The reporter snapped some more pictures. “This is Jacob Spalding Jr., heir to Spalding Industries, the largest family-owned company in the U.S. He was also the main suspect in the Amanda Ames murder case.”
Carrie’s heart hammered in her chest. Matt was the guy who’d been wrongly accused of killing Amanda Ames? Carrie remembered hearing on the news how Amanda’s supposed lover had been the main suspect, but she couldn’t have picked Jacob Spalding out of a lineup if her life depended on it.
“And I was proven innocent. Now grab your friend and get your sorry asses out of my sight before you both need to be hauled away in an ambulance.”
The reporter with the smashed camera climbed to his feet and raced back to the car, the second reporter hot on his heels. Once they were safely inside, Smashed Camera guy shouted, “Your days of hiding are over, Spalding. By tonight, everyone will know you’ve moved on to small-town women. Ms. Lowell, I’d sleep with the light on if I were you.”
Matt cursed and gave chase, but the car sped off down the road. He kicked angrily at a rock, cursed again, then turned to face her.
Carrie’s heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach. Matt was actually some rich guy named Jacob Spalding...and had been suspected of murder? She stared at him, silently begging him to assure her none of it was true. This was Matt, her Matt, not some rich business type who...who could pay a construction company enough money to start work on a job in two days’ time. Who could afford to buy into a business on a librarian’s salary, with no home to put up as collateral when he’d been in town less than a year.
“Carrie, listen to me,” he said, beseeching her with his eyes. “I would’ve told you everything, I planned to soon, but then Lindy showed up and I...I panicked.”
“Hey,” Lindy complained, “don’t you dare blame this on me.”
“Go away, Lindy.”
Brother and sister glared at each other for a moment before Lindy took off in a huff.
“Matt...or should I call you Jacob?” Carrie could hear the bitterness in her own voice. He’d been lying since the moment he’d arrived in town. He’d changed his name, probably changed his appearance, all so he could...what? He could dupe her into bed? It seemed farfetched even to her, but what else could someone that rich and famous want with a “Mayberry” local like her?
“My name is Jacob Matthew Spalding, and I’ve been called Matt since the day I was born.”
“Is that your real hair color? Your real eye color? I mean, how could you have lived in this town all these months without someone recognizing you?”
“Please don’t build this up into something bigger than it is. Yes, I lied about my name, but I had good reason. I’d been accused of the most heinous crime imaginable, my family had been under the public’s scrutiny for months thanks to me, stocks had gone down, the paparazzi hounded me nonstop. I mean, it was bad enough having them follow me around to clubs and such, but they were suddenly everywhere, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to get out of L.A. before I lost my damn mind. Hell, I’d submitted to DNA testing, I was cleared of all charges, and the bloodhounds still wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“How can I believe anything you say? I have no idea who you even are.”
“I’m the same man you’ve known all this time. The same man who’s crazy about you, who would do anything for you. Carrie, the last couple weeks, getting to know you—last night—has been the happiest time of my life.”
Gazing into those amazing brown eyes, Carrie could easily believe anything he said. Matt was as charming a man as she’d ever known…yet lies fell from his mouth with an ease that startled her. And she’d sold half of her precious business to him. My God, what had she done? She was a complete and utter idiot.
“I should’ve known,” she said, more to herself than him. “You’d think I’d have radar after what I went through with Rob. Jesus, you must’ve had yourself a big ol’ laugh when you left my bed last night. You duped the poor little ‘Mayberry’ girl”— she made air quotes—“out of half her business. Pretty soon you would have figured out a way to get me to sign over my half. Heck, you probably own half the town by now, don’t you?”
He took a step forward. “That’s ridiculous and you know it. Now that you know who I am and my family’s resources, you must realize your little coffee shop is—”
“Is what? Not worth your time? Good, then sign it back to me and get the hell out of my life. In fact, get the hell out of Redemption.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes grew dark, angry. “I’m not going anywhere, and whether you like it or not, Coffee To Chai For is half mine.”
