“From loving me as much as you do.”
She opened her mouth, but she had no rebuttal. He knew her too well. The truth was, she did love him.
“And,” Stephen added, “as much as I love you.”
“Oh, please, do you really expect me to believe that?”
“It’s true and you know it. I love you.”
“To quote a famous lady, ‘What’s love got to do with it?’”
“Everything.”
“I can’t do this.”
“Yes, you can. This isn’t about Leo and my father and all that other stuff anymore. It’s about us, now, you and me together. I love you, Mia. I don’t know how to stop feeling what I feel and I know I wouldn’t even if I could. You’re angry, I get it. You have every right to be. But know that nothing will ever change my feelings for you.”
Mia looked at him seeing that he was telling the truth, but she refused to weaken, not now. Him saying that he loved her didn’t matter. He’d betrayed her father and her, that’s what mattered. “Leave.”
“Mia, please,” he began again as he reached out to her.
“Just go, Stephen. I can’t do this anymore,” she said calmly.
He nodded slowly then placed a manila envelope on the desk. He backed up then slowly turned to the door.
“Wait, I have one question,” she said as he stood with his back to her. “How could you have possibly been friends? Nothing here says why. Didn’t he know who you were and what you did to him?”
“He knew.”
She waited for more, but he didn’t continue. “That’s all you have to say—‘he knew’? No, it’s not that easy this time, Stephen. I know my father, he held a grudge forever. He and my mom had been divorced for years and he still held a grudge. There’s no way he just up and forgave you for what you did to him.”
“He knew,” Stephen said quietly then walked out.
Mia stood there a moment, not sure why she was so angry with Stephen. In the end he’d stepped up to do what she refused to. He saved her father and became his friend. She picked up her cell and dialed.
Mia told her stepsisters everything that had happened since they’d spoken that morning—the file at Stephen’s house, the archived articles at the newspaper office, and the conversation with Helen Parker. The information was more damning than she realized. She ended with her last conversation with Stephen.
“And that’s all he said, just that ‘he knew’?” Janelle questioned her.
“What else could he say? He got caught,” Mia replied. “How could I have been so stupid? I fell for a pack of lies again.”
“Not necessarily,” Janelle said.
“I agree,” Nya echoed. “So what exactly did the articles say about Stephen?”
“Basically that he quit his father’s business shortly afterward and came to work as a sheriff down here with his grandfather.”
“So you think maybe he didn’t have a whole lot to do with what happened with your dad? That’s probably why he and Leo were friends.”
“No, he was definitely there at the time. Everything I read said that both he and his father spearheaded the attack. Somehow they found out that my father was accused of false reporting and plagiarism in one of his articles to get better press. The man he wrote about, a guy named Kellerman, eventually killed himself. Nothing was ever proven about my father. But if indeed he wrote lies, it was not only unethical, but also reprehensible and culpable. A man died and that was something he had to live with.”
“So maybe the Moraleses were protecting themselves. I mean if you’re saying it’s true that your dad lied in one of his articles, maybe he lied about Stephen’s company, too, and they were defending themselves.”
“They both lied—my dad and Carlos Morales. They were both wrong. This is so crazy,” Mia said. “It just doesn’t make any sense. Why would my dad and Stephen become friends?”
“Because Leo forgave him,” Janelle said.
“Believe me, Janelle, Leo James never forgave anybody for anything.”
“Maybe it was guilt,” Nya said. “Maybe he felt guilty about what he wrote.”
“And maybe Stephen really does love you,” Janelle added changing the subject. “It sure sounds like it to me.”
“To me, too,” Nya concurred. “And you love him.”
“How can I possibly love the man who ruined my father’s career?”
“You can and you do, face it.”
Nya agreed with Janelle. “Of course you can. So he’s not perfect, so he had drama with your dad. So what? Your dad let it go, and you can, too, especially since you love him. And FYI, girl, your father ruined his career, not Stephen.”
“Mia, don’t you think people change?” Janelle asked.
“I really don’t know,” she said.
“Yes you do. Your dad changed, Stephen changed. Can you?”
“So what’s in the envelope he gave you?” Nya asked.
“I don’t know,” Mia said passively.
“Open it,” Janelle insisted.
“Why? There’s nothing he can possibly say, do or give me that would change what happened. He helped ruin my father and he lied to me. I can’t just let that go. Love or not, I’m done.”
“You don’t know that, Mia. Finish this the right way. You know you’re not going to be satisfied with anything less.”
“Wait a minute. Earlier today you were both delighted that I didn’t have anything to do with him. Now, after I tell you what happened between us and then everything I found out, you’re all for me giving him a chance.”
“That’s not what we’re saying,” Janelle said. “Mia, you know in your heart that you need to know the rest of the story. The fact that you’re in love with the man is beside the point. There are still too many questions left unanswered. And maybe you’re willing to just walk away right now because you’re mad, but one day you’re gonna want the answers and you know it. There’s only one real way you’re gonna get those answers. That’s from your dad. Since that’s impossible, Stephen’s your next best source.”
