“We have to get married.”
“Have to? Where did that come from?”
He grinned and her heart turned over. She loved the man, but marriage? Out of the question. He should realize that.
“I didn’t use protection. You could be pregnant.”
She laughed. But Matt didn’t think it the least bit amusing. “I don’t think that’s a reason to get married, Matt.”
He propped himself on an elbow, kissed her gently. “Then marry me because you love me, and I love you.”
She pushed him away. Her intention to go to the bathroom was blocked when he pulled her back to the bed. “We belong together, Carrie. I thought I would die when you disappeared. I can’t live without you in my life.”
“I’ve been in your life for over three years, Matt. It isn’t likely to change.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
“It would be like Prince Charming and Cinderella.”
He chuckled. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all.” She sat up, pulling the sheet with her. “Do you want to count the ways we are different?”
“No.” He reached over to kiss her, but she moved her head in time for his lips to miss hers. Just having him this close, his breath flowing gently over her skin, made her want to take him again. Would it always be like this? Was she going to want to jump his bones every time she saw him? Probably.
“Differences are good.”
“You deserve someone better.”
****
Matt never lost control. The last time was in Afghanistan when he’d pulled the craziest stunt a SEAL could pull. He’d almost gotten killed in the process.
With Carrie, his control had disappeared. They belonged together. Nothing about her background could or would change his mind. “I need something to drink. What can I bring you?”
“Sparkling water. Fridge.”
He left the bed, ignored the fact he was stark naked, and went to the kitchen. He had to hurry or Carrie would get up, take a shower, and he would lose his chance to convince her they were right for each other.
He opened the fridge. “What the hell?” It was full to overflowing, water bottles of all kinds, every fruit in season. Opening a drawer he saw a myriad of vegetables. How many people did she feed? He grabbed a couple of bottles of water and, out of curiosity, opened the pantry. Cans and boxes filled every available space. Stunned, he shut the door and went back to the bedroom.
Carrie hadn’t moved. Her eyes tracked his every step. His nakedness suddenly made him want to cover himself. Seeing the contents of her kitchen had given him a frightening look into her childhood. He understood more now. And it hurt.
Silently, he opened the bottle of sparkling water and handed it to her. She took a sip, then put the bottle on the table by the bed.
“What?”
He sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, holding her so tight she couldn’t get loose. “I’m so sorry, Carrie. I didn’t realize…”
She squirmed out of his arms. “What are you talking about?”
“The food…” His voice strangled, but he couldn’t help it. Though his parents had ignored him their entire life, he’d lived a life of luxury. Their cook had made wonderful meals and he had no idea what real hunger was. “You never wanted to go hungry again, so in true Carrie fashion, made sure you wouldn’t.” He pulled back, swiped stray hair from her face. “The more I learn about you, the more remarkable I find you.”
She pushed him away. Her chin came up. “I went to bed hungry more nights than I can count, but I survived. Having food in the house is my way of having one less worry.”
“I suppose it is.” He handed her the bottle of water. She took another sip. “But is it necessary?”
“It is for me.”
And he understood that as well. “Have you forgiven them?”
“What?”
“Your parents. Have you forgiven them? It took me years to forgive mine. But I felt better for it.”
She shook her head.
“Don’t you think it’s time?” Tears welled in her eyes. He wanted to hold and kiss her, but held back. This was important. “Trust me, you’ll feel better.”
“People treat their animals better than my parents treated me.” Her face hardened stubbornly.
“And you overcame it. Look at you. You’re a marvel. Would you be the same woman you are today if your childhood had been normal? I think you developed a strength that has carried you through your life. Am I right?”
“Probably, but…”
“Would you at least try? Alcoholism is a disease. Would you feel the same if they’d had cancer?”
“Of course not.” She looked deep into his eyes and her face softened. “I’ll try.”
“Good. Now for the important part: Carrie, will you marry me?”
“No, Matt. I won’t. Our relationship will slip back the way it was. We’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.”
He took her shoulders, shook her. “Carrie, it isn’t our differences that are keeping you from saying yes, it’s our similarities.”
Her brow wrinkled. He wanted to kiss her again and never let her go. But Carrie had to come to reason on her own.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Both of us were orphans. My parents abandoned me, leaving me to be raised by strangers. Your parents left you by drowning themselves in alcohol and you raised yourself. Let me ask you something. If our roles were reversed, and you had the parents with the money and I had those with the alcohol problem, would you marry me then? Or would you think our differences too great?”
He waited anxiously for her answer. The sheet wrapped tightly around her body, she scooted out of bed and headed for the bathroom. “Since that isn’t the way life turned out, we’ll never know, will we?”
The bathroom door shut quietly.
He could wait her out. But would she be in a more receptive mood when she returned? He doubted it.
He dressed slowly. He didn’t want to leave it like this, but Carrie was adamant, and he couldn’t reach her.
At the door, he made sure the automatic lock was on and left. Temporarily.
No way was this the end of them. No way.
