His Millionaire Maid (16 page)

He only saw that she was a Beaumont, and therefore someone he despised.

Her body heaved biliously. She shut her eyes to fight the nausea. When she opened them, Vince was standing in the doorway.

Her heart sank even further. Oh, no, she couldn’t withstand another confrontation.

“Vince, I…”

He shook his head. “You don’t have to explain. I know who you are. Joe couldn’t help blurting it out earlier, and your father isn’t exactly inconspicuous. There’s a crowd building out there. I thought you might need some help.”

His unwarranted kindness brought tears back to her eyes. “But why are you…?”

He took her arm gently. “You’re a good person, Nina.”

Tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. “Joe doesn’t think so,” she choked out.

“Give him time. We’d better go now, or your father will come stomping in again.”

Vince guided her out. The lobby was busy, people coming and going, but everyone paused to stare at her. Vince kept her going, his hand firm on her elbow, and she’d never been so grateful. There was no sign of Sarah. Or Joe. But she didn’t expect to see Joe again.

Outside the Comet Inn, the afternoon sunshine almost blinded her. Someone opened a car door for her, and Vince guided her into the backseat.

“Thank you,” she said weakly to Vince.

He didn’t reply, just squeezed her hand before letting her go. Then the door slammed and the car zoomed off and she was alone with her father.

Thankfully, he was still busy on his cell phone. “Yes, Ellen, we’re on our way home now. Thank God. I can’t wait to get out of Hicksville.”

Nina rolled herself into a ball and squeezed herself into the far corner. She’d stopped crying, but an ocean of tears was gathering inside her, and sometime soon she would have to let them flow. But not yet.

Chapter Fourteen

On Monday morning Nina swept into her father’s office, high on the twenty-first floor of a skyscraper overlooking downtown San Francisco. She didn’t have an appointment, but the personal assistant didn’t try to stop her, probably cowed by the thunderous expression on her face.

Wearing a gray shift dress and black ankle boots, her blonde hair slicked back, Nina was dressed for business, and she detected a flicker of wary surprise in her father’s face as he rose to greet her.

“I didn’t expect to see you here today,” he said, gesturing to a visitor’s chair. “Thought you’d want some time off to recover from your…experience. In fact, why don’t you take a couple of days off? I’m sure your manager won’t mind.”

Nina remained standing and unsmiling. “I said I’d be back at work today, and I am.”

“Yes, but…” Carson seemed uncertain for once. He cleared his throat. “So, what can I do for you?”

She drew in a breath. This was going to be difficult, but she was determined to see it through. Not just for herself, but for Joe, and the others in Hartley. “I came to tell you a number of things. First of all, I’m resigning.”

“Resigning? You just got promoted.”

How could her father be so dense? “I don’t want to work for a company where people aren’t promoted on merit.”

He had the grace to blush, but only faintly. “All right, I admit that was clumsy of me. But look, I’ve thought of a solution. Wait till you hear this.”

Nina suppressed a groan. Whatever he had up his sleeve, she wasn’t interested. She couldn’t work for her father anymore. Not on any terms.

He didn’t seem to notice her reluctance. “I just picked up an old resort in Palm Springs. It used to be popular, but now it’s run-down. The staff are so behind the times they’re practically prehistoric, but they’re all unionized, so they can’t all be fired without inviting more trouble. The trick is to bring in new work practices without alienating too many people. It’s a tricky job, but if you took it on and did it well, no one could accuse you of not pulling your weight. And I promise not to interfere.” Carson spread his hands wide. “What do you say, Nina?”

“No, Dad.” She sighed. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t work for you. Not when some of your business practices are so appalling. Which brings me to my second decision.” She sucked in her stomach and squared her chin, ready to do battle. “I want you to back off Joe. I want you to leave him alone and stop putting pressure on him to sell his property.”

Her father’s conciliatory manner evaporated. He walked away from her and resumed his throne-like chair behind his oversize desk.

“I can’t agree to that. Business is business, and I can’t let you change my plans on a whim.” He spoke patronizingly at her, as if she were a child. “You don’t need to worry. Everything we do is aboveboard.”

Her blood boiled as she stalked up to his desk and leaned her hands against it. “Aboveboard, my ass. You sent that grubby tapeworm Perry Stevens to threaten Joe. To use Joe’s sick grandmother against him. And when that didn’t work, Perry went to the local banks and whispered in their ears not to lend Joe the money he needs.” She bent over the desk to glare at her father. “How is any of that aboveboard? It’s sickening, and I’m ashamed to be related to you.”

“I didn’t tell Perry to go that far,” Carson protested.

“Oh, please. Are you saying weaselly Perry did all that by himself?”

