  “How?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but I know who to call.”

  Gretchen couldn’t afford to get her hopes up. As much as she loved Tommy for his passion and protectiveness, she knew Ryan would never relinquish his control over them. “Who?”

  “My soon-to-be brother-in-law. He’s got an international law firm on retainer.”

  “I didn’t think you were that close.”

  “We’re not, not really. But we’re about to be family. I’ll ask anything, pay any amount to keep Ryan out of your life.” He stopped pacing and looked her in the eye, as determined and angry as she’d ever seen him. “I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to ask for help. He’ll never touch you again. Every time he threatens your son, he’s threatening you. That stops now. Right now.”

  “His visitation starts in a matter of weeks.”

  “Then we’d better do what we can to get out of here. I’ve got work to do.”

  She stood. “What can we do? I thought the roads were impassible?”

  “We can shovel us out of the drive so we can check the roads. I wasn’t willing to chance a ride down, but now the clock’s ticking.” He reached for his coat. “You up for some shoveling?”

  “If it gets us down the mountain, I’m up for anything.�
�� She reached for him and wrapped her arms around him like a lifeline. “I don’t know what you can do, if anything, but I love you all the more for trying.”

  “We’ll win this. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

  She nodded and tried to remain positive. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Tommy; it was that she didn’t trust Ryan. He would do anything to keep Gretchen on a short leash. If he knew Tommy was back in the picture, he’d fight even harder. “Let’s get going.”

  ***

  The anger fueled Tommy to shovel faster and harder than he’d ever worked before. He would use the anger to get them out of the cabin and back to the valley. He would make some calls and do some research. The clock was ticking, and even though he’d promised Gretchen the moon, he didn’t have a clue about custody laws. But law be damned, Ryan Lowry would never touch a hair on that boy’s head as long as Tommy drew breath.

  “You’re not used to the altitude,” he told Gretchen when she leaned on her shovel, breathing hard. “Go inside and rest.”

  “I’m fine,” she insisted and began shoveling again.

  He could tell by the way she held the shovel that something was wrong. “Let me see your hands.”

  “They’re fine.”

  “Gretch.” He pulled her hand from the shovel and yanked the leather glove from her hand. “You’ve got blisters all over your palm, baby.” He kissed her palm before grabbing some snow. He placed it on her palm and closed her fingers. “Go inside. I can do the rest. We’re almost to the road.”

  “There’s so much snow. I don’t think we’re going to get down today.”

  “You let me worry about that.”

  “Tommy, you’re exhausted. Come inside and have a drink and something to eat. We could both use a break.”

  “You go ahead. I’m almost to a stopping point.”

  She sighed and scowled. “Tommy…”

  He kissed her cold lips and waved her inside. He got back to work. He was just turning to retrieve the truck key from the cabin when he heard the rumble of a diesel engine. He watched a truck putter to where Tommy stood.