Touched by You

by Elle Wright

  Carter folded his arms over his chest. “You do, huh?”

  Before they’d left his house to come to his mom’s house, Brooklyn had taken a call in the second bedroom. When he’d asked her who she was talking to, she told him it was her brother, but hadn’t elaborated. Parker had called her several times since she’d been in Detroit, but each time she’d taken it in another room or told Parker she’d call him back. He knew her brother was just concerned about his sister. He was the same way about Aisha, but something was off.

  They chatted with his mother for a few more minutes, until his mother excused herself to take care of something in the kitchen.

  Carter reached out and trailed his fingers down Brooklyn’s cheek. Being so close to her, and not being able to touch her the way he wanted, was torture. He wanted to yank her to him, kiss her until her legs buckled and she pleaded with him to take her.

  Martin walked up to them. “We’re going to head home, Carter. I have some work to get done.”

  Carter nodded. “Thanks for coming by.”

  Earlier, he’d had a chance to talk to Martin about the Wellspring Water account. “I’ll see you Monday morning at the courthouse.”

  Carter was glad to know that he’d have support in the courtroom. Martin, Ryleigh, and Aisha all planned to be there, which helped. He wasn’t nervous about the outcome, but he was concerned. He’d just started living again, and he didn’t want to have to spend any time in jail.

  Brooklyn had asked if he’d mind going back to Wellspring late Sunday evening, and he’d agreed. He was still curious to know what she was up to, but he wouldn’t push her. The dynamics in her family were complicated at best.

  On their way out, his mother brought out a bag full of food and shoved it into his hands. “Take this food. You can eat it for lunch tomorrow, or take it on the road. Okay?”

  “Thanks, Ma.” He gave his mother a hug, then stepped aside so that Brooklyn could do the same. They said their goodbyes to the rest of his family.

  * * *

  Monday morning came fast. Brooklyn and Carter had driven back to Wellspring late Sunday night. They’d decided to stay at her place for the night. Carter had ordered a pizza and they watched a horror movie before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

  When she’d awakened that morning, she’d told Carter that she had to make a run to meet Parker, and that she’d meet him at the courthouse. And now she was waiting for one final chat before all hell broke loose.

  Martin used his special skills and retrieved a copy of the will that was filed with the court. They didn’t want to take a chance of going to the court and asking to see the document, and risk her father finding out that they were looking. Carter then forwarded her the email. When she’d reviewed the document, she went cold. Her father’s deception had run much deeper than wills and small secrets. Parker Sr. had committed a crime. He’d changed her mother’s Last Will and Testament. He’d successfully taken control of the company, despite her mother’s stipulation that all her shares be transferred to her children.

  Carter had asked her what was going on, but she’d evaded the question. While they were away, Parker had located several documents that were relevant to their mother’s committal. Her father did commit her mother and had attempted to take control of her finances through a conservatorship.

  It wasn’t long after that that Brooklyn’s mother died. The more she found out about her father, the more convinced she was that he did something to her mother. The thought made her sick to her stomach.

  “Brooklyn,”

  She glanced up at her father. “What?” After what she’d read, she refused to call him Daddy ever again, because she didn’t feel like he’d been a daddy to her. Yes, he’d supported her financially for years, but he didn’t love her like a father should love his child. That much was obvious by his complete and utter lack of respect for her right to choose her own husband.

  “You will respect me, Brooklyn Wells.”

  “You can’t demand respect. You have to earn it. And from where I’m sitting, you don’t deserve my respect.”

  “I will not argue with you about this.” Her father gestured to the immediate area. “Why did you ask me to come here, of all places?”

  Brooklyn snickered. Her father always looked down on everything that wasn’t gold plated. He’d refused to help any local charities, preferring to support charities that gave him and Wellspring Water greater visibility and helped his image.

