Forbidden Disclosure (A Billionaire in Disguise) (11 page)

“Can I use your truck for a few minutes?”

“Katherine, you just got here and now you want to take off?”

“If you want to eat tomorrow, you’ll give me your truck so I can go shopping.”

“That’s awfully sweet of you. But there’re a lot of people hurtin’ right now. We’re going to have a big spread in here. Everyone can bring a dish if they can, and we’re going to sit down as one big family. There’s no need in folks being alone for the holiday.”

“That’s so sweet!” Katherine leaned back over the bar and kissed her uncle again.

“Here, catch the keys. The truck’s where it always is.” Andy winked at his niece as she walked out the door.

Katherine slowed down when she turned onto Shenandoah Road.
What if he’s there?
But when she turned on her bright lights and got a clear view of the house, she could tell it was deserted. The barn was burned to the ground.
John’s room was back there! Oh God…

Katherine turned around as fast as she could and drove quickly back to town. She made a stop at
Clyde’s
to pick up a few things for tomorrow’s big feast. She decided she would bake the pies.

But her mind wasn’t on the pies, the feast, or anything other than finding out if John Williams was okay.

Daniel sat on a sofa in his room at the mansion, wondering if the investigator who specialized in missing persons and background checks was getting any leads. Then it occurred to him that tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Surely her uncle would have had contact by now. Reaching for his phone, he felt his chest begin to tighten.
What if she’s there? What do I say?

Katherine was asked to do some karaoke since there were so many people in the bar. It always got folks to drink more, and that made her uncle very happy. Once the crowd saw her walk over to the machines and turn them on, they went wild. Her strawberry blonde curls were a little untamed, as Katherine played with her hair when she was worried or nervous.

She picked out a beautiful love song, the same one she sang to John that night. She wasn’t sure if she could sing it ever again. But at least if she closed her eyes while she sang, she could picture his face. Katherine started to sing with every ounce of her soul. But in her mind, all she saw was John dancing slowly and groping Emily. She kept her eyes open for the rest of the song.

Daniel dialed the number.

“Thanks for calling
The Corral
, Andy speaking.”

He heard loud music in the background. It certainly wasn’t the jukebox. Daniel could recognize that voice anyplace! He closed his eyes so tightly they were hurting him.

“Hello?”

Daniel hung up the phone and sprinted through the mansion.

“Carl, where’s my father?”

“He’s retired for the evening, Daniel.”

“Call for the jet! I have to get to Tennessee! Tell my father when he wakes up. Please hurry! I’ll take my car to the plane!” Daniel was running as fast as he could down the steps while yelling over his shoulder.

He bolted out the door and climbed in the Lamborghini. This was the first time in what seemed like ages that he was grateful for the car. Squealing his tires, he fled his father’s estate. Driving fast, and even recklessly at times, Daniel knew he had to get to Prairie while she was still there.

All Daniel did was hurry quickly just to find himself waiting for the jet. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket. “Carl, where’s the jet?!”

“Daniel, I’ve been trying to phone you. The jet is getting some maintenance done. It won’t be available until Monday. Your father cleared it. We didn’t expect anyone to travel this weekend, it’s a holiday.”

“I’ve got to catch a plane then! I’m going to the airport.”

Daniel drove quickly to the airport, not even caring that his car would be parked in a regular lot. He bolted toward the ticket counter. There were people everywhere, and what he didn’t need was to have to wait in line. There were several people in front of him. After forty-five minutes, it was his turn.

“I need a flight to Nashville, Tennessee.”

“I’m sorry, Sir, all the flights have been booked. It happens on holiday weekends. I can get you on a plane this Monday.”

“No! I need one tonight!” Daniel felt his blood pressure rising.

“I can put you on standby, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.” The young blonde woman laughed and winked. Daniel wanted to shake her.

“Thanks anyway.” He walked slowly back to his car, feeling totally defeated.
She was right
at the tip of my fingers! Damn!

Chapter 10

Katherine heard her door open up on Thursday morning while she stood in the little kitchen making pies.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Katherine!”

“Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Uncle Andy.” She turned around and gave him a big hug.

“This place smells heavenly!”

“Good, I hope they taste like they smell.”
Smell. John’s smell. What a bastard. I shouldn’t have said I was sorry for calling him a pig.
Even though the thoughts of John and Emily haunted her mind, she couldn’t help herself. She needed as much information as she could get so she wouldn’t dwell on John and could enjoy her holiday with her uncle and friends. “Can I ask you something about that fire at the Montoose Farm?”

