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Twenty-Four
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Five
Nicole’s body ached. Even her hair hurt. But at least she was alive. When she’d seen that black truck coming straight at her, and her swerve causing her to run off the road and roll down the ravine, she thought she was a goner. She couldn’t remember anything after the car stopped. But then she had a very strange dream. She remembered seeing Poppie. They were in a white room… or in the clouds. But he wore a white suit. No longer was he sick. In fact, he looked like she remembered from when she was a child. Her grandfather had been a very handsome, robust man. In her dream, he’d walked up to her, smiling. “I love you, Nikki,” he’d said. “But you no longer have to worry about me. I’ll be very happy in Heaven. So please, don’t be sad, but live your life to the fullest. Never forget, you are a wonderful person with a loving heart.” When he gave her a hug, she’d felt his love so intense, it brought tears to her eyes… tears of joy. There was love all around them, and it was as if the roo
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Six
Nicole couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital bed and into her own bed. The only thing making her stiff and sore now was the horrible old hospital mattress. Thankfully, the doctor promised he’d release her before the funeral started. Mary had come to help her get dressed. Of course, Nicole didn’t need any help, but it was nice to have her friend here, anyway. For the past two days, everyone walked around her like they were stepping on eggshells because of Poppie’s death. She wished they’d stop. Her grandfather wasn’t in any more pain, and that made her happy. She’d miss him, but she had so many memories to cherish in her heart. She was anxious to see Mick again. He promised he’d meet her at the gravesite. The family purposely postponed the funeral until she was out of the hospital. As she sat on the edge of the hospital bed, Mary jabbered on about the argument she and Kent were having at the moment, as she applied Nicole’s make-up. She prayed her friend didn’t cake on the eyeline
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Seven
Many people came to the gravesite service. Mick recognized people he’d known when he was a boy but had lost contact with. Some were still friends with Mick’s mother even though she lived in Long Island now with her new husband. The clouds decided not to block the sun during the service, but a breeze from the east came through and made the weather a little chilly. Nicole stood next to her mother, both wearing solemn expressions as they stared down at the casket. Nicole wore a lovely black dress. Nothing was fancy about it, except the fact that it fit her petite frame, and she looked amazing in it. Occasionally, she shivered. He wanted to stand beside her to keep her warm, to comfort her, and to show the town that he was in love with her, but he thought it best to stand back with the others. The minister read the eulogy which was perfect for James. Mick thought highly of the man, and he deserved the best tribute. Nicole wiped tears from her eyes before laying a rose on her grandfather
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Eight
Mick held Nicole’s hand as they sat across from James Adkins’ lawyer. The middle-aged man wore the same suit as Mick. Armani was the best. But what worried Mick wasn’t the man’s fancy clothes or that the man colored his hair black to hide the gray, it was that the lawyer had a hard time meeting Mick’s gaze. The man’s attention was even skittish around Nicole. “Thanks for coming so soon after the funeral,” the man said. “Mr. Kennedy,” Nicole said sweetly, “I’m just glad you were able to see us so quickly. I’m anxious to take over as president. There’s so much that needs to be done, and there’s no time like the present.” Mr. Kennedy smiled at Nicole, but then his focus dropped to the papers in his hands. “Miss Adkins, your grandfather’s will was amended just the other day. He’d called me in for an emergency meeting. He was very adamant about fixing something in the will.” Nicole’s forehead creased, and unease settled over Mick. Why did he have the feeling that she wasn’t going to li
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Nine
She hit her fist against the wall. Why was he playing with her heart? None of this made sense. Why would a billionaire love someone like her? And… why on earth would a billionaire want her grandfather’s measly company? It was hard not to doubt everything Mick had ever told her. Nicole shook off the confusion and pain as much as she could and logged into her computer to check her emails. There were so many! But as she scrolled through them, it softened her heart to know that there were many people who cared about her accident and gave sympathy for her grandfather’s passing. Several were from Mick, but she deleted those without reading them. An hour passed by, and nobody came to her door. She’d sent her secretary a message to let her know that she didn’t want to be disturbed. So far, her day was looking better. But her gut still twisted, wondering when Mick would try to see her. She moved away from her desk and to her window to peek through the blinds. The parking lot was filled, whi