“A source that has his own agenda,” Mia said.
“Janelle’s right, Mia,” Nya added. “You know you can’t stand not knowing the whole truth about something. Remember how you dug and dug until you found out everything about Neal? You weren’t satisfied until it was over. Then you moved on.”
“Yeah, and look want I moved on to, falling in love again.”
“Open the package and see what’s inside.”
“Fine.” Mia reached over, grabbed the envelope and opened it. “Letters,” she said simply after peeking inside.
“To whom, from whom?” Nya asked.
“I don’t know and I don’t care,” Mia said, tossing the package back down on the desk.
“Aren’t you even curious?” Nya asked.
“Why would I be?”
“You just said that your father’s journals were enlightening. Maybe Stephen’s letters are, too. You’ll never know until you read them,” Nya said. “Remember, they were friends.”
“Close friends,” Janelle corrected.
“I still don’t get it. How could Dad be friends with the man who ruined his career, the only thing he ever really loved? Writing was his life and Stephen took that away.”
“Maybe the only way you’re going to find out is to read Stephen’s letters.”
She grabbed the envelope again and pulled out the stack of about two dozen letters. They were all addressed to her from her father. They were stamped and mailed to her, in care of Stephen. She gasped. “Oh my God,” she whispered.
“What is it?” both Nya and Janelle asked.
“Um, the letters aren’t from Stephen. They’re addressed to me from my dad in care of Esteban Morales. They were mailed to him for me almost a year ago.”
“You need to read them,” Nya said.
“I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
“You are. You’re strong, you can do it. Read them and call us back
,” Janelle said.
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do,” Nya said. “Call us right back.”
Mia closed her cell and picked up the first letter. She opened it and read the date. It was the day before her father died. She quickly folded it and stuffed it back into the envelope. She began breathing hard. This was too much. There was no way she could do this, but she knew she had to if she was ever going to get beyond this.
She turned the stack over and grabbed the bottom letter. She opened it and read the date. It was written about a year ago. Calming down, she slowly began to read. When she was finished, she opened the second and then continued from there. She laughed at times and cried at other times. Each letter explained more and more about her father’s relationship with Stephen and his hopes for her.
By the time she got to the last envelope she was on a roller-coaster ride of confusing emotions. She already knew the date of this letter. She slowly slid the letter out of the envelope. She unfolded it, reread the date and then got filled up all over again. This was the last letter her father wrote her. She read it then began laughing and crying all at once. When she finished she read it a few more times then folded it and put it back in the envelope and called her sisters. She summarized the letters, but actually read the last letter to them.
“Oh my God,” Nya exclaimed. “It’s like he was standing right next to you talking, explaining everything.”
“This is so eerie. He knew Stephen was falling in love with you and he helped make it happen. He even knew that you’d fall in love with Stephen.”
Mia was speechless. “What do I do with this?”
“It’s like your father’s last wish was for you to be happy and he knew Stephen would make you happy,” Janelle said.
“This is so incredible. It’s like a fairy tale,” Nya added.
“It doesn’t matter. He did what he did,” Mia said.
“Mia, don’t be blinded by your stubbornness,” Janelle said. “Forgive him.”
“What he did to my father—”
“What your father did to himself,” Janelle corrected. “Besides, your father forgave him, he even befriended him. Why can’t you? Let it go, girl, just let it go. Nya, what’s that you always say?”
“Life is short, so forgive fast. Break some rules along the way and never forget to laugh at yourself.”
“Yeah, that,” Janelle said. “Forgive fast.”
“There’s one more thing that happened this morning,” Mia said cautiously.
“You mean besides him rocking your world on the open balcony?” Nya said, still amused by Mia’s earlier confession.
“Yeah, besides that. He proposed to me.”
“What?” they both shouted.
“How you gonna leave something like that out?” Nya said.
“You talked about motives before. Girl, the man’s motives are clear. He’s in love and it sounds like you love him, too, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do, and I don’t know how to stop.”
“Don’t,” Janelle said.
“But I just kicked him out of here.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Nya said. “Somehow I think he’s sitting someplace right now waiting for you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 19
Terrence and Lucas stopped by. Stephen definitely wasn’t in the mood to deal with his friends, but they weren’t going to let him just sit and brood. The three of them sat out on the balcony talking about Hurricane Ana and its effects on all their lives. The Category One storm had hit a large portion of Florida and the Keys, but Key West was spared its worst. The hurricane still lurked a hundred miles offshore and meteorologists warned that it could return.
“You should have told her, man,” Terrence said, leaning back against the rail with a cold beer in his hand. Behind him the angry Gulf churned and pushed the last remnants of Hurricane Ana out to sea.
“The time was never right,” Stephen said.
“It was never going to be right. You know that,” Lucas added. “Terrence has a point, hindsight and all. You should have told her everything in the beginning.”
“Yeah, I know, but she would have slammed the door in my face or, better yet, thought I was insane. Besides, none of that matters, now. It’s too late. She’s leaving town.”
“You know that for a fact?” Lucas asked.
