Chapter 20
Growing up the rough way Craig had, it was a wonder he made it to adulthood. If he’d stayed the course, he could have self-destructed. Amelia Knight had saved him from himself.
He drove through the iron gates at his mother’s house, feeling a sense of contentment. The two-story structure held five bedrooms, as many baths, and several other unused rooms. While he’d spent his early years surviving elsewhere, this was the only home he’d really known. A woman who gave him the love he needed to turn his life around. A woman who’d sheltered him, cared for him, and fed his body, as well as his starving soul.
Amelia Knight. He didn’t want anything to do with her, yet she welcomed him and made him realize his life was going nowhere. Showed him that if he continued on the same path, he would end up in prison or even dead.
A young boy who’d survived as a man fending for himself, he thought he was tough. The woman was a stranger. Her words meant nothing to him. She never gave up. One day, she finally convinced him she wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was he. Her home became the safe haven he hadn’t known he needed.
Home.
Amelia. His mother. She loved him like he was her own.
He’d called her, so she was expecting him. He let himself in and immediately felt a rush of sentiment.
Home.
“Darling,” she greeted him, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. He swept her into a hug, the scent of her perfume bringing back fond childhood memories.
“Let me look at you,” she said as she stepped back, grasping his hands. “Well. You look like you’ve been taking care of yourself. Would you like coffee or iced tea?”
“Iced tea would be great.” While she poured the tea, he pulled out a stool from the counter island.
“Tell me what kept you on the East Coast. Howard had no idea.”
“Howard is the Vice President of Knight Industries. He is not my personal assistant.”
“She didn’t seem to know either.” Amelia placed his glass on the counter and took the upholstered barstool next to him.
“Thank you,” he said automatically. Amelia believed in manners, and she’d instilled them in him with a firm hand. Her raised eyebrow told him she waited for him to answer. He made a mental note to give his assistant a raise for proving her loyalty. “That’s why I like her,” he told Amelia. “She can keep a secret.”
“A secret? You have a secret?” Amelia might appear innocent in her questions, but the woman knew how to gleam information without appearing to do so.
The tea was cold and perfect. He quickly swallowed. “No, nothing like that. My assistant is excellent at her job. She can differentiate between company business and personal business. Why I was on the East Coast had no bearing on Howard running Knight Industries.”
“All right. You’ve put me truly in my place. As a—”
Craig covered her hand with tenderness. “No. I have not. You don’t need to contact Howard if you want to know what I’m doing.”
“It’s just that I expected you weeks ago. I didn’t know until you called that your delay was personal.”
Craig had to smile at Amelia’s fidgeting. She was bursting with curiosity. He deliberately diverted the conversation.
“It’s good to be home.” She was having none of it.
“Are you going to tell me about this girl you met in Charlotte?”
“No beating around the bush for you.”
“That’s right.” She leveled him with a glare he was all too familiar with. “You said you’d tell me when you got home. You’re home.”
“Yes ma’am.” Excitement bubbled at the thought of Kelly. He couldn’t keep the grin from curving his lips.
“Even if you hadn’t mentioned her on the phone, I would know. Amelia cupped the side of his face. “Your eyes are shining. You’ve had a tilt to your lips since you walked through that door.”
“I’m always happy to see you.”
“You’ve got an extra sparkle there,” she said while studying his face. “You do seem happy. Is this girl someone special?”
He heard the hope in his mom’s voice, and his heart swelled with the emotion. It always did when he thought of Kelly. Her face burned bright in his mind. He could almost reach out and touch her.
“She’s pretty special,” he answered.
“She must be to give you that glow.”
“You’re imagining things.” It was true, though, that inside he radiated with happiness. Maybe he did glow.
“I’m happy for you. What’s her name?” Amelia took a sip of her tea.
“Kelly Buchanan. I’ve never met anyone like her.” And he had not been able to think of anything but her since.
“Kelly. Sounds pretty.”
“She’s beautiful. Inside and out.” He hoped his mother believed him. The words were truer than their meaning. Kelly was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Every action was delivered with kindness and caring. He couldn’t imagine anyone not falling in love with her. He thanked his lucky stars that she’d fallen for him.
