Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series)

by Cynthia Gail

  “Please sit down, Miss Sergeant. I’m sure we can work this all out in time. We just need to re-verify some of the payments and receipts. With your prompt assistance, we can clear the record within the next three to four weeks.”

  “I would rather stand, thank you. Please realize that my accountant is on vacation this week and next. I’ll do my best to locate the files from storage in her absence, but this is the busiest time of the year for us and I have a business to run.”

  “Miss Sergeant. I realize this puts you in a tight spot. Let me remind you that according to your loan agreement, we have to insist any documentation requested be turned in within forty-eight hours. Allegations of this kind have to be taken seriously, even if they are anonymous. If you cannot comply with the time frame given, we do have the right to call your loan.”

  A drop of sweat rolled down the back of her neck, stopping only when it reached the fabric of her bra strap. Beth took a slow, deep breath, maintaining the deathlike grip she had on her purse. Her eyes never left his.

  “So, I have forty-eight hours to provide the documentation, while you have three or four weeks to review your findings? Surely, there has to be a means for an extension. As I said, sir, this is the Christmas season. We are booked at full capacity.”

  Mr. Wilkens handed her a folder. A chill ran up her spine as she opened it and saw the official Unity Bank seal in the upper left-hand corner, followed by an outline of the situation.

  By the time Beth arrived at the office, the good mood she’d woken up with had evaporated and turned to raw anger. Given the number of line items included, Mr. Wilkens knew his request was unreasonable. Yet failure wouldn’t be an option. She would simply dive in and not stop until her search was complete. Or she passed out, whichever came first.

  “Gina, please call Anita and ask her to come in and cover for me today and tomorrow. I won’t be able to help you at the front desk. Hold all of my calls. I’ll be in my office. Unless the building is on fire, I don’t want to be disturbed. Tell everyone—no exceptions.”

  “Beth, are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”

  “No, thank you. I really can’t discuss it right now.” Her voice cracked and the stinging behind her eyes grew stronger as she saw the concern in Gina’s face. Turning her head away just as a tear escaped, Beth bolted to her office and shut the door behind her.

  She’d been strong, not allowing herself to cry, even when she’d reached her car in the bank’s parking lot. She knew she had to keep her emotions contained until she made it to the shop. Now she was safe. Alone in her office with the door locked, she could sit at her desk and let the tears fall.

  When she was finished, she actually felt better for letting all of her frustration out. But the pity-party was over. Lifting her head up off the desk, she blew her nose, stood, drew her shoulders back, then went to her private bathroom to wash the ruined makeup from her face. After pulling her hair into a clip, she headed to the storage room.

  One by one, she carried ten boxes of blue prints, swatches, purchase orders, memos, licenses, permits, and receipts to her office. She’d been careful to keep everything, placing monthly packets into sealable containers until the contractor had said those four beautiful words, You’re ready to open. Now all she had to do was find eighty-five needles in the haystack by tomorrow evening.

  When Nick parked in front of La Bella Vita, it was almost eight o’clock. Seeing Beth’s car, his relief quickly turned to frustration. Her cell phone had gone straight to voice mail all day and when he’d tried the office, the front desk would only tell him she wasn’t accepting calls.

  What did that mean? She wasn’t accepting anyone’s calls, or just his? Maybe she’d changed her mind and didn’t want to see him. The idea shook him. All he’d thought about since leaving her house Sunday night was seeing her again.

  “Gina, you’re here awfully late.” He approached the front desk and immediately caught the tension in her eyes as she looked up from the computer.

  “Oh! Hi, Mr. Chester. How are you?”

  “It’s been a long day and I’m glad to finally be home. Is Beth in?”

  Her eyes widened in a flash of panic, before quickly turning back to her computer, as if it held the answer to his question. His stomach began to sink.

  “She is, but she asked not to be disturbed.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No. She just has a big project going on, that’s all.” The statement made him feel only slightly better. It still didn’t make any sense as to why she wasn’t answering or returning his calls.

