Once Upon a Dream (22 page)

Her sister laughed. “Can’t you just see cows grazing in Mount Street Gardens?”

“I’m not opening a tea shop,” Viola announced cheerfully when they walked into the parlor at home.

Summer kept her scarf around her while going to huddle on a solitary chair facing the couch where Rosalind and Chloe sat. She kept her head lowered, knowing her nose must still be red from crying.

Viola set her purse on the table and sat on the couch’s arm, next to her daughter. “I’ve decided I should open a margarita bar.”

“You’ll have to be careful not to drink the profits then,” Rosalind said with a teasing smile.

Portia walked in carrying a tray with cookies on it and a bottle of sparkling water. She set it on the table, frowning as she studied Summer. “What happened to you?”

“She lost the battle,” Rosalind said. When Portia looked at her quizzically, she shrugged. “I have no idea, except that she came back from her weekend away with a shredded dress and that expression.”

“It wasn’t my dress, was it?” Portia asked suspiciously.

Rosalind shook her head. “Gigi’s.”

“Oh good.” Portia patted Summer’s back. “You’re all good then. Gigi has so many dresses she won’t even notice one missing.”

“Remember the time you borrowed one of her dresses to use as a scarecrow at Suncrest Park?” Viola asked.

Rosalind laughed. “You were worried that the birds weren’t going to leave any brambles for you to pick.”

Portia smiled fondly. “That scarecrow did a good job.”

“Gigi was so furious when she saw her favorite dress flapping in the countryside,” Rosalind said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her eyes that lit with anger.”

Viola nodded. “Not even when her ex-boyfriend sold those naked pictures of her to the tabloids.”

“The wanker,” Rosalind added.

Chloe shook her head. “You people are mad.”

Rosalind leaned into their niece. “Hate to break it to you, kid, but you’re one of us.”

“Don’t threaten me.” Chloe’s nose wrinkled. Chloe turned to Summer. “I’m stuck for life, but you can still run. It’s not too late.”

Summer blinked. Had Chloe ever talked to her before? “Run to where?”

“Good point.” The teenager sighed. “They’ll just find you and bring you back.”

“You know why?” Viola asked, looping her arms around her daughter’s neck.

“Why?”

“Because we love you,” Vi said, looking at Summer. “You’re ours.”

Tears filled her eyes. And then she was crying again. “I’m not sure I’m worthy.”

Portia patted her shoulder awkwardly. “Have you been drinking?”

She chuckled through her tears. “Are you offering?”

Rosalind pushed Portia aside and lifted Summer’s chin. “What happened this weekend?”

“She found the prince but fell in love with the frog,” Viola said.

Summer nodded. “In the end, it doesn’t matter what happened because the dream is gone. I wasn’t worthy enough to keep even the frog.”

Chloe’s face scrunched into an expression that was all teenager. “Are you dead?”

They all blinked at her.

She shrugged, waving at Summer. “It’s not like she’s dead. As long as she’s still alive, her story’s still going, right? If the story isn’t over, then you still have a chance to change the next chapter.”

“Out of the mouths of babes,” Viola said in awe. She touched her daughter’s hair. “When did you become so wise?”

“Grandmother Jacqueline always says it.” Chloe brushed her mum’s hand away, but the flush on her face showed her pleasure. “She says that if the story’s not over, the ending can change.”

Rosalind turned to her. “Are you going to change the ending?”

Summer wanted to nod, but fear paralyzed her. She played with the pendant Portia had given her. “I don’t know how.”

“Well that’s not a problem,” Portia said. “That’s what wine and sisters are for.”

Chapter Twenty-six

Jon strode into Peregrine Investments dressed as himself. He wore black slacks, a black shirt open at the collar, and a charcoal sports coat. No jewelry, nothing flashy.

The receptionist didn’t recognize him. Instead of preening at him, she smiled politely and said, “Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Edward Bradley,” he said in his normal voice. “Smith.”

“Thank you, Mr. Smith.” She gestured to the lounge. “If you’ll have a seat.”

He nodded but chose to stand. Bradley wasn’t going to let him wait.

