I swallowed as my fingers gripped the granite island in the middle of the kitchen. My world was spinning out of control, and the thought of staying here, and dealing with that knowledge was slowly choking me.
“You ok?” CJ called from across the room. “You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine. Just a little warm. I’ll be outside if you need me,” I motioned to the back door as I rushed to make my escape. When I spotted the wooden bench at the edge of the orchard, I quickly stumbled over and seated myself. It all made sense now. As I did the math in my head all the pieces began to click into place. The way Taylor had broken things off when he did. He’d sworn to me that there was no one else. He’d told me over and over that he just wanted what was best, and he didn’t think he was it for me. I’d tried to argue, but I’d had such a rough couple of days that I just didn’t have the energy back then. The truth was, he’d been cheating all along. He’d been with whoever was CJ’s mom at the same time he was with me. CJ’s age proved it. He’d ended things with us so he could be with her, and now she wasn’t even around. How could I have been so wrong about him?
This had been one of the most heartbreaking weeks I’d ever lived through. Ten days ago, I buried her. Ten days ago the one person I was willing to do anything for left this earth, and left me feeling more hollow than I ever thought possible. I’d spent the first few days refusing to leave my bed, now my dad was insistent that I leave Cherryville and come home with him. The summer wasn’t over yet, and the one thing keeping me from following in her wake was Taylor.
He’d once promised me that he’d take us away. We’d ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after, only happily wasn’t how I was currently living if I was living at all. Virginia had finally convinced me that I needed to get out of bed before my father dragged me out, so that’s exactly what I did.
That morning, I dressed myself in a loose t-shirt and jeans, and made my way out into the orchard. It was the only place I felt safe and loved. It had carried so many happy memories for me, and as I made my way over to our tree I felt the tears come back. When I reached its trunk, I ran my fingers lightly over the carving there. Right at eye level was the heart Taylor had carved out with his pocket knife last summer. He’d put our initials in it, and surprised me by planning a picnic under its branches. This was the spot where we sat when he told me he loved me. It was the place where I gave myself to him the first time. The first time we held hands, we were sitting here. This tree knew all my secrets, my fears, my joys, and today another was being added. My tears, the tears of sorrow that I couldn’t seem to stop.
I slumped down against the rough bark and bent my knees pulling them up to my chest. I wrapped my arms around my legs and placed my head on them. As my eyes closed and the tears came full force, I heard footsteps as a few broken branches snapped under the weight of the intruder.
“I can’t believe you came back after what I said last night,” I mumbled and refused to look at him. I was angry at the world, but taking it out on Taylor, instead. He was the only person who didn’t seem to run away when I snapped at them.
“I need to talk to you,” he sighed as he stopped in front of me. “I figured you’d be here.”
“When can we leave?” I sobbed as I wiped at my eyes. “I wanna go now. As far as we can get from here; just like we planned.”
Taylor lowered himself to the ground and turned to face me, “We can’t, Morgan. I don’t have a real job. Working for my dad isn’t going to get us out of town.”
“You promised,” I glared at him. “I’ve been saving. I can help. My trust will mature in a few weeks.”
“You’re seventeen,” he slowly shook his head. “You have to do what your dad tells you to do. He wants you home,” he looked away as he whispered, “I can’t be what you want right now.”
“I’ll be eighteen in a month,” I murmured.
He slowly rose from his spot before looking down at me, “I want you to go back to the city with him, Morgan. Things are different now, and I don’t think we should be together anymore.”
“What?” My head snapped up to stare at him. As I pushed to my feet, my legs wobbled. He gripped my arms to steady me before pulling back and putting distance between us. “I love you!” I begged. “I know you love me, too.”
“I thought I did.” He looked out into the distance, his inky hair falling over his forehead as his shoulders lifted and fell. He was holding his emotions in check, but refusing to acknowledge them. “I can’t be with you anymore. I’m sorry.” His chin fell to his chest as he turned and walked away.
That was the last time I saw him. Taylor had walked out of my life after seven years of being a part of it. He’d treated me like stranger after that. I’d stuck around Virginia’s house for a few weeks hoping he’d change his mind, but no such luck. He’d completely ignored me and now I knew why. He’d had someone else all along. He’d been cheating on me and had a son to prove it.
Anger surged through me at the realization that CJ was a product of that deception. He was such a sweet innocent child. I felt bad that I was angry, and as much as having him around was going to hurt, I knew he didn’t deserve my wrath. His father, on the other hand, was going to get it full force. If Taylor Cook decided to confront me in any way, I was going to make sure I let him know that I knew his secret. I wasn’t stupid, gullible, or any of the other things he might think, and I had no intention of letting him break me again.
“WHERE HAVE YOU been?” I lifted my head in frustration as CJ bounded happily through the door, letting the screen slam shut after him.
“Working,” he grimaced as he skipped to a stop.
I shook my head and sighed before glancing up and narrowing my eyes. “Working where exactly?”
