Mistletoe Maneuvers Page 14

  “I’m going to find Lessa,” he said. And before anyone could protest, he left.

  Lessa glanced at the mud surrounding the tire. How was she going to do this without becoming a big mess? In an attempt to protect her suit she took off her pretty wool coat and laid it smack in the middle of the mud. She knelt down, fit the tire iron on a bolt and twisted.

  Nothing. The bolt didn’t move.

  Droplets of rain splashed mud on her clothes as she heaved the iron once again. But her efforts were in vain. She took off her gloves, as if her bare hands might do better. She tried another bolt and then another. Finally, Lessa put down the tire iron and leaned back against the flat tire still on the car. The freezing rain pelted her face and the cold wind whipped through her drenched clothes. But she didn’t mind the rain. In fact, it suited her mood just fine.

  The distinct whirring of a car engine filled the air. At the sight of headlights, she jumped up, ready to flag down the motorist.

  The car pulled beside her and stopped. Her heart caught in her throat as she recognized the vehicle. Rick? In a sudden stab of vanity, she smoothed her mud-spattered suit. She tucked her hair behind her ears and licked her lips.

  The car stopped and Rick jumped out. He stood there looking at her, his brow furrowed in worry, his features dark and handsome. The mere sight of him was enough to make all her angst flood to the surface. And suddenly, whether it was the stress of the morning or simply the stress of seeing him once again, she felt like crying. She bit her lip, trying to gain control of her emotions. She could do this. It was almost over.

  “What the hell happened to you?” he asked.

  She motioned toward her car. “I got a flat tire.”

  “Why didn’t you call?” he asked, looking at the tire.

  “No cell service around here,” she said, shivering.

  He shook his head, his eyes scanning over her. Once again she was aware of how she looked, the mud-spattered suit, the motley hair. She crossed her arms as he approached. She had imagined this encounter many times in the past few days. Would she slap him and insult him? Or act cool and collected, as if he and the company meant little to her?

  “What is it with you and coats?” he asked.

  “I used it to kneel on. I didn’t want to get dirty.”

  He took off his coat and attempted to loop it around her shoulders.

  “I don’t want your coat,” she said, stepping away from him. She didn’t want to touch him or anything that belonged to him.

  She might as well have slapped him. His eyes darkened and narrowed. “Get in the car,” he said.

  She might not have wanted to touch him or anything that belonged to him, but she was willing to make an exception when it came to his car. She picked her wet and muddy coat off the ground and followed his instructions, stepping into the warm vehicle.

  He got inside and slammed the door. When he pulled the car back on the road, he said, “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  Trapped in a car, she was helpless to escape his masculine power and deep, stirring sexuality. She couldn’t look at him without seeing the lips that had made her forget her name, the hands that had caressed her so tenderly. She could almost feel herself once again falling under his spell.

  “I need your account information,” he continued, “so that I can transfer the stock back to you.”

  “I don’t want it.”

  “Then I need your account information so that I can pay you for it.”

  Now she was getting it. He was afraid of a lawsuit, afraid that she would make a big stink at the company and drag down his net worth. Well, he needn’t have worried. She had told him once that she was not a hysterical woman and she had meant it. She planned on walking away with whatever dignity she had left.

  “Look, Lessa, talk to me. We need to communicate if we’re to work together.”

  “We’re not going to be working together, Rick. I’m a minority shareholder. There’s no way I’m going to keep my position on the board.”

  “I’m giving you my support, Lessa. No one can do a damn thing about it.”

  “You mean, whether they like it or not, I’ll stay on as chairman?”

  “That’s right.”

  “I don’t want to work someplace like this, Rick. How would I justify my position? The president’s mistress? Former mistress.”

  “So take back your stock. You’ll be the principal stockholder once again.”

  “I don’t want it back. It was a deal, Rick. Fair and square.”

  “You can’t leave Lawrence Enterprises, Lessa. You said yourself that it’s meant to be. It was what your father wanted. And the work you did on the Antigua/Florida deal was very good. You took charge of it and brought it all together without my help. I need someone like that.”

  “I’m resigning, Rick. It’s my Christmas present to the board.”

  He hesitated. “Lessa, I bought Mara del Ray. It can be yours. To remake, do whatever you want.”

  So he had bought it after all. “You were smart to buy it. It’s a good investment. You’ll see.”

  “Lessa, think about this. You’ve wanted to be at the helm of Lawrence for years. Don’t let your anger toward me get in the way of your dreams.”

  It was tempting, but she couldn’t stay. She couldn’t bear the idea of working side by side with Rick, knowing that he didn’t care about her. That he never would.

  “I thought you weren’t a quitter,” Rick said.

  How dare he insinuate that she was giving up, admitting defeat? It was taking every ounce of courage for her to leave the company she had fought so hard for. “I have no choice. I realize now that although this company still uses my father’s name, it’s not his anymore. And it hasn’t been for a very long time. It’s your company, Rick. You worked for it. You deserve it.”

  “Don’t do this, Lessa,” he said, pulling in front of the building where the meeting was being held. “You can’t walk away from something that you love.”

