Chapter 18
Around seven, Charlotte woke up to someone rocking her shoulder gently. At first she thought it was her mother, but when she rolled over, she saw Braydon’s face smiling down at her.
“Probably should get up. Presentation is in less than two hours,” he said.
She stared at him, confused, before his words clicked and she jumped out of bed, hurrying past him and into the bathroom. “Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?”
“You needed sleep. Your mom is doing fine, by the way. Milly arrived early this morning, helped her take her meds and eat breakfast. Just take a deep breath. I’ll meet you downstairs.” He headed for the door; she ran over to him, kissed him fiercely, and disappeared into the bathroom.
She heard the bedroom door close on his laughter as she hopped into the shower. Charlotte got ready in record time, checking her reflection one last time in the mirror before she was good to go. Her slacks and sweater looked as professional as she could be.
“Coffee, dear?” her mother asked as she walked into the kitchen, trying to keep her nerves from spiraling out of control.
Charlotte took the cup from her mother and tried not to look at Braydon. She was too worried about screwing up and looking at him made her lose focus. So many things ran through her mind, she could hardly keep them all straight.
“And have fun this weekend. I want lots of pictures… If you get around to taking any.” Her mother winked.
“What do you mean? Did you tell her where we’re going?”
Braydon shrugged. “She should know if her daughter is going away for the weekend.”
“So where are we going?”
He glanced down at a watch that wasn’t there and sighed. “Alas, we are running behind. Guess you’ll just have to wait.” He gave Victoria a kiss on the cheek, making her mom blush.
“At least tell me, Mom,” she asked, but her mom shook her head.
“Nope. Now go knock ’em dead.”
“And don’t worry about her,” Milly said as she came in from the sunroom. “I’ll be here all weekend, along with Liam and the nurse. Your mother is in good hands.”
“Has he told you about Liam?” Charlotte asked quickly.
Milly frowned, looking a bit worried. “No, why?”
Charlotte shrugged as she headed towards the door and whispered, “He’s Irish, full-blooded.”
Milly laughed. “Well then, let’s see how he does with a Scot around.”
Milly’s and Victoria’s laughter followed Charlotte down the hall. Braydon waited by the front door. He looked at her long and hard and gave her a gentle kiss. “You’ll do fine. Terrance will be right beside you, and I’ll be in there, too.”
She nodded and tried to put on a brave face. “Right. It’s going to be fine, utterly fine.”
***
Braydon glanced at Natalie’s desk on his way in and paused. Her things… They were all gone. He looked around, searching for anyone else, when Debbie walked by. “Where’s Natalie?”
“Oh, I thought she told you,” Debbie said. “That’s odd. She quit yesterday. Packed up her things last night and high-tailed it out of here. Don’t worry, the board is already working on finding you a new assistant. Here’s those papers from Farley Global Enterprises with a note from Quin Farley attached. Faxed over this morning.”
He took the file, thanked her, and walked on, leading Terrance and Charlotte to the conference room. Natalie must have liked him more than he thought. Or she’d just been using him. He used to think that, on some level, they were friends. Apparently not.
“Are you all right?” Charlotte asked, putting her hand on his arm.
“Yes, I’m just perfect. Now then, when you go in, keep your head high, make eye contact with all of them, and whatever you do, do not back down. It’ll be over before you know it.”
“Will we know today?”
He shook his head at Terrance. “You know how these suits are. I doubt it.” When they reached the glass room, he looked inside to make sure everyone was present and noticed an extra body on the far side of the table. When the man turned, Braydon cursed.
“What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked, panicked.
“Ronan’s here. I’m just wondering why.”
It wasn’t as if he shouldn’t be. Since he was technically a partner of sorts, he was allowed, and actually expected, to show his face at meetings like this. Braydon hadn’t expected him today, though. It might not be a bad thing, but then again, if he decided against it out of spite due to his dislike for Braydon, he’d never forgive himself.
“Just go in there and give your presentation,” he told them. “Everything will be fine.”
Neither one believed him, but this was not the time for an explanation. He hurried inside the conference room and quickly called them all to order.
“What is the purpose of this meeting?” Dean snapped. “I have very important calls to make.”
“I’m sorry. I know you are all very busy, but an opportunity has arisen that I think we should take an interest in,” Braydon said as he sat down at the head of the table.
“If this is for another one of your crazy ventures, I will see myself out,” Darrell said.
