Matters of the Heart

by Helen Colella

  “But someday, she’ll have to move on, whether by choice or not, especially if she’s going to become Mrs. Nick Dalton. Don’t you think?” He didn’t wait for Nick’s reply, just kept on talking as they pulled up to Quality Foods. “Let’s give ourselves an hour-hour and a half then call it quits. I have to get to that meeting at Haliway’s office.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Amanda sat at her desk in the restaurant’s office surrounded by the payroll slips and an open checkbook when Charles burst in.

  “Loyalty is an admirable quality, Amanda. And I’m all for giving any new purveyor a chance.”

  “I totally agree.”

  “How, then, can you justify the way you’ve been ignoring our other suppliers, the ones we’ve dealt with for so many years?”

  “I’m not doing anything of the sort, Charlie. I think I’m cost-effective. I tend to go with the best prices.”

  He sat himself in the leather chair across from her. “From what I see, Quality Foods has suddenly gained priority with your ordering.”

  She pulled out a handful of invoices from the center drawer and put them on the desk. “Not altogether true, Charlie. If you look through these and compare them to our other suppliers, you’ll see exactly what I mean. I only order from Quality Foods when they give us better prices.”

  Clearing his throat before speaking, Charles then added, “You mean when Nick Dalton gives you the better prices, don’t you?”

  “I see where you’re going with this, Charles, and I’m not sure why. But you’re way off base here. Quality Foods, the company, is who we deal with, not Nick. He happens to be their rep, but remember, he has a boss to answer to also. He has to produce, show a profit, and at the same time be fair to his clients. If he fails to do that, he’d be out of a job. I know you’re aware of how business works.”

  When he didn’t reply, she became concerned with the pensive expression covering his face. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

  He sighed. “I’m not sure I can.”

  “Charlie, I get the feeling that whatever’s troubling you has to do with me and Nick and not the business.”

  He nodded but still said nothing. His unusual silence conveyed his concern.

  “I’m sure you think you have my best interest at heart. You always do. But you’ve also never hesitated being straightforward with me before. Why now?”

  He leaned in toward the desk as if he were about to reveal a secret. “Okay, then, here goes. I think this Nick Dalton of yours might have an ulterior motive for doing business with us. And I don’t mean restaurant business. I mean you.”

  “Charlie, I thought we came to an agreement about me and Nick.” She pushed her chair away from the desk and waited for him to continue.

  “What I’m trying to say with such difficulty is that I want to warn you about him.”

  “Warn me?”

  “Yes. I don’t think he’s the man you think he is.”

  Now annoyed with him, it took a great deal of self-control for her not to become argumentative. She took a few deep-cleansing breaths, then with a calm yet emphatic tone, asked, “Would you please explain that?”

  He rose. “Let’s just say I’ve heard a few things, especially about his true intentions for romancing you.”

  “Intentions? Romancing me? That’s interesting terminology, Charles. I’m very interested in hearing exactly what you think you’ve learned about Nick.”

  “I can’t tell you all the particulars. I’d only get others in trouble.”

  She leaped from her chair and walked to him. “Oh, yes, you can. You started this, so let’s have it all.” She folded her arms. “And don’t you dare leave out anything.”

  He motioned for her to sit in the leather chair.

  “No, I’ll stand.”

  “Please, Amanda. Sit.”

  Reluctantly, she did. “This better be good.”

  Charles avoided eye contact. He stared into space while continuing to walk back and forth. “Your relationship with him seems to be the latest hot topic in the restaurant circuit these days.”

  “That’s to be expected.” Nick would be the top of conversation in any circuit. He’s the kind of man all the girls go crazy over and the men like to do business with. “Nick does make a favorable impression. What’s so unusual about that?”

  “What I’ve heard about him was definitely not complementary. My contact says he’s been known to deal from the bottom of the deck.”