Bastard. “There you go, showing your real colors. But you forget, my sister and both my parents are lawyers. I’m sure together they can find a loophole to get me out of our contract.”
He closed the distance between them until they were practically nose to nose. She wanted him to kiss her so bad she feared her knees might give out, and she hated herself for the weakness. “And you forget I have the means to keep this in court for a very long time.”
Tears burned her eyes. How could she have ever thought this man was decent and kind? “I hate you. You’re a despicable excuse for a human being.” She gave his chest a jabbing shove, but all the big bully did was grab her by the shoulders.
“You don’t mean that. You’re just angry—”
“Oh, yes, I do mean it. I’m through. We’re through. If my family can’t get me out of our contract, you can buy me out. Either way, I never want to see you again. Now let go of me unless you want to add batterer to your list as well.”
That seemed to have the desired effect. He released her and stepped back, looking around uncomfortably as if he didn’t quite know what to do. Obviously, Mr. Jacob Spalding wasn’t used to being put in his place. She gave him one last scathing look, then turned and walked away.
“I’m in love with you, Carrie.”
She stopped dead in her tracks and whirled around. Her chest ached as if it would explode. “So, when threats and intimidation don’t work, you try the love card? What did you think I’d do, burst into tears and run into your open arms? Not in this lifetime. And just so you know, for the next sucker who falls for your nerdy librarian act, it would’ve worked better the other way around. Love before threats and intimidation.” Carrie turned and strode away, and this time he let her.
* * *
“She’ll come around,” Lindy promised as she poured Matt a glass of wine. “It’s a lot for a small-town girl to take in, that the guy she’s been dating is rich and powerful.”
Matt swirled the burgundy liquid in the glass before taking a cautious sip. He loved his sister dearly, but some days he found it hard to believe they were blood related. “Carrie doesn’t give a damn about my money. Besides, her parents are prominent attorneys, Carrie’s never wanted for anything.”
Lindy sat down across from him and took a sip of the wine she’d picked up at the Piggly Wiggly. Her eyes scrunched and her lips puckered. “Blech. Are you kidding me? How do you drink this crud?”
“I don’t, I drink beer. With a bottle of Michelob, I always know what to expect.”
He got up and carried his wineglass over to gaze out the kitchen window. His own backyard was barren, without a single flower or shrub to break the monotony.
Yesterday he’d had such big plans in store—a pair of apple trees, a flower garden that would knock Carrie’s socks off, a hammock, just like hers. Today he’d decided to put the house on the market. The two-bedroom cottage style home had cost him a song less than a year ago, and he knew he could easily sell it for the same. He didn’t care about making a profit. All that mattered was getting the hell out of Redemption.
“Cheer up, big brother. If she doesn’t come to her senses, it’s her loss. I mean, I’m sorry, but she’d be crazy to let you go. And I’m not just saying that because I’m the best sister in the world.”
She flashed him a grin, the same grin that had managed to co
ax him out of many a bad mood. Unfortunately, the grin didn’t do much good against a broken heart.
He heard a car pull into his driveway and spun around. Hope filled his chest, and he stepped over to the side window to glance outside. His heart dropped when he saw a black stretch limo parked behind his Jeep. He set his wineglass on the counter and met Lindy’s questioning look. “Mom and Dad are here.”
“No way.” Lindy rushed to his side and looked for herself. “I can’t believe it. After all these months, they finally decide to find you?”
Matt picked up his wineglass and drained it. “My guess would be they’re here for you. Probably afraid I’ll brainwash you into staying.”
She let out a delicate snort. “As if.”
Matt took a deep breath and swiped his fingers through his hair before following Lindy outside to greet their parents. The driver got out and opened the door. First his mother stepped out of the vehicle, looking as lovely as ever—a slightly older version of Lindy. She glanced at the house, an oddly wistful note in her eyes, before settling her gaze on Matt. He hadn’t seen his mother’s beautiful face, hadn’t heard her voice in months, and all he wanted to do was throw himself at her and beg her forgiveness. He’d caused both his parents a whole lot of grief and didn’t know if either would ever be able to forgive him. Yet here they were.