“Maybe you should just keep your mouths shut and let him explain.”
Braydon nodded his thanks to Todd and cleared his throat, waving for Charlotte and Terrance to come inside. “This is Charlotte and Terrance. They have come to show us what our money could do if invested in saving several local orphanages that, until recently, were privately funded by Charlotte’s family.”
“Oh, spare us from the pleas of children,” Dean mocked.
“I would like to hear this presentation,” Ronan said sharply. All eyes turned to him, but no one stared as hard as Braydon. “Why should we not? These are the children of our city. Please,” he said after waiting for a nod from Braydon. “We will listen to what you both have to say.”
Braydon had no idea what he was playing at but wouldn’t disrupt the meeting to confront the man. He seemed rapt as Charlotte and Terrance started the slideshow on the large flatscreen at the other end of the room and began to speak. All the board members listened, but Ronan leaned forward with interest, hanging on every word.
There had to be an endgame somewhere, but Braydon couldn’t see it. Instead, he tried to focus on Charlie, giving her encouraging smiles as she spoke. At first, her voice was a little shaky, but then she started talking about the kids, about how far so many of them had come since their arrival at the orphanage. How they had a safe place to be, the chance to go to school and some semblance of normal lives as they struggled to find their ways in the world. At one point, tears filled her eyes, but she held them back.
He hadn’t realized how much the children meant to her, and seeing her so full of love for them made Braydon realize he did, in fact, love this woman. She might have been rich, but she had never been just another high society woman, strutting around in diamonds and heels. She had a heart—a very large heart—that wanted nothing more than to save as many children as she could.
When Terrance finished presenting the final financial analysis, they both thanked the board for their time and waited.
“I hope you do not think that number is realistic,” Don muttered, shaking his head.
“He’s right,” Darrell added. “We would be throwing away millions of dollars, with no profit in it. I’m sorry, but this is not a good investment for us.”
“And why not?” Todd argued. “These children are the future of the city. Any one of them could become the next mayor, the next congressman or senator. Why should we sit back and do nothing? This woman has taken on this responsibility—alone—for as long as she was able. Now, she needs our help.”
“And what of this company? Are you all willing to take a pay cut for some kids?”
“How dare you say that?” Charlie snapped at Dean. “They are not just some kids. They are all smart, bright children who want to have a good life like any other child. You sit here in your board room and think what happens to them doesn’t affect you?”
She was fuming, and Dean had the nerve to smirk at her. “Yes, I do.”
“You’re wrong. If these orphanages shut down, the city will be flooded with thousands of children who have to be taken in by the state. The state will need money to support them. Taxes will be raised to increase their funding, and you will feel that bite because you are at the top of the income bracket. Now,” she said, straightening her jacket as she took a deep breath, “who would you like to give your money to? The state, and be unable to see where it actually goes, or to the orphanages where every day something amazing can happen?”
The entire room fell silent at her words. Terrance gave her shoulder a squeeze, and Braydon nodded as a grin crept across his face. “I think the lady has a point.” He took the folder from Farley Global and slid it forward. “They already have backing from another wealthy company in the city, one that has agreed to match anything we put in. Another item to consider, gentlemen and ladies.”
A few of the board members raised their brows, and he watched Francis whisper to Dean. Braydon would have to remember to buy Quin a bottle of whiskey if they were able to pull this off because of him.
“I move to take the upcoming weekend to think it over and come back with a decision by Monday morning,” Francis said as she straightened in her chair. “All those in favor?”
“Tuesday morning,” Braydon corrected as he glanced at Charlotte. “I will be out of town until Monday.”
“Fine, then,” Francis said. “Tuesday. Show of hands?”
Braydon, Todd, Francis, Margaret, and Ronan raised their hands. At the last second, so did Don. Darrell and Dean shot him a look, but it didn’t matter. Braydon thanked them all once again for their time and said he looked forward to hearing their final decision Tuesday morning. He watched them leave one by one, not missing the look Ronan gave him. It wasn’t filled with anger or mockery. The man actually looked concerned, but for what, Braydon wasn’t going to stick around to find out. Charlie and he had a jet to catch.
He stood as she and Terrance made it to the door. “Are you ready for your trip?”
“Right now?”
“Yes, we’re leaving right now.”
“But I haven’t packed or anything.”
“Don’t worry, it’s all been taken care of. Now come on; I want to show you something.”