Loving a Tycoon Thirty
Mick lifted his arms over his head, stretching out the kinks. He’d been on his laptop for several hours now, looking for a place to live. He had townhouses all over the United States, but he wanted to make his home here in Maple Springs… with Nicole by his side. He knew her attitude lately stemmed from her grandfather’s will, and the stress that she’d been under, but Mick hoped she would forgive him for inadvertently swaying James’ mind about the company. He had no doubt Nicole would be able to take on the challenge he’d issued this morning and run with it. Nicole was a smart woman, and she needed a little shaking up to get her to start thinking on the right track. It was going to be very hard for him to sit and do nothing for the next seven days. Wherever he saw a need, his instinctive reaction was to try and help. Yawning, he stood from the hotel’s small kitchen table and moved to the even smaller refrigerator to grab a cold bottled water. After unscrewing the lid, he gulped down
Loving a Tycoon Thirty-One
Mick wouldn’t let Nicole out of his sight, although she insisted that he not come in her bedroom last night. He grinned. Cuddling with her was a great temptation, which was why he’d slept on the couch. The next morning once they were both up and dressed, he drove her to work. As he sat in her grandfather’s office, Mick’s mind spun with ideas. He hadn’t slept well, mostly because of memories resurfacing of when he’d worked with his father. Mick had always known his father was deceitful, but he’d never known the extent of it. But two deals they’d worked on together several years ago had popped into Mick’s mind and he couldn’t let it go. Mick had kept his notes from when he’d worked on the Steele Construction case. What bothered him about this takeover was that he couldn’t find any reason why Steele Construction had fallen on hard times in the first place. They were a thriving company in Montana, and yet, his father had scoped the company out for a few months before swooping in and pou
Loving a Tycoon Thirty-Two
Nicole couldn’t stand the wait. It had been almost a week. She’d made her pitch to Peaking Design’s president, who appeared to be very interested, but she’d not heard anything since. And to top off her frustration, Mick still awaited word from his lawyer about the incriminating evidence found that would throw Carl Remington in prison for embezzlement. She doubted his billions would be able to get him out, especially when she filed charges against him and Tara Browning for attempted murder. Mick had asked Nicole to keep things hushed for now. Carl and Tara didn’t need an excuse to run, especially now. But Nicole wasn’t a patient woman. Things were not happening fast enough, in her opinion. But, just as her grandfather had once told her, she trusted God to help her. To help both her and Mick. Nicole had convinced Mick that she would be safe to drive around town during the day where people could see her and be witnesses, just in case. And today, Nicole had to run some personal errands
Latest chapter
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Eight
Fear kept Brooke’s feet frozen to the floor. Her mind screamed at her to move – to run – to hide. But her body wouldn’t listen.He’s going to catch me. And kill me!Closing her eyes, she held back the tears. She was a failure. As much as she had tried to not let her cousin’s degrading comments get to her these past several months, Brooke heard Robin’s voice ringing in her memory, telling her that she was nothing but trash – that she was a disgrace to the family.All Brooke had to do was sneak into the room, take a few pictures, and leave. Well, she’d done most of the things on her list.She listened to her uncle’s hurried footsteps coming her way. There was no place to hide in this room where he wouldn’t eventually find her. She might as well stay. Perhaps she could pretend to be asleep on his couch and tell him she’d taken too many migraine pills… since that’s what happened with Justin and the Jeep. And, her uncle did know she suffered from migraines.She glanced around the room until
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Seven
Brooke’s whole body trembled as she walked alongside her sister toward Uncle Tony’s luxurious home. As a child she’d been in awe of him and his wealth. Now, she pitied the man who had to break the law just to provide for his spoiled daughter and stuffy, arrogant wife.During the drive here, Tiffany had chatted nonstop about Robin’s heartbreak, and the horrible man who’d broken Robin’s heart. Brooke tried to act sympathetic while listening to her sister, but she couldn’t stop the elation growing within her. Justin hadn’t been horrible when he dumped Robin. He’d been smart.Brooke and her sister stopped on the porch. Tiffany was a foot taller than Brooke, but just as slender. Flipping a lock of her chestnut colored hair over her shoulder, Tiffany gave Brooke a stern look.“Do not make Robin upset.” Brooke managed to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape from her mouth. She nodded. “I don’t plan on doing that, Tiff. I’m not the monster she has told people that I am.”
