Walking Among the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series

by Heather D'Agostino

  When my coffee finished brewing, I grabbed a cup and sat down to go through my email. I hadn’t been online in a few days, but I’d had several phone conferences with David and Marjorie. They’d assured me that everything was fine, and if I’d truly meant what I’d said about having a satellite office here, they thought I’d been able to do it. A smiled tugged at my sad face as that thought flitted through my mind. It would be nice to be able to stay and continue what I’d done so far.

  The smile didn’t last long though. When I clicked open the newest email from Marjorie, my jaw practically hit the floor.

  Morgan,

  I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. Your dad booked a flight out of Florida this morning. He was steaming when he called to talk to you and realized you weren’t back yet. I assured him things were fine, but he said he was cutting his golf outing short to go to Cherryville. I hope you get this before he gets there.

  Marjorie

  “Fan-freaking-tastic!” I groaned as I looked at the date. The email was sent yesterday which meant he’d had more than enough time to get here. I slammed the laptop shut and raced to grab a shower. If my dad was going to try to pop in and catch me unprepared, he was wrong. I’d be ready. I’d prove I could work from here, and he didn’t have control over me. I wasn’t leaving now. I had too many things to do.

  I grabbed my cell and tapped out a quick text to Marjorie, thanking her for the heads up. When I’d reached for the phone, my fingers had brushed over the small key I’d gotten from Mr. Dewy. I’d forgotten I even had thing, and as I looked at it I wondered what Virginia had deemed so important that it needed to be locked up. That, along with talking to Taylor, were top priority, but first I needed a shower. I had grass in my hair from sleeping on the ground. It didn’t bother me, but I’m sure my dad would see it as me reverting back to the young girl who loved it here. I needed to slip back into the CEO with ice in her veins. I needed to turn off the real me, and be the me he wanted. I needed to be New York Morgan, and she’d been in hiding for weeks.

  IT HAD BEEN a crazy day today. Maryanne had called saying she’d be late to help open the store. My brother had shown up not long after me, badgering me about where I’d been the night before. CJ had dragged his feet all morning, and we had almost been late to school. It seemed that the pile of crap I’d been dealing with just seemed to grow by the minute.

  “So who is she?” Trevor leaned against the counter as I counted the drawer of the register.

  “What are you talking about?” I mumbled as I slipped it back in place.

  “The woman you were with last night. Who is she?” He grinned a shit-eating grin as he watched me.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shook my head as I stepped around the counter, headed to the back room. I still had some inventory to get out on the shelves, and with Maryanne running late, I wanted to get it out before we got busy.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. It was her, wasn’t it,” he called as he followed after me.

  “Her?” I repeated.

  “I know she’s in town. You better be careful,” he warned. “She’s gonna find out.”

  “She doesn’t know anything,” I lifted a box of gardening tools and began carrying them to the front of the store.

  “So you admit it,” he pushed on my shoulder. “You were with her last night.”

  “Fine!” I dropped the box and turned to glare at him. “I was with her last night. Happy now?” I tossed my arms in the air before resuming my task.

  “No, not really,” he sighed as he looked out into the distance. “This has bad written all over it. What are you going to tell CJ?”

  “I’m not telling him anything. She doesn’t want anything to do with me. She proved that this morning when I woke up alone. I’m not putting myself out there. I can’t. I have a child to think about,” I began pulling the tools out of the box and filling the crate on the front walk.

  “Yeah. I’ll believe that when I see it. Uh,” his face contorted in confusion before he shifted quickly to face me. “I’ll see ya later,” he clapped my shoulder. “If you need anything, give me a buzz.” Before I could respond, he was walking away.

  I shook my head in confusion. Trevor never walked away when he had the chance to tease me. As I was picking up the empty box to go back inside, I heard the one voice I least expected to hear in this place.

  “I see some things never change.” His statement sounded more like a command and caused me to freeze in my movements.

  “Sir,” I slowly turned as my mouth firmed into a grim line. “What can I do for you?” My professional side began to emerge as I forced my hatred for this man deep down inside.

  “Your daddy finally gave you the store,” he nodded his head as he looked me over with amusement.

  “Something I can get for you, Mr. McGregor?” I shifted the empty box in my arms.

  “I just want to talk.” He stuffed his hands in his suit pants pockets, and I had a hard time not rolling my eyes at him. I’d never seen this man dress in anything other than a suit. I’m guessing this one was some fancy name, Armani maybe. He glanced at his feet like he was worried that some stray dirt from the sidewalk might tarnish his shoes.

  “Fine,” I relented. “Let’s go inside; I’m shorthanded today.” I tipped my head toward the door as I began to turn away from him.

  “Here’s fine,” he stopped me in my tracks. “This won’t take long.”

  When I turned around, he was still standing in the same spot but he’d shifted positions so his arms were now crossed over his chest. I mirrored his stance after placing the box on the ground by my feet.

  “I just want to make sure that you’ve kept your word. My daughter came out here to sign some paperwork a month ago and has yet to return home. My company is suffering because she somehow feels the need to neglect it in lieu of staying here.” He rolled his eyes as his lips curled in disgust. “I’m here to bring her to her senses, and I was wondering if her sudden need to stick around had anything to do with you.”

