Chapter Twelve

The next morning, Kristen awoke to sunlight spearing through her open blinds, across the bed and into her already sore and irritated eyes. Groaning, she twisted the sheets around her waist as she turned on her back. She stared at her bedroom ceiling…and remembered yesterday.

She winced. Even now she couldn’t believe Morgan’s intentions. Couldn’t he see any judge with eyes, ears and a sense of justice would award him custody of Katie? Couldn’t he—Maybe if she tried to convince him. She squeezed her eyes shut. No. He’d been too determined last night, his jaw hard and inflexible, his eyes and mind blind to anything or anyone but Katie.

Angrily, she flung back the covers and stumbled from bed. So what if her heart was breaking? So what if Morgan was willing to betray her trust and love? She wasn’t the first woman to lose her heart. Life went on. Hours would meld into days, days into weeks and weeks into months. Time healed—so she’d heard. She’d get over it. Now, if she could only believe it.

New tears burned the back of her eyes. She blinked them away. She didn’t want to cry again, not after blubbering like an idiot until the early hours of the morning. Her feelings were still far too raw. The entire night, thoughts of Morgan and her father had plagued her. How could she possibly save her father? What about her mother? Kristen didn’t know what to tell her. Since the heart attack, her mother had shouldered all the responsibility. Kristen didn’t want her to deal with this on top of everything else. One person could only take so much before cracking.

Maybe if she drowned herself in coffee, she might find an answer at the bottom of the pot. After she fixed a cup, she took a sip and walked over to the kitchen table. The doorbell stopped her from sitting down. With cup still in hand, she opened the door to her mother.

“I just came from the hospital, and thought I’d join you for breakfast.” She held up a box of cinnamon rolls. The aroma smelled as if they’d just been pulled from the oven. “If that’s alright?”

“Of course. I just put some coffee on.” Kristen groaned. “But you should have left the rolls behind. You know I have no self-control when it comes to those things.”

“I thought we could use a little pick-me-up.”

“Why? Is Dad—”

“He’s fine.” She followed Kristen into the kitchen and placed the box on the dented kitchen table. “But you, honey, look terrible. What happened?”

Kristen shrugged, and avoided the question with one of her own while she poured a cup of coffee for her mother and added a little more to her own. “When’s Dad going to be released from the hospital? I’ll be going by after I shower and change.”

“He’s checking out tomorrow.” Her mother retrieved two plates and forks, then sat down at the table. “So far, it looks like his heart isn’t permanently damaged.”

Nodding, Kristen sank into a chair across from her mother and set down their cups. The relief of her father’s recovery didn’t last. Morgan’s threat of turning Jeff over to the authorities cut into her thoughts like a vicious parasite. She clenched her jaw. Jeff could rot for all she cared, but her father wasn’t going to prison. She wouldn’t allow it.

“Something is definitely wrong. If it’s about your father, seriously, he’s going to be fine.”

“No, it’s not that. I had some words with Morgan.” What an understatement.

“Morgan? Your boss?” Sharon, about to open the box of cinnamon rolls, paused. “He didn’t fire you, did he?”

“No. Not at all.”

Sharon’s frown deepened as she lifted the cardboard lid. “Then why have you been crying? Don’t bother with some crazy story. Any one with a pea brain can see you have. Your eyes are so blood shot I’m surprised you can see. And your nose—”

She grimaced. “Thanks.” She met her mother’s impatient look and admitted, “It’s about Dad. I said some things to Morgan last night that I shouldn’t have. It just happened. I never thought.” Swallowing, she looked down at the table and ran a thumb along its worn edge. “I made the mistake of trusting him.”

“Get to the point, Kristen.”

“Dad’s heart…” Sighing loudly, Kristen looked up and met her mother’s questioning gaze. What if he had another heart attack the minute he learned the news? He could die— Her stomach lurched. No. She wouldn’t think of that.