What had they done in the SEALs when a mission wasn’t going as planned? They went back. Regrouped and came up with a new plan. Which was exactly what he was going to do. Only this time, the mission would be a success.
He would break down the walls around her heart. He had to.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Matt’s nightmare was back.
The explosion rocked their Hummer onto its side. Moans and screams filtered through his semi-consciousness. Carrie! Where was she? He fought his way through the smoke and fire. Her voice called his name, but he couldn’t reach her.
He sat up, his breath heaving in his chest, sweat covering his body. Getting out of bed, he went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. Had he lost Carrie forever? Was that what his nightmare was telling him?
How could he live a life without her after just finding her? Though he’d known and admired her for years, he realized that although all that time she had been special to him, now she was more.
In the mirror, his face looked haggard—dark circles underscored bloodshot eyes. Why would any woman want him? He looked like hell. And he was about to lose half the Trust his family had entrusted to him.
Dragging himself upstairs, Matt went through an hour of intense exercise, then he took a shower and dressed. Instead of going to the office, he opted to stay home and work on the ledgers they had found in the attic.
Then he remembered the report Sam had given him. Snatching the pages from the kitchen counter where he had placed them last night, he sat down and read it through. Somehow, Sam had found information on the company his great-great-grandfather had started in a journal the historical society had in their possession. How in the world did Sam get his hands on this? Matt wasn’t sure he wanted to kn
ow. But Sam had his ways and Matt didn’t and wouldn’t dispute his findings.
His great-great grandfather’s company had hit the ground running and grew fast—too fast to keep enough working capital. When he went to the bank to borrow money, his business was too new for a loan. His brother, James, offered a loan of twenty-five thousand. James wanted to become a partner in the business. Matt’s ancestor had refused, promising the money would be paid back with interest. Had it been paid back? Or did Reed have a legitimate claim?
Matt figured his brothers were up by now, so he called them. “I’m staying in today, to see what I can find.”
“We’ll do the same. See you after we take care of the dogs.”
Later, the ledgers were stacked in neat piles. “We have to go through each one” Matt told them. “If we don’t find anything here, I’m afraid Reed will succeed.”
“He won’t,” Coop promised. “It’s unthinkable.”
“Your cousin will blow through the money like a runaway train.”
“Thanks for that image, Dirk. But I think the same.” What a waste that would be. How many charities would the Trust have to cross off its list? The thought sent Matt’s gut curling into knots.
Footsteps came up the stairs. The brothers looked at one another. Coop and Matt moved to each side of the door, each resting a hand on the gun in his shoulder holster.
Lanie and Sky walked in; Sky panting from exertion. “If you wanted to talk to Dirk, you should have just called him.” Matt grumbled.
“Sorry, Matt. A phone call wouldn’t do it. We came to help.” Sky looked around, then walked over to the corner where furniture was haphazardly stacked. “Do you know how valuable these antiques are, Matt?”
“No, and you should be home resting.”
Sky laughed. “I’m not sick, Matt. I’m pregnant.”
“It looks good on you.”
Sky’s skin glowed with good health. Her eyes sparkled.
“I’m jealous,” Lanie put in. “I think it’s time we gave Maggie a brother or sister.”
Coop went over to kiss her on the lips. “I’m game.”
She gave him a playful shove. “I’ll just bet you are.”
Sky rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get to work. I understand we don’t have much time.”
“How did you get away from Steel Financial? Are you sure they won’t fall apart if you miss a day?”
“Stop teasing, Matt. I figure if you guys can take a day off, then so can I.”
“And Shorty was more than happy to babysit. We’re here for the duration.”
Matt’s heart swelled. What would he do without his family?
Sky picked up one of the ledgers. “This is the way they did bookkeeping back in the day.” She looked at Matt with awe. “This is amazing. I understand we’re looking for proof that Reed’s great-great-grandfather loaned yours money to start the business and that it was paid back.”
“That’s the gist of it.”
“Let’s take it from the beginning. I have a feeling these ledgers are as accurate as any one of our state-of the-art computers. We’ll put them in chronological order. I’ll start with the oldest, each of you take the following year and we’ll go from there.”
“Nothing like having a financial guru in the family.” Matt smiled and grabbed a ledger.
They found an antique dining room table and chairs to use and set to their task.
For the next hour, there was no sound except pages turning. Sky was the first to break the silence. “I found something.”
She turned her ledger toward the others. “Look. There is a twenty-five thousand dollar deposit and beside it a note.”
“What does it say?”
The handwriting is tiny, but I can make it out. Loan from brother.”
“Loan…not a partnership?”
“No, Matt. Loan. I’ll flag it and keep looking.” She made a note in a yellow pad she’d brought with her before raising her eyes. “Look carefully. We don’t want to miss anything. The payback might not necessarily be in a lump sum, but I’ll bet your ancestor marked it.”
“This is going to take forever.”
More footsteps were heard coming upstairs. Once more, Matt and Coop went to the doorway. Everyone sat still. “We don’t know anyone who would arbitrarily come inside your house, Matt.”
