The Billionaire's Deception (The Blank Check Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

  Her cheeks burned as the tears continued to stream down. They told her she was welcome, but she knew she’d never return. And even if she did, it would never be the same. These last few days were going to hold some wonderful memories for her. At one point, it even held a promise of something more to come. And when Ethan had kissed her, it was as though her dreams and reality were finally colliding and she actually had found someone who filled a void that she hadn’t known was there.

  Since she’d had a taste of happiness and what it could be like to be with him, it really sucked now knowing he couldn’t stand the sight of her. Ethan was eager for her to leave. She wouldn’t have been surprised if he offered to pack her bags for her. Damn this hurt. It was like a knife twisting in her gut.

  If this is what caring about someone feels like, I don’t ever want to feel again.

  She needed to be strong, at least in front of the others. When she got back home, then she could break if she had to. Who was she kidding? She lived at the hotel. They expected her to be a rock. And she would be, too. It was going to be all business. She was already known for being a firm boss, but all these new emotions that she was battling were going to let go, and God help who it was unleashed on.

  Ethan, you should count yourself lucky that it’s not you.

  She wiped her tear streaked cheeks and then latched her last suitcase. There was nothing left to do but carry them out to her Jeep and say her goodbyes. This was when she really wished there was a bathroom adjoining her room. She’d love to throw some cold water on her face and freshen up. But if anyone asked if she’d been crying, she already knew what she’d say. And part of it was at least going to be the truth.

  Opening her door she brought her bags out with her and left them by the entrance. She could hear the others in the kitchen, which was filled with laugher. Although she hated to break up their joyful time, she couldn’t just sneak out.

  With a gentle knock on the door, she peeked her head in. “Hi. I’m all packed.”

  Mabel got up and rushed over to her. “Already? I thought we’d have more time. Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer?”

  “I really can’t. It’s time for me to get back to work.” Giving her a hug she added, “Thank you for being so patient with me. I won’t forget all those tricks you showed me.”

  “I’m going to miss having you around. Please come back when you can. We’ll pick up where we left off.”

  Roy said, “And when you come back, I’ll make sure your room has the light you’ve been searching for.”

  My room?

  “Don’t worry, I’ll bring my own lamp,” she said. Kollette didn’t want Roy going through any trouble on her behalf, especially when she wasn’t coming back.

  “I’ll go let Ethan know you’re leaving,” Roy said.

  “Don’t bother. I’m sure he’s resting,” she replied.

  “He can’t be tired. He went to bed early last night. Besides, he has to carry your luggage to your Jeep.” Roy left the kitchen and Alan followed.

  Mabel said softly, “Don’t worry. He’ll come around.”

  “Who?”

  “Ethan. I know he’s upset right now, but he’ll get over whatever it is. Trust me Kollette, he’s going to miss you when you’re gone. And sometimes, that’s what they need.”

  The difference Mabel is he wants me gone, and that’s why I’m leaving.

  Kollette couldn’t bring herself to talk about it. Mabel didn’t understand. Ethan wanted her to suffer for what she’d done, and she was. He wanted her gone and she was leaving. No one else might be happy about all this, but at least she knew Ethan would be smiling tonight.

  “I’m sure you’re right. Now I better get going before it gets too dark or worse, we start bawling.” With that, she left the kitchen. Her bags were no longer in the living room. Slipping on her coat, she went out onto the porch. Ethan was putting her suitcases in the back of her Jeep. Alan’s plow truck was already heading down the driveway.

  It was time for one last shot. What did she have to lose? The odds were she was never going to see him again. Walking over to him she said, “Thank you for bringing out my bags.”

  “No problem.”

  “I had no idea my father was going to pull all these strings to get me back home. Guess he needs me to get to work.”

  “That wasn’t your father, it was me,” Ethan said.

  “What? You?”

  “Does that surprise you?” he asked.

  Yes it does. And hurts too.

  She knew he wanted her gone. Kollette didn’t realize just how much. “Take care of yourself Ethan. It was…I’m glad I got to know you.”

  “Are you?”

  She stepped closer, got up on her tippy toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Yes I am.” Then she quickly got into her Jeep, started it and drove the hell away. Even as she made it down the driveway, she hoped her vision was clear enough to see the road through the tears. Tears she wasn’t about to let him ever see.

  Looking in her rear view mirror, she saw him just standing there, watching her.

  Goodbye Ethan.

  “I assume that was your doing,” Roy stated from behind him.

  “Why do you say that?” he asked.

  “Because it’s the only explanation as to why you decided to take my mare out in the middle of the night. How long did you need to ride before you found a signal?” Roy inquired.

  Too fucking long.

  “Do you miss anything?” Ethan asked, avoiding answering Roy’s question.

  “Yup. My wedding anniversary once. But what I don’t understand is why you did it. You like her. So why make it so she could leave? I’d have thought you’d be praying for more snow.”

  “It’s complicated,” he answered.

  “Well you know what is nice about being here? I ain’t got much else to do but listen. Why don’t you and I go check on the horses and you can clarify things for me,” Roy suggested.

