by Karen King
Is that what had given him the idea to buy the hotel himself? Or had he come down to Cornwall with that intention?
She thought back to the first time she met Reece, how arrogant he’d been until she’d told him her mother was ill in hospital, told him how run down the hotel was. He’d seen his chance then and taken it, offering his support, his friendship, his body. How could she have fallen for it? To have gone so readily to his bed? It wasn’t like her. Yes, of course she had relationships, she wasn’t a nun, but never before with someone she’d just met and might never see again. What had possessed her this time?
“Penny for them?”
She spun around, surprised to see Lee standing behind her. How long had he been there?
She shrugged. “Just looking at the sea.”
“You always did like to do that.” His voice was soft. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“He’s had to go back to London. Business.” She replied. She wasn’t about to let Lee know they’d broken up. It was obvious he was still after her.
He reached out and touched her arm. “I miss you. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t regret what I did.”
She shrugged his arm away. “Don’t waste your time beating yourself up about it. We were kids. I soon got over it and never think about it. You did me a favour.”
“I guess your rich, hotshot boyfriend is more of a catch.”
The snidey tone in his voice made her hackles rise. She glared at him. “What business is it of yours who I go out with? We were over years ago and as far as I’m concerned that’s a good thing.” She crossed her arms. “What went wrong with you and Zoe? Cheat on her did you?”
She saw the colour rise in his cheeks. Yes, it was just as she’d guessed.
“Goodbye, Lee.”
She walked away from him, down the hill, her mind a whirl of thoughts. She’d been heartbroken when she’d found out about Lee and Zoe but she’d eventually recovered from it. And now she realised it was for the best. Lee could have ruined her life, left her with a couple of young children to bring up along – as he’d done to Zoe.
In a few weeks. Okay maybe months, she’d realise that Reece had done her a favour too. For she would never trust anyone so completely again. They’d had a holiday romance that was all. He’d been there when she had needed someone to lean on and she’d got carried away by that. Being on holiday could do that to you. How many times had her friends fallen in love with someone when they’d been on holiday, bid them a tearful goodbye, swearing their heart was broken only to forget all about them in a week or two?
Like she’d forget about Reece.
Damn Cindy. He was fuming with her. He’d told her quite firmly that they were over, there was no chance of them getting back together, and sent her packing. Then he’d driven to Truro and pulled into this pub, wondering what to do next. Two black coffees later he still wasn’t sure.
He should just walk away. He’d find another hotel to buy, the country was full of struggling businesses looking for someone to bail them out.
The truth of it was though that he didn’t want to walk away from Gwel Teg. The hotel was a good investment in an excellent location and he genuinely liked Ellie. And her mother. He wanted to help them. He knew that it looked bad with Cindy walking in like that but he thought he and Ellie had a connection. That she would trust him.
Why should she? He was a stranger, someone who had only walked into her life just over a week ago.
Because he was sure she had feelings for him. Like he had for her.
He’d wanted to write her a note pleading with her to listen to him, telling her that he really cared about her but his pride wouldn’t let him. Not after the way they’d almost thrown him out. He thought he meant more than that to Ellie. Even so, he hated her to think he was a cheating scum bag, and for Sue to miss out on what was a very good offer. And it was a deal he really didn’t want to walk away from. His decision to buy Gwel Teg had never been a personal one, he truly believed the hotel had potential. So he’d written a brisk, to the point, note asking for the chance to explain. It was up to Ellie now. If she wanted to contact him she knew how. He’d never chased after a woman in his life and he wasn’t about to start now. Not even someone as gorgeous as Ellie.
Reece checked his phone countless times that evening and the next morning but there was no message from either Ellie or her mother. He might as well go home. Perhaps Ellie would get in touch when she’d had time to calm down and mull things over.
All the way back to London he kept thinking about Ellie, remembering things about her, the way she threw back her head when she laughed, that gorgeous smile of hers that spread to her eyes, how kind-hearted she was, the way she loved her Mum and would do anything to help her. And that figure…
A horn blasting behind him brought Reece back to the present as he realised the lights had changed. He thought back to the first time he’d seen Ellie, when he’d blasted his horn at her because she’d dawdled at the lights. He realised now that she must have been worrying about her mother, had probably only just left the hospital after visiting her. He’d been in a rush that day but it was no excuse.
Other memories flashed across his mind, their first kiss, the first time they’d made love. He’d never met anyone like Ellie, she was so uncomplicated, so spontaneous. There was no agenda with her, not like the other women he’d gone out with. Women like Cindy, who despite him making it clear that he wasn’t into serious relationships still wanted to force some kind of commitment out of him. Cindy wouldn’t take no for an answer. Did she really think that turning up like that would make him want to go back out
with her?
Ellie had looked so hurt, he remembered. Not hurt enough to let him explain though. She accepted what Cindy had said and shut him out, after everything he’d done to help her. After everything they’d been through together.
Which just went to show how little she thought of him.