“Sure, but I don’t know too much information.”

“Did anyone die?”

“I don’t think anyone died, but I could be wrong about that. Seems a man was the one who got the horses out of the barn. The fire happened in the middle of the night, so I’m guessing, whoever it was, lived there. But we’re planning on dinner around two. Do you think you’ll be finished up in time?” Katherine’s interest in John Williams didn’t escape Andy. She’d never been this curious about a man.

“Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully they’ll be nice and warm when they’re served.” Katherine gave her uncle another hug before he turned and walked out the door.

She immediately went to her bed and began to do a search on the little laptop as soon as the door closed. The article didn’t mention that anyone had died.
Thank God. Now to find John Williams, in New York…
Wait, why are you looking for him
?

But she did anyway, and the list was huge. With eyes full of sadness, she returned to the pies.
He probably hates me as much as I hate him, especially because I left town without a word.
If she hadn’t been so livid at his behavior with Emily and for punching her cousin, she would have explained things.
If only…

“Katherine, are you going to eat this delicious food or shove it around your plate?” asked her uncle as he crammed more turkey in his mouth.

“I ate so much! I’m just getting full now.” She tried to give her best smile.

“Bullshit. This is the same plate of food, Katherine. Eat it.” Her uncle looked at her through serious eyes. She knew she wasn’t going to win. Slowly, she lifted her fork.

The rest of the weekend was quiet. Katherine did a couple of Karaoke nights, but other than that she tried to catch up on some much needed sleep. Fitful dreams awoke her frequently. Mostly she dreamed of John burning in a fire and her not being able to save him.

On Sunday evening, Katherine boarded her flight to go back to her little, freezing apartment. This was the last week she had to find a model. It was stupid of her to sign up for the sewing room, knowing she had nothing to make.

That evening she checked her emails. No one responded to the ad.
That’s what I get for advertising through a holiday weekend. Hopefully someone will call this week.
Katherine didn’t have the money to waste on another week of ads. But by then it would be too late to find a model anyway. She’d just have to retake the class, which would put her graduation date off by a year. The course was only offered in the fall.
My life sucks.

Rosie waltzed into the kitchen at five in the morning and began preparing the turkey and getting the stuffing, casseroles, and the rest of the delicious meal prepared.

Francesco answered his phone at five-fifteen in the morning. The phone ringing at that hour scared him to the core.

“Francesco, I’m so sorry to wake you,” said a sheepish Carl.

“What’s the matter, Carl, is Daniel okay?”

“There is a kitchen problem, Sir. I thought maybe you should handle this one.”

“Carl, you’re calling to wake me up at this hour to tell me about a problem in the kitchen?” Francesco’s voice was getting loud.

“It’s Rosie.”

“What are you talking about? Is she okay?!”

“Sir, Rosie has gone into the kitchen and insists on cooking Thanksgiving dinner. She said that their recipes were, and I quote her, Sir, ‘God awful.’”

“Carl, if she wants to prepare the meal, let her. Tell the staff to answer to her. They can be her assistants today.” Francesco was feeling warmth in his heart.

“The chef is angry, Sir. He’s threatening to walk out.”

“He’ll be in love with her by the time dinner is served.”

“Okay, Sir. Thank you.” Carl hung up the phone and hurried to the kitchen.

Francesco never laughed so hard in his life. He was deciding he loved a woman with spunk!

Daniel was already drooling from the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen at the mansion. He was uneasy at first, due to all the yelling, and he could tell that Rosie was right smack in the middle of it. She insisted on serving it also and had even talked Francesco into carving the turkey. She hugged all the kitchen staff before she left, and once again there was peace.

“Rosie, I haven’t done this in so many years! You sure you want me to cut this bird?”

“Francesco, you’ll do a wonderful job.” Rosie smiled at the older, attractive man, who was wearing a childlike expression on his face.

“Then carve it I shall!” Francesco was so happy as the three of them sat down for their Thanksgiving dinner.

“Oh mio Dio! This is delicious, Rosie. This is the best meal I have ever tasted!” Francesco reached over and squeezed Rosie’s hand.

