Sugar Rush (19 page)
But she’d yet to fully understand there was also another part of him. The side of him that wanted revenge for the lost little boy he’d once been. The part of him willing to do anything, cross any line and take on any man who threatened what he loved. Before he was finished with him, his uncle Carl would know that the student had finally surpassed the master.
Chapter 29
It happened sooner than even Eliot imagined. The next day he awoke to pounding on his front door. He scrambled from the bed, where Sophie still slept and gently pulled the bedroom door shut as he went to answer the door.
He looked through the peephole and considered not opening the door. But he knew his uncle would not go away that easily. He took a deep breath and opened it.
Carl stormed into the apartment. “You ungrateful bastard!” He began pacing across the room, and Eliot quickly realized his uncle was avoiding eye contact. “I took you into my home. I raised you like you were my own son. Made you a part of my business—in fact, I was planning to leave the whole thing to you, but there won’t be anything to leave now! Are you trying to ruin me?”
Eliot sat down in a nearby chair. “Yes.”
The answer so stunned Carl, he spun around to El and saw the truth reflected in his nephew’s eyes. Carl’s eyes widened and he temporarily stopped breathing. Then his coppery brown skin turned a deep shade of red. “You think you can ruin me?! Me?!
I saved your little narrow ass from a life of poverty with that toilet-cleaning aunt of yours! I made you a man! And you think youcan ruin me?!”
Eliot smiled slowly, with as much malicious intent as he could muster. “You’re here, aren’t you?”
“You insolent little punk! Who do you think you are?”
Eliot’s eyes narrowed. “I’m what you made me, Uncle Carl. I’m a businessman.”
Carl stared at him for several seconds, before he finally nodded. “So you think you got me, huh?” Something in his eyes warned Eliot, and he decided not to answer.
Mentally, he ran through his checklist looking for a loop hole he might have missed in his planning. But he’d been meticulous. He’d managed to undercut Carl with over sixty percent of his clients, doing it in a way that did not breach any legal boundaries. Carl had taught him that there was a way around any law, and his job was to find all those ways. He had, and now Carl was feeling the result.
Carl reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two folded sets of papers. He tossed both at Eliot, and turned toward the door to leave.
Eliot jumped off the couch as if Carl had just tossed a couple of snakes at him. “What’s this?” He picked up first one then the other, not believing what he was seeing.
“One’s your heart, and the other is your soul. You decide which you value more.” With that Carl turned and walked out of the condo, slamming the door behind him.
Shortly after, Eliot heard the bedroom door starting to open. He quickly scooped up the papers and tucked them in his nearby desk drawer. He turned to the bedroom door just as it opened, and Sophie stepped out, wearing his robe once more.
He pasted on a smile. “Morning, gorgeous.”
Sophie smiled, sleepily. “Morning, yourself.” She nodded toward the door. “Who was that?”
“Uncle Carl—believe it or not.”
“Come to beg your forgiveness and call it a truce?”
Eliot laughed. “Um, not quite.” He started walking toward her. “Hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Great. Let me shower and then I will make you a world-class breakfast.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll start the coffee.”
“See? I told you we make a great team. The kitchen is right through there.” Eliot kissed her forehead, then headed toward the master bathroom.
Sophie quickly started the coffee, then hurried back into the living room. She waited until she heard the shower going, before slowly opening the desk drawer.
“I promise, Sophie, no more secrets,” she muttered in a whiny voice, imitating what El had told her only the day before.
She’d been wakened by Carl’s ranting and raving and had heard most of it. She’d also seen him toss the papers at El before leaving. She’d watched through a crack in the door as Eliot hid the papers from her. No more secrets, huh?
Sitting down on the couch, she quickly read through the papers, her eyes widening as she read both sets and compared the two.
One set was proprietary papers signing over Carl’s controlling interest in Fulton Foods to Eliot, effective immediately. Eliot could be the CEO of Fulton Foods by the time he dressed and left for the office. The thing he most wanted, to strip Carl of all he held dear, was right there within his grasp.
But the second set of papers was the one that grabbed Sophie’s attention. They were a set of documents canceling the legal proceedings. Halfway down the third page was a paragraph that was the crux of it. It stipulated that part of the agreement would be Eliot no longer acting on the behalf of Mayfield Bakery, surrendering his stock interest in Fulton Foods and resigning his position.
So the choices he’d been given were to stop the lawsuit, which meant he would have to abandon his plans to destroy his uncle’s company. Or, he could completely turn his back on her and the bakery and inherit his uncle’s empire, effectively destroying Carl with a single stroke of the pen.
With the two sets of papers, his uncle was asking one basic
question: Which was more important to Eliot? Helping her or destroying his uncle? And he’d framed both documents in a way that Eliot could not have both. He would have to choose. His heart or his soul.