Chapter Twenty Six
Reece was pretty exhausted by the time he arrived at his luxury Canal Wharf apartment, the traffic was horrendous and he hadn’t stopped for any coffee breaks. He’d deliberately turned his phone off in case Cindy called, the last thing he needed was an argument with her while he was driving, so took it out of his pocket and checked it for messages as soon as he parked up in the underground car park. There were four from Cindy. But no messages or phone calls from Ellie. He guessed that was it then. Finished. He opened the boot and took out his suitcase.
The porter hurried to greet him as he walked into the foyer. “Would you like me to carry your luggage up to your room, Mr Mitchell?”
“No thank you. I can manage.” Reece told him politely.
He wheeled the case into the lift and pressed the button for the eighth floor. A few minutes later he was in his luxury penthouse suite looking out of the floor to ceiling windows at the views of the Dockland cityscape below. It was these spectacular views that had clinched the deal for him. He loved switching the lights off and looking out at night at the city lights dancing on the Thames below. He went over to the drinks cabinet, poured himself a whisky then opened the windows and stepped out onto the balcony, into the cool night breeze.
He wondered what Ellie’s flat was like. Her wage as a PR consultant was not likely to be anywhere near his but then she probably wasn’t as driven to succeed as he was, anxious to prove to his parents that he was worthy of their time, their love. It had taken him years to realise that no matter what he did, how much he earned he would always be an inconvenience to them, that their lives would always be too busy to spare any time for him. By the time he did realise he didn’t care. At least he told himself he didn’t. All he cared about was making the next buck, buying the latest car, being seen in the right places but he had never walked over anyone to get there. He was a businessman yes, and liked to get a good deal, but he was always fair and treated people with respect. Ellie’s accusations had stung. He had never conned anyone, never cheated on any
one. She should have had the decency to hear him out. He thought she was better than that.
He took a sip of his whisky. Meeting Ellie had changed him, made him want more out of life than signing the next deal. Ellie was fun, sweet, loving, feisty, spirited and obviously valued family more than money as she’d been willing to give up her career to help her mother.
He was going to miss her.
Ellie kept to herself for the rest of the week, tried not to give herself time to think about Reece. He had really hurt her but she blamed herself. She should never have trusted him, never allowed herself to get so close to him. He was a total stranger. What had possessed her? She didn’t usually get taken in like that.
The nights were a different matter. Whenever she closed her eyes to sleep his image was there. She could see his smile, hear his laugh, feel his caress. She thrust the images away, screwing her eyes tight, willing herself not to think about him. The sooner she was back home, into her normal routine the better. Reece would soon become a distant memory.
* * *
By Sunday, Gwel Teg was looking clean and tidy and Sue was much better. The coughing had almost subsided now and although she still looked tired, the colour had returned to her cheeks. Ellie felt easier about leaving her, although she was still concerned.
“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?” Ellie asked her. “You will take it easy, won’t you?”
“I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. I’ve got Mandy to help me and her niece, Sara, is coming in tomorrow for the week,” her mother reassured her.
“I know but…” Ellie bit her lip. She felt so guilty but she had to run the conference tomorrow; she couldn’t let her boss down. “I’ll be down Friday evening for the weekend.” She intended to try to come down every weekend until Mum looked strong enough to cope.
“I’ve told you, there’s no need. You have enough to do. I’ll be fine.”
“I want to come down. A weekend in Cornwall is just what I need after a week at work.” Ellie knew her Mum wouldn’t argue with that.” She turned to Mandy. “Now you’re fine with keeping an eye on the Facebook page and answering any queries aren’t you? The website doesn’t need anything done to it. Oh, and maybe keep an eye on the Pinterest page too. Add a few new pins now and again.”
“No problem, lovey. You have a safe journey.” Mandy gave her a big hug. “And don’t you worry, I’ll be keeping an eye on your Mum.”
“Thank you.” It was a comfort for her to know Mandy was by Mum’s side. She hesitated. “I wish I could stay a bit longer…”
“Don’t be silly. It will be late afternoon when you get back as it is and you’ve got an important conference tomorrow.” Her mother gave her a hug. “Safe journey. Message me as soon as you get home.”
“I will,” Ellie promised.
Ellie would be home by now. Reece thrust his hands in his pockets as he looked out at the city below. He could see how bad it looked but even so he thought that she might contact him – even if it was only a text telling him what a rat he was. He smiled as he recalled the feisty flash in Ellie’s eyes when she was angry. And he bet she was angry right now.
Well he was angry too. He was offering them a good deal.
He hadn’t told Steve what had happened between him and Ellie but had asked him to hold off having the contract drawn up while he sorted out the finer details. Now he didn’t know what to do. He was half tempted to email a draft contract over to Ellie and Sue to let them know what a good deal he’d been prepared to offer them. If they turned it down once they knew all the facts, then that was their choice but he at least wanted to give them the opportunity to read and consider it. And to realise that he wasn’t the conniving slime ball Ellie obviously now thought him to be.
Not that he cared about Ellie’s opinion. She’d been a pleasant distraction that was all.
Then why can’t he stop thinking about her?