  They were in Red Rock Park, which had been owned and operated by Wellspring Water, until her father had tried to sell it a few years back. The community had been so outraged they’d collected the money necessary to buy the park. After the sale, her father had refused to ever visit the place again because the residents of Wellspring had the nerve to undermine his business decision. Which was a shame, because Red Rock Park was a beautiful and popular park.

  “I wanted to meet you in a neutral place.”

  He looked at her with disgust. “I hate that short hair on you.”

  “It’s okay, because Carter loves it.”

  “Carter will love the jailhouse when he’s thrown back in after today’s arraignment.”

  Brooklyn took a steadying breath. “Carter isn’t going to jail.”

  Her father stood over her, dwarfing her and blocking her sunlight. “Either you break things off with him and agree to marry Sterling, or your friend Carter is headed to jail. There will be no more second chances.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m not going to stop seeing Carter and you’re not going to make me.”

  “I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to, or even who you think you’re talking to, but you’re not going to defy me without huge consequences. And I’m sure your friend likes his business.”

  Parker joined them, stepping up beside Brooklyn, his hands in his pockets and a scowl on his face.

  Her father eyed them both. “Is this supposed to be some kind of double-team?”

  “No, nothing like that,” Parker said. “We’re just done living by your rules.”

  “What are you going to do about it?” Parker Sr. challenged. “You have no power over me.”

  “It’s simple. If Carter goes to jail, you will go to jail,” Brooklyn said.

  Her father bit out a humorless laugh. “We’ll see about that.”

  “Yeah, we will. I have Mom’s will in my possession. The original one.” Her father’s face fell. It was the first time she’d ever seen him lose his game face, and she felt the swoosh of victory wash over her. “You used that fake will to gain control of a company that does not belong to you.”

  “Senior, did you even think about your actions?” Parker asked. “Mom used her money to help you, and how did you repay her? You abused her, and then committed her against her will. All so you could run this company.”

  “Did you have mom killed?” Brooklyn asked.

  Her father’s gaze locked on her. “What?” Senior frowned. “Why would you ask me that?”

  Brooklyn didn’t think her father was that good of an actor. He genuinely seemed shocked at her accusation. “It just didn’t feel like it was an accident.”

  “That was your grief talking. I didn’t hurt your mother.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “Brooklyn, me and your mother had problems, but I didn’t kill her.”

  There was something about the tone in her father’s voice that sounded like regret. And Lord help her, she believed him. It still didn’t excuse all the other things he’d done. “I suggest you lay low, call the DA’s office, make up any excuse, I don’t care. Do whatever you have to do to convince Sterling and his family to drop the charges.”

  “You’re making a huge mistake. I won’t take this lying down. You don’t want me as your enemy, so think long and hard about this.”

  “No, you think long and hard about this. I’m not afraid to use this.” She held up a manila envelope and handed it to him. “Since you seem to th
ink I’m playing with you.”

  Brooklyn glanced up at Parker as her father skimmed through the contents of the envelope. Even though she’d waited for that moment for years, satisfaction eluded her. There was nothing to be satisfied about. Her father had manipulated them all for years, lied to them about their mother and everything that happened between them. He’d basically spit on her mother’s memory and her last wishes, in order to retain control of Wellspring Water.

  And now she was going to make sure he couldn’t do that to them or Carter.

  * * *

  Carter sat in the courtroom, his back to everyone. He’d been ordered to take a seat with his attorney. For a few tense moments, he wasn’t sure if Brooklyn would make it. She’d rushed into the courtroom right before they’d called his case on the docket.

  He glanced over at the King family, seated on the left of the massive space. They’d actively avoided him the entire time he sat in the room—until Brooklyn had arrived. From that moment on, Mr. King had done everything in his power to distract Carter from the matter at hand. He’d taken time to walk over to them and introduce himself.

  Carter asked how Sterling was doing. The surgery was a success, and now Sterling had to take some time to heal. His jaw was still wired shut and would be for the next several days. But he’d be okay, no lasting effects, which made Carter breathe easier.