  She couldn’t control her laughter. “Whoever told you that doesn’t know Nick at all. Maybe Nick’s just a good businessman, and your contact can’t stand the competition. Who is this person, anyway?”

  Brushing his jaw with the back of his hand, he took a deep breath. “Guess there’s no turning back now.”

  She stood with hands on hips and glared at him. “Charlie, stop treating me as if I’m a fragile, porcelain doll. Since you’re determined to be my bodyguard, let’s get it over with.”

  He mumbled something she couldn’t completely understand, but the words “contrary to” and “she” caught her attention.

  “Contrary to what? And, who is the ‘she’ you’re reluctant to talk about?”

  “One of Nick’s old girlfriends, Jennifer Harmon.”

  The hairs on Amanda’s arms bristled. How could Charlie be connected to this woman? What could she have possibly revealed about Nick that caused such a concern? This same woman, who’d flitted, fluttered, and flirted with Nick at Pedro Hacienda’s a couple of weeks ago now badmouthed him? Didn’t make sense. Close to anger herself, Amanda threw her hands up in the air in disgust.

  “I don’t mean to upset you or even antagonize you, Amanda. And surely, you know I would never deliberately hurt you.” He paused and searched her face. “I’m only thinking of your welfare.”

  He moved toward her, extending his arms as if to embrace her.

  She deliberately stepped back away from him. “Just get on with it.”

  He nodded. “Your grandfather introduced me to Jack Haliway years ago and he’s been my attorney ever since. I had a meeting with him last week and met one of his new attorneys in the firm, this Jennifer Harmon. During our conversation, she mentioned her interest in the restaurant, you and Nick. Then without any prompting, proceeded to inform me about Nick and how he’d swindled the owner out of his restaurant supply business. She said, and I quote, ‘He conned the man into retiring and selling everything to him for the fraction of its value.’” Charles walked around the desk and sat down. “Now I ask you, is that above board?”

  She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. She knew the story wasn’t true. Jennifer Harmon must have a grudge against Nick, and as he’d alluded, she was nothing but trouble. Amanda had to set things right. She couldn’t have anybody believing these lies about Nick.

  “Charles, he didn’t swindle anybody. He bought the business from a man ready to retire. And whose only daughter, an attorney, couldn’t have cared less. The fact is, the man in question was Jennifer Harmon’s father. That’s how she met Nick.”

  Ignoring her, he continued. “She also mentioned that he’s being investigated for arson. Authorities believe the fire to be suspicious in nature, and that if found innocent, he’ll rake in a bundle of money from the insurance company.”

  She stomped her foot. “Charles! Did you even hear me?”

  “Yes, I heard you. I just had to tell you it all.”

  “Well, now, you listen to me. The fire was ruled an accident, and although he did get a settlement, it’s nothing to what he could have made by staying in a business he worked for years to build.”

  Charles made an overture to interrupt her, but she kept on talking. “I’m not finished, there’s more. That’s how they met, through her father. And yes, they were a couple, many years ago, but it’s all history.”

  “There’s one more thing I think you should be aware of. She claims he has a temper that flares up without warning. She even alluded t
o the fact that he’s violent.”

  Her anger had reached its limit. “Ridiculous! Nick’s not like that at all. Why would she make such an accusation?” Then as if a grenade had gone off in her head, she knew—Michael Tremont. Jennifer tried to skirt around her own dilemma and used Nick as a scapegoat.

  “Charlie, if you want to be my ‘big brother’ as you say, then, I need you to support me, believe in me, and have confidence in my judgment, whether it is about the business or Nick or anything else.”

  “I do, Amanda, honest. It’s just that what she said got me to thinking about you two as a couple. Pretty, young wealthy woman meets ambitious, handsome young man who realizes her vulnerability and makes his move.”

  Stunned and somewhat insulted, she threw her hand up in the air and shook her head. “It’s not that way at all. Do you actually believe I’m that clueless?”