“I know.”
When Carrie and Marshall came in, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
“What are you two doing here? Don’t we have work to do?”
“Sure we do, Coop,” Carrie spoke before Marshall could say a word. “As soon as your FBI partner took my statement and left, you called and told Marshall what you were doing, so we put Buster in charge and thought we’d help. I think this is an emergency situation.”
“Why do you think that, Carrie?” Matt wanted to know. Just seeing Carrie here was a pleasure. He hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t known what her response to him would be after they had made such beautiful love—after he had proposed and she had turned him down. But Carrie looked herself, as if nothing had changed.
She ignored his question and walked over to the two women at the table. They jumped up to give her a hug. “We were so worried about you. Thank God, you’re all right.”
“I’m sorry about the worry.”
“Shorty dragged us to church to pray for you. Now that you’re back, we’re going to have the biggest family dinner ever. Just name the day.”
Carrie gave Matt a quick glance. “How about we wait until the Montgomery Trust is safe and secure. Then we can have a double celebration.”
“Sounds good to me,” Lanie said.
“Me, too.” Sky agreed.
Carrie cocked her hip on the table. “You look prettier every time I see you, Sky.”
“Pregnancy does that to some women.” Lanie sighed.
“Okay, fill us in.” Marshall went to sit by the guys. Sky passed him a ledger and told him what they were looking for. He picked it up, opened it. “I can’t believe this is how business was transacted in the old days.”
“It’s very concise. Every purchase, every penny that went in or out is recorded.” Sky looked at Matt. “We’ll find what you need.”
They went to work. An hour later, they were into the third year of business when Marshall let out a yelp. “Found something.”
He passed his ledger to Sky, who had taken over and was making notes on the yellow pad once the ledgers were labeled and looked through. “Let’s see it.”
“Five thousand dollars paid to his brother. On the explanation line is ‘partial payment to James for loan’.”
Matt grinned. “I knew he would pay it back. If there was a partnership, there would be papers to prove it.”
“I have another five thousand.” Carrie’s voice was triumphant. Eager. No wonder Matt loved her so much.
Sky looked over at him. “We’re getting there.”
In the fourth and fifth year, the remaining fifteen thousand was paid back, with another entry marked interest following the last payment. They had the proof they needed.
“We can’t stop here,” Sky told them when the guys slapped Matt on the back and were getting ready to leave.
“Why? We have what we need.”
“Maybe, Matt. But what if something went on in the ensuing years? We have to be sure. We won’t have time to do more research if Reed pulls something else on you.”
“She’s right,” Marshall agreed. “Hand me another ledger.
They went back to work. Matt’s cell phone rang. “It’s Shorty.” He listened. “You’re wonderful, Shorty. We’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Shorty is in the kitchen. She has lunch ready.”
“I didn’t realize it was so late.”
Sky rose, rubbed her tummy. “I’m surprised our little one didn’t put up a growling howl that he was hungry.”
Dirk came over to wrap an arm around her waist. “I’ll help you downstairs.”
“I’m n
ot helpless.”
“So, you think it’s a boy?” Carrie asked.
“I think so. Only a boy would kick as hard or demand food as often.”
Everyone laughed.
“Does he like sweets?” Coop teased. “Better hope Dirk’s sweet-tooth genes miss the kid. Heaven help you if there are two in the family.”
They were still laughing when they entered the kitchen.
“It smells wonderful.”
“Thanks, Carrie. I put out bowls for the stew and small plates for the cornbread. Help yourselves. I’m going to feed Maggie.” Shorty turned at the doorway. “Almost forgot, Lanie baked a couple of apple pies this morning. They’re still warm. If you have ice cream, Matt, it will be even better.”
“I’ll bet I can dig some up.”
Carrie looked around. “Where is Maggie?”
“In her high chair in the dining room. Join us.”
And they did. Spirits high, they told Shorty how they had found what they needed to counter Reed’s claim. “What does your attorney say?” Shorty alternately watched Maggie as she ate and took bites of her own.
“I haven’t called him. I’ll do that as soon as I finish eating.”
His stomach singing an alleluia, and feeling better than he had in weeks, Matt went to the living area to make the call.
“We found the proof we need. I’ll scan it and send it to you. This should put Reed’s claim to bed.”
“There’s more.”
“There can’t be more.”
“I have in my hands a partnership document. It seems your great-great-grandfather took his brother into the company as a partner in its fifth year of business.”
Matt had to sit down. “That can’t be true.”
“Then find a way to contradict his claim. I’ll fax you the document. Fax or email me what you have and whatever you might find to counter this. It doesn’t look good, Matt.”
Matt sat there for a while, his head in his hands.
“What’s wrong?”
Carrie. He looked up; saw the concern on her face.
How he loved this woman.
He cleared his throat. “Flannery is faxing me a partnership document my great-great-grandfather signed, naming his brother as half owner of the company.
“No!”
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