He picked up his phone and selected her number. Then shook his head. No, he wasn’t going to phone her. He’d left her a note explaining, if she didn’t care enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, to phone him and listen to his side of things, then she wasn’t worth bothering about.
He wondered how Sue would cope now Ellie had gone. Had her coughing subsided? Was she feeling stronger? He liked Sue, she was a warm, spirited woman. He could understand why Ellie was so close to her. He thought of how much Sue worried about Ellie too, tried to put Ellie’s needs first, refused to let Ellie sacrifice her life to help her. Not like his cold, uncaring mother who had walked out so selfishly and never looked back, never even stopped to consider the heartache she caused her own young son.
He was older now and understood enough about adult relationships to realise that his parents hadn’t had a loving marriage, that unfortunately things didn’t always work out and one or other of the partners sometimes fell in love with someone else. But his mother walking out like that, turning her back on him, her child, for another man. To not care about the devastation she caused. That he would never forgive. She could have still kept in touch with him, let him stay over weekends. She knew how cold and distant his father was but had made no effort to make his life any easier. Whereas it was clear that Ellie and her mother cared deeply about each other and would do anything to make the other one’s life easier. It was that bond that had made him want to help them, and still want to despite the fact that he would never see Ellie again. He was good at his job and his experience told him that Gwel Teg was going to go under, then where would Sue be? She would have to sell for a rock bottom price.
He thrust his hands in his trousers pockets and paced around. It was Sue who owned Gwel Teg, Sue who he was offering the deal too, not Ellie. He should at least show her how good a deal he was offering. Perhaps he should email it over? He thought about it but was pretty sure that if Sue Truman saw an email from him she’d delete it. So he printed out the contract, slipped it into an envelope, penned a short note to Sue telling her that this was the contract he’d been organising for her, and that if she read it she’d see it was a deal that benefitted her. He finished by saying that she was welcome to contact him – or get her solicitor to if she had any queries. He signed it Best wishes, Reece and popped it in his briefcase. He’d get his secretary to post it tomorrow. He couldn’t do anymore. He’d offered Sue a lifeline, it was up to her whether she took it.
Kate was waiting with a bottle of already opened wine when Ellie finally arrived home. “Right, put your case down and tell me all about it,” she said, pouring a glass for Ellie.
Ellie sank down into the chair and sighed heavily. “God, I’ve been an idiot, Kate.”
“Haven’t we all some time or other? Especially with men.” Kate took a swig of wine and raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Go on spill. I take it he was hot?”
“Sizzling.” Ellie closed her eyes for a minute. She felt so weary.
“You had it that bad, eh? Well, who’d believe it? I thought no man would ever get close enough to make your hormones flutter.”
Ellie snapped her eyes open. “He hasn’t!”
“Really? That’s not what it sounded like in your texts.”
Ellie reached for the glass of wine – sweet white, chilled, with a dash of soda, just how she liked it. “OK, yes I admit I like him. A lot. He seemed so kind and he made me laugh.” She kicked off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the cushion. “He was so helpful, Kate. Like nothing was too much trouble. Of course, I know the reason why now.” She added bitterly. “He was after the hotel. The scheming rat.”
“Why?”
Ellie stared at her friend. “What do you mean?”
“Why did he want the hotel? I mean it’s just a small family run hotel in Cornwall. I’m sure it’s really nice,” she added quickly. “But what’s so special about it that Reece would want to buy it?”
Ellie had asked herself the same thing, several times, and come to only one conclusion. “He’s partner of a company that buys hotels that are struggling for a kn
ock-down price, builds them back up again and sells them at a profit.” She took a sip of the wine, savouring it in her mouth for a while.” He knew Mum was ill and I stupidly told him how the hotel was struggling to break even so he, like a vulture, went in for the killing.”
“How much did he offer you?”
“He didn’t get around to actually making the offer. His girlfriend came to visit him and busted him before he could.”
“Girlfriend? Ouch.” Kate looked at her sympathetically. “That’s tough.”
Ellie bit her lip. “I feel so mad at myself, for letting him con me like that. I never get that close to someone so quickly. You know that. What was I thinking of?” She fought back the tears. “I can’t believe I was such an idiot.”
“Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. You were probably so worried about your mum you were just glad of a shoulder to lean on.” Kate put her wine glass down on the table and leaned over to give Ellie a hug. “Are you upset because you’re mad at yourself or because you really like him?”
“Both,” she admitted. “And I thought he really liked me too. He wanted us to carry on seeing each other, to meet up at weekends – or so he made out.”
Kate whistled. “The toe rag. And all the while he had another girlfriend and was planning to buy out your mum’s hotel. You’re well rid!”
“I know. I just can’t believe I was taken in by him.” She shook her head.
“Forget that two-timing con artist. There are plenty of other guys who’d beat a path to your door, if you’d let them. A cheat is not worth wasting one single tear on.”
Kate was just what she needed, someone to tell it to her straight. She took a gulp of wine. “You’re right. I’m not going to let him upset me. At least we found out what he was up to before he could sweet talk Mum around.”