Almost methodically, Sharon, with the help of a fork, pried two cinnamon rolls from the others and set one on each plate. “Let’s have it. I can take it, and from the way you’re acting the news isn’t good.”

Kristen explained everything and watched in concern as Sharon’s posture crumbled and the rosy hue drained from her cheeks. After Kristen stumbled to a halt, the silence lengthened, magnifying the ticking of the clock on the wall and the hum of the air-conditioner.

“Mom, are you all right?” When Sharon didn’t answer, Kristen reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I-I’m so sorry. I wasn’t able to talk Morgan out of it.”

Finally, Sharon sighed and said shakily, “Oh my. This is a bomb. I knew George was doing things at the office that didn’t sit well with him. Now it’s all caught up to us. The police are going to be involved.” With her free hand, she drummed her fingers on the table, a look of concentration clouding her expression. After a moment, her face cleared. “It’s all very simple really.”

“Simple?” Kristen asked in confusion, releasing her mother’s hand and sinking back into her chair.

“Of course. George’s just going to have to turn himself in.”

Kristen’s heart flew into her throat as she gripped the edge of the table with both hands. “But Mother. He’ll never last a day behind bars. Not with his heart.”

“But nothing. George might not be here but I know he’d agree. It’s the only logical thing to do.” Some color returned to her cheeks. “Maybe he’ll get a light sentence. If he talked to the police beforehand…”

“He can’t handle something like that,” Kristen protested. “His heart won’t stand for it.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Mom, prison isn’t some hotel!”

Kristen wanted to growl in frustration. At times her mother’s unwavering optimism could be so unrealistic.

Sharon patted her hand. “Don’t you worry. When I was a little girl, my mother always told me not to force matters—that things eventually fall into place. And they do. Goodness knows, I’ve found that out more than enough times throughout my years.”

“I still think we can do something—”

“It’s not your problem, Kristen. George knew what he was doing.”

Kristen drew back in surprise. Her words were a duplicate of what Morgan had said last night. Even so, it didn’t exactly endear her to him.

Standing up, she looked down at her mother’s aged face. “I’m sorry, but I have to argue. It’s very much my problem. I’m the one that got Dad into this situation.”

After her mother left, Kristen didn’t feel any better than before her arrival—all because of Morgan’s obsession to keep Katie from Jeff. She would never be able to forgive him. Granted, a part of her could understand his motives, even condone his ruthless need to protect his daughter, but Kristen would never accept how he was willing to let his actions ruin her father.

After tugging off her nightgown and throwing it on the bed, she walked over to the closet for her robe. Of course she would have to give in her notice. She wasn’t about to work in the same building with him, not if she valued her pride. The only thing keeping her from walking out now was Henry. He deserved some consideration.

To get at her robe, she pushed back a sundress on its hanger. She froze. Intending to wash the garment later, she’d hung it up and completely forgotten it. Now glancing at the pocket, she reached into the skirts’ folds and retrieved the letter. An idea formed and rooted in her mind as she fingered the paper. Yes. It just might work. But she needed to act fast. Most importantly, she would have to face Morgan again. She just hoped she would be able to hide how much he had hurt her.

***

Morgan sat behind his office desk and stared at the wall. For the last two days, ever since his fight with Kristen, he couldn’t think, couldn’t work, couldn’t sleep. His life was a mess. Coming into the office had been a joke. It was nearing five and he hadn’t accomplished one thing. He could go on and on, but he was already depressed.

Glancing out his door, he listened for someone in the hall, the rustle of clothing, a tread against carpet. Kristen had called in yesterday and today, not giving Faith any excuse but that she had ‘things to do’.

Putting his feet up on the corner of his mahogany desk, he rocked back in his chair. Time was running out. He’d given Kristen two days. He eyed the phone with disgust. All he had to do was reach over and call the bank or Internal Revenue Service. Jeff would end up in prison, safely away from Katie and himself. But until when? Maybe seven years, three for good behavior?