The receptionist stood seconds later. “Mr. Bradley is ready for you. If you’ll—”

“I know the way.” Her startled expression told him his tone was abrupt, so he nodded and said, “Thank you.”

She offered him a faint smile and resettled at her desk.

He shook his head at himself. When had he started to care how other people reacted?

When he’d met Summer and she’d started treated him like he was some sort of hero. Angry, mostly at himself for starting to believe the hype, he strode to Bradley’s office.

His friend was standing, waiting for him with his hand outstretched. As they shook hands, Bradley said, “Tell me you have good news.”

“I found proof that Huber was stealing, if that’s what you mean.” He sat in a chair and rested his hands on his legs.

Bradley dropped onto his executive’s chair. “Thank God. I was worried that you wouldn’t be able to get anything tangible on the man.”

“I always complete an assignment.” He looked at his friend. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” Bradley said without any reluctance.

“Call Huber in here.”

Bradley’s brow furrowed, but he picked up the phone. A quick call to his assistant and then he returned the receiver on the cradle. “Should I ask what you have in mind and how it’ll affect my business?”

“I won’t let anything harm your company, but you may not be happy with the solution I have for Huber.”

Bradley looked at him, inquisitive. “Now you’ve piqued my interest.”

Jon smiled coolly. “You won’t have to worry about Huber ever.”

The man in question opened the door, knocking on it at the same time. He smiled at his employer, not the least bit suspecting. “Tina said you wanted to see me.”

Jon shook his head. What a fool. The man had no idea his ledger was missing—if he’d known, he wouldn’t have been here at work today.

Bradley gestured to the chair next to Jon. “Have a seat, Ryan. You know Jon?”

The crook glanced at Jon and shook his head as he sat down. “No, we’ve never met. I’m Ryan Huber. You’re a new client?” he asked, sticking his hand out.

“Actually an old one, buddy,” Jon said in his American accent.

Huber’s expression became puzzled. He squinted. “Lincoln? What happened to you?”

“We’re not here to talk about me.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and his gaze on Huber. “We’re here to discuss you.”

“Me?” The man swallowed audibly, glancing at Bradley.

“And the money you’ve been stealing from your clients.”

Huber whirled to face Bradley. “I don’t know what this is about, but I can assure you that as someone who’s been on staff for years, I know what’s going on better than someone who’s been a client for a week.”

“I asked Jon to investigate, Ryan,” Bradley said quietly.

The man reeled back against his chair as though physically stricken. If Jon hadn’t seen the proof of his crimes, even he might have had doubts about the man’s culpability.

Jon sat back, too, straightening his pant leg. “This is how we’re taking care of this, Huber. The money is being transferred from your account and returned to all the appropriate parties.”

The man sputtered, facing Bradley. “You can’t seriously believe his word over mine.”

“I hired Jon to investigate you,” Bradley said coolly. “I trust him with my life and my company.”

Jon knew Bradley meant it, and he felt humbled. It made him doubly regretful that he was going to do this. He pulled out an envelope from his inner coat pocket. “This is for you.”

“What is it?” Huber asked, reaching for it as though it was a poisonous snake.

“A one-way ticket to Australia.” Sending the man to Australia, like they used to with criminals in the past, pleased Jon. Plus he still knew people underground there—he could have an eye kept on him. “You’ll leave this evening.”

Huber bristled. “I’m not just going to leave.”

“Yes, you are, unless you don’t value your life.” Jon leaned in. “That wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.”

The man’s eyes widened.

He could see his intent was clear. He sat back. “You’ll never mention your time at Peregrine Investments. You have no claim to anything here, including any bonuses and extra pay you were previously entitled to. You’ll be escorted directly from this office, forfeiting any personal items you have here. In return, Peregrine won’t prosecute you for your theft. You’ll leave on the plane this evening and never return to London.”

“And if I don’t agree?” Huber mumbled.

Jon just stared at him.

The man swallowed audibly. “I—”

“Or we can send you to jail for the rest of your life and humiliate you so no one will ever speak to you ever again,” Jon said. “You can leave now with your reputation in tact, or you can lose even more than you already have. Your choice.”

Huber frowned. “That’s not much of a choice.”

“It’s more generous than I’d have been on my own,” Bradley said drily.

