Ralph didn’t say a word. He knew that there was nothing he could say to ease the worry or pain she was facing. She was an incredible woman who didn’t deserve this heartache. There were a few choice words that he wanted to say to that lowlife, Greg Cummingham, but nothing that could be said in front of his lady.
“I’m…”
He kissed her tenderly. “Stop saying you’re sorry. You have good reason to feel the way you do. Tell me, what can I do to help? Would you like me to contact my lawyer to find the top child-custody attorney in the state?”
“I’d love to say yes, but how can I? I can’t afford any attorney good or bad.” Her velvet brown eyes were swimming in tears. Worrying her bottom lip, she admitted, “I also know I don’t have a choice. To beat Cummingham, I need the best. What am I going to do?” she whispered aloud.
“It’s going to be all right, sweetheart. I’ll contact my lawyer. It shouldn’t take long to get things rolling. You have any idea why Cummingham is doing this? What made him change his mind? Until now he was content, pretending he didn’t have kids. Right?”
“That’s right. When you asked me what was wrong, I’m sure you didn’t expect to be caught up in my problems. Tonight wasn’t supposed to end like this. First you had to share me with my family, now you are stuck mopping up my tears.” She looked at him with eyes full of disappointment.
“Will you stop apologizing? I enjoyed the time we have together. You and the kids are a complete package. And I’ve accepted that. What I don’t like is knowing you’re worrying about money. Let me take care of it for you.” Lightly, he pressed his fingertips to her soft full lips before she could get the protest out. “You can’t afford it without sacrificing something that I’m sure is for one of the kids. Money is not a problem for me. In fact, I’d love to be able to do this for you. Say yes, beautiful.”
Vanessa shook her head. “You know I can’t. And you know why.”
Frustrated, Ralph snapped, “You gave that a great deal of thought. What did it take? Six, or was than ten, seconds’ worth of deliberation?”
Vanessa had the nerve enough to smile at his quip. She ran a hand soothingly over his chest. “Don’t be mad.”
Ralph rose to his feet and began to move restlessly around the screened porch, which overlooked the Grants’ backyard. A warm breeze caused the leaves to dance and flutter in the old oak tree in the yard. Despite the late hour, the scorching heat of the day had not abated.
Ralph cleared his throat before he grumbled, “I’ve never met a woman less interested in my bank balance. We’re not talking about an expensive designer bag or something as frivolous as a week in the islands. Nessa, this is the twins’ future we’re talking about here.”
Stubbornly, lifting her chin, she said, “I appreciate your offer, but I’m really not your responsibility. While I need your support, I don’t want your money. I will find a way.”
He could tell by the way she worried her bottom lip that her solution involved raiding the piggy bank. Not good. “How? By going into Lana’s college fund? Or the money you set aside for the kids’ school clothes? How are you going to get the money?” He was practically shouting. “And don’t you dare tell me it’s none of my business.”
Tears shimmered in her beautiful eyes, but she didn’t let a single one fall. Her hands were balled into small fists, as she insisted, “I’m only doing what I have to do. How can I take money from you? It wouldn’t be right. There has to be another way.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t know!”
He quirked a brow. “You are talking about pride, Vanessa Grant. That’s the only thing standing in your way. Why are you making it personal? You need what I’m offering, and I’m willing to give it to you. I can give you a blank check tonight. You fill in the amount.” He reached into the inside pocket of his sport coat.
She glared at him. “Stop it! You’re making light of a very difficult and painful situation. I don’t appreciate it!”
Ralph gritted his teeth, knowing she was picking a fight with him. Why, because she could? She was female and knew damn well she wasn’t making a bit of sense. He also knew there wasn’t a thing he could say because she had stopped listening.
He came toward her with no intention of backing down, while she angled her chin upward and didn’t take a single step backward. She was no match for him, and they both knew it. He didn’t stop until the tips of their shoes nearly touched. Despite his frustration, he was impressed. There were grown men who would not go toe to toe with him, but, his Nessa did.
“Don’t!”
“What?” He grinned at her.
“Don’t try to use masculine charm to get your way. Neither fierce determination or smooth-talking trash will get you anywhere with me, Ralph Prescott. Accept it! You’re not going to win.” Her forehead creased, but her pretty mouth tilted up a bit at the corners.
He couldn’t help it, he laughed and leaned down to brush her soft lips against his. “Should I try another tactic? A few hot kisses.”
“Nope. My mother made her share of mistakes, but she taught me to respect myself. I can’t do that taking your money.”
“I could lend you the money, as your friend.”
She shook her head. “Why? I can’t pay it back.”
