15
Sheppard drew in a deep breath as he looked around his office at Granger Aeronautics. It was hard to believe sometimes that he was really a free man and Sylvia’s killers had been brought to justice. Because Richard Granger believed that one day his son would be freed from jail, he’d mandated that everything remain intact. The first time Sheppard entered his office after his release, it was as if he’d walked back in time. The same office furniture, drapes and carpet filled the room. The desktop computer was also the same one he’d once used, although it was almost useless now.
Walking over to the window, he looked out and recalled the many times he’d stood in this very spot. It had been years but the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains was still as beautiful as he remembered. He did notice a number of steel skyscrapers that hadn’t been there before and the number of restaurants jamming the downtown corridors was daunting. It was good to see how much the city had grown and spread.
He’d once been appointed by the mayor to sit on a board that had supported that very thing, new construction and a way to utilize old buildings. Instead of tearing them down, he had recommended converting them into highly attractive commercial real estate. Several members of the board had called his ideas ludicrous. He was glad some other ludicrous person whose ideas had practically mirrored his had finally gotten through to the old guard--those city leaders who hadn't been ready to embrace growth and prosperity. Charlottesville had grown and the population had grown with it. He was proud of the city where he’d been born.
He continued looking out the window for a few more minutes before walking over to his desk to trace a finger across the smooth surface. This had been his first desk at Grangers Aeronautics. A gift from his parents. In fact, most of the furniture in here had been from them. Sylvia had decorated the sitting area of his office. But as far as he knew, she hadn’t known about the secret compartment in the sofa. He’d discovered it by accident one night while working late, when he’d decided to spend the night at the office instead of going home. It had been in that secret compartment that he’d hidden the photographs he’d received in the mail. Proof that his wife was having an affair.
Sheppard pushed the memory to the back of his mind. That had been years ago and there was no reason to think about it now. So many changes had occurred in his life since then. Positive changes and the main one was Carson. He couldn’t help but smile whenever he thought about his wife. She was the joy of his life. People always said good things came to those who wait. He hadn’t realized he’d been waiting until the moment Carson walked into his life. And she’d definitely been worth waiting for.
He glanced around upon hearing the knock on his door. “Come in.”
The door opened and his three sons came in. Pride filled Sheppard’s heart whenever he remembered how young they’d been when he’d gone to jail. Now they were adults. Married adults. Jace was even a father.
All three wore huge smiles. “Dad, welcome back. How does it feel?” Jace asked, standing tall with his hands shoved into his pockets.
Before he could answer, Dalton piped in. “That’s a stupid question, Jace. Of course he’s going to say it feels great when this is probably the last place he wants to be.”
Caden frowned. “And how you figure that?”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “Why would he want to be here, when he could be back at Sutton Hills with Carson? Come on guys. Think about it. If either of us was given the chance to choose between spending a day at the office or a day at home with our wives, which would you do?”
“Our wives, as well as Carson, have jobs, Dalton. Or have you forgotten?” Jace asked, shaking his head. “That means they wouldn’t be home anyway. The only reason Shana is working from home is because of Rylan.”
“Yes, but if they were home, I would prefer being there any day of the week,” Dalton said smiling broadly.
“I believe you,” Caden said. “Jules is not at home but from what I hear, you’re at her office behind closed doors every day during lunch.”
Dalton chuckled. “Don’t hate, Caden. Maybe you need to show up and sweep Wine Lady off her feet during lunch every once in a while.”
Sheppard couldn’t help but grin at the camaraderie between his sons. They got along…most of the time. But leave it to Dalton to ruffle feathers every chance he got. But then, he wouldn’t be Dalton if he didn’t. At least Jace and Caden didn’t seem bothered by the nicknames Dalton had given their wives. He referred to Shana as Wonder Woman. Shiloh was Wine-lady. And he’d given his own wife, Jules, the nickname of Whirlwind.
“I’m happy to be here,” Sheppard said, breaking up the argument. “It brings back a lot of memories. However, I will admit that it’s hard being here without Dad.” Richard Granger had died last year of a heart attack.
He sighed. “Dad would knock on that connecting door and I could tell from his knock if it was a visit to talk about the football game or if the visit centered mainly on business.”
“A part of me regrets not having worked here while he was alive,” Jace said pensively.
Caden nodded. “A part of me feels the same way.”
Dalton snorted. “Hell, I don’t. The old man would have worked me to death. He would have squashed any affairs I might have cultivated. He would have--”
“Kept you in line,” Jace supplied.
“He would have tried,” Dalton quipped.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Sheppard said.
A middle-aged woman who worked as an executive assistant walked in carrying a huge potted plant. “This arrived for you, Mr. Granger.”
“Thanks,” Sheppard said, taking the plant from the woman and sitting it on his desk. Once she left, he pulled off the card which read… Enjoy your day at work. Love you, Carson.
He smiled and glanced over at his sons. “It’s from Carson.”
“That was nice of Wedded Bliss.”
Sheppard lifted a brow. “Wedded Bliss?”
“Yes, that’s my nickname for Carson. If you ask me, she hasn’t stopped smiling since the wedding.”