“I told him to be tough, but I never told him to go to any banks or snoop around sick grandmothers. Sometimes Perry’s too smart by half.”

Nina crossed her arms, trying to gauge if he was being honest. “Are you telling the truth?”

“Of course I am. I play hard, but I don’t go below the belt. I have a reputation to uphold.”

And that was more important than her opinion of him, obviously. Her heart dipped, but she decided that his reasons didn’t matter as long as Joe was protected.

“So you’ll leave Joe alone?” she asked, hope rising.

“I’ll yank Perry back,” Carson said grimly. “But I can’t promise to leave Farina alone. I want my resort, and it can’t happen without his property.”

His determined words crushed her hopes. “Build your resort somewhere else.” She scowled at him.

“I want it there.” He scowled back at her before a calculating look entered his eyes. “Maybe there’s a compromise we can both agree on.”

“What?”

“I’ll back off your precious Joe if you take the job in Palm Springs.”

She clamped her lips and thought through the implications. She hated the idea of going to Palm Springs and working for her father. But if it helped Joe, then wouldn’t it be worth it?

Yes. She would do it. She would do it for Joe even though he despised her. She would do it to make amends for her lies, but mostly because Joe deserved it. Because he was good and honest and wonderful. Because…her heart shuddered as the stark truth overwhelmed her. Because she
loved
Joe. She loved him, and she’d do anything for him. Even if he never knew, even if she never saw him again. Pain rippled through her, but it was a pain she welcomed. Finally, she knew what real love was like. Real love hurt, but it also inspired her. Made her a better, stronger person.

“Nina? What’s wrong?”

She blinked away the tears that threatened to spill out. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about Palm Springs.”

“So you agree?”

“Yes.” Maybe moving to the desert might stop her from moping too much.

Her father sighed, looking strangely relieved. “All right, then. It’s a deal.” He held out his hand to her.

They shook hands, and they both sat.

“Happy now?” her father asked.

She shrugged. She doubted she’d ever be happy again, not the way Joe made her happy. But at least Joe would get his dream, and
he
could be happy.

“Seems like a poor deal from your perspective,” she said. “You’re giving up a multimillion-dollar resort, and all you’re getting in return is me working in Palm Springs.” She peered at him, a little suspicious. “Why are you so eager for me to stay?”

“Because I want to protect you. Because I haven’t always been there for you in the past, and I want to make it up to you.” He paused and scratched at his neck, looking uncomfortable.

Nina’s mouth fell open. “Oh.”

He waved a hand, still discomfited. “I know I haven’t always been the best dad, especially after your mom died and I married Ellen and brought her and Brooke into your life. I know you didn’t like that.”

“Oh, God, Dad,” Nina exclaimed. “I don’t resent you for marrying Ellen. I didn’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life, and neither did Mom. She wanted you to be happy.” It felt strange to talk about her mom with him, since they’d rarely done so in the past.

He swiped a hand over his forehead. “But you were always acting out, doing crazy things.”

To get his attention. But that was water under the bridge. “Guess I’m just a regular pain in the ass.”

“Your mom knew how to handle you, whereas I never could. Didn’t want all the hassle, I suppose. But when you got arrested over that protest, I knew I had to do something. I thought giving you a job in the company was the best way to keep tabs on you.” He sighed, and he seemed softer, kinder, more fatherly than he’d ever been. “I’m glad we’re on the same page now. You’re going to do great in Palm Springs. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be running this business.”

“I seriously doubt that.” Feeling worn-out, Nina rose to go.

“But you’re my daughter,” he called after her. “Business runs in your blood.”

“Talk to you later, Dad.” She made her escape.

The only business she’d be interested in running would be something she had a hand in creating. Unbidden, an image of Joe’s B&B, restored to gleaming elegance, drifted into her mind, before bleakness chilled her. Joe would get his dream, but she’d have no part in it. She would have to find her own dream, without Joe, but that seemed impossible.

…

Joe flipped open his laptop in his office. It was Wednesday, and he still hadn’t tallied up his profits from the festival. It was unusually tardy for him, but after staring at the screen for half an hour, he’d made no progress and almost welcomed the interruption when Sarah appeared at his side holding a plate of food.

“I thought you could do with some lunch.” She slid the plate of sizzling garlic prawns onto his desk.

He’d had two cups of coffee for breakfast and nothing since then. The prawns were plump and juicy but didn’t stir his appetite.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry. You have them.”

Sighing, she sat down and forked up a prawn. “I’ll make you a tuna sandwich for later.”

“Why are you making me lunch anyway?”

She shrugged. “Just trying to be helpful.”

“Yeah? What makes you think I need help?” Joe blew out a breath. Ever since Sunday he’d noticed both Vince and Sarah treating him like a kid who’d just had a tonsillectomy.