  If this was his brothers, he’d tell them it’s none of their damn business. But he wouldn’t speak to Roy that way. Roy was more like a father figure than even his own dad was. So, as instructed, he went to the barn with Roy. But once inside, Roy sat down on a bale of hay and waited. Ethan wasn’t sure where to start. He knew what he didn’t want to say, and that was why Kollette was here.

  “Roy, she needed to get back home. All I did was provide the means for that to happen. I didn’t tell her to go.”

  Roy shook his head. “You didn’t ask her to stay either. I know there is something more going on. You barely spoke last night before we went to bed. And I spoke to Kollette when I came out to check on the fire. She was doing a damn good job at hiding the fact she was miserable. Why don’t you back up and tell me why that is?”

  “Roy, this is between me and Kollette,” he stated, hoping that would be the end of it. Of course, it wasn’t.

  “I’m talking to you man to man. Count yourself lucky because Mabel wanted to talk to you about it. You know how emotional she can get.”

  “It’s not anything big. We just had a disagreement and found our views of the situation were different.”

  “Great. A fight. Mabel and I have had plenty of them. So what are you doing to fix it?” Roy asked.

  “It can’t be fixed,” he said. Kollette deceived the Potters.

  “Anything can be, if you want it to,” Roy said. “Do you think Mabel and I have been married this long by luck? No. It takes love and understanding and…work.”

  “Kollette and I aren’t married. We’re not even dating,” he clarified.

  “And you won’t be if this is the way you handle things. That is unless you tell me that you don’t like her that is,” Roy said.

  “Sometimes people aren’t who you think they are,” Ethan stated.

  “That’s the problem. You need to accept a person how they are, for who they are, if you want them to do the same to you. Have you noticed that Mabel and I don’t ask any questions?” Ethan nodded. “I hav
e known you for many years, and yet don’t know what you do for a living. I have never met your family and very rarely do you speak of them. Yet we know you’re a good man. That’s all we need to know. Kollette is also a good person.”

  “She had secrets,” he said.

  “I do. You do. Everyone does.”

  Ethan wasn’t going to win this. And he also wasn’t able to put an end to it. There was something he was missing and he couldn’t figure out what. “Roy why is this so damn important to you?”

  “We don’t have any children, Ethan. You’re the closest thing I have to having a son. Which means your happiness means a lot to us. And for a few days, I don’t think we’ve ever seen you look so happy before.”

  “I was. But something changed. I found out something that I wish I hadn’t,” he admitted. Not that he wanted her lie to continue, but knowing really wasn’t better.

  “And it personally affects you?” Roy asked.

  “Well, in a very roundabout way.”

  “Ethan, you need to really think about this. Whatever you learned, is it greater than how you feel about her? And before you tell me again that you’re not even dating, I don’t care. Dating is just something someone does. It’s not a feeling, it’s an action.”

  He laughed. “Roy, have you been reading books on relationships? Because in all the years I’ve been coming here, you’ve never given me any advice before.”

  Roy shrugged. “You’ve never needed it until now.”

  “Point taken. I can’t promise that Kollette and I will see each other again, but I will think about what you said.”

  “Can you do me a favor?” Roy asked.

  “Of course. What do you need?”

  “When we go inside, don’t look so damn happy. I want Mabel to think I gave you a firm talking to.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she told me to. And if you go in smiling, I’m the one who is getting the lecture.”

  Ethan laughed and then he said, “No problem. One scowl coming up. And how long do I have to look this way?”

  “I’d say till morning. That should do it.”

  “You know Roy, I’ve learned a lot about you from this talk.”

  “See. You can learn a lot and never ask any questions. Now let’s go back inside. I’m freezing out here.”

  Ethan followed him out of the barn and sure enough Mabel was watching from the window. Wiping the smile off his face he put his head down and headed to the cabin. The more he tried to scowl, the more he wanted to laugh.

  Damn it Kollette. Look what you have done to me. I want to be pissed, and all I can do is laugh. You really have fucked with my head.

  7

  “I thought you said you’d be gone for a month,” Charles said.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not coming back just yet. Only checking in. How’s everyone?” Ethan asked.

  “We’re good. You know I haven’t even had a chance to speak to everyone about the changes we discussed.”

  “That’s not why I called,” he stated.

  Charles asked, “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m good. Actually, heading down south.”

  “South America?” Charles asked.

  Ethan laughed. “No. Florida.”

  “What’s there?” he asked.

  “I want to check out a few of their hotels.”

  “You’re not supposed to be working,” Charles warned. “Or have you forgotten?”

  “I’m not. This is strictly a vacation. But you know how it is. I’ll bump into someone and then you’ll eventually hear where I am.” That was a problem. Everywhere they went, someone always recognized them. At the Potters, that wasn’t an issue. Not even the deputy seemed to care who he was.

  “Please don’t tell me you’re going down there for spring break. You’re a little old for those college girls,” Charles laughed.

  “I’m not that old, but no, I’m not going there to party.”

  “So you’re calling me to tell me…nothing. Now you have me wondering what is really going on,” Charles said.

  “I told you. I’m just on vacation,” Ethan stated.