As the shower stopped, Sophie quickly refolded the papers and put them back in the drawer. She understood now why Eliot had hid them. If he’d shown her the papers, then he would’ve felt obligated to save the bakery. Even if that was not the choice he would’ve wanted to make.
Sophie took her own quick shower, slipping back on the clothes she’d worn there. By the time she finished dressing, breakfast was ready. It was a quick and easy menu of scrambled eggs, several strips of perfectly crisp bacon, a half-dozen cinnamon rolls—store bought and warm, buttery grits. And just as El had promised, it was delicious.
They sat across the table from each other making small talk, trying to pretend that nothing had changed since the night before, when in fact everything had changed and they both knew it.
“El?”
He glanced up at her, his mouth around a slice of bacon.
“I do love you.”
He quickly chewed and swallowed. “I love you, too, baby.” Using his fork, he cut into his scrambled eggs.
“I—I thought I could stop loving you. I was so angry with you. But I couldn’t.”
He put down his fork. “I know. What’s brought all this up?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, I just want you to know, that I finally get it,” she said and smiled softly. “No matter what happens, I will always love you. You’re the one for me, even if you have to make some uncomfortable decisions.”
He tilted his head and watched her for several moments, but before he could say anything the phone rang. He rose and went into the other room to answer it. It was Steve and he found himself in deep discussion with his attorney.
Steve had started out working for the firm that handled all of Carl’s business; it was how the two had met. But after he went out on his own, Eliot had stayed with him. He’d needed
a lawyer who would represent his interests and not necessarily his uncle’s.
Because of that relationship, Steve still had many friends at the old firm and would often hear of things before they happened. Unfortunately, he was a couple of hours too late with his latest news.
Eliot quickly brought him up-to-date on his uncle’s ultimatum and gave him his task before hanging up the phone. He started to turn back to the kitchen, then noticed a piece of paper sticking out of the drawer. He opened it and found the papers looking slightly more worn.
Slowly, he walked back into the kitchen and was only mildly surprised to find it empty. Suddenly, her strange, coded message made sense. No matter what happens, I will always love you. You’re the one for me, even if you have to make some uncomfortable decisions.
Crazy woman, he thought. Did she seriously think he could chose his uncle’s money over her? Apparently, she did. With the shake of his head, he turned and headed back into his bedroom to dress. She had a little head start, not that it mattered. He knew exactly where to find her.
Later that afternoon, Carl sat in his attorney’s office, never knowing an intern was listening in the hallway.
“Carl, are you sure about this? Don’t you want to wait and see what he decides to do?”
“No,” Carl sighed. Standing, he walked to the office window looking out over the city. “No, I’m done.” A small smile came to his lips. “The rascal outsmarted me,” he said.
“Then what was the purpose of the agreements you had me draw up?”
“Torture. Payback.” Carl glanced at him. “Just my way of letting him know I could still stick it to him. But we both know I’ve planned for the boy to take over the company from the day he was born.” He nodded, thinking to himself. “He turned out better than I thought he would, actually. A lot like me, despite his parents.” He turned from the window. “Go ahead and draw up the will. I want to sign it as soon as possible. What do you think of Hawaii?”
“Hawaii?”
“As a retirement destination?”
“Retirement?!”
“I want to go somewhere warm.”
“Carl, think about this. That company has been your life. Do you really just want to sign it over to someone who openly despises you and walk away?”
“That’s the key right there. He despises me,not Fulton. Did you know what reasons he gave the clients to steal them away? He criticized my management and effectively challenged my leadership, but never once did he criticize the product of the company. He turned the customers off of me, not the company. He tells himself that me and the company are one and the same. But in his heart he separates us. Know why?”
“Why?”
“Because he loves the company, but if he didn’t separate them in his heart that would mean loving me, too.”
“Well, as long as you’re sure about this.”
“What do you think of the Caribbean?”
“Huh?”
“Retirement—”
“Destination. Right. I forgot.”
Carl smiled at the man who’d taken care of his business matters for the past thirty years. “Look, I know there is a chance he will never talk to me again. There is even a chance he won’t want to take over the company. But either way, I want him to have it to do with it what he will. Either way, I would prefer it in his hands, in the hands of a Fulton, even if his last name is Wright.”
“Okay, I’ll get the papers drawn up.”
“I’m going to be in Miami for a few days. I’ll sign them when I get back.”
“Miami?”
“Yes, researching retire—”
“Never mind! I’ll have the papers ready when you get back.”
As he walked out of the office, Carl felt a certain lightness in his step. He’d already stopped the lawsuit. After all, if the girl was going to be his niece-in-law, he couldn’t go around suing
her. And he was pretty sure she was the one he saw peeking out from Eliot’s bedroom that morning.
Some people might think he was wrong to present Eliot with the ultimatum, but like Carl told his lawyer, he was only trying to show the boy that he was not quite the toothless old dinosaur Eliot seemed to think he was.