  Judge Arnold entered the courtroom and they all stood. “In the matter of the State of Michigan versus Mr. Carter Marshall, the court finds that there is insufficient evidence to proceed. This case is dismissed.”

  Carter turned back to his family and friends and then to Brooklyn, who’d stood, her eyes filled to the brim with tears. He shook his attorney’s hand and walked around the barrier to his family. His sister pulled him into a tight hug and Martin patted his back.

  Turning to Brooklyn, he pulled her into his arms. She held on to him. “Don’t let me go,” she murmured into his chest. He ran a soothing hand over her back, resting his chin against the top of her head, and she cried.

  “I won’t,” he told her. “I’ll never let you go.”

  Carter meant it. Although he hadn’t said the words, he knew that he’d fallen headfirst in love with Brooklyn. And he had no intention of letting her go. The thought of her being with another man, made him want to fight. He was tired of fighting, tired of being angry. He’d let his grief consume him to the point where he’d shut down and shut out the people who cared the most about him. Sure, he’d talked to his sister and Martin, but he’d always held a piece of himself back. He didn’t want to do that anymore.

  The world was full of disappointment, but he’d been blessed to not only love one person beyond measure, but to feel the warmth of unconditional love with another woman. He’d been given a second chance to do things right, to work smarter, to take time off to be with his family, to laugh more. Those were things he wanted to do with Brooklyn.

  Tilting his head to the ceiling, he silently thanked God, and Krys, for sending Brooklyn to him. “I love you,” he said.

  She pulled back, met his gaze. “Carter, you don’t—”

  “I do.” He caressed her cheek, traced a finger over her ear lobe. “I do. You bared your heart to me the other day and I didn’t say anything. But I felt it. I feel it now. You didn’t have to be here for me. You didn’t have to believe in me. Because of you, I want to be better, I want to do better. So, yes, I love you. And I want to make this work.”

  He captured her bottom lip in his lips, drawing her closer and deeper into the kiss. She gripped his collar and gave herself over to him. “I’m so happy the charges were dismissed. Now you can focus on Marshall and Sullivan, and getting your life back.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Let’s celebrate.”

  * * *

  Later on, at Brook’s Pub, Brooklyn and Carter sat at the bar. They’d treated Martin, Ryleigh, and Aisha to dinner at the Bee’s Knees, because Aisha insisted on trying the western omelet Carter had told her about. All three were back in their rooms at the hotel, changing clothes.

  Brooklyn had planned a walking tour of Wellspring for their out-of-town guests. She wanted them to see everything that made her part of the state unique and fresh.

  Juke leaned in. “I’m glad you beat those charges, man,” he told Carter. “It’s high time someone else won in this town. Senior is a dirty old bastard.”

  That seemed to be the consensus amongst the townsfolk. Carter had wound up being a sort of hero. Kids had been approaching him all day, asking if he could teach them how to fight. Brooklyn thought it was cute, but Carter, ever the humble person, would brush them off and tell them to concentrate on school instead.

  Carter nodded. “I understand that. Maybe this is the start of a new era for Wellspring?”

  Brooklyn raised her shot glass. “Let’s toast to that.” They all raised their filled shot glasses. “To a new era of badass people who aren’t content to live in their parents’ shadows.”

  They clinked their glasses together and took their shots. “Brooklyn.”

  Carter twisted in his seat and nodded at Parker. “Hey, Parker.”

  “Hey, brother,” Brooklyn called over her shoulder. “Have a seat, take a shot.”

  “I’ve been trying to call you.”

  The brisk tone in Parker’s voice wasn’t lost on Brooklyn, and she turned around. “My phone is dead. What’s up?”

  Parker bowed his head, grumbling a curse. “It’s Senior.”

  Brooklyn stood to her feet. “What is it? Did he do something? Is he trying to sue Carter? What is it?”

  “He’s had a heart attack. He’s in the hospital. The doctors don’t think he’ll make it through the night.”

