Taming McGruff (Book 3, Once Upon A Romance Series)

by leclair, laurie

  “What happened?”

  “Someone stole it.” She had no idea it was her mother.

  “Can’t you get it back?”

  “I’m trying.” Only when I take Agnes King down, he vowed. Only when he could restore his father’s reputation. But what would that do to Priscilla? He shouldn’t care. But he did.

  Chapter 8

  Early Monday morning, Priscilla stood shoulder to shoulder with Rico on one side and Evelyn, the wedding boutique assistant, on her other side. In the crowd of King’s employees, she waited along with them for the big announcement.

  Of course, she already knew. And as a part of the King family, she and Francie had been in the managers’ meeting an hour ago as Charlie and Marcus broke the news and introduced Griffin as the new head of King’s.

  The managers had taken it with a mixture of melancholy at losing the last King at the helm of the beloved family department store and a rush of excitement at getting the Griffin James, retail industry genius, to take over the lofty goal of saving King’s.

  He’d been amazing, too. Somehow McGruff turned into a very down-to-earth, relatable leader in a few short minutes, accepting the position as well as honoring her stepfather as a man and as an employer. She took comfort in his words of carrying on a tradition and at the same time exploring new territories to keep King’s competitive.

  “What’s going on?” Rico asked, straining to get a look at the temporary podium set up. He nudged her arm. “Come on, girl, you can tell me.”

  “You should have come to Charlie’s and Alex’s on Saturday.” She chuckled at his hurt expression.

  “And miss my hot date? I don’t think so,” he said.

  “Your loss.” Secretly, she thanked the stars he hadn’t shown; he would have suspected the interplay between her and Griff.

  “Hmmph! At least I got a second date out of it. He’s gorg, too!”

  Evelyn piped up, “You didn’t tell me that. What gives?”

  Rico puckered his lips and brushed back his short hair. “I can have some secrets.”

  Priscilla and Evelyn burst into laughter at that. “When?” Priscilla asked. “You never have kept them before.”

  He glared at her. “Well, I can start now, can’t I? Unless, of course, you’re going to tell me what’s the big to-do all about today.”

  The low buzz of conversation surrounding them suddenly increased. She swallowed hard as she watched Charlie, Marcus, Griffin, and Peg, the managerial assistant and her friend, come out of the executive elevator and toward the make-shift podium.

  Charlie picked up the microphone. “Good morning, my friends. How are you today?”

  They clapped and some employees even called out to her.

  “Thank you for coming in before the store opens. I don’t think I have to introduce myself to you and,” she turned to Marcus, “you all know Marcus.” He grinned and waved at the applause. “Now, the man to my right is a legend in our industry, Griffin James. Please give him a warm welcome.”

  Ohhs and ahhs raced through the group of employees. Obviously they knew his sterling reputation. Priscilla watched him as he, too, waved to the crowd. But, she noted, how his smile barely moved those sexy lips of his. At the memory of his hot, sensual kisses, her knees wobbled.

  “Divine,” Rico whispered.

  “Ditto that,” Evelyn said.

  “As you know,” Charlie continued, “and at your insistence, I’m still the owner of King’s and will remain the owner.”

  There were high-pitched whistles at that and more vigorous clapping.

  Pride shot through Priscilla at the way the employees adored her stepsister.

  Charlie raised a hand to quiet the employees down. “Thank you again. Also, Marcus has been kind enough to step in and help carry us to our next phase. However, his tenure will be over soon.”

  There was a murmur of disappointment. People loved Marcus. They also loved how he and her sister, Francie, fell in love and got married a few short weeks ago.

  “I’m afraid, at my doctor’s advice, I won’t be able to return to work full-time. Yes, I’m as surprised as all of you. But as of Friday, I’ve learned I may be off a great deal of time. First, I want to let you know I have some news, about the baby.”

  The concerned murmurs rippled through the group.

  Rico jabbed Priscilla. “What is it? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Prissy smiled, knowing what was coming.