He was leaving because he wanted to leave on his terms, under his conditions, even if those conditions had been precipitated by events put in motion by Eliot.
Carl had taught the boy everything he knew, and his current predicament only served to prove Eliot had been an excellent study. So now it was time to step aside and let the next generation take over. And he’d obviously chosen a woman who could stand by his side and help him run the business, seeing how she’d given them both a good run for their money in the beginning. Carl felt certain Fulton Foods was in good hands.
As he climbed into his car, Carl was considering a certain accountant named Marilyn. He wondered where was she now. She was a lovely older woman who’d audited them two years ago. As a result of late nights in the office, she and Carl had dinner brought in a few nights, and he found he enjoyed her company. But at the time, Carl had told himself he was too old to be considering anything more than a few late dinners.
But watching Eliot fall in love had done something to him. Had affected him in a way he never would have imagined. It started him thinking about the perfect retirement spot and wanting to visit some possible places. It had him understanding that with or without him, Fulton Foods would survive. And it had him thinking about that auditor and considering giving her a call.
Chapter 30
Sophie stopped by her home just long enough to change into a fresh set of clothes, then made one more stop before heading into the bakery.
As she walked into the kitchen, Wayne was loading an oven, and Mae was showing Lonnie how to cut out cookies. The girl was learning quickly, and Sophie realized all she’d ever needed was someone to show her how. No one had ever bothered because they’d all assumed she simply could not do it.
Everyone looked up as she walked in, then noticed the young man with her.
“Dante!” Lonnie dropped her cookie cutter and rushed across the room, throwing herself into his arms. Dante braced his thin frame for the impact and caught her up.
Lonnie spun to Mae and Wayne. “Look, it’s Dante!”
But Mae and Wayne were both watching Sophie. She knew she should’ve offered some explanation for her mysterious disappearance the day before. But, the words were stuck in her throat, and she found herself unable to say anything for fear of
bursting into tears. Instead, she turned and went into the office and no one followed her.
Determined not to think about El, Sophie threw herself into her work. By noon, she’d updated their supply list, cleaned out the walk-in refrigerator, found a repairman for the old oven and finished payroll for the week.
Sitting alone in the office, she was tempted to go into the front of the store and help Mae. But, she was afraid her grandmother would bombard her with questions. She wasn’t ready to answer any just yet. So, when Dante dropped a bag of flour as he was loading it into the mixer, she offered to sweep it up. Something to do. Anything to keep from thinking about El. But it didn’t work.
At various times throughout the morning, she imagined him entering Fulton Foods headquarters, dressed in one of his expensive suits, and walking straight into the executive suite. She had no idea what it looked like, but she could imagine…everything, right down to the beautiful smile on his face as he accepted his uncle’s offer.
Mae was in the front of the store, handling the walk-ins. The rest of the group were putting together a medium-sized order for a new customer. Sophie wandered aimlessly around the kitchen, but no one said anything to her. In fact, they seemed to be avoiding talking to her as much as she was avoiding talking to them. When she passed Mae’s cooking stove, she smiled to herself, realizing her grandmother was cooking a big pot of chicken and dumplings for lunch. Her grandma’s chicken and dumplings had always been her favorite.
She watched Dante and Lonnie laughing in their connected way, and it soon became apparent that they’d been spending time together, even since Dante had been let go from the store. She didn’t see how, considering Lonnie rarely ever went anywhere alone, but somehow they had. Some part of her wished her relationship with El were that simple.
It was around one when the front-door chime rang announcing a customer, and she heard Mae’s laughter. Out of curiosity, Sophie wandered to the front of the store and stood frozen, as El and Mae talked and laughed liked old friends.
He wasn’t wearing one of his expensive suits, and he certainly did not look like he’d just come from Fulton corporate headquarters.
Wearing jeans, sandals and a pullover shirt, he leaned against the counter and flirted shamelessly with her grandmother. Every so often he used the sunglasses in his hand to punctuate one of his points. And Mae was cooing like a schoolgirl and loving every minute of it.
He glanced at her with a smile. “Hey, baby.”
“Hello.” Sophie frowned, a little unsure how to greet him.
“I need to go check lunch,” Mae said, coming from behind the counter. “You staying for lunch, El?”
“What are we having?” He winked at her.
“Like it matters with the way you eat,” Mae said and laughed. “But, just so you know, chicken and dumplings.”
“Oh, definitely!”
“Thought so.” Mae chuckled and shook her head, heading into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” Sophie asked, coming farther into the store.
He continued to lean on the counter, but turned to face her. “I could ask you the same question. Why’d you take off so fast this morning?”
She shrugged. “Had a lot to do.”
“Really?” He frowned thoughtfully. “And here I thought it had something to do with those documents my uncle left me. You know…the ones in my desk drawer.”
