Love And Money (Love Series - Book 2)

by K. L. Prince

  “Okay,” Harper says and reluctantly makes her way over to see Olivia’s new jewelry, grateful for the distraction.

  Chapter 11

  “She’s the one,” Caden tells Lucas as they move to the next hole on the country club golf course.

  “Are you sure?” Lucas asks while driving the golf cart. “You just got back together with her, like two seconds ago.”

  “I’m more than sure. I’m positive. Harper and I have spent the last eight months together and it feels like time has flown by. I never get bored with her and I just want to spend more and more time with her. She’s practically moved in and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love waking up in the morning and seeing her lying beside me. I love talking to her over breakfast and falling asleep next to her at night. When she’s not there, I almost feel panic. My condo is so empty when she isn’t there.”

  “Whoa, Buddy, it sounds like you’ve got it bad,” Lucas says and chuckles.

  “I’ve got it worse than bad. I’m deathly ill,” Caden says, pulling his golf clubs out of the back of the golf cart.

  “So, you’ve totally forgiven her for lying to you?” Lucas asks following Caden onto the green.

  “Completely. It’s as if it never even happened. She’s apologized and promised never to do it again and I believe her. I can see it in her eyes, she loves me, and I know that she will never do it again. She knows now that she has no reason to ever lie to me again, and she also knows that I won’t tolerate it if she does. We’re good. All of the stuff that happened before is behind us. It’s nothing but blue skies ahead.”

  “Do you know how corny you sound?” Lucas asks and pulls a golf club out of his bag.

  “I know. I can’t help it. I find myself saying a lot of sappy, lovey-dovey things when it comes to Harper. She makes me feel like a giddy teenager. I’m head over heels for her.”

  “No kidding,” Lucas says, swinging his gold club and hitting the ball down the fairway.

  “There is one problem, though,” Caden says, getting in place to take his turn.

  “What’s that? Madison?” Lucas asks, while watching Caden’s ball land on the green.

  “It’s not Madison. I haven’t seen or heard from her in awhile. The problem is with my father,” Caden says and puts his golf club back in the bag.

  “Good ole, Bill Mason. What’s up with him? Why is he a problem?” Lucas asks and gets into the golf cart.

  “Do you even have to ask?” Caden says and rolls his eyes.

  “He doesn’t approve of you and Harper’s flourishing relationship, I take it,” Lucas replies.

  “He’s totally against it. He doesn’t want me to have anything to do with Harper. He wants me to break up with her and get back with Madison,” Caden says, taking his seat next to Lucas in the golf cart.

  “Well, that’s obviously not going to happen, so what are you going to do?” Lucas says and drives them to a spot close to where their golf balls have landed.

  “I’m not sure. I’m not going to break things off with Harper because he wants me to – that’s a given, so all I can do is just ride the wave with him and see what happens. I’m going to let things play out and I’m hoping that he will just let things go. I’m hoping that he will just let me live my life the way that I see fit and back off,” Caden says, getting out of the golf cart when they’ve parked.

  “Have you told him how you feel?” Lucas asks.

  “Of course. Many times, but he won’t drop it. My relationship with Harper is the first thing he mentions when he sees me and it’s the last thing he mentions before I leave. Defending Harper and our relationship has become exhausting. I’m sick of having to constantly make my case with him, which is useless because he won’t budge on his position. He won’t compromise in the least and it’s frustrating, but I remain hopeful that he will get over Harper and I, eventually,” Caden says and lets out a high sigh.

  “Cade, when has your father ever just gotten over things? I have known you and your father my entire life and I have never seen your father back down from a fight. When he has his mind set on something, he doesn’t just let things go. Everything that your father does, he intends to win. It’s like his philosophy of something,” Lucas says and hits his golf ball closer to the hole.

  “I know and that’s what I’m afraid of. This is probably the first time that I’ve actually stood up to my father and he does not like it. You should see his face when he speaks to me about Harper. He gets red in the face and he balls up his fists. Sometimes spit comes flying out of his mouth, he’s so angry. I can tell that he has to summon up intense restraint not to punch me out. It’s scary to see how worked up he gets over Harper and I. You wouldn’t believe it. He turns into a maniac when it comes to me and her.”

  “Holy crap, Dude. Are you sure that being with Harper is worth it?” Lucas asks, looking concerned.

  “There is no doubt in my mind that she’s worth it. Do you think that I would go through the headache of dealing with my father, if she wasn’t? I have honestly never seen my father so angry and it scares me to think what he might do, but I’m absolutely not breaking up with Harper. If I were to leave Harper behind, it would be the biggest mistake of my life. If I were to call things off with Harper, I would resent my father for the rest of my life and I would never forgive him. I don’t understand why he can’t see that. In all honesty, I don’t know why my father is making such a big deal about me being with Harper in the first place. I don’t get why he cares so much about who I’m with romantically,” Caden says and shakes his head. He just can’t wrap his brain around why his father is so overly involved.

