WindSwept Narrows: #17 Pepper Ambrose

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Money.”

  “Old rumors said her father was a young man from a nearby town,” Duncan read through his notes. “But nothing that can send me to him, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s been over thirty years. I think she’ll just be happy to know the truth.”

  “He married her for the inheritance. Problem is they left the money to Pepper. Exclusive. Hers the day she marries,” he declared triumphantly.

  “Huh…and the reason no attorney has ever tracked her down to tell her?” Chase glared out the window behind his desk.

  “Grandparents died when she was fourteen. A minor. They notified the father, who had legally adopted her,” Duncan shrugged. “They did…what Ambrose kept from her…not sure how to have gotten around that one, Chase.”

  “So the reverend has been waiting over fifteen years to get his hands on her money. If she didn’t marry…”

  “It’s his when she turns thirty-five. Weird addendum, but…don’t get why the old folks didn’t just leave it to charities instead of him, but…hell…I don’t know.”

  “Send me your notes, the name of the legal firm and your bill. I owe you, Duncan, thanks.”

  “Chase, this doesn’t mean he’s going to leave her or you alone. Don’t let your guard down just because of this,” Duncan said firmly.

  “I’ve already got someone watching him and the police are searching for the guy who doctored my food. He always uses someone else…but there’s enough information from her journal to have his phones tapped, which they’ve done.”

  “Invite me to the wedding.”

  “Too late…it was Sunday…I’ll send you a photo,” he promised ending the call and closing his eyes tightly.

  Chase sat for fifteen quiet minutes before opening the file he’d been sent and printing off things he wanted. He hit the intercom.

  “Paige…could you come in here, please?” He sorted the things on his desk, glancing up absently. “You can leave it open. I’m not sure when Sebastian will show up. Not sure what state he’s in…literally…however…” he slid the first file towards her, watching her open the little notebook she carried and stood waiting patiently. “Cut a personal check for Duncan plus twenty-five percent. Include an envelope, I’ll compose and print off a letter to him. Start a personal file for me and include this. Oh, make a copy and contact the bank with the personal accounts. Here’s a copy of Pepper’s driver’s license, here’s the marriage certificate. Find out what they can do to expedite things to have her added to my accounts.”

  Both of them looked toward the front door when the bell sounded. Paige Andrews went forward, keeping herself between the person and Chase.

  “Excuse me…can I help you?” She had begun to inhale, her breath caught somewhere in the middle. “Oh…god…what’d you kill? Geeze…”

  “Looking for Chase Montgomery,” but the dark eyes sparkled as he met the amused look from the man behind the tall redhead.

  “I…Chase…perhaps you’d like to wait outside…downwind…about a mile….where there’s a shower…and barber…”

  “Christ, Bastian, she’s right…get out of here…”

  “We don’t have enough windows,” Paige mumbled, quickly moving around the office and flinging windows open.

  Chase followed the black leather clad man back toward the parking lot, the afternoon sun dusty behind the spray of clouds above them.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Kansas…one hell of a ride, let me tell you,” Sebastian Hartley straddled the large, dust covered motorcycle.

  Chase spent the next hour outside in the fresh air talking to the head of the firm that would be handling the terminal for two cruise lines. It was going to be built where the old grain station was located. They’d be sharing the office.

  Paige Andrews looked at her boss suspiciously when he came back inside, the roar of a motorcycle fading in the distance.

  “That…was not in the employment agreement,” she said, long ponytail swishing as she held up the check and file she’d completed. “The bank is sending a representative to speak with you tomorrow, with papers where they only need Pepper’s signature and it’ll happen that quick.” She snapped her fingers and returned to the screen she was working on.

  “Thanks. Nail them down on when and I’ll have her come out for lunch,” he went into his office, leaving the door open while he worked.

  Chase Montgomery was still deep in thought when he stepped from the limo, thick drops of cold rain splattering over him. He was headed into the resort when he heard his name, turning to find Cade striding toward him, Abby at his side.

  “Hi, Chase…I’ll get the car, Cade,” Abby said, long legs carrying her into the rain without being the least bothered.

  “What is it with those suits?” Chase asked with a shake of his head.

  “I know damn well my ass doesn’t look like that,” Cade remarked with a male sigh. “And I am, quite frankly, really glad of it. Got something you might want to see.”

  Chase accepted the newspaper that was held up to him. “Who actually reads print these days?”

  “Abby,” he said with a grimace. “Who asked questions I didn’t have answers for.”

  “Questions?” He looked at the open, folded obvious story, his hand crunching the paper tightly, his curse flat and explicit.

  “Didn’t think it was for public. Gotta go…good luck,” Cade took off at a light run, pulling his tie free as he went.

  Chase went into the elevator, leaning back and reading the print, the photo of him and Pepper outside the Enchanted Castle large and very clear.