“Her bags were packed and sitting by the door. The weather’s cleared up enough and the bridges are open.”
“Did you give her the letters you were holding for her?”
“Yeah.” He looked at his watch. “About three hours ago. I haven’t heard anything, not a word.”
“Come on, man, you know women want to make a brotha wait,” Terrence said jokingly. Both Stephen and Lucas smiled, but the seriousness of the conversation hung too heavy. “But seriously, you know what they say about the first hurricane winds bringing change.”
“That’s right. In a matter of just a few days one hurricane is changing all our lives,” Lucas said. “Look at me and my fiancée, our new home is almost complete and I have no idea what’s going to happen. Emma’s growing more and more distant and I’m having second thoughts. She didn’t come down as promised, but Doreen did.” He shrugged without finishing the thought. “And look at Terrence. All he wanted to do was buy a radio station and he found the love of his life.”
“And so Mia will miraculously change her mind, let go of the past, realize that she still loves me and come knocking on the door?” Stephen asked. He looked at his friends. They shrugged and nodded at the possibility. “Look, I’m happy for you both, you know that. But this is different.”
“Hurricane Ana is still out there. This isn’t over yet.” Terrence said, raising his bottle. Lucas tapped it lightly, toasting the comment.
Stephen listened to his friends’ positive comments, but in his heart he feared the worst. Lives weren’t ruled by hurricane winds, and Mia had every right to be angry. He hurt her and he wasn’t sure their love could go beyond the anger. He knew she loved him, but her stubbornness, like her father’s, might not allow her to let it go. Leo had come around and he had hoped that Mia would, too. But she hadn’t. How could he have been so wrong? How could he have misjudged everything so completely?
They went on to discuss Terrence’s woman, Sherrie and Lucas’s friend, Doreen. Both guys seemed to be floating on cloud nine with their new relationships. Stephen listened and laughed appropriately but his thoughts were still with Mia.
Terrence turned, seeing someone walking on the beach toward the pier. “Hey, now who would be out this late walking out there?”
Stephen moved to the rail and looked out. “Mia,” Stephen whispered, recognizing her instantly. He watched as she continued walking down the length of the pier to stand at the rail.
“Looks like she’s waiting for you,” Terrence said. “Come on, Lucas, let’s get out of here.”
A few minutes later Stephen opened the back gate and walked down to the beach then to the pier. Mia stood at the rail looking out at the horizon. He walked up and stood behind her. She turned knowing he was there with her, and he saw that she’d been crying. “Mia,” he began.
“No, Stephen, I need an answer.”
She didn’t ask a question because she knew that he already knew what she wanted to know. He nodded and looked out to sea. It was late and darkness was near. Clouds hung heavy as he began. “Years ago I bought the property and built the house, but I didn’t move in right away. I was working too hard. I obviously knew who Leo was, but not that we lived so close. He did. Later, after I left the company and became a sheriff, I arrested him. I knew who he was at the time, but he was too intoxicated to recognize me. I picked him up, or rather detained him, for drunken and disorderly conduct. All he talked about was his Mia. I didn’t care at first. I just wanted to do my job and get it over with.
“Later, after he sobered up, he walked up the beach just like you just did and stood looking
up at my house. I saw him and I came down. I had no idea what to expect. He wanted to know about the Kellerman information I used against him. He asked about my source. But I wouldn’t tell him.” He paused and looked at her.
She tipped the corner of her mouth up. “They weren’t all lies, were they? He did fabricate the truth, didn’t he?”
Stephen didn’t answer the question. “After the articles he wrote about the company, I dug around and found out about the Kellerman scandal and how he went out of business and then killed himself.” He saw Mia grimace, and he knew that hearing the truth wasn’t as easy as she’d imagined it would be. “I couldn’t find any legitimate proof, just hearsay and innuendo. I had leads and I followed them, but nothing panned out.
“At the time I assumed my father was innocent of the charges leveled against him in the exposé. It was my assertion that if Leo lied once, he could have done it again. Then I got an anonymous folder with everything I needed on the Kellerman article to take Leo down. I ran with it.”
“And that ended his career,” she said.
Stephen nodded. “I got another anonymous folder a few days later. Inside was proof that everything in Leo’s article about my father was true.”
“And that ended your career,” she said. “Who sent you the anonymous folders?” When Stephen shook his head, she asked, “You never found out, or you’re not going to tell me?”
“Leo once told me that a good investigative reporter never revealed his source.”
Mia smiled for the first time. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For protecting your source,” she said.
“You know he sent them to me, don’t you?” he said. “But he didn’t write it in his journals. There was nothing.”
“Dad always felt guilty about Mr. Kellerman,” Mia said. Then seeing Stephen’s surprised expression, she nodded and half smiled. “Yeah, I knew about Kellerman. Dad didn’t think I knew, but I did. I figured it out, but he never admitted it.”
“It was like he wanted it to happen.”
Neither one spoke for a while. They just stood quiet looking out at the sea. Then Mia turned and looked at him.
Sultry Storm (Kimani Romance) Page 17