  Her stepsister chuckled. “I’m going to have twins.”

  The audience cheered.

  Waving his hands in front of his face, Rico tried to hold back tears. He turned to Priscilla and hugged her, jumping up and down. “We’re going to have twins!”

  Evelyn joined in.

  “I know you’re all as thrilled as Alex and I am about it,” Charlie spoke again. “And I’m certain the celebration party Alex’s grandmother is planning will be a grand affair, with all of you there to share in our joy.” She held up her hands to quiet them down. “So with the discovery of not one, but two, babies, my search for a replacement was paramount. After much consideration and a great deal of soul searching, I have decided that none other than Griffin James will take over the helm of King’s. Please welcome our new leader.”

  Priscilla joined in the round of applause. Her pride for Griffin surged inside her. He garnered both awe and respect in the industry.

  “Thank you,” he said, clearly taken aback at Charlie’s quick hug before he took the mic from her. “I hope this welcome will continue long after I officially take over in a few days.”

  Their laughter filled the air.

  “Unfortunately, I never got a chance to work with Charles King. For that, I am truly sorry.”

  Tears smarted her eyes.

  “From what I’ve heard, he was not only a charismatic salesman, he was a compassionate, caring man who had a dream for himself and his family.” His gaze landed on hers. She swallowed hard. “And, I’m told, by a very good source, dreams are what you hold onto through the darkness. They give you something to aim for, a standard of excellence you push yourself to achieve until you soar. That is the legacy you have carried on and that is the legacy we will continue to strive for here at King’s. I know you will guide me and work beside me to carry out Charles King’s vision.”

  Cheers went up, the roar almost deafening. Through it all, she caught his glance and held it for a moment. He nodded to her as the corner of his lip moved ever so slightly upward.

  He’d listened to her, to what she felt and thought and had to say. He took her seriously. Her heart turned over in her chest.

  Wonder swelled in her. She gave him a thumbs-up. He chuckled.

  “Girl, you should have told me how hot he was. Forget my date. I would have come running to meet him,” Rico said. “I’m in l-o-v-e.”

  Me, too. A blast of heat rushed through her. Oh no, she couldn’t be. It was just a crush, wasn’t it?

  ***

  Hours later, Griffin flexed his stiff fingers. His hand cramped from shaking hands and his jaw ached with the effort to keep a smile on his face all day as he went around to each department and introduced himself to every employee. With each one he met, something cold and sharp sank in his belly. They believed in this store, in the King family. Who was he to destroy them as well as the store?

  Embedded in the enemy camp, he wondered if just after the first day, he was losing sight of his goal. Their enthusiasm and passion surprised him; he’d never encountered anything like it in the past. They weren’t getting just a paycheck: they were family, invested in a part of that dream he spoke of at the announcement.

  As he recalled the speech, thoughts of his pixie took hold. She’d beamed with pride as he stepped up to the podium, taking center stage. Noticing her in the crowd, he used her as his inspiration at the last minute; somehow her words, her passion rang true with the employees. It had struck a chord in him, too, but he couldn’t imagine hoping for anything ever again and not being let
down in the end. Nothing came easy for him.

  Now as he roamed the store, in the back of his mind, he wondered when he’d see Priscilla again.

  Peg, his new assistant he’d inherited with the job, chattered amicably, filling him in as they went. “Earth to Griff,” she called, snapping her fingers in front of his face. “You’re back. Good. Now this one, she’s been here since the dawn of time.” She ran a finger down the list of employees attached to her clipboard, and then tapped the paper. “And she doesn’t like change. Outspoken, too. Easy does it with her.”

  “You’re a wealth of information.” He filed that away. This woman was a gem, albeit she possessed a less than professional style. It worked with the employees, though.

  “I know. Worth my weight in gold.”

  He turned to her, seeing the ghost of a smile.

  “We gotta work on your sense of humor, Boss.”