  ‘Pepper Ambrose and Chase Montgomery tied the knot today in a very private ceremony in the Enchanted Castle. We’re told the bride chose the full white gown from the movie. While those photos are private, we’re positive she made a gorgeous bride as she married the wealthy industrialist and latest member of the reclamation in Tacoma, Chase Montgomery.’

  He quickly shoved the paper into his briefcase when the door to the suite was pulled wide.

  Pepper took in the rain splattered glasses and a definite look of frustration on his face. She grabbed up his palm and tugged him into the room.

  “Change clothes, we’re going to the gym,” she told him, taking his briefcase and dropping it on the sofa. She was already in a leotard and pair of loose cotton pants, her sneakers in place as she pulled him toward the bedroom. “I’ll wait out here.”

  He gave brief thought to bowing out and decided he’d neglected that part of his routine for too long. After a round with the weights, he joined Pepper in a double VR run along the beach. By the time he was finished, he was swearing he’d never neglect and try and keep up with her again.

  “How the hell…” he leaned over on his knees when the treadmills came to a slow stop. “Can you keep up with that…you’ve been…”

  “I skip lunch and come in,” she said with a wink and pat on the cute butt, even inside the bulky sweats. “I’ve got dinner coming up from the kitchen, under guard.” She added when he cast a doubtful eye from beneath the towel he was raking over his face and neck. “A long hot shower and you’ll be good as new.”

  “Says the woman who can breathe and talk at the same time,” Chase smiled when their fingers entwined as she led the way toward the guest elevator. “Tomorrow is Wednesday…do you think you can come by my office about one? I’ll take you to lunch.”

  Pepper blinked over at him. “Why didn’t I think you had an office? How odd…”

  “It’s on the north side of the emporium. I have an admin, a partner…even a view of the Sound,” he told her with a crooked grin, his head shaking when she backed out of the elevator toward the suite, frowning at him.

  “I don’t know. For some reason, I figured you cruised the highways in the limo working on your laptop all day long,” she bounced against the door, blinking up at him when he was a few seconds too late in snagging her waist. “I think I had some idea you were building an office when you go
t the property at the docks. I’m honestly not sure, Chase.”

  “You have any idea what it takes to clear that…that mess left there over the last seventy-five years?” He growled, the memory of the docks brought back with a thump.

  “Oh…wait…” she turned and backed into the room, eyes wide when she came to a stop, palms up. “I know this one…lots of…” her hands moved while her mind searched for words. “Big dump trucks…and…those…” she curled the fingers of one hand into a claw. “Those grabby things like in the games…why can’t you just take it all out to sea and dump it?”

  “Now that’s environmental,” was the dry answer, his hand out to snag hers and head to the bedroom.

  “They dump battleships. For…you know…divers and…and…”

  “Natural reefs,” he supplied, peeling the damp tee shirt over his head and tossing it to a basket that had appeared from somewhere.

  “Right. Those. But I think that stuff is treated or something…the junk at the docks…probably no idea what’s in it, on it and through it,” Pepper pulled her sneakers off and dropped them in the closet when the knock came on the door. “Food!”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chase was about to say something when she took off, running barefoot toward the door. He lifted his wallet and followed more slowly. He signed for the food and gave the young man a tip.

  “I’ll get this set up while you shower,” Pepper told him easily, going off to the kitchenette for ice and glasses. She gathered her tap set and went through a fast shower, busily weaving her long hair into a braid when he came into the main area, a towel on his shoulders and wearing a clean tee shirt and jeans.

  “So what’s on the menu tonight?” Chase started lifting lids, collecting them from the table and sinking before the empty plate, the sweet scent of Mediterranean herbs filling the suite. “We’re going for a ride after we eat,” he looked over at the satiny pajamas she usually began the night in. “You might want to change.”

  “Oh. Why? I mean…I know the why change part,” she offered a face at the single brow he lifted. He knew she didn’t wear anything underneath. He took them off often enough and quick enough. “Where are we going?”

  “A drive around Defiance Point,” he tipped his wrist over. “Greg will be outside at seven.”

  She sighed and sliced into the tender vegetables mixed with tangy beef on her plate. “At least the limo doesn’t look invasive…”

  “That’s bothering you?”

  “Being driven takes some adjusting to,” she admitted thoughtfully. “This…the suite thing…people bringing you whatever you want…all that…”

  “Then this evening’s drive will end in a relief, I think,” Chase saw the instant curiosity in her eyes. “No hints…not even if you torture me.”

  Pepper laughed loudly. “If that’s not a guy way to get a girl naked, I don’t know what is!”

  “Hmm…maybe if there was a lot of torture…I’d crack,” he admitted with a grin.

  Pepper ate quietly, watching him, listening about the regulations regarding disposing of what amounted to eons of junk left on property sites. She knew they would clean the place when housekeeping came in the morning, but it was too normal to carry the plates and silver to the kitchen and load them into the dishwasher without thinking much about it.

  “What aren’t you telling me, Chase?” She was bent over, buckling a pair of small simple flats into place when he came into the living area with his jacket and her sweater. “Thanks…we’re getting out of the car?”