Morgan would be back to where he started— his ex-friend and business partner wanting a relationship with Katie. Just last night at dinner, Katie had asked tentatively of her father. He didn’t have the power or will to slap down her natural curiosity.

Then there was Kristen. He loved her. The realization came crashing down on him after she walked out on him. He missed her like hell. And because he’d gotten his professional and personal life so intertwined with Kristen, he couldn’t even fathom his workdays without her. It tore him apart, knowing she would never step through the doors of his office or that he would never hold her in his arms, lay his head against her breast and feel her silken hair and skin against his hands.

He rubbed at his brow. What to do. What to do. He’d never been so indecisive in his life. Everything he wanted was a phone call away. Or was that true? Why couldn’t things be simple and straightforward? Images of Kristen and the condemnation on her face burned into his mind’s eye.

How could he ruin her father without deeply wounding her? Simple. He couldn’t. Once again he looked at the phone, and knew he couldn’t make the call. He flung his head back against the leather backrest, gripped the armrest, and dragged in a calming breath. The decision felt right, he realized in relief.

Kristen. It was almost like he imagined her. Suddenly, unexpectedly, she appeared at his door. Her auburn hair, thick and luxurious, flowed to her shoulders. The navy blue business suit hugged her shapely curves in all the right places. She took his breath away.

Gaping at her like a fool, he whipped his feet from the desk. He saved himself from tipping out of the chair and onto the floor like a complete fool by grabbing at his desk. Straightening, he pulled at his tie and glanced up to meet the loathing in her eyes. His pulse died. The sad part was, he couldn’t blame her for that look. He’d put that expression in her eyes.

As she walked forward, he noticed the paper in her hand and immediately stiffened. He had a good idea what it was, but he asked anyway.

“What’s this?”

“What does it look like?”

Ignoring her cutting tone, he took the proffered sheet and looked down at her resignation. “It looks like you’re leaving.” His throat tightened. “You can’t.”

She lifted her chin. “But you’re wrong. I can.”

“You’re throwing away a damn good job. You won’t find another that pays as well.” He wanted to take the words back the minute they were out. He sounded like a defensive ass.

She gave him a cold, little smile. “I know. You made everything hard to resist, didn’t you? The pay, the benefits—everything. But even I draw the line at sticking around and watching you ruin my father!”

If she was trying to make him ashamed, she didn’t need to. He was feeling bad enough. “Kristen, we need to talk. Things between us have gotten way out of hand—”

“Don’t! There is no us. I don’t even want to discuss it. I came here today not only to hand in my notice, but to ask you to meet me at Jeff’s office.”

He could feel his mouth gap open in stupidity. “I don’t understand.”

“It doesn’t matter. I found a way to keep him away from Katie. That way, no one needs to know about my father.”

“How—”

“Just meet me there.”

She disappeared down the hall before he thought to pull himself from the chair. Ignoring the pounding of his heart, he grabbed his jacket and stuffed his arms in the sleeves.

“Have Henry close up tonight,” he called to Faith before he shut the front door and headed to his Lexus. He caught sight of Kristen’s Focus as it turned out of the parking lot and headed south.

Twenty minutes later, he met up with Kristen at the glass doors leading to Jeff’s business. “So what did you find?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

He met her determined look and swallowed down his frustration. He had a good idea she was getting back at him by being deliberately evasive. And it was working. His mind was swimming with questions while fragile and dangerous hopes threatened to cloud his judgment.

Opening the door for her, he followed her inside. Her step didn’t falter as she swept past the front desk and led the way down the hall to the right. He only half-noticed a woman stand up from behind the desk.

“You can’t go down there!” the receptionist called. “Those are private offices.”

Kristen didn’t even hesitate. In admiration, he watched the graceful sway of her hips, the strong, proud, determined line of her spine. Her confidence bolstered his spirit. Believing she must have something substantial on Jeff, he could almost feel sorry for the poor bastard. He shook his head. No. Not really.