  I sucked in a deep breath before releasing it in preparation of the battle this man was waging. “I’ve only seen Morgan a handful of times. I haven’t told her anything. I said I wouldn’t, and I haven’t. Your secret is still safe.” I shook my head as I thought about what he’d asked me to do all those years ago. It made my stomach turn just thinking about it. “You know she’s gonna find out? You can’t hide that from her forever.”

  “The hell she is!” His voice boomed, causing a few people down the street to turn. “I’m meeting with her next, and she’s leaving tonight if I have to drag away.”

  “Sir.” I let my chin drop as I stared at the ground. “She’s not a kid anymore and neither am I. You can’t order us around.”

  “You love that bastard kid of yours?” He sneered as if it disgusted him to say the words. “If the answer is yes, you’ll keep your damn mouth shut and let Morgan lead the life she was meant for. This town does nothing but bring people down. She’s better than all this.” He waved his arms around indicating the store.

  Right at that moment CJ came racing up to me. School had let out early for a half day, and he usually helped me out for a few hours after school. It was our compromise for me taking the money he’d earned at Morgan’s. “Hey, Dad,” he waved as he approached. “Mister,” he nodded before pushing open the door to the store.

  “You don’t even want to say hi, do you?” I growled.

  “No need,” he shrugged. “He doesn’t know me and never will.”

  “I forgot. The almighty Ben McGregor would never want to have anyone tarnish his name, especially his illegitimate grandson.” I turned to put my hand on the door, ready to escape this nightmare, “You don’t have to worry about me. There’s nothing between Morgan and me. We were over a long time ago. You made sure of that.” I pushed the door open and slipped inside, effectively ending the conversation. I couldn’t deal with this right now. After last night and now th
is morning… everything I’d pushed down was rising to the surface at a speed I couldn’t keep up with. I was like a pot bubbling on the stove. I was getting ready to boil over under the amount of heat on top on me.

  “Who was that Dad?” CJ came out of the back room, munching on a bag of chips. “He was all fancy. We don’t get people like him around here.”

  “He was no one,” I murmured as I brushed by him. I was a lot things to my son, but a liar was not one of them. It hurt to know that his innocence was soon going to be shattered. There was no way I could keep this secret from him. Morgan was going to find out as soon as she opened that bank box, and I knew the first person she was going to come to for answers was gonna be me. CJ’s gonna have his whole world turned upside down, and there’s nothing I can do to protect him.

  AFTER TAKING A quick shower, I dressed myself in a business suit and prepared for battle. My father was sure to insist that I leave with him. I knew without even asking that that’s why he’d come. I appraised myself in the mirror before grabbing my purse and briefcase and locking up the house. I had sent him a quick text telling him I had business in town, and I’d meet him at the diner. It was still open for another hour, and I assumed that he’d rather meet there than the bar. Neither were his scene, but I needed all the points I could get to win this argument.

  When I pulled up, I parked on the street. The bank would still be open, and whatever Virginia had wanted to give me could be picked up after this meeting with my dad. This way I could kill two birds with one stone. I slipped out the car, glanced at myself in the reflection of the glass, and squared my shoulders as I lifted my briefcase and marched inside.

  “Hey, Miss McGregor!” CJ shouted from across the street. I gave him a small wave as I slipped through the door. As much as I’d like to sit and talk with him, I knew now wasn’t the time. Right now I just needed to placate my father enough so he would go home.

  The moment I stepped inside, the smell of greasy food assaulted me. I’d been in here many times, but this particular time made my stomach turn. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this nervous. Maybe the time I told him I was pregnant? I shook the memory off as fast as it appeared and began scanning the diner for my father. When my eyes swept across the back, I saw him. He was sitting in a corner booth with his briefcase on the table. A stack of manila folders were beside it, and he was reading a paper. I’m sure it was The Times. He never read anything else.

  His suit jacket was still in place even though it was a million degrees in here. His pants and shirt perfectly pressed, and his shoes shined as if he’d just polished them that morning. His salt and pepper hair was combed neatly and his jaw shaved. He was perfectly put together. Very little had changed over the years. Other than a few extra lines on his face, you wouldn’t know that it had been ten years since these people had seen him.

  I lifted my chin in defiance as my heels clicked across the floor. I knew I needed to show him that I wasn’t slipping back into that girl. When I approached the table, I cleared my throat. “Afternoon Dad,” I nodded as I folded myself on the seat across from him. “What brings you out here?”

  “Cut the act, Morgan,” he growled. “I’m here to take you home.” He snapped the paper closed and folded it up before placing it on the table in front of him. “You’ve had your fun. Now it’s time to come home and run the business.”

  “I’m not finished here,” I crossed my arms and laid them on the table in front of me.

  “Oh, you most certainly are,” he scoffed. “This place does nothing but bring you down. You need to forget it ever existed and go back to your responsibilities. David has been struggling. You should be there,” he shook his head.