  “We are…exploring,” he held his palm out to her, tugging her into his arms. “I’ve a surprise…so I can’t tell, remember? Unless you want to give the seduction thing a try and see if I crack?”

  “Hmm…ask me again when we return,” she saw a momentary wince cross his face. “You’re expecting a fight out of this.”

  “Since when did you turn into a gypsy fortune teller?” He slid the keycard into his inner pocket and led them to the elevator. He felt a strange collection of tension in her and it was triggering the same in him, he realized as the elevator took them to the main entrance. He was keeping too many things inside from her, he thought, one hand up and rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Why are we going to fight about this, Chase?” Pepper stayed in the corner in the back seat of the car that looked normal to the outside world. She folded one leg up on the seat, watching him in the dim light of the car.

  “I would really rather we didn’t, Pepper. I honestly…I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said again, relaxing when she nodded slowly and slid next to him, took his hand in hers. “A good surprise.”

  “Alright. Then I’ll be surprised,” she told him, even as the butterflies bounced and swirled in the middle of her dinner. “For future reference…I do surprises better on an empty stomach.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Chase replied, closing his fingers around hers tightly. “Are there rules in couple fighting?”

  “I’ve never been part of a couple before,” she answered softly, watching the lights play over his face as the car wove through a residential neighborhood. Her head swiveled from one window to the other.

  “I like being part of our couple, Pepper.” There were times the simple answer was the most honest and sincere.

  The Sound was on their right side. The houses ranged from large to middle large to a very large one now and again. He was quiet when she looked again into his eyes. It worried him, she realized and that worry was because he was uncertain about her reaction to something. She wasn’t stupid. She guessed what it was, sighing and laying her head on his shoulder.

  “So…you didn’t buy a puppy…” She guessed out loud.

  “Hm…not today…”

  “Keep in mind, anything you buy that requires care and poop scooping, is your problem. Not mine,” she said flatly and firmly, relieved when he laughed and kissed her soundly. “That kind of thing definitely falls under couple talk.”

  “Got it,” he stopped as they cruised through gates that opened silently. He felt her fingers tighten, looked at her in time to see those beautiful blue eyes sparkle and widen more than a little as they swept from one end of the European style home to the other.

  “It’s all white,” she breathed, absently stepping out onto the tiled driveway after him.

  “Old style coastal Europe…maybe Greece or Spain,” Chase said, leading her to the large double doors and keying in the code before pushing one of the doors inward. “I wanted to wait until they were finished with the flooring…but I also wanted you to see…because I could tell you were getting a little uncomfortable with the suite.” He laughed at the gaze she turned on him. “You hide it well, Pepper. But living in the hotel is bothering you…and we both know your apartment is too small.”

  “Chase, it’s amazing…” Pepper went through the foyer to the large inside living area and opened the patio doors. She stepped outside and back all the way to the large stone wall. “It’s three levels…” All white and almost sparkling, she thought, with shining redwood railings. There were no corners, she realized, they had all been made into smooth, soft curves. One balcony led to another level that led around the back to the third, lower level. She went back inside and closed the doors behind her, just staring at him.

  Chase wasn’t sure what he saw in her eyes, her expression and it made his feet shift uncomfortably. Something he hadn’t done since he was a naïve teenager lacking confidence.

  “Pepper?”

  “Ummm…what’re you doing with the floors?” She cleared her throat a couple times and pointed to the pile of carpeting next to the back door.

  “It’s being hauled off. The only carpeting is in the bedrooms. Tiles and some nice stone…” He felt his palms sweating. “I had a solar system put in…”

  “When did you do this? Start this?”

  “Two days ago…when the sale was final.”

  “I see…” she dragged her tongue around her lips and wandered down the
well-lit hall, peering in rooms as she went. She found the master bedroom and stared, doing a slow turn around the very large room with its own fireplace and a master bathroom with a massive couples tub and walk in jetted shower with a built in bench seat.

  For its sprawling size, it had two other bedrooms and a large room for an office. The kitchen had all new stainless steel appliances and gorgeous sunflower tiles around the kitchen done in deep red and gold. She’d seen him go off, wandering. There was worry and something else in his eyes that she couldn’t place. They’d been close enough the last week that she should be able to know, should recognize and be able to label it.

  “Are you worried about the docks?” She asked when he came back from along the hall. She was sitting on one of the high stools, her back to the counter, her head tilted and watching. Surprise filled his features, amber lashes blinking almost in confusion.

  “The docks? Other than the expected headache of recycling and disposing of a two generations of garbage…not particularly…”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  Chase crossed to stand before her, took her hands in his and held her eyes. “I brought you here to show you…to share with you, Pepper. I don’t think I ever asked you to move into the suite with me…but I want to ask you to live with me here.”

  “A couple. A serious couple,” she whispered, only a little shaky.

  “A serious couple,” he agreed. “I think on the way over here it dawned on me that maybe I should have asked for what you wanted to change here before I ordered the changes.”