  He reached toward and took hold of her hands. “Of course not. It’s not what I believe, it’s what you believe, Mandy.”

  She freed her hands and turned from him. “Nick isn’t anything like that. You know how we met.”

  “Yes, I do. But sometimes, circumstances change people.”

  Tears welled, and her insides twisted in anguish. Could she be that naïve? Was there a thread of truth in all this? Was Nick just pretending to care for her? Did he know about Poppy’s wealth? Had her inheritance tainted their relationship?

  She was drawn back to the conversation when she heard Charles say, “I’m sorry to upset you. But I care about you as much as I do Sarah. I can’t stand the possibility of anyone hurting either of you. Like your grandfather, I, too, am only trying to protect you.”

  Tears flowed freely when she faced him. “If all that were true, I believe I would have been able to detect it by now. What you heard is unfounded, cruel gossip started and perpetuated by that evil-minded woman. You can’t believe her, Charlie. You can’t.”

  Sobs of distress followed.

  Charles raced to her, gently drew her close, and whispered, “I’m sorry, Amanda. I’m sure you’re right and I’ve been given inaccurate information. I should have checked it out before accepting what a stranger says. I’m sorry about that. My only concern is for you, for you to be sure who you’re getting involved with.”

  “That’s just it, I do know. From the moment I met him, I knew he was the one.”

  “But you’ve only known him for a few short months. How can you be so sure? It takes most people a long time to feel as strongly as you claim to do. Years.”

  She drew back and wiped her cheeks dry with the palms of her hands. “If it were anybody but Nick, I might heed your warning or even agree with you, Charlie. But this is different. He’s different.”

  “Your grandfather would want you to find someone you can trust, depend upon, and as chauvinistic as it sounds, take care of you, no matter how much you have or don’t have.”

  “I understand all that, Charles. And I have found that person in Nick. I love him.” She leaned against her self-imposed protector. “I really love him.”

  “Yes, Mandy. I believe you do love Nick Dalton. My questions concern him alone.”

  She took the tissue he offered. “If you spend some time with him, I know you’ll feel differently, see that everything I’ve said is true and become his friend.”

  He straightened in surprise. “I do hope that’s true, Amanda.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The day after her emotional exchange with Charles, Amanda decided to take Sunday off. A break from him and the restaurant would do her good.

  “I need a mental health day,” she told him. “A personal day…curled up on the sofa in my sweats reading one of the new chick-lit books I purchased on my last trip to the Tattered Cover Bookstore.”

  Charles didn’t object. “Okay by me. I’ll put on an extra server and have Sarah come in to work with me.”

  Interesting how he assumed Sarah would be available and willing. Perhaps their relationship went deeper than she’d realized. She hoped so. They did make a nice couple, and she had an incredible influence on him.

  Amanda followed through with her plan and had just settled into reading when the doorbell rang. With book tucked under her arm and coffee cup in hand, she strolled over to see who it could be. She glanced at the clock. Nine-thirty. Much too early for someone to stop by on a Sunday morning.

  She peeked out the side panel on the door then graciously welcomed her visitor into the house. If she were a psychiatrist, she would have prescribed Nick Dalton as the best possible remedy for what ailed her. And look at this—here he stood, in all his wonderful being, at her front door. She was feeling better already.

  “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

  He reciprocated. “And what kind of pleasure are we talking about here? Do you have something specific in mind?”

  “You’re cute, Nick.”

  His mischievous glance needed no words, but he responded. “My questions are more specific. I’d like an answer, if you please.”

  “I’d be pleased, all right. But, I know that’s not why you came. Care to share?”

  He let out a hearty, shameless laugh that filled the room. Then before continuing, guaranteed her he’d follow up later.

  “Actually, I stopped by in hope you could get away and take a ride to the mountains with me. Charles said you decided to stay home, so I headed straight here to make sure you were okay, and by some wonderful chance, you’d want to spend the day with me.”