Sarah toyed with her fork. “Um, well, you’ve been working long hours this week.”

“So? I always work long hours.”

“Yes, but usually you’re not so…” She hesitated then dropped her fork with a clatter. “Look, we’re worried about you. Ever since Nina left you’ve been…moody.”

Joe scowled. “I’m not
pining
for her, if that’s what you think.” He shook with indignation.

“You’re not?”

Christ, what else had Sarah and Vince noticed about him? “Definitely not.” He jabbed a finger at his laptop. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got work to finish here before I visit my nonna this afternoon.”

Grimacing, Sarah gripped the plate in front of her. “You know, sometimes I think you use your work and your grandmother as an excuse not to get involved.”

He gaped at her. “What the hell are you talking about?”

She leaned forward, her expression earnest. “I know about the girl who cheated on you when your grandma was injured. Ever since then you’ve closed yourself off from relationships, telling everyone, including yourself, that you’re too busy with your work, your grandmother, your town duties, your whatever. But that’s just a convenient way of avoiding getting hurt again, isn’t it?”

Joe struggled to breathe. Was this really Sarah, his tough, no-nonsense chef, giving him romantic advice?

Before he could formulate a coherent answer, Sarah continued, “I think you really feel something for Nina, but you’re too scared to admit it to yourself.”

A bitter laugh burst from him. “Nina? Have you forgotten all her lies? Have you forgotten she’s Carson Beaumont’s
daughter
?”

“I know she lied, but she worked hard—even I can admit that. I figure she had good reasons for concealing her identity.”

Oh, this was too much. Joe made a slicing gesture with his hand. “Whoever she is, I’ve forgotten all about her.”

“You wouldn’t be so angry if you weren’t in love with her.”

Joe gulped. He wasn’t in love with Nina. He wasn’t. He was only angry because she’d fooled him.

He repeated the words like a mantra.

Sarah was looking wistful. “Hey, I’ve been there, you know…had feelings for someone who didn’t return them.” She prodded at the prawns. “But I think Nina has a thing for you, too. A ginormous thing. You should tell her how you feel.”

No. Way. In. Hell.

He pushed to his feet. “I’ve got to go.”

He hotfooted it out of his study. Someone was coming down the hall. He turned and stomped blindly into the next room, only to realize his mistake—he’d walked into Nina’s old room. Someone had stripped the bed and left Nina’s clothes neatly folded on the mattress. Beneath the bed her turquoise Crocs were neatly lined up.

The sight of those Crocs made his heart spasm with pain. Leaning against the door for support, he squeezed his eyes shut. Was he never going to forget about Nina?

…

Saturday morning Joe woke up early after another sleepless night and drove to his B&B. But his heart wasn’t into it, and he wondered if he had the necessary energy to see this project through. Each time he came here he was reminded of Nina and how she’d helped him so enthusiastically. She’d shared his vision for this place, and now he couldn’t be here without thinking of her.

It was the same at his home or at the inn. Nina had wormed her way into his life so effectively it seemed he’d never be able to forget her.

A knock on the door was a welcome distraction, and he greeted Vince with relief. Maybe his friend could take his mind off Nina.

But Vince disappointed him. They had just started ripping some rampant ivy away from the outer walls when Vince said conversationally, “So have you spoken to Nina recently?”

Joe’s back cramped up. “No, why would I?” he retorted.

Vince gave a mild shrug. “Just thought after a week you’d have calmed down and gotten your head straight about her.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I understand why you got so mad when you found out who she was, but, well, she’s still Nina. She’s still the same person you fell for.” Vince’s eyes were trained on him. “Isn’t she?”

Despite the cool morning air, Joe suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable. Six nights of sleepless tossing. Six days of feverish arguments and counterarguments. He couldn’t go on like this.

He grabbed hold of a thick vine and yanked at it viciously. “I don’t know anything anymore, man.” He tore off a chunk of ivy. “Except one thing. I can’t for the fucking life of me stop thinking about her.”

Vince nodded. “Knew you had it bad.”

His bare hands were smarting. He scowled at his friend. “Is that all you got for me?”

“Nope. I think you should go talk to her.”

“Talk to her? You mean…drive down to San Francisco to see her?” The idea seemed outrageous.

“That’s the general idea.” Vince grinned.

“But—” Joe’s head started to spin. “What would I say?”

“I dunno. Maybe you should just tell her you love her. I hear chicks go for that.”

Joe wanted to strangle his friend. “Yeah, that’s a big help, Vince!” He hurled away the mangled bit of ivy. His heart hammered in his chest like an engine about to explode, while his brain churned out frightening scenarios of baring his soul to Nina.