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Six
“Justin?”The sweet voice behind Justin pulled him from his conversation. He turned on the bed and faced Brooke, standing in the doorway, looking so beautiful. She clutched her hands to her stomach.“Hold on a moment, Brad,” Justin told his friend on the phone before smiling at Brooke. “What is it, angel?”Slowly she walked to him and stopped in front of him, touching his arm. “I think I can help you with Uncle Tony.”He arched an eyebrow. “You can?”“I know something that can put my uncle in prison.”“Really?”Nodding, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. “He smuggles illegal immigrants over the border, which is how Snakes came to work for him. He hires them, so he can get away with not paying them a full wage.”“Are you kidding me?” Justin’s heart hammered. He grasped her hands as excitement shot through him. There might be hope in getting Tony arrested after all.“And, there’s more.” Her smile widened. “He gives them fake ID’s and social security numbers.”“How do you kno
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Five
Brooke didn’t know what to believe anymore. Obviously, she couldn’t trust her own heart. Justin had made her trust him. He’d made her fall in love with him, too. True, he didn’t force her, but because of his actions and words, how could she not have become transfixed by his charm? How could she have gone unaffected?Now she didn’t know whether to trust him or not. But hearing Justin say he wouldn’t marry Robin made Brooke’s heart sway toward forgiving him. She wanted to believe Justin. He’d shown her a wonderful, kind and loving man these past twenty-four hours. He might have apologized to her, but it was difficult to know what to believe anymore.Sitting by the fire didn’t accomplish anything, especially when she could hear him on the phone. He’d made several calls. One of them was to his mother as he explained in a sharp voice why he would never marry Robin. He’d even told his mother not to interfere in his life ever again.Quietly, she snuck back down the hall and stopped in front
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Four
Justin sighed one long exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes.”“You’re, Justin… Monroe? The same man engaged to my cousin?”“Correct again. I was engaged to Robin.”Tears swam in Brooke’s eyes, her lips quivering. “You – you – lied to me?”He squeezed his eyes closed and swore softly. Looking at her, he shook his head. “I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you my last name.”“Why?” her voice rose.“Because at first it didn’t matter, then once we got to talking, I didn’t want to tell you because then I knew you wouldn’t open up to me.”“That’s a stupid excuse, Justin.”Inwardly he growled and grasped her wrist, but she pulled it free again. “Brooke, will you just listen?”“Listen to a liar? No, I’m done listening to you. I’m done being fooled by all men!”“Brooke, please understand, I didn’t tell you the truth because I wanted you to get to know me. The real me – not the fiancé of a Robin Pierpont. Believe me, they are two different people.”“Believe you?” Sh
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Three
Justin hoped he’d proven his theory about good guys. Not once did Brooke seem uncomfortable around him, and he was willing to bet her feelings for him were also getting stronger. Although he hadn’t known her for a full day, he’d never forget Brooke or this weekend.She tempted him on many occasions, and he could tell she wanted to kiss him, but he held himself strong and tried to make their time together productive. They played every board game Brad had in the cabin, and when they ran out of games, they made up some of their own.They laughed so much, his sides hurt. But he enjoyed sharing this time with her. She made him feel alive, once again, and he’d missed that over the years.She didn’t ask him about his life, for which he was relieved. Brooke wouldn’t take the news about his engagement to Robin very well, so he avoided the subject. Thankfully, she didn’t ask what his last name was, either. He was certain Tiffany had mentioned it.For dinner, he scrounged through the cupboards a
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Two
Justin’s chest ached, and he actually felt her pain. As he continued to stroke her silky hair, he prayed that he’d be able to stay strong for her. She needed comfort and support since nobody had given that to her, and he wanted to be the man who understood. The one man she could trust.His heart broke into pieces as he imagined all she’d gone through. What could be worse than being physically abused and then having friends and family turn their backs and distrust you?“After a few weeks had passed,” she continued in a strained voice. “I discovered I was pregnant.”The statement took him totally unaware, and when she lifted her head to look into his face, he knew she saw shock.“Yes, you heard me correctly.” She blinked away the liquid filling her eyes again. “I had the hardest time deciding whether or not I should keep the child or put it up for adoption.” She pulled herself straight, but he still kept his arms tight around her. “Anyway, my pregnancy started showing and I was beginnin
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-One
Justin arose from his sleepless night, turned and slung his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his eyes then peered through half-closed lids at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Eight a.m. It’d been quite a while since he’d awakened this late. The change was nice.He stretched before sliding his feet into Brad’s slippers sitting on the floor. The morning chill caused goose bumps to ripple over his skin, so he hurried to the closet to find Brad’s robe. Justin pulled on the heavy terrycloth, tying the sash around his waist.Turning toward the window, he opened the shade and squinted against the sun’s brilliant glare as it touched the snow-covered ground. The impact of last night’s blizzard had left the mountains covered in white powder, but this morning only a few flakes drifted from the sky.He yawned, shaking the sleep out of his mind before heading into the living room to start a fire. As he set the wood in place, his mind drifted back to last night. Brooke had left him in a f
Loving a Tycoon Seventy
A moment of silence stretched through the air as Justin listened to Vince Gill’s song. The singer’s soothing voice echoed through the room, creating a cozy feeling. Justin closed the glass doors to the fireplace, and Brooke’s angelic hum rose above the crackle of the burning logs.Relaxing against the wall, he let himself enjoy the music as her voice blended with the singer’s. It had been so long since he enjoyed anything. Justin’s hectic life kept him going in one direction or another, not allowing a moment for himself. It was a miracle he’d even had time to date Robin, let alone get engaged. Thanks to his meddling mother, he’d somehow found the time to pop the question. Or maybe she’d popped the question. He couldn’t remember.In fact, his mother was the one who purchased the ring because his schedule was so time-consuming and he kept forgetting. His interfering parent reserved the perfect restaurant and she made sure the limousine picked him up from the office to deliver him there