Staring into her beautiful face, he realized he was hurt. After years of hard work and having a successful career, he was powerless to help the one woman that mattered. He shoved the checkbook back into his pocket, wishing to shove her rejection away. Had he ever felt so helpless? What was a small amount to him was enormous to her. She had him so twisted inside he didn’t know what to say to get her to change her mind. But he had to! The consequence of her refusal could be disastrous. Cummingham was a shark. He would win.
He shocked them both when he asked, “Would you take money from your husband?”
She laughed as if he’d told a joke, then said matter-offactly, “Of course. Everyone knows that married couples share everything.”
“Then marry me.” His heart pounded in his chest as he waited for her answer.
As if doubting her hearing, she asked, “Did you…”
“Yes. I asked you to marry me. If that’s what you need to use my money to protect those babies, then let’s get on with it. From what you’ve told me about Cummingham, I agree with you wholeheartedly. He doesn’t deserve a place in their lives.”
Vanessa wrinkled her pretty little nose when she snapped, “What is your problem, Ralph? People don’t marry because one of them is in a jam.”
“People marry for all kinds of reasons. You asked for my help. Well, I’m offering in a way that should appease your misplaced pride. Don’t be a fool! Take the money.”
She crossed her arms, unwittingly drawing his gaze to her lush breasts. His body began to harden with need. For once, sex was not his primary concern. He didn’t want to stand back and watch her devastation from losing the twins. Careful not to touch her, he shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
“You are the one making this a lot bigger than ‘misplaced pride.’ Why would I want to marry a man I know doesn’t want to be saddled with a wife? And certainly not three kids? That’s asking for heartache. No thanks!”
“Vanessa, you’re forgetting one important consideration. We’re friends, as well as lovers. We will both know why we’re going into this. Cummingham thinks he’s going after a young woman with limited resources. In that case, it’s a fight he is assured of winning. Right?”
“Yes! What does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s the reason for the suit. He knows he can win. That will change as soon as he learns you are engaged to a man who can more than match his income. He will back off, guaranteed!” Ralph could not believe this crazy discussion. What he hadn’t wrapped his mind around was the fact he had actually asked a woman to marry him, and she’d refused.
“You don’t know that.”
“Sure I do,” he said stubbornly, folding his arms over his chest.
Vanessa rolled her eyes. Throwing her hands up in sheer frustration, she hissed, “Are all men so pigheaded, or is it just you? Greg Cummingham is not afraid of you! For all I know he has half the judges in the state in his back pocket. I don’t care about what he thinks or feels. All I care about are those two babies asleep upstairs.” She paused to catch her breath. “But as much as I love them, I have no intention of ruining your life or mine, in order to play some underhanded trick on Cummingham. Forget it!”
“Cummingham fights to win. He won’t back down,” Ralph persisted.
“Neither will I. But marriage isn’t the answer. I will find a way to fight him, just not tonight. It’s late. And I’m tired. Please, do me a favor and go home. I’ve had enough for one day.”
Ralph wasn’t ready to leave. If left up to him, he would stay and fight it out. He didn’t plan to stop until she quit complaining and took his money. But he could also see by the slump of her shoulders and the quiver of her bottom lip that she had had enough for one night. She was clearly exhausted.
Rather than argue, he dropped his head and kissed the side of her neck, inhaling her sweet feminine scent. “Try not to worry, beautiful. And get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow. Okay?”
“Yes.” She brushed her lips against his jaw. “Good night. And thanks for caring enough to try and help. I really appreciate it.”
“’Night.” He gave her a gentle squeeze before he walked out the front door. “Lock up. And don’t forget the alarm.”
“I will, good night.” Vanessa closed the door while he waited outside, listening for the sound of the dead bolt, then the beeping of the burglar alarm being activated.
He hurried down the porch stairs, to the sidewalk and to his car. Deep in thought, he started the engine and drove off. But he didn’t head home. Instead he drove to Wesley’s home. Before he got out of the car, he punched in his attorney, Russell Morgan’s number, on his cell. Russell headed the family-owned Morgan Corporate Law Offices in downtown Detroit. Over the years the two men had become friends. Ralph wasn’t concerned by the late hour. Like Ralph, Russell was a bachelor and workaholic. The call didn’t take long. Explaining to his oldest cousin what he’d done would take longer.
Despite the fact Wesley was in training, Ralph rang the bell and waited until the porch lights were turned on and front door opened.
“Hey,” Ralph said sheepishly. “I know it’s late, and you’re in training but…”
“Come on in.” After unlocking and swinging open the decorative wrought-iron screened door, Wesley covered a yawn.
Ralph tried, but couldn’t manage a decent excuse for being there, much less his normal easygoing smile. All he could think about was how raw he felt from Vanessa’s refusal.
“What’s wrong?” Wesley asked as he ran a hand over his unshaven jaw. He wore a pair of worn jeans, his feet were bare, and his close-cut natural needed a brush. None of that mattered. Wes was family. That was all Ralph cared about.