Sophie knew he realized she’d read them, but she wasn’t about to condemn herself with a confession. So, she stayed silent.
“Oh, you don’t know what I’m talking about, huh?” He glanced out the front window. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”
She looked out the window. “What’s wrong with right here?”
“Too many ears.” He glanced over her shoulder.
Sophie turned, surprised to see Wayne leaning against the kitchen entrance. His eyes shooting daggers at El. “Fine. Wayne, can you tell Grandma I’ll be back in a short while?”
Wayne nodded slowly before turning to walk back into the
kitchen. El held the door open for her, and as she stepped outside Sophie realized the weather had taken a slight turn since she’d entered that morning. The sun had disappeared behind dark clouds, as if reflecting her mood.
“Going to be an early fall,” El said, as if reading her mind.
She glanced up at the gray sky, and nodded in agreement. “Where to?”
He smiled. “The Icy Palace down the street is open.”
Sophie nodded again, trying desperately not to be charmed by his beautiful smile. It had been her downfall from the moment she met him.
They’d walked a few feet in silence then he finally said, “Sophie, I know you read the papers, and I think I know why you left. But I’d rather hear it from you.”
“Hear what?”
He stopped and turned to her. “Fine, you want to play it like that. Then I’ll say it. No, I had no intention of accepting my uncle’s offer to take over the company—although it’s a moot point now. I would’ve never signed those papers.”
“Why not?”
He frowned at her. “Do you really think so little of me? That I would throw away what we have for money?”
She placed a hand on her hip and leaned toward him. “You came into my bakery and pretended to be my friend and lover for almost four months—for money! It’s not such a great leap.”
“Okay, that’s it! You have to decide right here and right now. You can forgive me for that stupid, stupid mistake…and we go on and build a life together, or…we let this go right now. I can’t spend my entire life telling you I’m sorry. You know I am.” He turned to walk away, but came right back to within an inch of her face. “And I won’tallow you to hang this over me for the rest of my life!”
She glared at him. “You have no idea how it feels to bare your soul to someone and know all the time that he’s laughing at you. It’s hard for me to let that go, El.”
He took both her hands in his. “I never laughed at you. Never! How can you think that?”
“Then why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
“Because I’m an idiot. I thought I could hide it forever and you would never have to know. But never doubt that the guilt was eating me up inside.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Seeing the water in her eyes, El pulled her into his arms. “Shh, don’t cry,” he said and he kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. If I could undo it I would.”
Sophie wrapped her arms around his midsection, holding him tight. “I just don’t want to be blindsided again, El.”
“You won’t be. But I meant what I said. You’ve got to find some way to forgive me and to trust me, or this will never work.”
“I trust you…that’s the problem. I dotrust you, but some part of me thinks I shouldn’t.”
He put his arm around her shoulder, and they started walking again. “When I first arrived at my uncle’s house, I was totally unprepared for what life with him would be like. I had been raised with loving, caring parents, who went out of their way to avoid hurting me. And suddenly, here I was with this man who thought hurting me was his job. He said it would make me tough.” His full lips pulled in a flat line. “I learned quickly, and maybe got a little too good at taking the blows. After a while, his way of looking at the world started to make sense to me. I started buying what he was selling.” He looked down at the ground, trying to form his thoughts. “When I came here—” he gestured around them “—to Selmer, to the bakery, and met you and your grandmother, it reminded me of the home I grew up in. The people I knew then. My father’s family, our neighbors and friends. And I realized how much I’d missed that life. I was afraid to lose it.”
“So your answer was to stick your head in the sand, and wait for your crazy uncle to tell me?”
“No, I had no idea he planned to come here. Although, looking back, I should have. It’s just like him. But I was hoping to find a way to stop him, neutralize him before he could do any harm.” He stopped and turned her toward him again. “I blinked, and he caught me unaware.”
“So, what are you saying, El? You’ve been playing these mind games with your uncle for so long I’m afraid that you can’t stop. Can you just walk away from all that?”
“Yes.”
“Yes? Just like that?”
“Just like that. I’ll prove it. He has signed the company over to me.”
She frowned. “I thought you said you didn’t—”
“I didn’t. He changed his will and has officially announced his retirement. But I have no intention of taking over the company.”
“Then what will happen to it?”
“I’m going to option stock to the employees and set up a board of directors.”
“El? This is your family’s business.”
“Not anymore.” He turned her toward the bakery a block behind them. “That’s our family business.”
Without turning to look at him, she asked, “But can that be enough for you?”
“As long as you’re there. You’re not only enough for me, you’re more than I dreamed I’d find.” He turned her back to face him. “I love you, Sophie. Is that enough for you?”
She smiled. “How can it not be? You’re my Mr. Wright.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3143-0
SUGAR RUSH
Copyright © 2009 by Elaine Overton
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