  “David is doing fine Dad. I talk to him regularly. The business is flourishing. I like it here. I’m actually looking at setting up a satellite office,” I opened up my briefcase and pulled out a folder. “See, the papers are already in the works.” I tossed the folder in front him as I watched the redness on his face darken.

  “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you will not work from here,” he hissed as he shoved the folder back in my direction.

  “Why, Dad? Does that not fit your plan?” I mocked as he sat there fuming. “You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore. You handed me the reins, now let me do this my way. It’s been successful so far. Why don’t you trust me?”

  “Morgan,” he sat back and shook his head at me. “You’re not going to make a fool out of me. I’m still on the board. If you haven’t come to your senses by the end of next week, I’m going to make a motion to have you removed as CEO at our next board meeting.”

  His smug look as he watched me sit there almost sent me over edge. I knew if I reacted the way he thought I would that he would get exactly what he wanted. He wanted me to panic. He wanted me to jump up and rush back to the city. He wanted me under his control just like I used to be, only this time he was trying to command a grown woman. I wasn’t the meek girl constantly being pushed by her father. I was confident and self-assured, and he was messing with me on the wrong day.

  First, Taylor’s disappearance that morning and now this? I pushed away from the table and stood, taking a deep breath. “You do whatever you think you need to do Father,” I glowered. He hated when I called him Father. He knew I was pissed and trying to push his buttons. “I’m not finished here. I really don’t know how you’re going to convince the board to replace me when I’ve been nothing but successful since you put me in the position. You do what you need to do though, and I’ll do what I need to do.” I spun on my heel as I took clipped steps over to the door. I glanced back one last time and I watched his narrowed stare on me. He didn’t attempt to get up. He didn’t attempt to come after me. He just watched as I walked away.

  I lifted my chin in confidence as I slipped out the door and turned toward the bank. Might as well get this over with while I was here. Right? My day couldn’t possibly get any worse.

  BY THE TIME I reached the bank, I was so angry, I was shaking. My hand trembled as I reached for the knob on the door. It was a busy for the middle of the day, and as I pushed the door open, a breeze blew over me from the cool interior. This was one of the few places that had air conditioning in town. Most shop owners just used fans and opened windows to cool their business down.

  I sighed as the cool air began to chill my skin. My heart rate slowed as I calmed down from the argument I was having moments before, and I pushed thoughts of my father out of my head. I was here for Virginia. She was the one who’d brought me here, and she had something she wanted to share with only me. Why else would she have it locked away in a vault? I shifted on my feet before making my way over to the teller’s counter. The heels I was wearing clicked on the tile floor causing an echo that could surely be heard through the entire bank.

  “Morgan?” an older gentleman whom I couldn’t remember rounded the corner smiling at me. “I thought that was you.”

  “Hi,” I smiled as I tried to remember his name.

  He must have sensed my panic because he held out his hand for me to shake as he stated, “George. George McCall.” He tipped his head to the side as he waited for the pieces to click into place.

  “Yes,” I nodded. “Jerry’s dad.” It all made sense now. Jerry had been a friend of Taylor’s and had annoyed the crap outta me when we were younger. Mr. McCall had changed. He looked like a totally different person.

  He chuckled, “Jer works here now,” he pointed to a man sitting behind a desk busily typing away on a keyboard. “Hey Jer,” he waited for Jerry to lift his head “You know who this is?”

  Jerry’s eyes squinted as he watched me before a huge smile spread across his face. He shoved back from the desk before striding over to us. I swallowed as I watched him. His father wasn’t the only one that had changed. His messy blond hair was combed neatly. His tailored suit fit him like a glove, and his frame towered over me. I couldn’t tell much because of his attire, but he looked good. I couldn’t help
but drag my eyes over him as he stood there smiling.

  “It’s not polite to stare, Morgan,” he whispered as he leaned in next to my ear.

  I shook my head as I came out of my daze, “I wasn’t staring, Jer,” I snapped as I looked up at him.

  “It’s ok if you want to,” he shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

  When I looked at his face he had a smug smile in place, and the Jerry I knew all those years ago emerged. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I grumbled.

  “Yeah, well,” he shrugged again as his eyes trailed over me. I was still wearing my business suit, and as I shifted on my feet, I could feel small sweat droplets trickling down the back of my neck and making their way into my jacket. “Why you so dressed up?”

  “Had a meeting with my dad,” I rolled my eyes.

  “Oh, Ben’s in town?” George’s face scrunched up.

  “Only to order me around,” I groaned. “Listen,” I reached in my purse to grab the key to the safety deposit box. “I came in here for this. Can you let me in vault?” I held the key up for him to see.

  “Sure.” George led me over to another desk where he clicked some keys on the keyboard, grabbed a set of keys, and led me to the back of the bank.

  “Back to work,” he pointed at Jerry and smiled.

  Jerry gave a mock salute as he winked it me before turning to head back to his desk. If last night had never happened, and I wasn’t so absorbed in my past, I may have taken Jerry up on what he was not so subtly offering. If I was in New York, I know I would. He was exactly my type, and it was obvious that he just wanted a good time, nothing more.