Wedded Bliss. Sheppard couldn’t hold back his chuckle. The name fit. And he intended to keep Carson happy. Blissfully wedded.
“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” he decided to ask in an attempt to switch the topic of conversation to business before Dalton got too carried away and really ticked his brothers off.
“I think we need to update your office for starters,” Dalton said, glancing around. “Bring you into the twenty-first century. You can keep the furniture if you like due to its sentimental value but that computer has to go. It’s not even hooked up to the company’s main server.”
Sheppard nodded in agreement. “I’d like to keep the furniture but you can replace everything else.”
“Good.”
“As far as meetings,” Jace interjected. “We’re due for one in an hour. I think it’s time we discussed the changing of the guard, don’t you?”
Sheppard shook his head. “No. I think you’re handling things just fine, Jace. There’s no rush for me. Is there a reason you want me to take over?”
Jace shook his head. “No, I just assumed you’d want to reclaim your position here.”
Sheppard knew now would be a good time to let his sons know exactly how he felt, but he decided the best approach would be to show them how well they could do without his interference. “I’m in no hurry. I need to get re-acclimated. Fifteen years is a long time.”
“But you stayed sharp,” Caden said. “Look how easily you've aced those licensing exams.”
Sheppard shrugged. “I read a lot in prison. Stayed abreast of current events and embraced the computer age. It was a matter of developing good study habits.” He paused a minute. “The three of you have done an outstanding job without me or Dad to help you. I am proud of you. Now you have a legacy to pass on to Rylan, Jace. And to any kids you might have in the future, Caden and Dalton.”
“Hey, don’t rush anything. Jules an
d I are having too much fun to even think about being parents. Hell, keeping up with Jules is enough. I can’t imagine keeping up with her and a baby, too.” Dalton said.
When Caden didn’t say anything, everyone looked in his direction. A smile touched his lips. “Now is just as good a time as any to announce that Shiloh and I are expecting.”
“Damn,” Dalton said, as if pained. “Doesn’t anyone believe in birth control anymore?”
“We were trying to have a baby, Dalton. It wasn't an accident.” Caden said, narrowing his eyes at his brother. “Everybody isn’t anti-child.”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m not anti-child. I love spending time with Rylan but when I'm through, I get to leave him at Jace's house. You don't see me taking him home, do you? I happen to like my wife's undivided attention. I’m not ready to compete.”
Sheppard heard what his youngest son was saying, but he would bet any amount of money that Dalton’s words were more bluster than anything. If Jules was to get pregnant, he’d be damn happy about it. Sheppard knew his son would be nothing like the man Carson had been married to.
“You are so selfish,” Jace said to Dalton, shaking his head. “It’s not all about you.”
“And what’s wrong with me thinking that it is?” Dalton retorted.
Deciding to step in before a full argument ensued, Sheppard walked over to Caden and gave him a bear hug. “Congratulations, Caden. I’m very happy for you and Shiloh.” He was well aware Caden and Shiloh had lost a baby a few years ago and had been eager to have another. “I’ll look forward to another grandchild.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Caden said smiling. “Shiloh and I are extremely happy about it.”
“Will Shiloh tell her mother? Sheppard asked. Shiloh and her mother shared a strained relationship. Sandra Timmons had kept secrets from her daughter. They were secrets Shiloh was still trying to forgive her mother for. Secrets that had caused a number of people a lot of pain.
“Yes. Ms. Timmons is out of town for the holidays. We intend to tell her when she returns after New Year’s.”
“Good. This will be Sandra’s first grandchild and a baby might repair Sandra and Shiloh’s relationship. Mend the hurt.”
“Possibly.”
Sheppard could tell by his son’s response that he wasn’t all that sure. Then, as if Caden wanted to change the subject, he looked over at Dalton. "Getting back to what Jace said earlier, I agree with him. It’s not all about you, Dalton. One day you’re going to find that out.”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “I doubt it. Unlike the two of you, I’m responsible in the bedroom."
#
“Marriage agrees with you.”
A smile curved Carson’s lips. “Thanks, Roland. I will have to agree with you,” she said, after taking a sip of her hot tea. “Sheppard is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“And it shows. I’m happy for you.”
She knew he meant it and appreciated it. She appreciated him as well as their friendship. It had been over fifteen years since Becca’s death and she often wondered if Roland would ever allow himself to meet someone and fall in love again. The Becca that Carson knew would have wanted him to enjoy life and move on without her, which is something Roland hadn’t done.
“Thanks, Roland. Still, I want you to be happy too. Becca would want that for you. Do you ever intend to date?”
She saw the way his chin tightened. “I do date.”
She chuckled. “Not seriously.”
He didn’t say anything for a minute. “No, not seriously and I doubt I will. Ever.”
“Ever is a long time.”
He stared at her for a moment. “I know, Carson. But I doubt I could love another woman the way I loved Becca.”
“You’ll never know if you don’t open yourself up to meet someone. Isn’t that what you told me countless times when I had stopped dating? I listened and met Sheppard.”