  “Thought I loved. But I was wrong.” As she looked at him, she felt a stab of sadness. She was no longer talking about the company, but him.

  “I’m not going to let you do this,” he said, parking the car. “I’m not going to let you walk away like this. What will it take?”

  “Why do you care, Rick?”

  “Because I…I care about you,” he said, taking her hands in his.

  The words hung in the air. She wanted to believe him so badly. He slid next to her and pressed his lips against her, gently covering her mouth. She could feel herself letting go, her defenses melting away. She wanted to believe him. And she did. But it wasn’t enough.

  No matter what they did or how hard they tried, they could never be partners at Lawrence Enterprises. Despite the fact that she had given it her all and had played the match of a lifetime, she had lost, and one thing she knew was how to accept defeat gracefully. There would be only one victor in this match. She pulled away from Rick and stepped out of the car. As she walked toward the inn, she felt as if her heart were breaking.

  I will miss you, Rick Parker, she said in her mind. I will miss you.

  Fourteen

  That night, Rick did something he had not done in a long time. He went home. At least thirty people were crammed into his parent’s small house and the result was bedlam. A fire was burning in the fireplace, an oversize tree was stuffed in the corner of the living room, torn pieces of wrapping paper were scattered about and presents were piled all over the place. Most of the children had escaped downstairs, but every now and then the door to the basement would fly open and a child would burst into the room, excitedly talking about Santa Claus. But Rick did not partake in any festivities. He stood off by himself, his mind focused on Lessa. Only hours ago, he had watched Lessa give away the company she loved. Up until the final moment, he had been sure that she would come to her senses and change her mind.

  “I’m glad you’re home,” his sister, Susan, said, walking up to him. “I’ve forgo
tten how much fun you are.” He knew she was teasing but he was in no mood.

  She sighed and motioned for their brother, Russell, to join them. “Rick is in trouble.”

  “I’m not in trouble,” he said. “I just don’t like watching someone throw their career away.”

  “What did you expect?” Susan asked, “That she would go back to work as usual? You just swindled her out of her company. She doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

  “So let her hate me. But giving away the company just hurts herself.”

  “For one,” his sister said, “she hurt more than herself. She hurt you.” She sighed deeply. “But I doubt that she realizes that. I’m sure she’s convinced you care little for her.”

  “I tried to talk her out of this.”

  “I’m sure she felt as if she had little choice. She didn’t exactly throw anything away. You took it. And by the time you changed your mind, it was too late. I understand completely why she did what she did. How can she go back to Lawrence Enterprises knowing that she will have to see you every day? It’s just too hard.”

  “What happened after the board meeting?” his brother asked.

  “She rode back to the city with one of the assistants.” Rick had attempted to talk to her, but she had escaped immediately after her resignation. He had sat there, helpless to stop her as she’d walked out of his life.

  “I can’t believe you threw away a perfectly good opportunity to improve your serve. I bet she would’ve given you some lessons,” Russell teased, swinging a pretend racket. “Oh well, you’re back at the helm of your company, and that’s what’s important, right?”

  “I’m going to resign,” Rick announced suddenly. His brother and sister grew quiet and exchanged worried glances. He knew it seemed sudden, but he had never felt so clearheaded in his life. The truth of the matter was that the company he’d fought so long and hard for no longer mattered to him. He had paid too high a price.

  “Does Lessa know that?” Russell asked.

  “I don’t think it would make a damn bit of difference. She doesn’t want to be with me.”

  “She was upset,” his sister chimed in. “What did you expect?”

  “I told her I cared about her. I don’t just toss that out there.”

  “You care about her? What’s that supposed to mean? I’ll tell you what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that you love her.”

  Rick was silent for a moment. “But I do.” He felt like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Dammit, he loved her. He loved her.

  “We know that. But she doesn’t.”

  “Look, I know a thing or two about women,” Russell said as Susan rolled her eyes. “And one thing I know is words are not enough. Women need proof. You have to show her how you feel.”

  “She lives with her aunt, right?” asked Susan. “Does she know how you feel?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think she’s too fond of me.”

  “Well, that was your first mistake. She loves Lessa and wants the best for her. Plead your case to the aunt and wrangle an invitation to Christmas dinner.”

  “Just show up?”

  “With an invite.”

  “Susan’s right,” Russell said. “If you love her, you’re going to have to fight for her. She’s not one of your typical women who takes one look at you and swoons and falls into your arms. She’s got spunk.”

  His mother walked over and joined them. “I’m so glad you came for Christmas,” she said to Rick.

  “I’m afraid he has to leave, Mom,” Susan said.

  “Business?” she asked.

  “No,” he said, “not this time.”

  Susan smiled. As Rick left the room, she said, “Don’t be disappointed, Mom. He’ll be back next year-and he won’t be alone.”

  “I’m sorry, Gran,” Lessa said. “I’ve lost everything.”

  “You didn’t lose Lawrence Enterprises. Your father did. You did everything you could to get it back.”

  “Well, I lost the stock.”

  “You sold it for a fair price.” Despite Lessa’s protests, Rick had given her the same deal they had promised Sabrina. “I didn’t think the loss of some stock is responsible for keeping you up all night.” Her aunt took a sip of her tea. “Perhaps you should give him a chance. Let him prove himself. It is Christmas after all.”