“I’m helping that lady I was telling you about. Look!” He dropped a wad of cash on the table in front of me after slowly walking over. “She even paid me today.” His smile reappeared as he pointed at the bills on the table. “I really want that new bike.” He shifted on his feet. “And I just thought that if I helped…well, that you’d get it for me.”
I released a deep breath before looking from the cash to his face. He was chewing on his lip while I stared at him. “You really want that bike, huh?” I shook my head slowly as I began counting the bills.
“I do, and I think I can save enough by summer. Look, she gave twenty dollars, and all I did was wash the windows. I didn’t even finish them all. Dad, you should see her house. It’s so big. She’s got all these nice things inside. It’s almost like a museum. I think she’s rich, but she was all messy today. Not fancy like rich people.” His excitement grew as continued to talk about the new neighbor.
“Really,” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I hope you’re not taking advantage of her kindness by asking for a lot of money.”
“Daaaaddd!” he groaned. “I didn’t ask for anything. She gave me this. She said I could get twenty bucks a day if I kept working hard. I’ll have enough for the bike at the end of the week.” He grabbed the money, and took off for his room.
“CJ, wait!” I called as he thundered down the hall. “Who is this woman? Do you know her name?”
His footsteps stopped before he turned and they grew louder as he came back into the room. He stood there thinking for a minute, “She told me to call her Morgan, but I told her you said it’s not nice to call ladies by their first name when you’re a kid, so I called her Miss McGregor. She looked at me kinda funny though when I told her you were my dad. Do you know her?” He stared at me as I stood there trying to swallow. She was back. She was back and my son had spent the afternoon with her. She knew. She didn’t know the details, but she knew.
“CJ,” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go back there anymore.”
“What? Why?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Because I don’t,” I growled. I needed to keep him away from her. I needed to protect him. I needed my secret
to stay buried where it had been for the last ten years. If she asked the right questions, she’d be able to put all the pieces together, and my son was going to be caught in the crossfire. Morgan would hurt him, and he wouldn’t understand why.
“It’s not fair!” He stomped his foot. “She’s nice, and she likes me.”
“I’m not asking, CJ. You are not to go over there anymore. Do you hear me?” I scolded.
“Yes, Sir.” His head dropped in defeat as he turned to resume his path to his room. I could hear him grumbling the entire way, but I knew I’d made the right decision. Opening Pandora’s box would be a disaster, and that’s exactly what my past was… Pandora’s box.
WHEN I HAD originally come to Cherryville, I had only planned to stay for a week, but that week had quickly come and gone. There was so much to do, and being away from the office and my father’s scrutiny made it pass even quicker. The endless days at the office, the conference calls in the evening when all I wanted to do was sleep, then lonely nights on the company jet as I flew across the ocean to our sister company in China, it was exhausting. I didn’t realize how tired and worn down I truly was until I’d spent a week in the fresh air and away from it all. I’d stopped wearing a watch, and my laptop had only been powered up a handful of times. My CFO, David, had been doing fine without me. He’d called a few times, but it was nothing major.
I powered the laptop up, knowing that my email would be over flowing. I hadn’t talked to my dad since I’d gotten here. He’d called a few times, but I always rejected the call sending him to voicemail. I’d listened to a few of them. They were calm and business like at first, but after the first few days, they had become angry, and the father I knew growing up appeared. He’d always ordered me around like one of his employees. The only time he treated me like a daughter was when I was working for him. If I landed an important account, he’d smile and wrap his arm around me. He’d congratulate me over dinner with a contract and a commission check.
At first, I worked my ass off. I craved the attention and wanted the forgiveness that I so desperately needed. After what I’d done that summer, I didn’t know if I’d ever gain it back. Virginia had assured me that he loved me and things would work out, but I wasn’t so sure. I’d taken the trust he’d given to me, and a few promises from Taylor, and blew everything up. My plans for the future, his plans for the company, and most importantly… my heart.
After finishing college at NYU, I worked as an intern with my dad. I was basically his secretary, but he seemed happy so I sucked it up. We’d travel together, I’d smile, shake hands with whomever he was introducing me to, and bear whatever job he deemed appropriate for me. He seemed to always give me something that he thought I’d fail at, but I always rose to the occasion. Nothing was too trivial, and I proved that. Finally, when I turned twenty-five, he handed the company over. I never thought I’d see that day, but he just came into my office one morning, tossed some papers on my desk, smiled, and told me I’d earned it. I didn’t know what to make of it at first, but like everything else, I excelled.
As I sit here now, looking at the blinking cursor on my screen, all I want to do is scream. How did I let this happen? How did I go from the carefree girl that spent her summers here in Cherryville to the corporate woman with a take no prisoners attitude? I was so desperate back then for my father’s attention and happiness that I’d neglected my own. I cursed as I watched email after email pop up on my screen. All of them flashed “Ben McGregor” in the “from” column. “What the hell, Dad?” I muttered as I opened the first one.
Morgan,
It’s time for you to wrap things up and come home. The company needs you.
Dad
Morgan,
I think this has gone on long enough. Please call me. I’ll help wrap things up.