“Everything. I needed to talk.” Ralph shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back and forth from the ball of his feet to his heels.
“Who is it, baby?” Kelli called out from their bedroom, down the hall of the spacious ranch-style home.
“Ralph!”
“Oh. Is something wrong?” Her voice was filled with concern.
Wesley switched on a lamp in the living room. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”
“Tell Kelli I’m sorry.” Ralph, familiar with the house, went over to the fireplace and studied the photographs on the mantel. Just then the grandfather clock chimed from the far corner of the room. Midnight.
At the sound of his cousin’s footsteps in the hall, Ralph said, “Kaleea is growing so fast. She looks a lot like Kelli in this picture although that chin is all Prescott. She’s beautiful, Wes. I hope I didn’t wake her.”
“Nope, have a seat.” He handed Ralph a bottle of beer, then sat in an oversize armchair.
“Thanks.” Ralph settled back in the matching chair.
“How’s that rookie, Bradshaw shaping up?”
Wesley took a swallow of his beer before he answered, “He’s coming along. With the new coach, it’s looking up. We’re going all the way. But that’s not why you’re here, cuz.”
Ralph said what he’d never expected to say, and he was certain Wesley hadn’t been prepared to hear. “I proposed to Vanessa tonight.” Then quickly clarified, “She turned me down.”
Wesley looked stunned for a moment. He asked, “Vanessa Grant? Gavin’s secretary?” At his cousin’s nod, he asked, “Why?”
“Why did she turn me down?” Ralph quizzed, trying to pretend that just hearing her name wasn’t painful.
“No, why did you pop the question?”
“It’s complicated.” Ralph scowled.
“And,” Wesley prompted impatiently, “just because your bed is empty tonight doesn’t mean mine is.”
Ralph chuckled, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “That’s the problem. It’s been that way since I got involved with Vanessa. Getting next to her has been as easy as cuddling up with a porcupine.”
“Then why bother? I’ve never known you to let a female complicate your life. The minute things look like they might get complicated, you walk. No, make that run for the closest exit. How come you’re not sprinting, little bro?” Wesley quizzed.
“I wish I knew,” Ralph mumbled. “Vanessa and I became friends during the planning of Brynne and Devin’s wedding. We were thrown together so much that it seemed natural spending so much time together with her. We decided to spend only one night together and became lovers the night Brynne and Devin married. That night changed everything for me. I had no idea I would be her first. To make matters worse, I woke up alone, and she didn’t want a thing to do with me. The hell of it was, it wasn’t some kind of a game, the lady was dead serious.”
“What!” Wesley stared at him in disbelief, as if struggling to take it all in.
“Crazy, isn’t it.” Ralph could see that his cousin was struggling not to burst out laughing. “Just what I deserve, right?”
“I didn’t say that, but I was thinking along those lines.” Wesley grinned, then he sobered at the pain in his cousin’s eyes. “Rough, huh?”
“Yeah. I’ve tried damn near everything I could think of to tempt her. Invitations to fly to the Caribbean, or anyplace in the U.S. didn’t impress Ms. Grant. I considered sending expensive gifts but knew they’d be returned. Nothing I tried worked. Talk about stubborn! It seems the more she said ‘no,’ the more I wanted her. She has turned me down so many times.” He shook his head in disbelief. Leaning forward, he braced his elbows on his thighs.
“I guess I’m too stupid to give up. Anyway, when she told me she didn’t have time to play with me, she has three kids at home waiting to be fed, I realized she was serious. She’s a woman with her feet on the ground and her priorities straight. Her family came first with her. Wes, I couldn’t help but respect her for it. I admire how hard she works to take care of her brother and sisters. She’s not about getting her nails and hair done or pretty clothes. I told her not to worry about food; I’d take care of it. I brought Chinese takeout enough for everyone. That was the first of many dinners I’ve shared with her and her family.”
He laughed, “I know it sounds weird, but getting to know her meant getting to know her family. Now, I’m crazy about those kids, just as I am about her. Everything was going well, until I made the mistake of inviting her and the children to fly down to Orlando with me, in front of the kids. I thought I was helping by offering to pick up the tab.”
Wesley laughed. “You really put your foot in it that time.”
Ralph didn’t waste time defending himself. Wes had gotten it right. He had really messed up. “Nothing like family to tell you the truth,” he grumbled.
“If you want someone to lie to you, call one of those silly women you used to date,” Wesley quipped.
Ralph ran a hand over his stubbled cheek. “Vanessa is nothing like the women I’ve dealt with in the past. She won’t take a dime from me under any circumstance.”
Wesley grinned. “Your problem is you’ve been around too many females who are after whatever they can get from you. When they look at you, all they see is dollar signs. Vanessa, on the other hand, is her own woman. She’s just what you need.”