Another woman emerged from an intersecting hall and stepped in Kristen’s path. Morgan immediately recognized her as the brunette glued to Jeff the other time they’d shown up at his office.

“I’m sorry.” She sent them an insincere smile. “Jeff doesn’t take any visitors unless they have an appointment. If you don’t stop, I’ll have to call the police.”

“Go ahead,” Kristen said to Morgan’s surprise. “But I can tell you Jeff won’t thank you for it. The last thing he’ll want is the authorities showing up here.”

The woman opened her mouth as if to say something, then when Kristen sidestepped and continued down the hall, an almost frantic look crossed her face before she rushed after them.

Morgan guessed someone must have called to warn Jeff, because his ex-partner stepped from his office and into the hall. Looking far from cordial, he came toward them. “What’s the meaning of this? You’re disrupting my people and my office.”

“I don’t particularly care,” Kristen retorted.

“We might want to talk in your office, Jeff,” Morgan said quietly. He bit back the urge to put a protective arm around Kristen, knowing how much she would hate something like that coming from him now. “What she has to say is something you’re not going to like.” At least he hoped.

Grim faced, Jeff led them inside and closed the door.

“What’s so damn important that you’ve got to cause such a stinking scene?” Jeff swiped a hand through his brown hair, brushing several strands on end.

Slipping the letter from her purse and slowly opening the pages, Kristen stared at Jeff for a reaction. He hadn’t guessed yet. Good. “Do you know what this is?”

“It looks like a letter. So?” Jeff stepped closer as the muscles in his face slackened from shock. “How—” He curled his fingers into fists. “You stole it! I was looking all over the place for it.”

“You’ll be happy to know that I learned a lot from these little pages.”

As she refolded the letter, Jeff lunged and ripped the document from her hand. She flinched. Morgan jumped in front of her and shoved Jeff so hard the other man stumbled back against the front of his desk.

Breathing deeply, Morgan growled, “Don’t even think it. Lay one finger on her and I’ll kill you.”

At Morgan’s deadly tone, Kristen shivered and eyed Jeff’s menacing expression. This was turning far uglier than she had anticipated. Fevered emotions radiated through the room. One wrong move from either one of them, and she feared someone would lose the last of their control. At least with Morgan at her side, she felt relatively safe from Jeff.

Straightening her shoulders, Kristen struggled to regain her equilibrium. “When I found out you wanted Katie’s inheritance—”

“Inheritance?” Morgan interrupted.

She met his stunned gaze and explained, “Katie’s grandmother’s dying of bone cancer.”

“Are you talking about Joyce?” When she nodded, he rubbed his jaw. “I never knew—she didn’t want anything to do with me after Marla died. She always blamed me even though I wasn’t in the car at the time of the crash.”

“Well, she must have changed her way of thinking, because in her will Katie’s father was going to be in charge of her estate. Everything’s going to Katie.”

“How do you know that?” Jeff jumped in. “I haven’t even been able to find that out for sure.”

“I talked to her.”

“What?” both men asked in surprise.

“I flew there yesterday.”

“Why did you do that?”

Not missing Jeff’s deadly tone, she fought the urge to step behind Morgan. “To warn her that you needed money for your business and you might file a paternity suit to try and get it through Katie. She’s already talked to her lawyer and is changing the will. The only one that can draw money from the trust is Katie when she reaches twenty-one.”

“Why you little b—” Rushing toward her, Jeff raised a hand as if to hit her.

Morgan was quicker. He leaped forward and rammed his shoulder against Jeff, nearly knocking the other man off his feet. “Back off!”

Kristen shivered as Morgan stepped over and placed a protective arm around her waist. For a second, she’d thought Jeff was actually going to hit her. Goodness knew she’d been pushing him to do just that the minute she’d stepped into his office.

Taking a deep breath, she watched both men regard each other with hatred and suspicion. It was hard to believe, and a little tragic, that they had once been friends.

“So there’s no reason for Jeff to want custody of Katie now?” Morgan asked softly.