  Gina was holding back. And why wouldn’t she? Just because Beth had gone on one date with him didn’t give him access to privileged information. He respected her for being so professional, even though he sensed something more serious in the air.

  “We’re supposed to be going to dinner tonight. Do you think I could peek into her office for a quick minute?”

  “I don’t know. She was pretty clear this morning.”

  “You haven’t seen her all day?”

  “We’ve been busy and she was upset when she came in.”

  A slight relief. It didn’t sound like this had anything to do with him, though now he was worried and even more determined. He wouldn’t leave until he knew where they stood.

  “I think I’ll take my chances.” He headed toward the hallway that led to Beth’s office. “Even if she doesn’t have time to eat dinner, maybe she’ll let me bring her something. I’ll tell her I snuck by while you were on the phone.”

  Nick walked down the hallway and stopped in front of her door. He couldn’t hear anything coming from the inside, so he knocked softly.

  No answer.

  He knocked again a little harder.

  “Whoever you are, please go away. I’m not available.”

  Nick turned the handle and slowly opened the door enough to step inside. The loveseat, coffee table, and various parts of the floor were covered in storage boxes, all with their lids off and stacks of papers lying on top. Beth was on her knees going through a pile of receipts.

  “I said go away.” She didn’t lift her head, just kept going through the box in front of her until she retrieved a piece of paper, attached a sticky note, and wrote a few words on the front. “Please don’t make me fire you.”

  “That would be hard to do.” He laughed as her head spun around. She lost her balance and her bottom hit the floor.

  “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. What time is it?” She glanced at her bare wrist where a watch would normally be.

  “It’s almost eight. I tried to call to let you know I would be late. I couldn’t get through.”

  Her wide eyes circled the room with the bewildered look of someone who’d just woken up in a place other than where they’d gone to sleep.

  “I don’t even know where my cell phone is.” She paused. “I think I left it in the car. Did you call the office phone?”

  “You weren’t available.” He made himself keep smiling. She was adorable sitting on the floor with her hair tousled and a smudge of dust on her cheek, but he sensed from the exasperated tone of her voice that the paper tornado surrounding them was more than a simple year-end filing project.

  “Yeah. Well, I haven’t had a very good day.” She leaned back against the couch and drew her knees to her chest.

  Nick stepped carefully through the clutter, sat down next to her, and took her delicate hand in his. “Tell me what happened,” he said softly.

  For a moment, he thought she was going to tell him. Beth opened her mouth, not making a sound, and then she shut it, her eyes glassy. Turning her head, she buried her face in her knees and tried to pull her hand free.

  He let it go, but didn’t move away. Instead, he began a slow, rhythmic back rub with his fingertips. After a few silent minutes, he could feel the tension begin to fade and her shoulders drop into a more relaxed position.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re exhausted.” He continued
to rub her back in gentle sweeps. “What can I do to help?”

  About the time he thought she might have fallen asleep, she sat up, leaning once more against the couch. He took her hand again and began stroking the top of her knuckles. “Tell me what happened, Beth.”

  She told him about the phone call and Mr. Wilkens, the anonymous allegations and impossible timeline the bank had given. When she was through, she scanned the coffee table, found the list of audit requirements, and handed it to him.

  Without letting go of her hand, he skimmed the cover letter and thumbed open the three following pages that included an extensive checklist.

  “I assume if an item is highlighted, you’ve already found and retrieved a copy?”

  “Yes. I think I’m about two-thirds finished. Some of the remaining items I’ll have to call the contractor about. I’m not sure why I have to provide copies of receipts that they paid him directly for, but at this point I really don’t have time to argue.”

  “You know . . .” He hesitated, not sure how she would react to his suggestion, and decided he had to offer, regardless. “It would only take me a couple of phone calls to make this go away.”