  Chapter 21

  Brooklyn stood at the foot of her father’s hospital bed. What a difference a few hours made! That morning, her father had been tall and strong, almost horrific in the way he’d treated them. After they’d shown him the documents, he’d been uncharacteristically quiet.

  Now, he was lying in the hospital, wires coming out of everywhere and a tube in his throat. He was so still. Her father had only used stillness as a skill to intimidate or manipulate other’s into doing what he wanted. It had worked for years.

  Parker stood behind her, his hand on the small of her back. “It’s not your fault.”

  “I pushed this thing with Mom’s will. He probably had a heart attack because he thought there was a good chance I’d make good on the threat to expose him.”

  “Brooklyn, he had a heart attack because that’s what people do when they are older and under stress.”

  But the stress had been caused by her, and her decisions. Swallowing hard, she approached her father’s still form. When they’d arrived, the doctors had ushered them into the room, warning them along the way to expect a change in his appearance. His face was sunken in and pale. Unable to breath on his own, her father was hooked up to a ventilator. Her gaze dropped to his chest, noted the way he seemed to struggle to breathe.

  The nurse had informed them that her father hadn’t signed an advance healthcare directive, which was a shock to her. She’s always assumed he wouldn’t want any extraordinary measures taken. It didn’t make sense to Brooklyn, knowing how independent her father was. Parker Wells Sr. wouldn’t want to depend on anyone. He’d make sure the plug was pulled before he’d have to.

  “Get. Out.”

  Brooklyn spun around and was met with a furious Patricia. Her blond wig forgotten, her dear stepmother was dressed in a pair of trousers and a silk top. Brooklyn tried to put herself in Patricia’s shoes. If something were wrong with Carter, she’d make sure that anyone that would do him harm was far away from the hospital. Except, she and Parker were Senior’s children.

  She didn’t agree with her father’s actions, but still wished that one day he’d apologize and actually tell her the truth about her mother’s life and her mother’s death.

  Patricia stalked toward them, her arms clenched at her sides. “This is a priva
te hospital room, and neither of you are welcome here.”

  Parker stepped forward, a deep frown on his face. “Patricia, back the hell up. This is our father. We’re going to be his children long after he divorces your ass. So if anyone is going to get out, it’s going to be you.”

  Angry, Patricia yelled, “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be here. He told me, you know?”

  “What exactly did he tell you?” Brooklyn asked.

  “All about you and your new boyfriend, how you disrespected him by snubbing Sterling.” She tossed an angry glare at Parker. “And you. He told me about how you overrode him on the decision to fire her boyfriend.”

  Brooklyn released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her father hadn’t told Patricia everything. Which meant one of two things—either he didn’t care enough to tell her, or he didn’t trust her enough to tell her. Judging by her stepmother’s track record, the rumors of affairs that had dogged her around town, she assumed it was the latter. Her father didn’t trust his wife. That was saying a lot in itself, and made her wonder why he’d stayed with her. The marriage had lasted a lot longer than the others.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Patricia,” Brooklyn said simply. “And I suggest you back the hell off.”

  The monitors went off, and a slew of medical personnel barreled into the room. Brooklyn’s heart sank as they worked on him. A kind nurse asked them to wait outside in the hallway, but she was rooted to her spot and didn’t want to take her eyes off of him.

  Patricia cried and screamed and acted a fool, and was subsequently escorted out of the room. Ever the drama queen. And Parker stood next to her, his head down. It took several minutes, but the doctors stabilized her father. Brooklyn slumped against the wall, relief coursing through her.

  She didn’t particularly like her father at that moment, but she didn’t want him to die. She thought about all the times she’d said she hated him behind his back. Did he ever hear her? Did he even care if she hated him or not? She wasn’t sure of the answers to those questions, but she prayed that one day she’d be able to ask him all the questions that haunted her about his actions. And she hoped to receive an honest answer because it felt important to her to know his motivation for the things he’d done.