Feeling the tension ease in the arm around her and reading the hope in Morgan’s voice, she assured, “Even if he does, there’s the financials my dad worked up for the bank. All fraudulent.”

“You can’t prove a thing.”

“You’re wrong, Jeff. My Dad’s got copies,” she lied. Fearing his heart wouldn’t take it, she hadn’t talked to her father. “He’s not a complete fool. He’s even willing to talk to the authorities to get a lesser sentence. You’ll be the one going behind bars if anyone’s going.”

“I’ll lose my business.”

Kristen pressed deeper into Morgan’s side, fearful of Jeff’s stunned expression and his next reaction. It looked like the situation had finally hit Jeff.

Feeling Kristen squeeze up against him, Morgan pulled her closer and tried to get through to his ex-partner. “You stand to lose even more than that. Let it go, Jeff. Let me raise Katie,” Morgan urged. “If I thought for a second that you really cared—” Sudden doubts assailed him. “You don’t, do you?”

“What do you think?”

His sarcasm answered Morgan’s question. Relief spiraled through him. “Then let it go.”

Jeff swore, pivoted and slashed his hand across his desk, throwing framed photos, pens and folders to the floor. As the last of the papers fluttered to the carpet, he faced them. “I don’t have any choice now, do I?”

“No,” Morgan answered simply.

“You’ve won.” Jeff’s laughter sounded hysterical. “Who would have thought ten years ago we were on the same side?”

“People change,” Morgan returned, his voice heavy with sadness. “Unlike you, I didn’t let the money get to me. You couldn’t give it up once you had a taste of it. You let it corrupt and change you into a person I couldn’t recognize any longer. You stepped over the line that once, and from there on it got easier, didn’t it? Shady deals, questionable ethics. I didn’t want a part of it.” He shook his head. This whole conversation was getting to him. “Worse of all, you repaid our friendship by sleeping with my wife. She loved you, and you walked out on her. You never even cared for her.”

Body rigid, Jeff lifted his chin. “That’s not true. Things just got too complicated. I hadn’t planned on her getting pregnant.”

Morgan flinched. “It’s just as well she isn’t around to see you now.”

Jerking his hand to the door, Jeff grunted. “Just get out. Get out of here.” He glanced over at Kristen in disgust. “And tell your father not to bother coming in. He’s fired.”

Kristen walked out, ignoring the loud whispers and questioning looks that came from a number of employees milling about the halls and opened doorways. Once outside in the heat she paused and took several long, deep breaths. She’d done it. She’d managed to pull it all together and protect her father and Katie. Who would have thought?

She heard the door open and close behind her and grew terribly conscious of Morgan stopping beside her. “Thank you.”

She saw the gratitude etched in his face. “Yes, well, I like Katie and I like the idea of having my father recuperating at home and not at a prison.

His face tightened. “How can I repay—”

“I’ve got to go.” If she didn’t leave soon, she would completely embarrass herself and start crying. These last couple of days had crushed her emotionally and physically.

She turned to leave but Morgan grabbed her arm. With narrowed eyes, she looked pointedly at her manacled wrist.

He didn’t let go. “I want you to know, I couldn’t go through with it. By turning in Jeff, it would have hurt you too much. I couldn’t live with that.”

She wrenched her arm from his grasp. “I don’t want to hear this. Not now.” Vainly, she struggled to keep the torment from her voice. “It’s far too late for explanations. How can I believe you? How can I trust you? You’ve lied to me. Not to mention insisted on ruining my father. I don’t believe you, and I can’t trust you!”

She bolted, hurrying across the parking lot to her car.

Morgan let her go. He had no choice. Forcing her to remain would only anger her further. Hell. She couldn’t stand the sight of him now.

That last moment when she had looked at him would forever haunt him. The anguish, the sorrow in her eyes—he was the one who’d put them there. Self-loathing overwhelmed him. He loved her. He’d never meant to hurt Kristen. But he’d done exactly that. How could he ever hope to change her mind about him?