  A light flickered through her eyes, then quickly disappeared. “What do you mean?”

  “Unity Bank. My grandfather’s on the board. All he would have to do is ask a few questions and I have a feeling this anonymous complaint would go away.”

  “I can’t. It would look like I’m guilty and hiding behind your grandfather.” She paused. “I’ll have everything I need by the end of day tomorrow and Mr. Wilkens will have a complete package. In triplicate.”

  Nick frowned as he took in her blood-shot eyes and pale skin. A tightening sensation gripped his chest. “It wouldn’t be that way. Besides, I’d be interested to know where this witch hunt came from.”

  “I won’t use you, Nick. I have to do this on my own.”

  Man, she was a stubborn woman. “You wouldn’t be using me. I’m offering to help.”

  “And I’m grateful for the offer, but we just started seeing each other. I don’t even know if we can call it that–we just had one date. I don’t know what that really means.” As she rambled, the pitch of her voice rose in a panic he didn’t understand. “Getting your grandfather involved wouldn’t be right and I couldn’t put him in a questionable position.”

  “So, if this happened four months from now, you would accept my help?” He hoped she could hear the frustration in his words. Why wouldn’t she let him take care of the situation?

  She stared at him with an intensity that he hadn’t expected. “No. I’ve been there, and once you start doing favors, you never know what the agenda really is. You have to promise me you won’t do anything.”

  Relief shot through him and he instantly relaxed. Was that all she worried about? “Beth, I know you don’t have an agenda. Your father could probably make the same call if you’d just ask him.”

  “I have to do this on my own. Promise me, Nick.”

  He wanted to wrap her in his arms and hold her until all the stress and anxiety drained from her body. Kiss her until she gazed back at him the way she had Sunday night when they’d been dancing. He had an overwhelming urge to protect her. Was tempted to make the call anyway. Except he understood her determination and respected the request.

  Nick got to his feet and helped her up. “I won’t do anything. But you’re done for tonight. I doubt you stopped for lunch, so let me take you to get something to eat, then you need a good night’s sleep.”

  Her eyes immediately protested as she opened her mouth. He put his finger to her lips before she could say a word. “It’s not negotiable. Either stop for tonight and let me take care of you, or I’m making a phone call.”

  Beth smiled behind his finger, and he knew there would be no more arguing. Sliding his hand across her cheek, he brushed off the gray streak of dust.

  “You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.” He reached out with his free hand and took her waist, drawing her body closer. “And for the record, we are seeing each other.”

  Before she could say another word, he bent down and gently touched his lips to hers. He’d dreamed about holding her in his arms again, feeling her body against his and tasting that sensual mouth.

  He deepened the kiss with all of the emotion he’d felt for the past three days combined, holding her so close he could feel her racing heart against his chest. He couldn’t stop his hands from sliding up and down her back.

  He shuddered as her trembling hands slid slowly around his waist. She was so sweet, the hesitation made him hold her even tighter and try to kiss every rational thought from her mind.

  A soft tap finally broke through the roaring in his ears and he slowly drew back. “Are you expecting someone?”

  “I, uh . . .” She just stared. “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want me to answer the door?” He couldn’t help the soft chuckle that came out as he looked into her dazed eyes. He shouldn’t be so happy. She was exhausted and would probably fall asleep the moment her body fell into bed. But he knew the current rattled state was her reaction to him more than anything else.

  “Gina’s probably letting me know she’s leaving. I don’t want her to see me like this.”

  He stopped her hands as she tried to smooth back the hair falling from her clip. “I’ll talk to her. Then we can leave.”

  “I just called to see how your morning’s been going.” Nick walked back into his office from a three-hour meeting and shut the door.

  “I’m finished and on my way to see Mr. Wilkens right now. I think he’ll be surprised to see me so early in the day,” Beth said.

  “Why don’t you stop by and let me take you to lunch. I have a meeting at two. We can go somewhere close before you head back to work.”