“Might make things a little complicated for Jacelyn.”
His shoulders tensed. “Why would you mention her?”
The shrug Amelia gave was not as innocent as she tried to make it. “Her intentions are pretty clear. The girl doesn’t hide her interest in you.”
“Her objectives are not mine.” He brushed the idea away like he was swatting a fly.
“As soon as she finds out you’re in San Francisco, I’m sure she’ll be contacting you. You won’t be able to avoid her since you have business dealings with her father.”
“Business relationships are separate from personal relationships.”
“Tell that to a father who loves his spoiled daughter,” Amelia mumbled.
“I will,” Craig said, with a more forceful tone than he normally used. He immediately regretted his outburst.
“It will take her a while to get over your rejection. I doubt anyone has ever said no to the girl.”
“Her father certainly hasn’t. The company does not need Harrington’s association. You understand me well enough to know I will allow no one to dictate to me, nor allow any leverage over the company. Honesty and integrity will prevail, even if I run the company into the ground.”
“Which will never happen, of course. You’ve tripled your holdings since taking over.”
“I’m not worried about money. I care for the people who work for us.”
“Darling.” She patted his hand. “The company is yours. I’m only a shareholder. You’ve turned it into a gold mine, and I’m proud of you. I do thank you for keeping me up to date.”
“You’re more than a shareholder and you know it.” Amelia was not one to sit idly by. She kept her finger in the cogwheel. What one might call spies, she called loyal friends. He had no problem with anything they told her or did for her. The original company had belonged to her husband, who died before Craig entered the picture. Amelia sat at the helm for years. A savvy businesswoman, and a caring one. How had he gotten so lucky?
She waved a hand. “It’s only a small conglomerate compared to the others you own.”
“I wish I didn’t have to travel so much, but if not for that, I wouldn’t have met Kelly.”
“Kelly lives on the other side of the globe. Are your feelings serious enough for you to pursue long distance?”
He’d done some thinking on his flight to San Francisco. Returning to his business life without a certain sexy blond, he had to face a few factors. He’d fallen in love. He was ready to settle down. He had to juggle some things to make a new life outside of his busy world. A new life with Kelly. One thing for sure, he had no intention of living without her.
He loved San Francisco, but he loved Kelly more. Where they lived did not matter, as long as he had her by his side. He’d move to Charlotte, to Richmond, to the moon if she preferred it.
“Most definitely,” he answered with assurance.
“You must tell me all about her. How about meatloaf for dinner?”
“Sounds great.”
~ ~ ~
Craig stared at the stern man sitting at the other end of a long mahogany table in the executive meeting room. Harrington must have gotten word of Craig’s return immediately, the man had updated information. Craig wouldn’t be surprised if there were loose lips in this building. Harrington seemed to know more than he should on several issues. Craig supposed Jacelyn had been a part of that. After all, he had dated the man’s daughter.
Craig had never mixed business with pleasure. Their relationship had lasted no longer than the time it took him to discover her true intentions.
For the first hour, his top directors discussed the business proceedings during his absence. Then, they moved forward to the joint venture with Harrington and things that could cause delays. Harrington’s opinion clashed with the already specified plan, and he voiced his objection sternly.
“I’m not throwing millions of dollars down a rabbit hole. I want you on this project, not Spence Colburn.”
Outwardly, Craig remained calm. Inwardly, he seethed. His jaw twitched. Every muscle in his body tensed with the urge to throttle the overbearing man. Who did Harrington think he was, making demands? He’d just insulted one of Craig’s employees. An affiliate with an essential role in Craig’s corporation, not to mention his outstanding performance. From his peripheral vision, Craig could see the simmering anger on Spence’s face. Craig kept his gaze focused on Harrington and willed his body to relax.
“That is not the plan. Spencer is more than capable. I will be out of California during the—”
“You should be here,” Harrington interrupted.
Silence filled the room, deafening as a gun blast. Without looking, Craig knew each man sat at the table in silence, waiting for an explosion after Harrington’s ballsy remark. Not only had a guest heatedly interrupted the highest-ranking member in the room, but he’d dared to issue a command of sorts. Craig would bet there wasn’t a man in the room who wasn’t grateful he was not on the receiving end of Craig’s ire. He leveled his incensed stare on Harrington.