  She wanted to, but couldn’t tell him about her conversation with Charles. It’d be too upsetting, and she didn’t want to get his dander up, either. It was tough dealing with two men who didn’t like or trust each other. So instead of worrying, she smiled and said, “Everybody needs a play day. Let’s go!”

  “Perfect! Remember when I mentioned Phil wanting to expand his clientele? Well, he suggested I check out the casino restaurants up in Black Hawk. Claims there’s lots of action up there, big name investors and casino owners. Suddenly, he feels he should be part of it.”

  “Makes sense to me. I’m surprised he didn’t seek out business up there years ago.”

  Nick shrugged. “I don’t know what’s changed his mind. But he did suggest I check it out and assess the actual potential. Are you game?”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “Great. We’ll poke around and ask some questions.” He rubbed his hand together. “Do a little gambling and maybe even win a few dollars.”

  “I need five minutes to change my clothes.”

  “Can I be of help?”

  She shook her finger at him. “You are persistent, and naughty.”

  His laughter again filled the room. “I’ll behave, at least for now,” he promised.

  Within minutes, they were headed to Black Hawk. Every now and then, they’d see signs with the name Harbor Development Corp on varying sizes of parcels of land—not for sale, but rather an indication of future land development projects.

  “This Harbor Development Corp is sure an imposing entity in these parts. Ever hear of them, Nick?”

  He shook his head. “No, I don’t recognize the name. Probably someone from out of state. Our Colorado has been inundated with west coast folks over the past several years. This might be a California firm.”

  “I’ve noticed a few signs with the same name scattered about Crestview. Nothing as big or as fancy as what we’ve seen on this trip, but still a presence. I’ve heard that some new investment group picked up Ponderosa Estates, you know where Sarah lives, and that they’re planning to put in a golf course and patio homes. I don’t remember the name, but it had something to do with boats. Maybe Harbor is part of the same group.”

  “They’re certainly an ambitious group. And if they’ve got the money, who’s to say they won’t be successful?”

  “I can understand wanting to develop here, being so close to Black Hawk and all, but why Crestview?”

  “No one can explain the ins and outs of busine
ss. All it takes is opportunity, timing and big bucks. Looks like this group is going at it full force and not looking back. They must know something we ordinary folks don’t have a clue about.”

  Once parked, Nick and Amanda walked to several different casinos. While he made contact with those restaurant managers that were working, she played video poker.

  “Not a bad reception for a spur of the moment meeting,” he told her. “I made several appointments to return during the week with more comprehensive info about Quality Foods. Wait until I tell Phil how receptive they were. He’ll be excited.”

  She congratulated him for doing such a great job. “You’re a natural born salesman, Nick. Bet you could sell shares in Rocky Mountain National Park without anyone knowing it belonged to the government. You have such an assuring and convincing way about you. It’s hard to say no when you present your case.”

  He repeated the phrase “hard to say no” and told her that later that evening, he’d see just how accurate her assessment is.

  With business taken care of, they set out for a day of fun. They played slot machines, blackjack, three-handed poker and Texas Hold ’Em for a few hours. Unfortunately, neither won any money. They decided to enjoy one of the all-you-can-eat-buffets then head on back to Crestview.

  Back at her house, he presented his personal case for assuring her that he was the best bet of the day. He wrapped her in his arms, kissed her playfully, and whispered, “I love you, Amanda Conifer.”

  She pretended to faint.

  “See what I mean when I say very convincing?” she said. “Looks like I can’t say no to the Dalton charm, either.”

  He grinned. “Lucky me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Two weeks later, Amanda arranged for her and Sarah to have Tuesday off so they could spend the day shopping. Park Meadows Mall was on their agenda.

  Sarah shared her excitement about her brother and his family coming to spend Christmas week with her. “It’s their first trip to Colorado, and I’d like to get a few new things so I can do the tourist skiing thing with them.”