14. Mira
Mira
“This doesn’t make sense,” I murmur the next day as I thumb through the pages of the post nuptial.
Cartwright is out grabbing us sandwiches for lunch while I volunteered to keep sorting the paperwork for him.
Really, I just wanted a chance to review what Cord was trying to put into place.
It’s a post nuptial agreement that favors me.
It basically makes sure that he can’t touch my money.
I’ve read through all the paperwork twice when I get a call from the private investigator. I already know there’s nothing to tell. It’s obvious that Cord has no intention of taking advantage of me financially.
“Did you find anything?” I’ve used Slate countless times over the years to look into people as part of business dealings. This is the first time I’ve ever pulled him into a personal matter, but it doesn’t change the fact that we consider each other friends.
“He’s in massive debt,” he says and names a figure that’s shocking. Most people wouldn’t be able to pay off that kind of debt in a lifetime.
“For what?” I think of Cord’s old truck and the cabin he built with his own hands. It’s not like he has a closet full of designer clothing or an obsession with having the latest tech. He’s just an ordinary guy.
“He’s financed a lot of cash multiple times and then, nothing,” he blows out a breath.
“No sign of how it gets spent. If I had to make a guess, he’s probably into something shady.
But he has no arrest record yet, so if he is, he’s keeping it quiet.
With guys like this, it’s usually just a matter of time before they get caught.
Watch your back. He might be dangerous.”
“Thanks, Slate,” I say rather than explain to him that my husband isn’t dangerous. Or at least, he’s not dangerous to me. But how is it that he’s carrying that amount of debt? It’s not typical outside of a failed business venture or a huge house loan, and Slate said it was cash.
I spend the rest of the day puzzling over it.
I want to ask Cord about it, but I never get the chance because he’s on one of the nearby mountains with the other men.
He’s helping stranded people to safety which is exactly the type of person he is.
So, why does he have all of this debt? And more importantly, why has he hidden it from me?
“All I’m saying is I wouldn’t have kicked a guy with that kind of anatomy out of my bed. That’s all,” Sadie says, biting into her donut and wrinkling her nose. They’re store bought, and it’s obvious that everyone here thinks they’re not nearly as good as hers.
Sadie is hosting book club here at her donut shop, Sprinkles. It’s not officially open again yet, but she did manage to finish cleaning up the place which she seemed excited about.
The dining area of her shop reminds me of a cute little dollhouse complete with red, round tables and chairs. I imagine that when the place is fully operational, it’s filled to capacity every morning.
“I’d be okay with it,” Evie who is sitting across from me says.
Evie, Lizzy, Sadie, and Dotty are friends who all married men from the Maple Farm.
Now, they host a weekly book club night, and since Lizzy invited me, I figured I’d check it out.
I’m pretty sure this is exactly the type of thing that Ronnie would enjoy if only she had the time.
She called me earlier today to let me know she’s gotten hired at a farm.
I tried to find out where it was and why she was so excited about the location, but then Branson and Brock had some type of accident in the ball pit.
She said something about stitches before she told me she’d call me back later and disconnected the call.
“It depends for me. I’d have to be in the mood.
” Dotty shrugs and takes another sip of her wine.
She’s married to the youngest Maple brother, and she also works for the local newspaper.
Apparently, her husband is a big country music singer, but no one here seems to make a big deal over him.
Maybe because this is the town he was raised in.
I wonder what they’re talking about and glance over at Lizzy. She’s not paying attention. She keeps glancing down over at her lap and sending suggestive texts to her husband. It’s pretty obvious what they’ll be doing after this book club meeting is over.
“We need more wine,” Evie says when she reaches for the bottle and finds it empty.
“I’ll get it.” Lizzy stands. “Come help me, Mira.”
I follow her to the shop’s industrial kitchen painted a cheerful yellow where she selects a bottle of wine. “Look, we haven’t known each other long,” she says. “But it seems like something is on your mind, and if you need to talk, I’m here, and you don’t have to worry. I can keep my mouth shut.”
I hesitate for a minute then decide just to be delicate about the situation. After all, Lizzy has been married longer than I have. Maybe she has some insight. “Has your husband ever made a decision that baffled you?”
She chuckles. “Only every day. I will never be able to understand that man.”
“He didn’t talk to me about something, and I just thought he would,” I admit, thinking of the legal paperwork. Why not mention it to me before getting it drawn up? And what is he involved in that he hasn’t mentioned?
“Listen, honey, the men of Courage County, they tend to put the man in caveman. If he didn’t mention it, it was probably because he wanted to protect you.” She rummages around for a corkscrew.
“The problem is I thought I could trust another man once, and when I did, he was lying to me about a lot of things. I don’t want to be fooled again.”