  “Dude, really? Since I met you, your father has been about money, money and more money. Why do you think that he wants you to be with Madison? It isn’t because she’s the most wonderful woman in the world. It’s because she and her family are rolling in endless amounts of dough. I’ve heard your father speak about the Mason empire a million times, so I’m sure you’ve probably heard it a trillion times,” Lucas says and shakes his head.

  “I know. My father is forever talking about building “his empire”. It gets really tiresome after awhile. I have no idea what I’m going to do about this,” Caden says and sits down in the golf cart to get out of the sun.

  “I don’t really have any advice on this one, Cade. You really are stuck between a rock in a hard place. I can tell how much you care for Harper and I know how much it means to you to please your Dad. I hope that you all will be able to find some sort of compromise, but I know that your father is tough to deal with sometimes,” Lucas says, sitting down next to Caden and patting him on the shoulder.

  “At this point all I can do is let things play out. I’m not going to let my father bully me into breaking up with Harper. I’ve finally found a woman that makes my heart do cartwheels and makes me want to be a better man. Harper is everything that I’ve been looking for in a woman. I can’t let her go and I won’t.”

  “There you go again with the corny lines,” Lucas says and chuckles, driving the golf cart further down the green to their balls.

  “I know I must sound really annoying, but I’m in love. I want to jump on couches, like Tom Cruise did on Oprah when he met Katie Holmes,” Caden says, pulling out his putter when the golf cart is parked.

  “Everyone that knows your father knows that he is very stubborn and self-centered, but maybe when he sees how much you care about Harper and how much she cares about you, he will change his mind and let you guys be,” Lucas says.

  “Luke, you sound like you don’t really believe what you’re saying,” Caden replies, missing his putt.

  “Caden, like I’ve said, I’m your best friend and I’ve known you and your family for practically my entire life and I’ve seen the way that your father handles certain situations. I want to be hopeful because I want what you want for your life, but if your father is against you and Harper, he probably isn’t going to change his mind and that spells big problems for you. I’ve seen what h
e’s done to competition and people that have blocked him from getting what he wants,” Lucas says and sinks his shot.

  “I know and that is what concerns me. My father has never harmed me, but I’ve always pretty much done what he’s told me to do. My decision to stay with Harper and go against his wishes is the first time I’ve really outright disobeyed him. The anger that he displays about the whole situation frightens me sometimes, but like I’ve said, I’m not giving up Harper.”

  “Buddy, I don’t think that your father is going to do anything, but I can’t say that with a hundred percent certainty. Just be careful,” Lucas says with a look of concern on his face.

  “Don’t worry. I intend to,” Caden says and sinks his putt.

  * * * * *

  When Harper pulls up the Caden’s condominium, he is waiting for her in the parking lot with a huge smile on his face.

  “What’s going on?” she asks after she’s gotten out of the car and locked it.

  “Let me put this on. I have a surprise for you upstairs,” Caden says, showing her the scarf in his hand to blindfold her.

  “Caden, what the heck is going on?” she asks and giggles. She turns around so that he can tie the scarf around her eyes.

  “I told you. It’s a surprise,” he says, taking her hand after he has tied the scarf over her eyes. “You can’t see anything, can you?” he asks.

  “Nope,” she says, holding his hand tightly so she doesn’t trip and fall as he leads her to his condominium.

  When they get inside Caden’s condo, he removes the scarf from her eyes. The condo is darkened with candles lit throughout. Soft music plays in the background. Caden takes her by the hand and leads her to his dining room table, which is candlelit and set with dishes that she’s never seen before. There is wine chilling and a breadbasket filled with garlic toast.

  “Did I miss something? It isn’t my birthday. Did I forget an anniversary or something?” she asks, confused, but delighted by the gesture.

  “I told you that I have a surprise for you and it starts with dinner. I’ve cooked your favorite meal. Sit,” Caden says, pulling out a chair for her.

  “It smells delicious. Is it spaghetti?” she asks, sitting down and admiring the table setting.

  “It is,” he says and opens the bottle of chilled wine.

  “I can’t believe that you remembered,” she says, placing a cloth napkin over her legs and watching him pour each of them a glass of wine.

  “Don’t be fooled. I listen to everything that you say about your favorite things and place them in my memory bank for safekeeping for moments like this. The spaghetti is ready, so let’s eat,” Caden says, taking their plates to the stove.

  When he has filled both their plates with steaming spaghetti that looks and smells amazing, he sits, lifts his glass and says, “Let’s have a toast.”

  “Okay,” she says, following suit and lifting her glass.

  “To us, and amazing more moments together like this,” Caden says and clinks her glass.

  “I concur,” she says and takes a sip of the wine. “You really have surprised me. I thought that we were just going to watch a movie and cuddle on the sofa,” she says and smiles at Caden across the table.

  “I have another surprise for you after dinner that I hope that you’re going to like,” he says and grins back at her mischievously.

  “I’m sure I will,” she says, picking up her fork to taste her spaghetti.

  “I hope so,” Caden says and begins digging into his plate of spaghetti.

  They spend the next hour talking about things that happened during their day and about other random things as they eat their spaghetti. Harper looks across the table and feels grateful that she has such a thoughtful man in her life. He’s always doing romantic things, like cooking her dinner, buying her gifts, and leaving her love notes on the bathroom mirror in the morning. He’s always going out of his way to make sure that he knows how much he means to her, so she never has to second-guess where they stand.