Dad
Morgan,
This isn’t a joke. You’re a business woman, and you have a company to run. Call me.
Dad
Morgan,
David called this morning. Says the account you guys are working on needs your approval. Please contact me immediately.
Dad
Morgan,
Do I need to come out there like last time? You’re not a child anymore. You’re the CEO of a company with my name on it. You’re acting as if you have no responsibility. Call me.
Dad
After opening the last one, I stopped reading, scrolled to the top, and clicked “delete all.” I was so mad that I was shaking. Even at twenty-eight, he treated me like I was a little kid. I knew when he signed over everything to me that he wasn’t truly stepping down. He still had a habit of popping in at the board meetings. He was never on the agenda, and he always used the excuse of taking me to lunch, but I knew better. He was checking on me. The truth was, I’d called David several days ago. The project that my dad was so adamant about me signing off on was already taken care of. He was like this though, a micromanager. You’d never know that based on the success of the company.
I slammed the laptop closed just as my cell started to ring. I glanced at the caller ID and groaned as I clicked it on. “Hello?” I grumbled exasperatedly.
“Morgan. What the hell?” he barked on his end. I could hear traffic in the background and knew he was either in a cab, or out somewhere for a meeting.
“Hello, Father,” I slumped back on the couch, and rubbed my eyes as I yawned. I’d been cleaning all day with CJ. It was the weekend, and I was hoping that I’d have a few more days before he’d call. I guess I was wrong.
“I’ve been emailing you all week! What have you been doing?” He seemed annoyed and his voice climbed higher.
“I’ve been straightening up the house. I told you I didn’t know how long I’d be here. Why do you even care?” I flopped back and rolled my eyes. I knew the answer, but I wanted him to admit it.
“You’re the CEO of my company!” He growled and there it was.
“You mean my company?” I murmured. “The paperwork has my name on it. You gave it to me, and it’s still the best in NY. I’m here because I need to be. Dad,” I groaned as I rubbed at my temples. “You need to trust me. Virginia was everything to me back then. I loved this place. I left it behind for you. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me for the last ten years. I went to the college you wanted. Worked for you. Now I’m running the place. I have no life, no husband, and no children. I’ve given it all up so I could be what you wanted. Please, let me do my job. David’s fine, and so is the precious company.”
“Morgan,” he paused and I could tell he was trying to figure what to say to get me to pack my things and return to the city.
“I’m fine, Dad,” I huffed. “I’ll be back when I finish what I’m doing here.”
“And how long is that going to be?” he was ready to blow his top, and if I kept pushing him I might hear it.
“I don’t know. Just trust me?” I pleaded.
“The last time I trusted you in that town you just about threw your life away,” he scolded bringing me right back to the day he’d found out about Taylor and I.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I growled as I remembered CJ. “That will never happen again.”
“That boy still there?” he prodded.
“You’ll never have to worry about that, Dad,” I repeated. “Taylor Cook has no place in my life.”
“I’m holding you to that. You stay away from him,” he snapped as if he needed to remind me of what happened all those years ago. “He’s nothing but trouble.”
“Dad,” I sighed. “I’m not seventeen anymore, and I have no interest in being anything to him.”
“Good. Call me and keep me updated on the Harrison project. I want to be informed with what exactly is going on. I’m golfing with Charles next week.” He switched gears so fast that I couldn’t keep up.
“Yes, Dad,” I responded and was getting ready to say goodbye when the line went dead. I blew out a breath and shook my head as I glanced at the screen. He’d
said what he needed to say and hung up on me. It was always like this, but I never seemed to be prepared for it. My father treated me so much like an employee that I wondered if he’d ever seen me as a daughter. It hurt, but I shook it off like I always did.
After taking in all the progress CJ and I had made throughout the week, I grabbed the glass of wine I’d been sipping, and made my way up to the bedroom I’d been sleeping in. A gentle breeze blew through the house, and I couldn’t help but think that maybe it was Virginia trying to tell me that everything was going to work out. She was always able to soothe me after dealing with my dad, and I smiled as I slipped into bed that night.
IT HAD BEEN a long day at work. Maryanne had called in, something about a family emergency but I was too busy to really talk to her. Saturdays were always crazy. Vacationers arrived on Saturdays, and there were only two months left until summer. Anyone that worked a regular job, used this day to work in their yard. CJ hadn’t been coming by after school either. He’d told me different reasons why he was so busy. Today it was a school project. Other times, friends had invited him over to play, he went swimming, or he had homework. I’d never really questioned him because he had never lied to me before, but after finding the wad of money he had stashed in his sock drawer, I knew he had. He’d been going back to Morgan’s after I’d told him not to. He’d been lying all week, and sneaking around. I was so angry, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle this yet. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t be there. No one did. Other than Virginia and I, Ben, Morgan’s father, was the only one. My past was just that, in the past. CJ and I had been happy here for the last ten years. No one understood how bad this could really get better than I did.
Walking Among the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series Page 5