“I own the company. I can operate from anywhere in the world.” Craig saw no need to reprimand the man further. He’d made his point clear, and his simple declaration reminded every man in the room exactly who was in charge.
By the flush on Harrington’s face, the foolish man realized he’d overstepped his bounds. And Harrington was no fool.
“Gentlemen,” Craig continued after a lengthy silence, his voice controlled with self-assurance, “there is no cause for agitation. This is a business deal like any other. The only difference being Mr. Harrington’s money.” Craig used the man’s title, again addressing him as of little importance. Harrington may be a well-known name in San Francisco, but Craig had little patience for egos and dominating men in his board room. Harrington could invest or not. The choice was his.
“My decision on operations and management stands.”
Only because Craig knew Spence’s habits, he recognized the guy’s unease. Of course, the tension in his shoulders could be from fury instead of stress. If he’d thought Spence couldn’t handle the task, he would not have suggested him for the job.
The throb of a headache pulsed, but Craig refrained from rubbing his temple. Any sign of stress could weaken his show of strength. He wished this meeting was over. He couldn’t wait to get back to Kelly.
“Spence. You have anything to add?”
“I have a list of names to form a new committee for your approval. John Stilwell will be in charge of advertising.”
“Sex sells,” Coffman blurted from his side of the table.
“We’re not selling sex,” Craig disputed.
Hell. What had happened to his associates in his absence? It was clear he needed to take a look at the chain of command and see if he needed to restructure.
“Women dressed in sexy clothes will catch notice.”
“What kind of notice?” Thank God, Pierce agreed with him.
“Or women dressed in barely nothing at all.” Another member voiced his opinion.
“What about the women viewers?” Davies jumped into the fray. “Do you want to parade bare man bodies—”
Craig stood. “If you can’t work this out, I’ll hire someone who can. You know my values, and I don’t have time to waste on arguments.”
Several men stared open mouthed, while a discreet cough erupted from one or two others.
“Two days, Gentlemen. That will be all.”
The associates gathered their belongings and cleared the room. Harrington remained behind. Craig waited with perseverance. He’d had enough arguing for one afternoon.
“If I may speak with you, Craig,” Harrington said as he approached.
“Of course.” Craig remained standing.
“I apologize if I spoke out of turn. Sometimes I get carried away in a board room.”
“No apology necessary. As I said, Spence is a talented and accomplished colleague. I do quite a bit of traveling and trust him completely to handle any matter that might arise.”
“Of course, of course. In the spirit of our collaboration, and our friendship, I’d like to invite you to dinner this evening. Perhaps we can discuss the matter further. Or not. We can simply share a meal.”
Friendship? They weren’t exactly friends. Business acquaintances. Taking his daughter to a few functions did not declare them friends. Harrington was a man to keep his eye on. Craig wondered what the man was up to.
“Very well. I am free this evening.”
The idea flitted through his mind that Jacelyn would more than likely be in attendance. It was sure to be unpleasant. Might as well get it over with. The sooner he made plans for his new life, the quicker he could return to Kelly.
God, he missed her.
~ ~ ~
Craig took a sip of his water, thinking what he needed was a good shot of Scotch. The evening had gone as he’d assumed. Harrington had brought his daughter, and right after the meal, conveniently acquired a sudden excuse to escape, leaving Jacelyn in Craig’s care.
He glanced at the woman across from him. Jacelyn gave the impression of perfection. Her clothes and actions brandished money, making the observer completely aware she came from wealth. And her body, even though too thin for his taste, would match any model on a clothing designers’ runway.
Batting her eyelashes and cooing was not her style. She was too clever and experienced for that. She’d been around her father and his associates enough to learn what held a man’s interest. It was as if she studied her victim, then moved in for the kill.
Craig had no interest in her, but he recognized the danger signs. She was way too attracted to his money, more than any attraction she might have for him. Her father, more than likely, had steered her in Craig’s direction, probably thinking she would clinch their deal. Or perhaps he wanted someone else to pick up the tab for her obvious spending.