A half smile curved his lips. “Yes, but I believe it was destined for you and Sheppard to meet and get together. Personally, I like my life just the way it is. A part of me died the night Becca drew her last breath. Now I’m married to Summers Securities and I’m happy about it.”
An hour later, while sitting at the desk in her office, Carson couldn’t get her conversation with Roland out of her mind. She knew that happily married people felt that everyone should have what they had. But more than anything, she had to be respectful of Roland’s feelings. She knew how much he’d loved Becca and that he blamed himself for her death. He believed that if she hadn’t been so adamant about freeing him from jail, she’d likely still be alive. He had told Carson more than once that he’d gladly served the fifteen years he’d been given if it would have kept his wife alive.
Carson drew in a deep breath and was about to open the file on her desk when her secretary beeped her on the intercom. “Yes, Ruby?”
“There’s a gentleman here to see you, Ms. Granger.”
Carson lifted a brow. She didn’t have any scheduled appointments for today. “Who is it?”
“Pence Denmark. He says it’s imperative that he speak with you.”
Blood rushed to Carson’s head and everything around her began to swirl. Pence was here? In Charlottesville? Why?
She drew in a deep breath, clearly remembering the last hateful words he’d said to her in the hospital room that day. It didn’t matter how many years had passed since then. There were some things a woman just couldn’t forget. Especially a woman mourning the death of her child.
What was so important it had brought him all the way from Tampa?
“Ms. Granger?”
Carson stood up from her desk, her spine ramrod straight. He might have caused her pain years ago, but he could never hurt her again. “Yes, Ruby. Please send him in.”
16
When the door opened and her ex-husband walked in, Carson sized up the man who’d once made her life a living hell. Although years had passed, the images she remembered darkened her spirit. She wished they wouldn’t, but she couldn’t help it.
Except for the brush of gray along his temple, the winkles beneath his eyes and the extra weight around his middle, Pence basically looked the same. She would have recognized him if she’d run into him anywhere. But she hadn’t run into him anywhere. He’d come here. Why?
“Pence? Why are you in Charlottesville?” she asked, deciding to dispense with formalities. There was no need to shake hands. Or tell each other how long it had been. They both knew. Their divorce hadn’t exactly been nasty but it had definitely left a bad taste in her mouth. She’d initiated it. He hadn’t fought it. But all through the proceedings, he had been cruel.
“I thought I’d come and let you know in person that Mom passed away two weeks ago.”
Carson’s anger evaporated and was immediately replaced with pain. She fought to remain standing. “Emma died? How?”
“In her sleep. Doctors think it was a heart attack. She’d never been the same after Dad died.”
His father, Stanley, had passed away around ten years ago. He and his wife had been close, nearly inseparable, during the forty-plus years of their marriage. Although she knew Pence wished otherwise, Emma would call her from time to time. And Carson would call her back. The last time they’d talked was about six months ago. Carson had called Emma on her birthday.
“I’m sorry, Pence. Emma was special to me.”
“I know.”
Carson fought back the urge to say, Yes, you knew, so you tried to destroy our relationship.
“I would have called to let you know, just in case you wanted to attend the services, but I didn’t have your phone number or know where you’d moved to when you left Tampa. I only found out when I went through Mom’s belongings after the funeral. I found several birthday and holidays cards you’d sent her over the years.”
She nodded. “And how did you know to come here?”
“I Googled you. I didn’t know you’d gone back to using your maiden name.”
/> “There was no reason for me not to,” she said, not caring one way or the other just how he felt about her doing that.
“Congratulations on your marriage, by the way. I hope you’re happy.”
Carson lifted her chin. “Thanks. I’m very happy.”
“I’m glad. I heard about your old man when he made national news. I understand he spent time in jail for killing his wife--”
“Thanks for coming all this way to tell me,” she said, interrupting his words. The last thing she intended to do was talk to Pence about Sheppard. “And how’s your wife?” she asked, deciding to shift the focus off her marriage and on to his.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve married twice since you and I split and neither worked out. I guess you can say when it comes to marriages, I’m a failure.”
If he was waiting for her to refute his words, then he would be waiting a while. She didn’t know about his other marriages but he sure hadn’t been much of a husband to her.
“Thanks again for coming all this way--”
“Telling you about Mom isn’t the only reason I sought you out, Carson.”
Was that bitterness she heard in his voice? That was definitely anger now appearing behind the dark pupils in his eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest. “And what’s the other reason?”
“You were named in Mom’s will.”
Shocked, Carson dropped her hands to her side. “I’m named in her will?”
A snarl curled his lips. “Yes. I was her son, her only child, yet she left you something. But it should be mine.”
Carson rubbed a hand across her forehead. “Why would she leave anything to me?”
“You won her over. She liked you and never cared for the other two women I married. She didn’t even try to get to know them. She blamed me for the divorce. She blamed me for you losing the baby.”
Carson lifted her chin. “She didn’t blame you. Nobody blamed you. Your parents just didn’t appreciate your lack of empathy at the loss of what would have been their first grandchild, Pence. But you were too selfish, too self-centered to understand that.”
Captivated by Love (Grangers Book 1) Page 13