“Matt, don’t just stand there, come help your father out of the car.”
He gave a curt nod and strode forward. It took every bit of his self-control to keep his emotions at bay. Up until he’d been accused of murder, they’d been as close as a family could be.
His father had already started to get out of the limo. “Good God, woman, I’m not some ancient invalid. I can still climb out of a car under my own steam.”
“I know that, Jacob, but you’re exhausted,” Evelyn Spalding gently scolded. “Humor me, will you? Matt, please help your father into the…house.”
Matt hid a grin. His house was about the size of their pool cabana back in L.A.
Before he’d even taken one step, his mother ran forward and wrapped her arms around him. Matt squeezed her so tight he lifted her off the ground. Tears stung his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I never meant to stay away so long, but when you wouldn’t speak to me I—”
“Shush. The only people who owe apologies here are your father and I.” She stepped back and smiled up at him, a smile he’d missed so much over the months. “Now help your father out of the car before he has another attack.”
“Dammit, Evelyn, I’m...fine,” Jacob Sr. huffed as he climbed out of the limo. “Just not as young as I used to be. Well, boy, you going to come give me a hug, or do I need to chase you down for one? And I could, you know,” he added with a scowl at his wife.
Lindy rushed forward and beat Matt to the punch, throwing her arms around their father’s neck. “Daddy, you should be in bed! What were you thinking taking such a long trip?”
“Melinda, let go of your father’s neck before he ends up in traction. And it’s not as if we drove here, for goodness sake, we took the jet.”
Matt watched in amazement as the driver pulled his parents’ suitcases from the trunk. “You guys are planning to stay here? In my house?”
“House? That’s a generous overstatement,” his father teased, eyeing the cottage with a doubtful squint.
Matt ignored the crack and gave him a hug. “I’m very grateful you’re all right.”
“I know.” They shared thumps on the back. “So, you got a beer for your old man?”
“Don’t even try it,” his mother warned. She grabbed her toiletry bag and followed Lindy into the house.
Matt gave an apologetic shrug. “She’s probably right, Dad. No sense chancing your health this soon.”
Jacob Sr. scowled. He grabbed two suitcases, no doubt just to prove he could. “How is a man supposed to talk business with his son if he can’t even have a drink?”
“Sorry,” Matt said, “but you’ll have to settle for apple juice or bottled water.” After a moment, his father’s words sunk in. “Did you say business?”
Jacob Sr. smiled from ear to ear. “Yep. Bought a new one about a month ago. In fact, we can go take a walk through later. It’s right here on the outskirts of Redemption.”
Chapter Nine
“Son, I thought you’d be happy. You can stay here in Wisconsin with your lady friend, run the new plant. A win-win situation, as they say.”
Matt stared at his father, wishing like hell things had turned out differently with Carrie. But opening up the old repackaging plant was a great idea. Matt had heard how bad the economy was in Redemption those first few years after the original plant closed. He loved the thought of bringing so many new job opportunities to the area. Too bad he wouldn’t be here to see it.
“My lady friend doesn’t want anything to do with me.” Matt passed his father a plate with a turkey sandwich on rye and some carrot sticks. The old man stared at the food as if it would jump off the plate and bite him. “It’s good for you,” Matt assured him, biting back a grin.
With a sigh of resignation, Jacob Sr. set the plate down and picked up his sandwich. “Might as well be dead if I have to eat this garbage for the rest of my life.” He let out a heavy sigh. “So what happened with this Carrie girl?”
“If you know her name, you must know what happened. Now eat your sandwich.”
His father cocked a brow. “You’re not too old for me to put across my knee. Don’t test me, boy.” He took a big bite of his sandwich. After swallowing he pressed, “So you’re just going to give up? Let her get away?”
