If you’re reading this then I’ve passed on and re-met your mother in heaven. You were the light of our lives and I hope you find love and happiness in this world when I’m no longer able to guide you. So I left you the store though if you’re not eighteen at the time of my passing, your stepmother will hold it in trust until you’re of age. I know Nancy and you were having issues when I brought her home, but I need you to ensure she and her daughters are taken care of. She’d never had to work before me. I’m hoping in time you, she, and her two daughters, are a family.
I love you.
Papa.
Tears washed down her face as she put the paper down.
She’d even heard her dad’s words when she’d read his letter. He wanted her to be happy. She turned toward Jack and couldn’t quite see as her tears made him more of a kaleidoscope until she blinked a few times and brought him into focus. “I never read this before.” It would have changed everything.
“Can I see?” Jack pointed toward the paper.
She handed it to him. “Of course.”
He bounced his foot while he read the letter, clearly agitated on her behalf.
Peter then put his pen down and asked, “So what do you want to do?”
Wait. She suddenly realized that Nancy couldn’t sign any deal because she wasn’t the legal owner of the store. Charlotte met Jack’s gaze as he stared at her with anger and confusion, then she turned back to Peter. “Is the offer to buy it still on the table?”
Peter showed her the offer he’d written up for Nancy though her name was crossed out on the top. “Yes. Ten million dollars, plus closing costs.”
Her father’s words in the letter haunted her though. If she sold, then they needed to be taken care of too. She folded her hands in her lap. “I’d like for the plan to continue and to split the money with Nancy, Linda, and Mickey.”
Jack squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to. It’s legally yours and you get to decide whatever you want.”
“Aurelia will ensure that the store and the employees thrive.” She inched closer to Jack as she had everything. Forgivenesss was better though. Resentment grew only if she justified not doing as her father wanted and said, “My father wished for me to take care of Nancy and the others, so I will, but I’d like to see their faces so I can let go of their opinion about my worth and get that weight off my shoulders.”
Her shoulders lightened as she’d do the right thing and then promptly forget them. Her life was pretty awesome now.
Peter said, “I can set that up for today.”
“Tomorrow, unless it has to be immediately,” she countered. “I’ll sign right now, but I’d like for everyone to gather in the store, and to be told in person. But first, I promised Jack we’d go on a date today.”
Peter handed her the paper. She read it and signed, while he said, “Have fun. Aurelia will meet with you tomorrow morning for the official signing and fly up to Pittsburgh with you.”
Jack stood. “Sounds perfect, Peter, thanks. Let’s go, Charlotte.”
His hand on the small of her back made her feel cared for and loved. They left Peter's office, passing a huge patio area just like what she’d seen in decorating magazines.
In fact, hadn't she read about a wedding with that exact view of the water? She stayed with Jack and they made their way outside. Jack said, “Charlotte, your chariot awaits.”
She laughed and headed inside the limo. How her life had changed. “Where are we going?”
He held up one hand. “First, we’re getting you a phone.”
A laugh escaped her. They’d gone on countless errands to the mall before-was that her date? “Seriously?”
He nodded as the limo took off. “I want to be able to talk to you, whenever the need arises.”
That was why most people had phones. A few weeks ago the only person she’d wanted to talk to every day was Jack, so she’d head over to his house on her bicycle, or walk, as she hadn’t wanted the expense of a phone when she feared what Nancy might do one day. She raised an eyebrow and asked, “A family plan?”
He winked. “Yes. You are my fiancée.”
Her father could rest easy now. She was happier than she’d ever expected to be. And he’d have liked Jack. She folded her legs over his. “This feels so permanent.”
He traced her bare calf in her sundress and awareness followed his finger until the limo stopped and the driver opened the door. They hurried to beat the Miami heat and Jack opened the store door. “After we get you set up, we continue on.”
Her gaze narrowed as they didn’t wait in line. The customer service agent was almost ready for them and darted off to grab the stand models for the presentation. What was Jack's idea of a date? “Where to?”
