Lone Star Burn: Love On Tap (Kindle Worlds Novella) (11 page)

“His plan worked to a certain extent. Then again, we should be thanking him for firing up your temper so much you invaded my shower and blew my mind with your hot loving.”

“Thank you, and you blew my mind, too, but we’re digressing.” Gray settled back against the pillows and put his arm around her shoulder. Her head found a home in the crook of his neck. “Thursday, at ten a.m., Dottie Dimple and two of my father’s lawyers are coming here for my final evaluation.”

“Why would your father send his lawyers?”

“You really don’t know anything about my family?”

“No. Why should I?”

“You’ve heard of the Cartwrights?”

“You mean like
Bonanza
?”

“No,” he replied with a chuckle. “Cartwright Brewing, the beer company with worldwide distribution.”

“Oh, those Cartwrights.

“Our family is worth billions.”

“You’re a billionaire? I’m outta here.” Jennie went to throw off the covers, but he pulled her back and wrapped both arms around her so she couldn’t escape.

“You have a problem with money?”

“Yes. That’s number nine and ten on my ‘guy must have’ list. It’s so important I gave it two numbers. That jerk I was engaged to came from money, and I swore I’d never date another guy with deep pockets.”

“Did I meet any of your requirements?”

Her lips formed a slight pout. “If I tell you, it’ll go to your head.”

“I promise not to get a big head.” Gray held up his hand, palm first, when he made his vow.

“The first night we met, you met one through five.”

“That’s nice to know.” He grinned. “What about number six, seven, and eight?”

“Sex is so important, I gave it three numbers. You filled them over and above the other night and this afternoon. I gave you extra points for giving me the greatest climax right through my clothes.”

Gray let out a hearty chuckle. “Jennie, you are a treasure.”

“Back to my original question: Why would your father want to block this adoption?”

“My sister and her boyfriend weren’t married, so my father declared Mathew illegitimate. My sister has millions of dollars and stock in her name, but she walked away from it all for love. As her son, Matt is entitled to all of it. When he was born, she gave him the last name of Wolff. It will be up to Mathew to decide if he wants to be a part of the Wolff legacy when he grows up.”

“By adopting Matt, you’ll ensure he gets what’s rightfully his. That’s very commendable and smart.”

“Oh, it’ll be a double whammy to my father, because I’ll make Mathew my heir. We just have to make sure this adoption goes through.”

“When you told me the name of the caseworker, I made a phone call to a person whose name I can’t mention because what he’s doing is probably illegal. Since I can’t give you any of the particulars, you can deny all knowledge of what I’m doing.”

“That’s a mouthful, but I actually understood what you said. How long till you find out anything? We’ll need the information by Thursday.”

“I’ll check with him tonight. I’m also going to ask him to check out Burt Springer. It would help if you could give me his social security number.”

“No problem, but you’ve really piqued my curiosity.”

Jennie lifted the covers and smiled at the front of his tented briefs. “Something else is ‘peaking.’” She glanced at the time on his bedside clock. “We’ve got an hour till Matt comes home.” Jennie reached for the bottom of her t-shirt and drew it over her head. “Feel like boosting your ratings on items six, seven, and eight? I’ll give you bonus points.”

“Never let it be said I didn’t make the most of improving my numbers.” His briefs joined her t-shirt on the floor.

Grayson earned ten bonus points.

Chapter 9

Jennie tucked away the beautiful hours she’d spent in Grayson’s bed in a part of her heart that would remain with her forever. Fantasy time was over, and now it was back to reality. Gray volunteered to meet his nephew at the school bus while she started dinner. Before leaving for school, Matt asked if she would make his favorite for dinner: homemade macaroni and cheese. She’d added baked ham and a vegetable medley.

They were halfway through dinner when Mathew made her feel like a loathsome creature.

“Jennie, I’m having my first soccer game next week and I told the kids you would be there. They think you’re cool because you made such a great party.”

She hated to disappoint him, but had to tell the truth. “I’m sorry, Matt, but I’m leaving on Sunday.”

“You don’t have to go. Stay here and live with us forever.”

Jennie’s heart was breaking. She reached across the table and touched the back of his hand. “I really can’t. I have a new job and many children are depending on me.”

He looked at his uncle. “Manuel’s mom is getting a baby, so she and Boomer are getting married. You could marry Jennie and give her a baby then we could live together like a family.”

“Matt, I wish I could make your dream come true, but Jennie has responsibilities elsewhere.”
If only she would stay,
Gray silently added.

“I’m sorry, Matt, I truly am,” Jennie said. “Before I go, I’ll leave my email address and cell number and we can talk and write to each other.”

“Will you come back and visit sometime?”

“I’d like that.” Jennie wished with all her heart she could stay, but she’d made a commitment and would never bail out on a job. Why couldn’t she have met Grayson a year ago?

Matt excused himself right after dinner so he could finish his homework. Jennie asked if he wanted a piece of leftover birthday cake, and he said he didn’t feel like having dessert.

“Tell me you understand that I have to go.” Jennie set two cups of coffee on the table before sitting down again.

“Do I understand? Yes. Do I like it? No. Is it killing me that you’re going to leave? Yes.”

“Gray, please don’t make this harder than it is. I’ll tell you what. Give me six months. If I don’t like my new job, I’ll come back and work for you at the brewery.” Jennie held out a hand. “Deal?” It wasn’t completely a lie, but one could never be sure of the future.

“Deal!” Some of his depression faded. Nothing said he wouldn’t do things to try and get her back here sooner. “Speaking of the brewery, if you don’t have any plans for tomorrow, how about I give you a tour? I’ll be free after eleven, then we’ll have lunch.”

