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As I slowed down, she shifted closer, fighting the seatbelt to do so. I pulled down the driveway of the small but pristine house, trying not to become emotional. I’d been angry, furious with Pamela for days, my rage almost getting out of control, but the beautiful woman by my side had insisted on being right there. And somehow, she’d calmed the beast.
I stopped the car, cutting the engine, staring out the windshield.
“Are you okay with this?” I asked.
“You’ve asked that ten times. Maybe twenty.” She laughed softly when I gave her a harsh glare.
“Spanking later.”
“Somehow, I think you’ll have your hands full.”
“Somehow, I think you’re right.” I ran a powerful business, more so than I’d realized until recently. I had more money than I could spend in a lifetime, investments that would continue to build my wealth. I had big boy toys and could go out to dinner every night if I wanted to.
And I had the perfect woman.
Everything was going to change. Everything.
In truth, I couldn’t have been more excited.
I eased out of the car, taking a deep breath of the humid air. She waited a few seconds then joined me, her smile refreshing. She was completely calm while I was crawling out of my skin.
“It’s time,” she encouraged, gently pushing me.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m right here. This is something you need to do first.”
“You’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
Cocking my head, I gave her another authoritative look and she blushed. Then I started walking toward the door.
“Wait. You forgot something.”
I heard activity and remained where I was until she rushed to my side.
“Take this,” she told me. “Trust me.”
“Baby, I do with my life.” I waited until she backed away then walked up the stairs, ringing the doorbell.
As soon as the door was opened, the woman smiled. “Mr. Stark? I’m Beverly Jones. We spoke on the phone.”
“Yes. I hope I’m not too early.”
“Right on time. Just give me a second. Why don’t you wait right here?” She backed away and I heard muttered voices later.
Finally, she returned with a suitcase in one hand and the fingers of her other wrapped around a little boy’s.
He was staring at me intently with his eyes open wide. I hunkered down, shifting the new stuffed bear from one hand to the other.
The woman also dropped to his level, giving me an encouraging nod. “Jacob. This is the man I was telling you about. This is your daddy. He’s going to take you on a wonderful adventure and you’ll live in a brand new home.”
When he didn’t react, my heart was crushed, but I couldn’t blame the little boy. He was a little over four years old and had recently had his entire world ripped apart. Then he’d been told a big, gruff man was his father. I couldn’t imagine what the little man was thinking. Why Pamela hadn’t told me was somewhat of a mystery, although the letter she’d obviously prepared at least a year before in the event of her death had attempted to explain. Only she hadn’t known her words would ever be read.
She’d hated my lifestyle, but more important, her parents had forbidden her to see me again, threatening to have her child taken if she ever told me.
“Do you remember, honey?” Beverly pushed.