Ralph couldn’t help but grin. “Finally, she came to me. We were working things out, until today. She gets a letter from Greg Cummingham’s attorney. He’s the twins’ father and has decided to sue for custody.”
Wesley’s shot to his feet. “Greg Cummingham, the high-powered attorney, who’s defended…”
“That’s him. Vanessa has been devastated since she got that blasted letter. But she refuses to let me help financially.
She is determined to keep her family together. My lady’s a fighter. And if anyone can pull this off, she can.”
Ralph began to pace aimlessly around the room. “Wes, it’s killing me. When I think of how Cummingham has her hurting, I see red. She’s devastated, doesn’t know how she is going to pay some high-priced attorney to take her case.”
He snapped. “She won’t consider even letting me lend her the money. You would think there is something wrong with my money. And it’s driving me up a wall. Right now she is probably trying to figure a way to use Lana’s college fund and still send Lana to college next year. Man, I’ve tried everything I could to give her the money, including proposing. It was my last resort. And it didn’t work. The only thing she let me do was call Morgan, to get a child-custody lawyer.”
“Most women want their man to propose to them out of love,” Wesley pointed out.
“Yeah, well some of us don’t get that lucky. No, I didn’t plan on proposing…not ever. But now that it’s out there, it makes sense.” Ralph glared at his cousin. “You know, desperate situations call for desperate measures. What else could I do? I can’t let her lose those kids.”
“Tell me something. Are you in love with her?”
Ralph stopped suddenly, one hand braced on a lean hip.
“What? This isn’t about love.”
“Just answer the question.”
Thoughtful, Ralph rubbed his jaw, before he shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’m crazy about her and those kids. Why isn’t it enough that I care for her? I care more than I thought I could.”
“It’s Vanessa’s call, not yours. Seems to me that the lady’s got her head on straight.” Wesley ended with a grin. “She sure has you jumping through hoops.”
“Ha-ha-ha,” Ralph quipped sarcastically. “Pardon me if I don’t laugh.” He paused before he said, “What she’s doing is driving me up the wall! I don’t know what to do to make her see reason. Those twins deserve a lot better than Cummingham.”
“All you can do is be there for her. Let her know you care and are in her corner every step of the way. Who knows? She might come around and let you help pay the lawyer’s fee. As for marriage, you better make damn sure you are serious. Marriage is not a solution to a problem. And it’s not a game. Unless it’s about how you feel about each other, it won’t work. I’m talking from experience here.”
Ralph let out a groan of pure frustration. “You don’t understand. I hadn’t planned on walking down anybody’s aisle. But for the first time, I’m not playing some kind of games with a woman. This isn’t about sex, although with Vanessa, it’s incredible. I can’t get enough of her. It’s crazy, I know it. Wes, my only goal is to make sure she has what she needs.”
Wes nodded. “Watch your back. Cummingham is not a lightweight. He knows how to fight dirty to get what he wants. Do you know what made him decide he wanted the twins?”
“I have no idea. Rest assured, I won’t sit back and let him take the twins and end up breaking Vanessa’s heart. No way!”
“And you’re willing to risk messing up your own life to protect hers? If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
“Who asked you?” Ralph glared at him.
“You did. Now get out.” Wes grinned as he stretched his arms over his head and rose to his feet. “I’ve kept my lady waiting long enough.” Then he laughed loudly.
“You are enjoying this entirely too much, big bro.” Ralph moved to stand next to Wes, a subtle reminder that while Wes was older, Ralph was three inches taller.
“That’s right. Do you recall the night you came to dinner, Dev had stopped in? You told me, Dev, and Kelli how you were never falling in love. Kelli said something about the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And she was talking about you. Wait until I tell her, she was right.”
Ralph grumbled, “You’re not going to tell her…”
“Sure I am. It’s the truth.” Wesley grinned, folding his arms over his chest.
“It’s not true. Do I look stupid?’
“Well, now that you mention it,” Wes teased.
Ralph chuckled, shaking his head. “You got it wrong. But I’m not staying to argue.” He walked toward the front door.
“Thanks for listening.” He gripped his cousin’s shoulder.
“Good night.”
As he walked to the car, he couldn’t help grinning. If he guessed right, his Aunt Donna and Kelli would be on the phone the next morning, then one of them would call Anna and Brynne, discussing his sorry love life. It was part of being a loving but nosy family. The Prescotts would take some getting used to it, and if he were not careful, Vanessa would be joining their ranks. Talk about being damned if you do and damned if you don’t. He was in way over his head, and the only good thing about it was that Ralph was smart enough to know it.
He hadn’t planned on marrying at all. But he’d meant what he said. He’d get married in a heartbeat if it was necessary to save the Grant twins from Cummingham.