“It’s a date.” Jennie’s eyes drifted toward Mathew’s bedroom, which was too quiet. “If he brings up the subject of me leaving, please try to make him understand. I know we got sidetracked earlier and I’m concerned about the meeting on Thursday.”

“I’ll take that kind of interrupting any day.” Gray wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“Enough! You earned ten bonus points, and get that silly grin off your face. It’s time to get serious. Since Dottie is coming with two lawyers, we should have a plan.”

“You’re the professional in these matters, so I’ll go along with your suggestions.”

“I’ve never had to deal with this kind of situation. Matt isn’t depressed or having emotional issues. He’s a happy, wonderful kid, and it’s perfectly normal for him to miss his parents. He’s been a great deal happier since you created a home office. It also helps that you guys use that mega-expensive wall screen to play video games.”

“He loved his birthday gift from me. We both can enjoy the newest Xbox. I’m looking forward to playing the FIFA soccer game you gave him.”

“Boys and their toys,” Jennie said with an all-knowing laugh. “I think you should meet with them alone to hear what they have to say. Let them think they have the upper hand. Seeing me right off might immediately put them on the offensive. When the caseworker asks about me, I’ll come in and introduce myself.”

“You should pass out your fancy cards to put them in their place.”

“No, they think they’re coming here to meet—I hate to say this—a blond-haired hussy who is corrupting the morals of a minor. I’m saving my card till last.”

“Jennie girl, remind me to never get on your wrong side.” Gray finished his coffee, put the cup in the dishwasher, and stole a quick kiss. “If Matt’s finished with his homework, we’re going to try out his new video game.”

The following day, Jennie was amazed at the complexity of Wolff’s Brewery and how well it ran under Grayson’s leadership. He’d insisted she wear earplugs when they toured the bottling room. The glass bottles made a deafening noise when they jiggled on the conveyer belt. They’d started giving daily tours six months ago, and visitors were invited to sample the beers and enjoy a light lunch in the rathskeller in the basement of the building.

“I am truly impressed,” Jennie said, and sipped her iced tea. The low-ceilinged room was chilly, and she was glad she’d worn a sweater with her slacks. Again, she wanted to impress Gray’s employees. “Is there beer in all those barrels lined up behind the bar?”

Gray sat on the opposite side of the thick wood table that could seat four. In the center was a hurricane lantern with a lit candle. “They’re there for show and are actually antiques. The beer is stored in smaller kegs under the bar. The original building was built around 1850, and everyone laughed when I purchased an old brewery. I checked with the ladies in the historical society, only to find out it was a stagecoach stop and a brothel. The brick section and brewery were added on in later years. People like having lunch down here so much they want me to add a dinner menu.”

“It’s obvious, since all the tables are full.”

Gray smiled at the waitress when she set two turkey club sandwiches on the table. He’d recently changed their uniforms to black skirts, gambler’s vests, and ties. The waitresses added red garters to their white, long-sleeve blouses.

“Thanks, Rachel. Please bring another iced tea and a Wolff’s Head for me.”

“You know about me, but I really know nothing about you. Why aren’t you working beside your father, managing a huge beer conglomerate?”

“My father and I never saw eye to eye. Whatever he told me to do, I did the opposite. Am I capable of running my father’s company? Yes. But do I want to be there at his beck and call? Absolutely not. My mother claimed my father and I were too much alike. That’s why we butt heads. He thought it was a punishment putting me in charge of Wolff’s Roadhouses. To me it was a way to escape the corporate rat race. When I told him I wanted to add microbreweries to them, he thought the idea ridiculous. If I wanted to make the changes, I had to use my own money.”

“Your enthusiasm for this part of the business is obvious. You haven’t stopped smiling since we got here.”

“I personally report the success of my investment at our quarterly board meetings. The reason I’m smiling is because you’re here.”

“Was your sister ever involved with the company business?”

“No, she went to college to be a teacher. One night she attended a concert with her friends and met the drummer. He was ten years older. They fell in love and he encouraged her to finish school. He eventually quit the band and managed a music store, while she taught elementary school. She has a trust fund that was never touched. They lived in a very small town and led quiet lives. I didn’t learn about Mathew until social services tracked me down.

“That was over three years ago, and he’s changed my life. Absolutely nothing is going to stop me from adopting him legally.”

“Do you know if your sister ever signed any paperwork making you his legal guardian?”

“If she did, it was nowhere to be found. She cut off all ties with her family. My father is very bitter, and has forbidden my mother to have any contact with Mathew. I send her pictures without my father’s knowledge. She loves him from afar.”

“If I ever met your father, I’d get on my soapbox and tell him a thing or two.” Jennie wiped her mouth with a red and white cloth napkin and checked the time on her watch. “That was delicious, and your customers know a good thing. We’d better get going. Matt will be getting home soon.”

They walked up the set of iron stairs to the main level, and Jennie waited in the reception area while Gray checked in with his assistant. Framed pictures of the different beers he produced were on the wall, along with their newest microbrews. This tour had been a real eye-opener. How different their lives were. He made beer and all she drank was piña coladas.

Gray went to the Roadhouse after dinner, so Jennie spent the evening with Mathew. He tried to show her how to use the Xbox controller. She was a total failure, but they did laugh a lot.

After he took his shower and got in bed, she asked him what was wrong. He’d gotten terribly quiet, and confessed he was nervous about doing an oral report in front of the class the following day.

“You loved the Percy Jackson book.”

“I don’t like to stand up in front of the class. The teacher goes to the back of the room and doesn’t see the kids making funny faces at you.”