  “Somehow, I don’t see the reason behind that suggestion,” he drawled.

  “Oh, I do. Believe me, I do.”

  He frowned. “Is that an attempt at a joke?”

  “It’s a fact, Jack.”

  Griffin shook his head; it would take a lot to get used to her. “Let me know when you’re kidding around.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Holy Toledo, I gotta really break you in and good.”

  He wondered who was in charge here—him or her?

  Another hour and he turned the corner to see the Charmings Wedding Boutique. It was everything the papers had said. Hip. Chic.

  However, it was the woman standing a few yards in front of him that captured his attention. Priscilla stood with her sister, Francie, and a gentleman he hadn’t met yet.

  “Oh, isn’t that so good to see?” Peg asked. “The sisters. It’s been a real joy to see them blossom.”

  “I’m sure you’ve seen a lot.”

  “And how. If it wasn’t for Charlie I would’ve been long gone years ago. She rescued me from her stepmother’s wrath.”

  “You were Mrs. King’s assistant?” This just got very interesting.

  “No, thank heavens. But I’ve seen her operate. A real piece of work, that one. My, the stories I could tell.”

  “Maybe you can fill me in someday.” He wished she’d spill it. Why did she have to practice restrain now?

  “You got a date. Lunch someday soon? I like steak.”

  This time he chuckled. He and Peg came to a halt near the boutique.

  He caught Priscilla’s questioning look.

  “Girls,” Peg said, “you’ve met Griffin already. But, Rico, I don’t think you have yet.”

  “No, ’cause I’d have remembered him,” the man said, holding out his hand.

  Griffin shook it. “Rico, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Well,” he said, putting his hand on his hip, “I haven’t heard nothing ’bout you.” He glared at Priscilla. “You’d think a friend would tell, wouldn’t you?”

  She turned to Griffin, saying, “There’s nothing to tell, is there?”

  If only he could kiss her again. But this time, he’d hold her close, feeling the length of her body against his. “Not a thing,” he said, bringing himself back to the moment with a crash. No, it was their secret to keep.

  “Rico, come on, we’ve got a wedding to finish up,” Francine said, tugging on his arm. “You’ve got less than an hour to pull it together, my friend.” She smiled at Griff, asking, “Who gets married on a Monday night?”

  Peg chimed in, “We aim to please.”

  “Is that a King motto?” Griff wondered.

  “No, but it could be,” she said, scribbling the phrase down on the paper on her clipboard. “Dagnabbit, my pencil broke. Be right back.” She rushed into the boutique, following Francie and Rico.

  “Do you attest to that saying?” he asked Priscilla. His body hummed, standing so close to her again.

  She swallowed hard, searching his gaze for a hidden meaning, he was certain. “I guess that depends on who I’m pleasing,” she said in a low, sultry voice.

  Griffin blew out a long, hot breath. His blood pulsed. A wave of anticipation swept through him. He wanted to be the one she pleased.

  ***

  Nearly ten at night, Griffin finally reached the door of the store. The night guard stood there.

  “Mighty late for your first night, isn’t it?”

  “Bruno, right?” Griffin shook his hand. “Call me Griff. No rest for the wicked,” he joked, but a knife-like pain shot through his gut. From all accounts of the employee records, King’s had served its people well and they the store. And this man had a long, distinguished tenure.

  “You can say that again. I was gonna retire, been saying that for years. But, now Miss Charlie having them babies, I gotta stay, make sure they know who their grandpapa was.”

  “Stories to tell?” How much did he know about Mrs. King?

  “Plenty.”

  “Interesting. Maybe we can catch up sometime.”

  He eyed him slowly. “Maybe.” But what he didn’t say reverberated between them. You have to prove to me first that you should know.

  Griff nodded. He appreciated a cautious man. Bruno had every right to be wary of him, too. “Have a good night.”

  “Same.”

  The cool night air whisked away the stuffy cobwebs lingering in his head. Thankfully, he didn’t have far to walk. Charlie had given him her parking spot since her husband’s driver delivered and picked her up every day.

