“Her mother? She did all of this because of her mother?” His tone was flat. Morgan wasn’t sure how he felt in that moment.
“Yes, son, she did. You remember how that felt, don’t you? How the loss of someone so important in your life makes you change how you view the world and the people around you?” Victoria’s expression closed up, and she reached for a glass with red wine in it. “Do you remember, son?”
Morgan’s mind flashed back to the day, several months after his father’s death, when he’d written a hateful letter to his mother accusing her of loving her company and freedom more than her family because all she seemed to want to do was work. He’d lost his father, and their world was turned upside down. Victoria moved the family to a secluded ranch to ensure their safety. Only, in Morgan’s young mind, this was a bitter betrayal. He thought it was his mother’s way of getting them out of the way so she could focus on her business.
His father’s loss, the sudden move and his mother’s disappearance into work changed his idea of how wives and mothers should act. Morgan recalled vividly the night he’d left her the note. She came into his bedroom while he pretended to be asleep, kissed him on the forehead, returned the note to him and whispered, “I love and forgive you, son.” They’d never spoken of the incident until now.
“Mother, I was a young, dumb kid when I wrote that note,” he said, lowering his head and feeling ashamed.
“Look at me, son.”
Morgan slowly raised his head and held his mother’s loving gaze. “You were a child who lost his father and thought he was losing his mother too. I understood. You went from having the mother you wanted to getting the mother you needed. A mother who had to lead and protect her family and couldn’t be there every day.”
“Everything just changed so quickly.”
“I know it did and I’m sorry that had to happen. However, it shaped you into the man you are today. A man I’m very proud of too,” she said, smiling before taking another sip of her wine.
“So you think the death of Kathleen’s mother did the same for her.”
“Of course it did.”
Morgan took a deep breath and released it slowly. “What should I do?”
“You don’t need me to tell you what to do, sweetheart.”
“Oh, you’ll interfere in everyone else’s love life but not mine,” he said, feeling happy now that the mood had lightened.
“I didn’t interfere with—”
“Mother, please, stop it. Alexander and China?”
“That’s been simmering for years.” She gave a nonchalant wave.
“True. Okay, Mia and KJ?”
“Your brother met Mia because he had to do community service,” Victoria defended herself, sipping her wine.
“Community service that you initiated with your friend the NBA commissioner,” he accused, raising his left eyebrow.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay. But we all know you brought Brooke back into the company so she and Brice would stay together.”
Victoria nodded her head slowly and held up her near-empty wineglass. “All I did was show a little kindness to two people who needed it. If my bringing Brooke home helped make it easy for your brother to decide something he’d already decided on, so be it.” Victoria finished off her wine as if she’d just made a toast to herself.
“So why not do the same for me?”
A wide smile crawled across Victoria’s face. “I have,” she said, ending the call.
Morgan sat back in his chair and smiled. Okay, Mother. I’ll show a little kindness. He picked up his cell phone and dialed the number he’d been avoiding too long. When he heard the call connect, he said, “Hello, Bonnie, it’s Morgan. I’m returning your calls.”
“Morgan, thank you for getting back to me.”
“Is everything okay?” He could hear fear and relief in her voice.
“Well, that depends on you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, first let me do something that I should’ve done years ago.”
“What’s that?” Morgan’s interest was piqued.
“I want to apologize and thank you.”
“For what?”
“I was terrible to you. I had no idea what real love was or what I had—”
“Bonnie, that was a lifetime ago. You don’t need to—”
“Yes, I do. The love we had was special, Morgan, and I blew it over nothing...for nothing.”
“Yes, it was, but it was also a young love...a kid’s love. Neither one of us really understood that at the time.”
“I agree, and I’m sorry we didn’t have the chance to figure that out the right way and in the right amount of time too. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course, Bonnie. Everything worked out for the best.”
“Yes, it did, which leads me to my thank-you.”
“Thank-you?”
“Yes, if you had gone through with my harebrained idea, who knows where we’d be right now?”
Morgan laughed. “Who knows?”
“Certainly not as happy as I am now and I only pray you have or will find someone who makes you that happy too. So thank you.”
Kathleen’s face, her laugh, her smell and even her recent words of love and commitment to him filled his mind. I have. “You’re welcome. Now what else is going on? I know you didn’t just call me for closure.”
“You’re right. I didn’t call just for closure.”
“What’s up?”
“When we broke up, and after graduation, I went to work for my father. I dated a few of Daddy’s picks before I came to my senses. A couple of years ago I met a computer whiz named Bill Wright, and we eloped.”
Morgan wasn’t exactly sure why he was so shocked, but he was. “I hadn’t heard. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Bill’s a private geek and we live a very full but low-key life now.”
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” Morgan realized he really believed that too. Being happy with the one you loved really was all that mattered.
“I am. Well, I was.”
“What’s going on, Bonnie?”