  “I can do that. It has to be short, though. I’ve got a ton of work to catch up on and I’m supposed to be helping Jenny bake all those cookies and wrap presents tonight.”

  “I’ll be ready when you get here.”

  Nick sat down at his desk and started answering e-mails. Thirty-five already today and most of them required information rather than quick acknowledgements. He’d clicked through about half of them when his receptionist buzzed through.

  “Mr. Chester, there’s a Ms. Parker here to see you without an appointment. She’s insisting you want to see her.”

  “It’s okay, Cheryl, send her back. And I’m expecting Beth Sergeant in about fifteen minutes. When she arrives, bring her through to my office. I’ll be going out for lunch today.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He’d barely hung up the phone when Lauren strolled in and made her way to the corner of his desk. As usual, she wore a tight short skirt, silk blouse, with one too many buttons undone, heels that made her legs look a mile long, and of course, her hair and makeup were impeccable. He felt absolutely nothing.

  “Lauren, I’m surprised to see you. I only have a few minutes before my next appointment.” He rose and circled the desk to stand next to her, hoping she would get the hint.

  “A surprise? You’re all I’ve thought about for the past two weeks. I couldn’t wait to see you as soon as I got back from my trip.” She moved closer, gazing at him with her scheming, princess eyes, as one hand stroked the lapel of his suit jacket. “I’ve missed you, Nick.”

  He removed her hand from his chest. “I told you last time we talked, Lauren. I’m not interested in getting back together. I’ve moved on.”

  “Nick, I know I was difficult right before leaving on my trip. I’m sorry. You can’t really be serious about Beth Sergeant.”

  Her laughter singed his ears, reminding him of exactly why he’d broken things off.

  “I mean, from what I hear she has serious allegations hanging over her head right now. You need to insulate yourself from even the slightest hint of scandal.”

  His heart stopped as the words sunk in and he realized ‘anonymous’ was right in front of him. “How do you k
now about the audit?”

  “I’m sure I heard Daddy say something at dinner. It doesn’t matter. I came here to talk about us. About our future.” She eliminated the remaining distance between them.

  “I told you, we don’t have a future, Lauren.” He took a step backward, toward the open office door. She needed to leave. Now.

  “You can’t mean that.” Her voice had turned soft and whispery, yet sounded like sludge as the guilt began to rise in his chest. “Come over tonight and we’ll talk about it. You know how good we are together. I’m not giving up, Nick.” Before he could take another step away, Lauren reached up and kissed him.

  Startled and angry, Nick grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away. “I told you there isn’t anything to talk about, Lauren. Please leave.” His eyes met hers, daring her to argue.

  By the time he sat down behind his desk, she was gone. He picked up his phone and dialed before he had a chance to change his mind.

  “Hello?”

  “Grandfather. I need a favor. Do you know Mr. Wilkens at Unity Bank?”

  CHAPTER 7

  Beth stepped into the elevator leading to the offices of Chester and Dorsey with a joy that could only be described with one word. Nick.

  When she’d woken up this morning, her first thought was that yesterday had been one big, bad dream. No such luck. And for the short time it took the water in her shower to turn from cold to hot, she’d let the deflating realization drag her down.

  Then she’d thought about Nick. How his concern and gentleness had made the difference at a point when she was about to fall apart. How she’d been in a haze when Gina knocked on her door to say goodbye and he’d spared her the embarrassment of having a co-worker witness the mess she’d turned into.

  He’d reassured her everything would be okay. And for some reason, she believed him without question. At the same time, he respected her need to handle the situation on her own. Not at first, exactly. The fix-it syndrome had roared loudly. In the end, he promised not to interfere. He’d been wonderful.

  And he’d been right about needing a good night’s sleep. Once showered and dressed, armed with a cup of coffee in her hand, she’d felt re-energized and prepared to face the stacks of files awaiting her back at the office.