  When they are finished eating the spaghetti, Caden clears the plates and pulls out chocolate covered strawberries, which is another one of her favorites. Caden scoots his chair closer to hers and they feed each other the delectable berries. She finds there is something so arousing about feeding your partner and is disappointed when the berries have disappeared and there is none left.

  After the last chocolate covered strawberry has been eaten, Caden’s demeanor suddenly changes. She has spent enough time to be able to read Caden’s body language like an expert and he is definitely nervous. His apparent nervousness starts to make her feel nervous.

  “Is there something wrong?” she asks as soon as she picks up on the change in him.

  “There is nothing wrong, but there is something that I want to say,” he says, taking her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. “Even before we had that minor incident and broke up for awhile at the beginning of our relationship, I felt strongly for you. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, there was an instant attraction. After spending time with you and getting to really know you, that initial attraction has turned into pure love. You have filled my days with so much happiness and joy. This last year has been the happiest I can ever recall being. You’ve changed my life for the better in so many ways. I love you very much, Harper, and I want you to be a part of my life for the rest of my life,” Caden says and gets down on one knee.

  Harper clasps her hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh,” she says, shocked.

  “Harper Bailey, will you do me the honor and become my wife?” Caden asks and pulls out an engagement ring from his pocket.

  “Yes!” Harper exclaims and hugs him. “Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.”

  “You’re sure?” Caden asks with a huge grin on his face.

  “I’m more than sure, silly,” Harper says, admiring the engagement ring. “Are you going to put that thing on my finger or not?” she says, extending her hand.

  “Nothing would give me more pleasure,” Caden says and slips the ring onto her finger.

  “It fits perfectly,” Harper says, extending out her hand to admire the ring again. “It’s so beautiful, Caden.”

  “I had it specially made. I picked out the diamond and designed the band. I wanted it to be unique and something that came straight from the heart. You really like it?” Caden asks, sounding unsure.

  “I absolutely love it. It’s gorgeous. Thank you,” she says, standing up to hug

  him again.

  “Now, let’s celebrate, future Mrs. Mason,” he says, taking her by the hand and leading her into the bedroom.

  * * * * *

  “You wanted to see me?” Caden says, after taking a seat in his father’s office.

  “Yes I do,” his father says, pushing some papers off to the side to focus on his son. “Is there something that you would like to say to me?”

  “I’m sorry?” Caden asks, confused.

  “Is there something that you want to tell me, Son?” his father asks with sternness in his voice and crossing his hands.

  “Dad, I don’t follow. If there were something that I wanted to tell you, I would tell you. Is there something that you’re not telling me?” Caden asks, wondering where their conversation is going.

  “Well, since you’re going to play the “I don’t know what you’re talking about” game, I’ll just come forth with what I know. I’ve come into the knowledge that you made a very expensive purchase lately of the ring variety. What I want to know is are you engaged?” his father asks.

  “What? How could you possibly know that I’ve been ring shopping. Have you been following me?” Caden asks, shocked because he didn’t tell anyone that he was going to propose to Harper or that he had been ring shopping. He hasn’t even had the chance to tell Lucas about his plans and subsequent proposal yet. The only way his father could have known is if he had been following him.

  “It doesn’t matter how I found out. Answer the question. Are you engaged to
be married to Harper?” his father asks again.

  Caden decides there is no point in lying. His father was going to find out eventually anyway. He couldn’t exactly hide his impending marriage forever. “Yes, I’m engaged,” he replies and sighs. He knows that the last thing his father is going to do is congratulate him.

  “So, it’s true? You asked that liar of a woman to be your wife?” Bill Mason asks angrily.

  “Yes, I did Dad. I asked Harper to be my wife and she said yes. Furthermore, I would appreciate it if you would stop calling her “that liar.” I’m pretty sure that you’ve done your fair share of lying over the years, so calling Harper a liar is very much hypocritical. Calling Harper a liar is the pot calling the kettle black in every sense and I’m just plain sick and tired of hearing it. I demand that from here on out, you treat my fiancée with the respect that she deserves,” Caden says and braces for his father’s reaction.

  “There is only one person here in a place to make demands and it is me, and I demand that you call off the engagement immediately. I will not allow you to marry that woman!” Bill Mason says and slams his fist down on his desk.

  “I don’t care what you demand and what you will not allow. I’m not calling off the engagement, Dad. I will marry Harper and the sooner it happens, the better,” Caden says, standing his ground.

  “If you marry that woman, I will disinherit you. I will write you out of my will and you won’t get a single cent from me or be a part of the businesses,” Bill Mason snarls.

  Caden shakes his head. “I don’t care if you write me out your will. I don’t care about the money or the businesses. I’m not like you, Dad. Money is not important to me, like it is with you. What matters to me is Harper and the love that we share. She makes me happy in ways that money and the business can never do. She is more valuable to me than all the money in this world, for that matter. You can pound your fist and make all the threats that you like, but I’m not calling off my engagement.”