  Lessa looked at her aunt, surprised. She had expected Gran to jump up and down for joy when Lessa had told her she was finished with Rick Parker and Lawrence Enterprises. Instead Gran had looked at her as if she had made the biggest mistake of her life. But what did her aunt expect her to do? Fall into Rick’s arms after the way he had treated her? And how could she work with him after what had happened between them?

  Her aunt sighed. “This is not the way Christmas is supposed to be spent.”

  “Oh no, Gran. Please don’t give me the spiel about family and kids. I can’t take it.”

  “Actually, I was talking about the lack of eggnog.”

  “I told you, Chapman’s was out.”

  “Oh, Lessa, I just feel so bad for you. Stuck here with an old woman and no eggnog.”

  “I guarantee you there’s no place I’d rather be.” That was true, wasn’t it? She wouldn’t want to be wrapped in Rick’s arms. No, sir. Lessa finished off her tea. “It’s wonderful that there’s snow,” she said, eager to change the subject. The rain had turned to snow shortly after dusk. “When’s the last time it snowed in New York on Christmas?”

  “A white Christmas,” her aunt said. “How romantic. Maybe you should invite Rick over.”

  “Invite him over?” Had her aunt heard a word of what she had said? “Rick is probably off in some exotic locale drinking a piña colada and dancing with a beautiful woman. I’m sure he’s forgotten all about me by now.”

  “I’m not so certain. From what you’ve told me, I think he was as surprised as you by the whole turn of events.”

  Lessa closed her eyes as the wave of pain washed over her. She wanted to believe that; she really did. She would like nothing better than to think that Rick was by himself, mourning her loss. But she knew better. And she could not allow herself to feel sad. It did no good. She had made her decision.

  “It doesn’t have to be like this, Lessa.”

  “There’s no choice, Gran. When people love each other, they treat each other decently. You don’t have deceit and lies. Real love doesn’t hurt like this.”

  “You’ve been reading too many storybooks. Real life doesn’t always work that way. I never told you about your uncle and me. We dated for two years, and I was madly in love. I thought we were going to get married. And then he went off to the war.”

  “And then he came home and married you.”

  “That’s the story we’ve always told. I didn’t mention what really happened because it bothered him too much.”

  “What are you talking about? He loved you. He thought about you every day he was away.”

  “When he came home, I found out that he was engaged to someone else.”

  Lessa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her uncle? The kindly bespectacled man who had worshipped her aunt?

  “Apparently he never got any of my letters, but I didn’t know that then. He assumed I didn’t care about him, and naturally, when I found out about his engagement, I assumed the same thing about him. It broke my heart. Well, he went off and married that other woman. And you know what? It was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “Uncle Stan was married before? Did Dad know this?”

  “Of course. But what difference did it make? The point of the story is that he eventually came back. And you know what? I had changed-for the better. I was so much stronger than I had been. I knew I could make it on my own. And he knew what he wanted all along. Me. If he hadn’t married that other woman, he might’ve always wondered if he made the right decision. Instead, I was appreciated. Very appreciated. Until the day he died, he would’ve done anything to make me happy.”


  “So what are you saying? Do you think Rick will go off and marry someone else? Or do you think I will?”

  “I think that Rick learned a valuable lesson here. And I believe him when he said he cared about you.” She smiled. “I think I know a thing or two about men.”

  “I can’t think about Rick, Gran. I have to move on with my life. I’m going to look for a little property to buy. I’m going start over, build my own company from scratch. And I’m thinking about going back to tennis. Not as a player, but a teacher. I could combine my knowledge of resorts with my love for tennis. Maybe I could start a camp somewhere.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Why, who in the world could that be?” her aunt said, feigning surprise.

  “Maybe it’s Santa,” Lessa said, glancing at her aunt suspiciously. What was she up to?

  Lessa got up and opened the door-to Rick Parker. He stood before her, covered in snow.

  “Rick,” her aunt said, brushing past Lessa to get to him.

  “Wh-What are you doing here?” Lessa asked, so surprised she could barely speak.

  “Your aunt said she needed eggnog.”

  “Oh, you found some.” Gran said. “You’re a dear, Rick. Thank you.”

  “This isn’t funny.” Lessa gave her aunt the evil eye.

  “Who’s joking?” Rick asked. “I had to go to three different stores to find this.”

  “Come in,” her aunt said warmly, taking his coat and the container of eggnog. “I think this’ll need some brandy, don’t you?” She stopped and turned back toward the doorway. “Would you look at that,” she said, motioning above Rick and Lessa where a small piece of greenery had been tied to the light fixture. “Mistletoe.” She looked at Lessa and winked.

  When she was gone, Rick stared into Lessa’s eyes. “I told you once, Lessa. I don’t give up.”

  “Look, Rick, I don’t want to be a part of Lawrence Enterprises anymore.”

  “I’m not asking you to.” He reached inside his jacket. “I just stopped by to give you something.” He pulled out a manila envelope. “Open it,” he said, handing it to her.