“Yes, Rosie, you sure know how to cook a mean Thanksgiving dinner!” Daniel couldn’t seem to get enough. He smiled at his father, then at Rosie. He couldn’t help but look at the empty chair beside of him.
Katherine could have been sitting here with us if I hadn't been such an ignorant fool!

“This was the best way I could find to show my thanks for everything the both of you have done. Not only for me, but also for my horses.”

“Did you see the horses yet, Rosie? They’re at the trainer’s now.” Daniel could see that Rosie was on the brink of tears.

“I’m going to see them tomorrow. I am so excited to go and, Daniel, I bet they’d like to see you also. Would you like to go with me?”

“Sure, I would love to.”

“Francesco, do you like horses?”

“Rosie, I love horses. I’m really excited to have them here!” Francesco certainly wasn’t kidding. He had been hounding the guys setting up the horse area, and they were close to being finished. He avoided giving Rosie a tour of the mansion and grounds because of that very reason. He loved to give surprises.

“Would you like to go with us?” Rosie was hoping he’d say yes.

“I would love to go. Maybe we can stay there and visit them for a while. I would like that very much.” Francesco was so touched that she thought to ask him.

“I’m getting up early and going shopping with Estelle. Then we can head over there after lunch. Is that a good time for you, Francesco?”

“Any time I get to spend with you and my son is a good time.” Francesco blushed. Daniel had to stifle a laugh, especially when Rosie smiled in response to his father.

Rosie and Estelle were at the stores in Manhattan at nine o’clock sharp. Rosie looked at her checkbook balance in the limo and promised herself she would only buy one or two things that she needed. When she was able to find work, she would save up and buy more. The limo let the two women out on 5
^th
Avenue.

“Estelle,” whispered Rosie.

“Yes?”

“I don’t have enough money to shop in these stores!”

“Yes you do.” Estelle winked. “You aren’t paying for anything. Mr. Giordano made it very clear. Just enjoy the day, Rosie. From what I hear, you are more than deserving of being spoiled. If we don’t return to the mansion with a bunch of things for you, I will lose my job.” Estelle made a fake sad face, as Francesco wouldn’t threaten such a thing. But she was given permission to get as creative as she needed to, to get Rosie to agree to the purchases.

“Oh my! I don’t want you to lose your job! Is he really like that? I wouldn’t have thought so. He seems like such a sweet man.”

“Rosie, he’s the sweetest man in the world, and also very wealthy. He wants to take care of you. If I were you I’d let him. You’re the only woman he has had any interest in since the death of his wife Lillian. If this makes him happy, then let him do it. He isn’t harming anyone, and besides, you’re going to have lots of fun!”

“Do you get to buy anything?” Rosie was feeling guilty.

“We both do. So let’s shop! You will never meet a better man.”

“Estelle, I believe you’re right about that one.” Rosie felt like a princess for the first time in her life.

The first store they entered, Rosie’s jaw dropped.

Estelle was used to it. Francesco Giordano always took care of his staff and their families. No one would ever consider taking advantage of their bosses' generosity.

“Do they sell jeans in here? If not, I’m sure there’s a Kmart or something around. They’re all over the place down in Nashville. They shouldn’t cost more than twenty bucks. Sometimes you can find them much cheaper if there’s a good sale going on. That will save him some money.”

All Estelle could do was giggle. She didn’t know who wanted to spoil this sweet woman more, Francesco or herself.

Daniel met with his father to arrange the sale of the Lamborghini and the penthouse. He settled on a large Ford pickup. Even though it wasn’t the best gas mileage, he would need a big vehicle if he had to tow a horse trailer for Rosie. Francesco voiced his approval and added that he was proud of Daniel for thinking of others instead of himself.

His clothes were a different matter. He looked online and found some good, comfortable jeans and t-shirts. He picked out some long sleeved shirts and sweaters for the cold season and, of course, some new work boots. He would save his custom suits for business meetings, but going outside dressed to the nines at all times was a thing of the past.

“Daniel, what should we do with the farm? Rosie doesn’t want anything to do with it. It seems she had many painful memories of that place. Do you want it?”

“If it was a pleasant place I would. But I can’t find it in my heart to own something that put Rosie through so much. I think it’s something she needs to remove herself from and bury in the past. We might be able to find a use for it though, so hang onto it for a bit. I’ve been bouncing an idea around, like putting up some nice, clean apartments for people would be wonderful. There are a lot of folks who lost their farms and homes, and that horrible place that Beatrice runs isn’t suitable for anyone.”