Jon winced mentally. But he’d already come to terms with that in his head, too. It had to be done this way for Summer’s sake.

Huber stood, pocketing the ticket. “I guess I’m going on a trip.”

Bradley picked up the phone. “I’ll call security to walk you out.”

“That’s not necessary,” he mumbled sullenly.

“I think it is.” Bradley took a moment to speak on the phone, and then they waited wordlessly for someone to come for Huber.

The thief left without a word. They watched him walk out, the door closing.

“Well, that was interesting,” Bradley said in a wry tone. “Want to tell me why you were so lenient with him?”

“No.” Summer was no one’s business but his own.

Bradley tipped his head. “Okay.”

He could hear in his friend’s voice that he didn’t understand, but Jon hadn’t expected him to. “I had to do it that way. I know you aren’t as satisfied with the end result, but it was necessary. I don’t expect this to clear our debt. I’ll still owe you.”

“Nonsense. You did exactly what I asked. Huber isn’t going to jail, but he’s exiled and that’s likely even better, because this way no one will ever find out, not even our clients.” Bradley frowned. “How did you manage to transfer all the money back to the correct accounts?”

“State secrets.” He sent a silent
thank you
to Trudy, who had e-skills that were truly frightening.

Bradley shook his head. “I never expected so much. Of course the debt is cancelled.” He stood and held his hand out. “I can’t express my appreciation, friend. You literally saved the day.”

He remembered how Summer had insisted that he was a hero. The irony of Bradley’s words didn’t escape him. He stood and clasped his friend’s hand. “It wasn’t what you wanted.”

“It was better than what I wanted. Cleaner. I appreciate it.” Bradley gestured to the door. “Do I get the proof that you found, for collateral?”

“No.” That was going to Summer, though he’d made a copy, to keep Huber accountable—just in case. “But you don’t need to worry. I have everything covered.”

“I’m not worried, I’m just surprised.” He gestured to the door, walking Jon out. “So what’s her name?”

Jon stilled. “Pardon?”

Bradley smiled ruefully. “That was answer enough.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You do, and you’re not as good as you think.” Bradley clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. “If that’s what came out of this mess, I’m happy. I wish you luck.”

“There’s nothing to wish me luck about,” he mumbled unhappily.

“Then maybe you should tell her you love her,” his friend suggested.

He wasn’t sure telling her anything was enough. He touched the ledger, tucked in his pants. He’d show her by giving her what she wanted: the man she wanted.

Even if it killed him.

Leaving Peregrine, he pulled out the ledger as he walked down the hall to the law offices of Orson & Tomlin. He opened the door and met the welcoming face of Summer’s friend.

The woman’s expression became combative the moment she recognized him. She crossed her arms, as though she were the gatekeeper to a kingdom he had no right to.

He probably didn’t deserve to have access, but he was going to get it. “Is she in?”

“No.” The woman tipped her head. “And even if she were, why should I let you in?”

“Because I have something for her.”

“What is it?” the woman asked, a faint frown lining her forehead as she leaned forward for a better look.

“Something that was really important to her.” He studied her. “Are you going to let me in, or are you turning me away?”

The woman narrowed her eyes. “What are your intentions?”

“For Summer to be happy.”

“I believe that,” the gatekeeper said incredulously. “Is it true, or are my hormones acting up?”

“It’s true.”

“Maybe you aren’t Satan’s spawn after all.” The woman pointed behind her. “Do you remember where her office is?”

“Yes.” He started down the hall, but he turned around. “I really do want her to be happy.”

The woman’s gaze went watery. Sniffling, she grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk. “Now you’ve done it. Go before I’m blubbering all over the reception.”

Nodding, he hurried down the hall to her office.

It was exactly how he remembered it, minus the one most important thing: Summer herself. Without her, the space was remarkably empty.

He set the ledger in the middle of her tidy desk—minus the underwear she’d wrapped around it. That he was keeping for himself, although part of him had the foolish hope he’d see her wear it for him again one day.

Stupid, considering the note he was leaving.

He took it out of his pocket. It killed him to tell her where Huber would be, but he had to. For her.

Before he could convince himself to take it back, he set it on top of the ledger and left her office.