“Dad’s sick, Morgan. He has heart issues, and he needs to retire.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Me too. You know how much Dad loves working. As long as he follows the doctor’s orders, he should still live a full and happy life. Me and Mom aim to make sure of it too.”
Morgan smirked. “With you two in his corner, he doesn’t stand a chance. He’s going to be just fine.”
“Here’s the problem. Dad’s trying to convince my husband to run the company. He doesn’t want to, but Bill’s like you. He’ll do anything for family, especially since he lost his at such a young age.”
“I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with all this, but I’m not sure what any of it has to do with me.”
“You know how cutthroat this business can be. Even for a small oil refinery like ours. Bill won’t be able to handle it, and he’ll kill himself trying. We’re pregnant, and I don’t want my husband to lose who he is, trying to do something he can’t and doesn’t even want to do in the first place,” she explained.
“Why don’t you run the company? It sounds like you’ve been doing it anyway.”
“I am, but I’m having a baby, and I want to stay home. I’m done with working. I want to be a wife and mom now.”
“I get that, and I’m happy for you, but again, what does—”
“I want...no, I need, for you to buy our company.”
“What?” Morgan sat up in the chair and looked at his cell phone as if he were on a video conference call with her.
“Our company is small compared to some of the others, but it’s profitable and has been for the last few year
s. I made sure of it. We own just about everything. We have minimal debt on the books, and we have cash in the bank.”
“Your father wants to sell?”
“Not really, but none of us have much of a choice anymore.”
Morgan ran the back of his left hand under his chin. “Why sell it to us?”
“Not us, you. I’ve done my due diligence. Every company that you’ve personally brought into your family’s portfolio has been midsize and fetched a good price. You kept the majority of the staff—even the executive teams—and you’ve combined the company’s names with the Kingsley brand. What was the last one? A drilling parts and service company, I believe. I heard you made the Shield brothers one hell of an offer and Shield Parts became Kingsley-Shield Parts and Service. That’s a much better name, by the way. Yours is the only company my father would ever consider selling to. The Kingsleys are the only real good guys in this business.”
Too bad Kathleen didn’t know any of this before she pushed for her investigation to move forward. Focus, man; this isn’t about Kathleen.
“Thanks, but I can’t take credit for that. My cousin Kristen is the queen of branding.”
Bonnie laughed. “I remember. So, will you consider it?”
Morgan sat back quietly as he tried to consider her request and what it could mean for their company but his mind kept going back to his mother’s and now Bonnie’s words about love and happiness, and all he wanted to do was find Kathleen.
“Send me the proposal.”
“Really?” He heard pure joy in her voice, and that made him smile. Morgan was happy for her, and it was nice to know the old Bonnie was back.
“Yes, really. If everything is as you say, we’ll meet your price.”
“Thank you, Morgan, and whoever it is who’s managed to steal your heart...your adult heart...is a very lucky woman.”
Chapter 22
Kathleen sat nervously in a large leather reclining chair wrapped in a blanket, watching news reports on her iPad while listening to the rain. Everyone was standing around as if nothing was happening. It was like they were all just hanging out at a friend’s house. It was after midnight, and everyone had just enjoyed a huge barbecue dinner that Ms. Monica and a few guys prepared under the back patio. A number of the staff had called it a night. Others were playing card games and watching movies. Even though Adrian and others assured her that Morgan was okay, Kathleen needed to see it for herself.
Her phone beeped. She was receiving yet more calls and texts from her family. Kathleen had told everyone that she was safe and fine, but like her, they wouldn’t be satisfied until they saw it for themselves. Kathleen promised to call everyone in the morning. She was too tired, physically and mentally, to deal with anyone right now. All she wanted to do was find Morgan so they could talk. However, Kathleen knew she wouldn’t make it out the door without someone stopping her. Plus, she had no idea where he was, so she played what she would say to him over and over in her mind until she fell asleep.
It was after eight the next morning when Kathleen woke to the sound of laughter and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She scanned the room, but there was still no sign of Morgan. “You can run, but you can’t hide from me for long, Mr. Kingsley,” she murmured to herself. Kathleen picked up her bag and made her way to the ladies’ room, where she freshened up and put on a new set of clothes. After changing into a clean pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, she slipped her feet back into her boots and returned to the lounge.
“There you are,” Adrian said, walking up to Kathleen.
“Here I am. Good morning.”
“Good morning to you too. I came to tell you that we just got the all clear.”
“All clear?” Kathleen’s brows knitted together.
“Yes, the freeway is open, so you can go home.”
Kathleen shook her head. “Did Morgan send you to tell me to go home?”
“Yes...no. I mean, he told me to tell everyone.”
Kathleen turned her back to him. “Sure he did,” she replied, fighting back tears.
“Look, you can ask him yourself. He just walked in.”