She holds up the corkscrew triumphantly. “Yeah, and now you’re wiser. You probably see things you overlooked about the first guy’s character, don’t you?”
I nod.
“Do you see those same traits in Cord? Be honest with yourself. If you see red flags, then walk. But if you don’t, then it’s time to have a really deep conversation with him.” She pauses. “You’re always welcome to call me. I can’t promise I can fix anything, but I’ll be there to listen.”
“Thanks,” I say, wishing again that Ronnie could meet these women. She’d adore the book club girls. Maybe one day, I can arrange a meetup for all of us.
I stay through the rest of book club then Lizzy drives me home. Funny how I’ve already started thinking of Cord’s cabin as home. Truth is, wherever he happens to be is home in my eyes. Just like Henry and his wife.
To my surprise, Cord is already at the cabin. He’s in the bedroom, and he’s just stepped out of the shower if the towel slung low on his hips is anything to go by.
“I was just about to call you,” he says, looking so delighted to see me again.
He’s never once looked at me with anything other than delight and affection. He’s been good and honest and kind in every interaction we’ve ever had. There is nothing that makes me think he’s like Stuart. “We need to talk.”
“What’s this about?” He drops the towel and pads barefoot to the closet. I take the opportunity to appreciate his body. This is a serious conversation, and it deserves attention. But there’s nothing wrong with appreciating the work of art that my husband is.
I wait for him to get dressed in his blue jeans and faded flannel before I say, “I was helping Henry at his office today.”
He pauses then nods. “And now you’re wondering about the post nuptial agreement. It’s just to protect you. I have shit in my past that I don’t ever want to touch you.”
“This is the moment I need to know what that shit is,” I tell him.
I’m surprised by how I don’t feel the need to brace myself.
With anyone else, I’d feel like I had to be defensive, but not when I’m with Cord.
He never makes me feel like I have to protect myself, and I see now what a wonderful and rare thing that is in a relationship.
He shrugs. “It was before you. It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, it involved moving a lot of cash.”
He doesn’t look shocked or angry. “Yes.”
“And maybe it was less than...legal?” I’m testing the waters here.
The thing is that it doesn’t quite align with Cord’s character.
But it’s the only reason I could think of for large amounts of cash to be passed around.
Most people don’t care if they leave a trail or even if they do, it can still eventually be found.
It’s odd to have so much money just disappear.
He settles on the bed and leans back on his elbows. “Is this a deposition? Because I’m not going to lie, seeing you in lawyer mode is hot as fuck.”
“I won’t be easily distracted,” I answer even as my gaze strays to that place between his legs.
It’d be so much easier to forget about this conversation and pretend I know nothing.
But ignoring my own inner voice is what caused so many problems with my ex.
If I’d only listened to myself early on in the relationship, maybe things would have been different.
He smirks. “Are you sure about that?”
“Cord, be honest with me,” I say.
Something about the note in my voice must snag his attention because he blows out a breath. “I know what he did to you. I don’t want a dime from you. It’ll take time, but I’ve got this.”
“I believe you,” I say softly as Lauren’s words come back to me. They put so much time and money and energy into searching, then one day against all odds, he’s coming home. “The search and rescue missions for Vale. You helped finance them, didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “It’s done now.”
“It’s why it had to be in cash. You’re getting in and out of other countries without being detected, probably getting weapons and gear.
It all makes sense now. You’ve carried the lion’s share of the financial burden for that.
You should have said something.” I wish he would have.
With my net worth, I can wipe out the debt without blinking.
Hell, I can earn that kind of cash again in less than a year.
“It’s not your burden to worry about.”
“We’re married. Your burdens are my burdens.” I remember how tenderly he held me in the kitchen during the thunderstorm, how he’s cared for Molly and Milo, how he’s made me breakfast and painted our kitchen yellow. He’s shown up in a million different ways.
“Look, I’ll work for Crew and continue to help out here on Valor on the weekends. Everything will be paid down eventually.”
“Okay.” I nod even though I have no intention of letting him work hard for decades to come. He’s not the only one that likes to take care of his spouse.
“You’re letting this go easily,” he says, narrowing his gaze at me.
I smile, feeling lighter now that I know the truth. “What can I say? I’m learning to trust my instincts, and my instincts tell me that you are an amazing man.”
“I love you,” he says as I crawl into his lap and press soft kisses to his face. We’re a tangle of heat and lips and limbs until he pulls away. “Wait, first, I have to do something.”
He pats the pocket of his clothing and pulls out a ring box. He opens it to reveal a small engagement ring with a heart-shaped emerald. “Mira Moore-Brewer, would you make me the happiest man on earth and promise to stay married to me forever?”
My heart swells, and tears leak from my eyes as I tell him yes over and over again. He’s my perfect groom, and he’s made me the happiest woman on earth.