  “I heard you. Maybe I should ask, with whom?”

  “I met someone, but it’s nothing serious,” Ethan admitted.

  “But serious enough that you want to talk to me about it. So who is she? Where did you meet?”

  “Her name is Kollette. She is a manager at a hotel.”

  “And?”

  “That’s it. There’s nothing more to tell.” At least not now. Maybe when he saw her again there would be. Or maybe it really should’ve ended when she drove away. All he knew was after his talk with Roy, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. It’d been almost a week and nothing had changed. Ethan had to go and see her again.

  “Sounds like there’s some unfinished business between the two of you. Can I give you some brotherly advice?” Charles asked.

  Saying no wasn’t going to stop Charles from saying it. “Sure.”

  “Don’t be a stubborn-ass Lawson.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Ethan asked.

  “It means we get in our own way. Little things that are inconsequential are like a wall to us.”

  “Why do you think that’s the case?” Ethan asked, knowing damn well that’s what he was doing with Kollette.

  “Mom and Dad had a very unusual relationship. I think growing up and seeing that instilled a…fear, that we could be like that someday. Think about it. Have you ever seen Dad happy? I mean really smiling?”

  Ethan had avoided spending time with their father growing up and now as an adult, he spent even less time. “No. But we learned why.” He’d been physically and verbally abused by their grandfather. “That doesn’t give a person a reason to be happy.”

  “You’re right. But think about Mom. She was everything that Dad wasn’t. She was happy and had a positive attitude. She was encouraging and supportive.”

  “True. What does this have to do with us?” Ethan asked.

  “Even with all that, Dad couldn’t get out of his own way to enjoy any of it. Instead he went to the office so he didn’t need to see it. As though he had no right to be happy.”

  All those childhood memories reflected exactly what Charles was saying. But he never thought about his father as running from it. He just thought his father didn’t want anything to do with them. Sure, he was there for birthdays and holidays because their mother wouldn’t have it any other way. But outside of that, he did nothing but work.

  Damn it. We do the same. Work 24/7 and for what?

  “Charles, what does this have to do with me and Kollette?” Because he wasn’t seeing the link.

  “Simple. It’s okay to be happy.”

  That’s it? All this for ‘be happy’? When did Charles get so long winded?

  “I think I can manage that.”

  “Good. Because when I was first seeing Rosslyn, I almost fucked it up. Good thing she saw past what an idiot I was and married me anyway.”

  “Yeah. And still does,” he joked.

  “Very funny Ethan. I’m trying to help,” Charles said seriously.

  “I know. It’s just that…you suck at it Charles.”

  “I’d like to argue with you on that, but Rosslyn reminds me all the time that there are things I excel at. Advice on love is not one of them.”

  “But I did learn something,” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Not to call you when I do need advice,” Ethan laughed. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

  He was still laughing as he ended the call. It definitely lightened things up. That was surprising, because Charles didn’t usually talk about anything other than work. Rosslyn was good for Charles. But Ethan wasn’t heading down to Miami trying to find what Charles and Rosslyn had. He just needed to see her. And to tell her, I’m sorry for being an ass.

  Ethan had already crossed state lines, and was deep into the heart of Florida when his cell phone ra
ng. It was a number he didn’t know and let it go to voicemail. That last thing he wanted was for work to get in his way. A moment later he heard the phone chime that they had left a message. Whatever it was would need to wait, maybe a day, or a few weeks until he got back.

  Ethan decided to shut his phone off to avoid the temptation to see who called. Charles was right, Lawson men had a hard time not working. If he started taking calls, he might not stop. So the rest of the ride was spent listening to music. At times, he could barely hear it over the vehicle next to him. Yeah, he was in Miami alright. Now all he needed to do was to check into the hotel.

  He pulled up and handed the valet the keys, then grabbed his bag out of the trunk.

  “Sir, the bellhop can take your bag for you,” he said.

  “Thanks, but I got it.” Ethan walked in and went to register. He hadn’t thought this through, as he didn’t call for a reservation. Hopefully they had a room, because there wasn’t any place else he wanted to stay.

  “Good afternoon sir. May I help you?”

  “Yes I’d like a room.”

  “Sorry sir, but we don’t any vacancies at this time.”

  “Nothing at all?” he asked.

  “No sir. I’m very sorry. Maybe you can try one further away from the beach. You might have better luck there.”

  Ethan had it all planned out. He’d stay at the hotel she managed and they would stumble upon each other and from there, well hopefully get past what happened at the Potters. He wasn’t leaving until he saw her.

  “May I speak to the manager please?” He didn’t want to request her by name.

  “Sir, the manager will only tell you the same thing I have. We have no rooms available,” the young woman said again.

  Ethan said in a more demanding tone, “The manager please.”

  The woman looked uncomfortable, but picked up the phone and dialed a number. After speaking with Kollette, or so he suspected, she turned back to him. “If you don’t mind having a seat, the manager will be right with you.”

  “Thank you.” It wouldn’t be long. Soon she’d know who’d disrupted her day. Hopefully she was willing to talk to him beyond telling him they had no vacancies.