Hez exhaled with resignation as Pierre got out of the car. “Were you waiting for me?”
Pierre nodded as he walked around the Mercedes. “You’re sharp. I always liked that about you. The secretary said you had a meeting here, so I thought I’d try to catch you.”
“Why did you want to catch me, Pierre?”
He clapped Hez on the back and gave an easy laugh. He smelled of cherry pipe tobacco and lemon drops. “For one thing, it’s always good to see my once and future son-in-law. Let’s get that coffee you mentioned. My treat.”
Pierre made small talk about the university and sports as they walked down the block to the Petit Charms take-out window and placed their orders. He grew serious as they strolled toward the beach with their cups. “We haven’t always seen eye to eye, Hez, but we’re on the same side when it comes to Simon. I don’t want that slimeball to get our boy any more than you do. I can help you stop him. I beat him once and I can do it again.”
Hez stared at the older man. “What do you mean?”
“Do you know how I got Marie back after Michael stole her?”
“No.”
A triumphant grin split Pierre’s face. “I hired a private investigator who dug up the truth about Michael Willard. Ishowed his dossier to Marie, and she came crawling back to me. And I told Michael that if he ever came near her again, I’d make sure he spent the rest of his life in prison. He left with his tail between his legs.” Pierre’s smile turned crafty. “And it just so happens that I’ve been updating that dossier every few years.”
Hez clamped down on the hope surging in his chest. He knew Pierre too well. “Great! Can I have a copy of the dossier and talk to your investigator?”
“Of course. I’m happy to help you and Savannah—if you’ll help me too.”
Here we go.“What kind of help did you have in mind?”
Pierre looked him in the eye. “Put back the money you took out of my trust. Restore the income streams you cut off. Drop the lawsuit you filed against Education Management.”
Hez crossed his arms over his chest. “The lawsuit was brought by the university, which Education Management cheated. And that money isn’t yours or ours. It belongs to the university. It never should have been in the trust in the first place.”
“Nonsense!” Pierre’s face darkened. “I’m the former president of TGU, and I deserve an adequate retirement. Savannah has the power to give it to me. And as the university’s lawyer, you can write whatever documents are necessary to make it all legal.”
“We can’t just give you university money. That’s not how it works.”
Pierre flicked his hand like he was shooing away an annoying insect. “That’s how it worked when I was president.”
The way things worked during Pierre’s presidency had nearlydestroyed the university. And it sickened Hez that Pierre was using Simon’s fate as extortion leverage. Hez took a long sip of his coffee to give himself time to think before he responded. “Things are different now. I’ll talk to Savannah, but don’t get your hopes up.”
Pierre smiled. “I have faith in you. Like I said, you’re sharp—and I know how much you both care about Simon.” He glanced at his watch. “I have a tee time I need to get to. Let me know when you’ve made a decision.”
Pierre turned and walked back toward his car. Hez watched the retreating figure, loathing the man more than ever. At least his sleazy proposal had been a subtle ray of hope: If Pierre could find enough dirt to checkmate Michael Willard, Hez could too. But could he do it before the hearing on the adoption petition?
Chapter 12
Having their own bay view was more than she’d ever expected. Savannah parked in the driveway of their new home and walked across the fragrant, freshly mown grass to find Hez. Early May showers had greened up the lush vegetation. He’d initially suggested meeting at the Pelican Harbor beach, but she’d had some work to finish and reminded him they had a perfect spot to watch the sunset from their dock. Simon was at a tutoring session with Will, and they had three hours to themselves.
She paused to enjoy the view of Hez against the backdrop of the sunset. He’d changed into shorts and a tee, and his thick dark hair was still damp from a shower. His muscular legs dangled over the edge of the dock where he sat tossing bits of bread to the gulls.
Another month and they’d repeat their wedding vows. She still marveled that they’d found their way back to each other through the trauma. She never wanted to take that blessing for granted. How many couples managed to find the bedrock under their relationship and withstand the storms that battered them like she and Hez had done? Not many.
When she stepped onto the weathered boards, the vibrationalerted Hez to her presence and he stood. When he smiled at her, the sun almost seemed to change its mind about setting. Hez really saw her and always had. He opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. He kissed her like he’d been as hungry for her as she was for him. With his lips on hers, she forgot the ordeal of the past few weeks and their fears for the future.
She finally pulled away and smiled up at him. “I should have left the work on my desk and come here as soon as you called.”
“It gave me time to grab shrimp étouffée and take a shower.”
When he settled back on the dock and tugged on her hand, she sat beside him with the water reflecting the colorful sunset beneath her feet. “Wonderful! Neither of us has to cook, and we can actually talk.” He slipped his arm around her, and she leaned her cheek against his shoulder. “But no problems are allowed to intrude. I want to focus on the wedding and our honeymoon.”
“That’s a plan I can get behind.”
He kissed her again, and she murmured against his lips, “Or maybe we don’t have to talk at all.” So they didn’t for several delicious minutes until he finally sighed and pulled away.