  The sleek black limo, a short way down and across the street, caught his attention immediately. The familiar front license plate shot a wave of recognition through him. He halted. His heart seemed to stop, and then beat nearly out of his chest.

  With each step he took crossing the street, he drew a little closer to his past. The chauffeur behind the wheel of the running car didn’t bother to exit. The back window was half-way down when Griff got to it. The flash of blonde hair in the far- reaching streetlight held his rapt attention.

  “Agnes King, I presume,” he said.

  Chapter 9

  For the rest of his life, Griff would never forget the sound of the doors unlocking. He opened the door, and then slid in beside his worst enemy. This woman consumed his waking hours and, sometimes, his nightmares.

  She didn’t even acknowledge him; she leaned forward to speak to the driver. “Go,” she commanded.

  Her small white dog, sitting between them, stuck his cold nose under Griffin’s hand. Instinctively, he reached out and petted the animal, feeling sorry for it.

  The purr of the car picked up as they swung away from the curb.

  He turned to look at her in the shadowy interior, examine every inch of the woman who destroyed his father. Would she even remember? Or had he been one in dozens? “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he baited, noting the perfectly styled updo and ramrod straight profile. Dressed in all black, she blended into the leather seats. In her hand, she held a half-empty glass.

  He didn’t have to ask what she drank. The stench of it would forever be seared in his senses. How ironic his father’s drink of choice was hers.

  Having her show up didn’t come as a complete surprise. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew she couldn’t stay away.

  “Who do you think you are taking over King’s? I built that store—”

  “On the backs of others,” he bit out, unable to hold it in.

  “What have they been telling you? It’s lies, all lies.” Her slurred words cued him into her sorry condition.

  The dog didn’t mind the bickering; it snuggled closer to Griff. Mrs. King scooped him up, holding him close. The animal stuck his tongue out, licking her chin. Poor thing, he didn’t even know who the enemy was.

  “What do you want from me?” Griff asked, getting his temper under control. It wouldn’t help his cause if he showed his hand now. He had to wait, bide his time just a little while longer.

  “Fail.”

  “Excuse me?” Had he heard right?

&n
bsp; “Let it sink and drown like it should have years ago.” She took a long sip.

  “King’s? You want it to fail?” Shock raced through him. This was the last thing he expected her to say. It was his plan all along, but to have her agree shook him. He never thought he’d be in the same camp as Agnes King. “Why?”

  She remained silent for so long, he wondered if she’d even answer. “My stepdaughter and my daughters don’t know what’s best for them.”

  At the thought of Priscilla and the few things she said about this woman, his heart tugged for his pixie. “And you do?”

  “They need to let go of him. Once and for all.”

  “By him, do you mean Charles King?”

  “Of course, you nitwit!” she cried, upsetting the dog. She held him tighter, cooing to him. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

  Was she jealous? “Tell me why.” He refused to jump to any conclusions just yet. He was still trying to digest her request.

  “I’ll pay you. How much?”

  “Money? Is that what this is all about?” Somehow, it didn’t make sense. He’d seen the will she filed years ago for Charles King, seen the absurd amount she controlled.

  She sighed. “I am surrounded by stupid people,” she muttered to the dog.

  Griffin gritted his teeth. “Explain, please.”

  “They hoard their love on a dead man. When, I, their mother, am right here. Charlie pulled them in and filled their silly little heads with ideas, dreams,” she scoffed.

  At the mention of dreams, Griff’s middle tightened. “You don’t believe in them, I take it.” Something sharp and hard gnawed at him. God, was he just like her?

  “As long as that store remains up and running, they’ll never get over him.”

  “And won’t come back to you?” he guessed.

  She hissed. “Of course. I don’t want Charlie. She never wanted me, and I never wanted her. But my girls, they need me; they just can’t see it. I had a groom all lined up for Francine. And what does she do? She marries a cook, of all things.”