Matt picked up his wineglass and drained it. “Don’t see how I’ve got much of a choice. She found out who I am in the worst possible way. Probably thinks I’m some murdering playboy who got off because I’m rich.”
“When the hell did you lose your backbone?”
Matt frowned. “Why do you even care? I figured you’d give me some lecture about how she’s beneath me, just out for my money, blah-blah-blah.”
Jacob Sr. set his sandwich down. “Those first few days after my heart attack I had a lot of time to think, and your mother and I had some long talks in the hospital. Son, I can’t tell you how sorry I am for the way we’ve treated you. I should’ve been more supportive during that whole actress fiasco instead of worrying about the effect it would have on the company. I also knew you weren’t ready to take over the company, but I was being selfish. I wanted to spend the rest of my years golfing, traveling the world with your mother—”
“And who could blame you?” Matt interjected. “Dad, you had every right to want to retire. You’ve dedicated your life to SI, missing birthdays and anniversaries—”
“That’s exactly why I shouldn’t have been so eager to push it on you. I hate that I missed so much. I’d give anything to be able to turn back time and attend even one of your little league games.”
His father’s expression was so solemn Matt didn’t know what to say. He’d never seen the old man like this, never knew he felt this way. “Mom was there.”
“I should’ve been there, too. Sitting right beside her, cheering you on.”
Matt gave a reluctant nod. “I wish you had been, but I understood. And that was a long time ago, Dad. Don’t start punishing yourself now.”
The old man picked his sandwich up and considered it. “I just want you to make better choices, son. Learn from my mistakes.”
His father looked up just as Matt felt a delicate pair of hands settle on his shoulders.
“And mine,” his mother said. “You’re my son, and I allowed you to feel guilty for things that had nothing to do with you—like your father’s health. I was being selfish. After all those years of eighty hour work weeks, I think I was looking forward to his retirement more than he was.”
“Not possible, darlin’,” Jacob Sr. teased with a wink.
“So when you informed us you’d changed your mind about taking over,” his mother continued, “and planned to
go into seclusion for a while...well, we reacted badly, like big babies instead of concerned parents.”
Matt turned and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.
“Well, you’re about to get your wish, as belated as it is. I’m ready to take over the company.”
* * *
Lauren poured Carrie a glass of iced tea and then sat down across from her. Almost immediately, Carrie had regretted her harsh words to Matt. It was just...he’d sworn so many times that she could trust him, and after finally opening herself up—both emotionally and physically—BAM! Turns out he’s been lying to everyone since the moment he arrived in town.
But once she’d had some time to cool down and think with her head instead of her heart, she wondered if maybe she’d overreacted. And if she were being honest, the surge of jealousy that tightened her chest after learning Matt had actually dated Amanda Ames may have clouded her ability to think rationally. Heck, why would he want some small-town nobody like her when he could have practically any woman in the world? Out in Hollywood, big boobs—albeit fake—were a dime a dozen.
“Carrie, for what it’s worth, I honestly believe that man adores you. It’s written all over his face every time he looks at you.”
“Then why the lies? Why couldn’t he have just told me the truth?”
“Maybe because it’s not easy to admit to the woman you care about that you were accused of murdering another.”
Carrie took a thoughtful sip of her iced tea. “Love.”
“Huh?”
“He told me he loves me. Today, after basically threatening me, he tells me he loves me. Pissed me off something fierce.”
Lauren let out a soft chuckle. “Only you would be pissed off over a declaration of love.”
Carrie smiled reluctantly. “You did hear the ‘threatening me’ part, right?”
“Did you threaten him first?”
Lauren knew her so well. “Maybe. I was mad as hell, Laur. But after thinking about it, I just can’t figure out any other reason for him to say those words unless...unless he meant them.” New hope filled her chest to near bursting. Matt was gorgeous, smart, sexy, rich, and he wanted her.
Welcome To Redemption: Series Collection (Books 1-6) Page 25