“What?” Kathleen turned in time to see Morgan walking across the room with purpose toward her. Her heart rate increased with every step he took. He looked tired, and his beard was way past its five-o’clock expiration. The black jeans, white company T-shirt and work boots he wore screamed sexy.
“Good morning, Kathleen,” Morgan greeted her.
“Good morning,” she replied, searching his face for any signs of anger but finding none.
“That’s my cue,” Adrian said, walking away.
“Did Adrian tell you—”
“That it was safe for me to go home? Yes, he delivered your message.” Her voice was curt.
“I’m sure you’d like to sleep in your own bed.”
“Yes, I would. Care to join me?” She held his gaze.
Morgan held his hands at his sides, dropped his shoulders and exhaled noisily. “Actually I—”
“Morgan,” Adrian yelled from across the room. “Morgan, you need to hear this.”
They both turned toward Adrian, who had a worried look on his face. Kathleen followed Morgan over to where Adrian stood. “What’s going on?”
“The hurricane missed us but Port Arthur got hit pretty bad, and Main Street is impassable. There’s debris everywhere. They’re opening an emergency shelter in the old meatpacking warehouse outside town.”
“Let’s pack up all the excess supplies we have here and get them over to the warehouse,” Morgan ordered. “We can set this place up as a rest station for the first responders. We can open the kitchen here and if anyone can make it in to help out, great.”
“They also need access to our heavy-duty vehicles for a few rescues. Some communities got flooded, and they don’t have a way to get to the people who need help.”
“Of course, whatever they need,” Morgan assured him.
“Here.” Adrian handed him a pink piece of paper. “The mayor wants you to give him a call.”
“Thanks.” Morgan turned and faced Kathleen. “You should probably go home.”
Kathleen reached for his hand. “I can stay and help.”
“You need to go home and get some rest. It’ll be safer for you too. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’ll call you as soon as I can.” Morgan leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before turning to leave.
Kathleen wiped away a lone tear that fell as she watched Morgan walk away. She walked over to where she’d left her purse and pulled out her phone. “You have no idea who you’re in love with. I’m not going anywhere without you, Mr. Kingsley,” she said as she dialed and waited for her call to connect. Kathleen knew that there was a way she could help the town and its people who had been so wonderful to her whenever she was in town.
“Kathleen, thank God you’re all right. I’ve been worried sick.” His accent was thick and his voice full of fear.
“I’m fine, Daddy, but I need your help.”
* * *
Morgan and his team spent the rest of the day and most of the evening helping the small town start to recover, from aiding with rescue operations to setting up smaller shelters. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, Morgan wanted Kathleen by his side. He knew they had a lot to work out and he certainly had a lot of questions, but Morgan loved Kathleen, and he wasn’t letting her go. Morgan prayed he hadn’t blown it by pushing her away, trying to keep her safe. He knew she thought the worst of him because he hadn’t had time to explain. Morgan only hoped she wasn’t too upset. He wanted to call Kathleen and ask her to come back but how could he after insisting that she leave?
As they drove through the town on their way back to the plant, Morgan noticed a path down Main Street had been cleared, allowing easier access from one side of town to the other. Several lig
hts had been set up, illuminating the way. Large Dumpsters, cranes and trucks were parked on the outskirts of town. The name on the side of each vehicle—Winston Construction—caught his attention. Several black SUVs were parked in the parking lot of the largest hotel still in full operation.
“Pull over,” Morgan ordered.
“What’s up?”
“That’s what I want to find out,” Morgan stated, his curiosity aroused. He knew this had to be Kathleen’s doing.
Adrian pulled into the lot, parked near the door and cut the engine. “Now what?”
“Now you go inside and have a beer at the bar.”
“There’s beer and food back at the plant, you know. Are you buying?”
“Don’t I always?” he reminded Adrian as he exited the truck.
Both men entered the quiet lobby, waved at the familiar faces behind the desk and walked into the bar. Several men unfamiliar to him were drinking, eating and watching different sports games and the news coverage of the storm on the different TVs.
“How about that beer?” Adrian asked as he took a seat at the bar.
“Sure.” Morgan sat on the stool next to Adrian and took in the environment.
“Now what?” Adrian asked, trying to get the bartender’s attention. “Two long-neck Budweisers.”
“Coming right up,” the bartender replied.
Morgan scanned the room and noticed an older brown skinned, gray-haired gentleman wearing a gray suit sitting at a corner table alone near the bar’s front window, nursing what appeared to be a glass of whiskey.
“Here you go.” The bartender handed both beers.
“Thanks,” they chorused.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“How about a little information?” Adrian asked.
“Information is my specialty,” he replied, leaning across the bar.
“You know anything about these cats in here tonight?” Adrian asked.
“They’re from out of town, and they all work for the dude in the corner,” he said.
“How do you know that?” Morgan asked.
“A couple of the guys told me. They’re in town to help the town recover from the storm.”
The Heiress's Secret Romance Page 17