Remembering Amelia’s words, he knew Jacelyn would not handle rejection well. If the woman could take a hint, he wouldn’t be sitting here contemplating what needed to be done. The building could be collapsing over her head, and she still wouldn’t recognize it as a clue she needed to give up the chase. Maybe he should announce his engagement. That ought to ruffle her fashionable backside. All he had to do was propose to Kelly. He had no doubt of her answer, and he planned to visit the jewelers before leaving San Francisco.
“Craig, darling. Your thoughts are a million miles away.”
Close. About three thousand.
“Are you bored with my company, Jacelyn?”
“Of course not. However, it would be nice if my dinner companion would speak to me.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to deny being her companion, but he was sharing a table with her. Still, he needed to nip this situation in the bud before it bloomed any further.
“Jacelyn, tell me why you came to a boring business meeting with your father when you could have your own dinner date.”
“He invited me, and you, to dinner. This was hardly a business meeting.” She extended her fingers over the rim of her wine glass, showing off her glittering manicure. Every gesture, every move she made was meticulous, as if she’d practiced over and over to achieve a guaranteed impact.
“That’s exactly what it was,” Craig said. “Or, more appropriately, an act of contrition.”
“What in the world would you need to apologize for?”
“I assure you, it was not me. Your father did the inviting.”
A flicker of surprise crossed her features before she suppressed it. “Do not tease me, Craig. My father would not approve a blemish on his character. To my knowledge, he’s never expressed regret for anything in his life. He’s done nothing that merits an apology.”
Far be it from Craig to explain the conduct of her father. “I believe we’ve gotten a bit off course. I presumed you would have another commitment this evening. No doubt there is a line of admirers seeking your company.”
“Perhaps I’m not interested in other admirers. I happen to like the person I am currently with.”
“In that case, we shall have a final drink.” He motioned for the waiter to refill their glasses.
As soon as the young man left, Jacelyn asked, “Whatever do you mean?”
Craig raised his glass. “I propose a toast. I will be spending very little time in San Francisco, and it is quite possible you will not see me again.” He heard her gasp and saw her hand tremble. “I wish you well, Jacelyn. To the future.” He took a large gulp and noticed she did not drink hers. She stared, he supposed she tried to collect her thoughts. Some time passed before she lowered her glass.
“Is something wrong with the wine?” he asked.
“You drop a bomb in my lap and ask me if something is wrong?”
“A toast to your health is a bomb?”
“Don’t be blasé. You know exactly of what I’m speaking,” she hissed. “How can you think I would not see you again?”
“Because I’m a very busy man and I have no time for triviality.”
“Trivial—? You consider me—”
“I consider you an accomplished, respectable woman who, with a bit of humility, could have any man she wanted. A man worthy of her poise and grandeur. Maybe even love.”
“In our world, love has very little to do with relationships.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
Sharing Kelly with Jacelyn rated right up there with other prohibited items. The idea of imparting any information about Kelly, or his love life, spoiled his good mood and prodded his patience. His personal affairs were his alone. Jacelyn had no right to them.
“I will not discuss my intentions with you, but I will let you in on a little secret. Love has everything to do with a relationship. When you find it, you’ll know what I mean. Don’t sell yourself short. You’re missing out.”
Jacelyn lifted her wine and took a healthy swallow, apparently needing the alcohol to soothe whatever raging thoughts ran rampant in her head. She placed her goblet on the table, keeping her gaze fixed on his. From her scrutiny, it seemed she cast several judgements on him. Disbelief filled her eyes, along with astonishment, then contemplation, and finally acquiescence.
“You’re saying you don’t want anything to do with me other than on a professional level.” She seemed lucid, but a man never knew when a woman would throw a tantrum. However, Jacelyn valued her image and was smart enough to envision the consequences of her actions.
“I could count you among my friends, if you so choose.”
“Only friends?”
“There can be nothing more.” He made sure his tone delivered the desired message.
“Very well. You’ve given me something to think about. I don’t agree emotions should be involved, but I will find a man who is worthy of me.”
“I’m sure you will.”