CHAPTER TWELVE
I decided to speak to Clint about my conversation with Claudine. I wanted him to understand the importance of not having her in my home. but that I’d help him in any other way that I could.
Ever since Nell brought him home to meet the family, Clint and I had grown fond of one another.
I liked his ambition to work hard and succeed, but somewhere along the line, it had turned into something different.
His goal had become a need to have more material things as a way to prove to himself and others that he could provide for Nell as well as her father could.
The mistake in all this was that Nell wasn’t materialistic.
She was just as content with her old car and her first house as it was. What she wanted was to be with him.
When I walked into the guest room, Clint was standing by the open sliding door leading to a private deck.
“Hi,” I said softly, not wanting to scare him.
He turned around and smiled at me. “This is such a beautiful spot. And quiet.”
“Our home and our privacy are very important to Vaughn and me. I hope you understand why someone like Claudine isn’t welcome here. She’s already expressed her curiosity about Vaughn. We must have a place where we’re safe from prying eyes.”
“I get it. I really do. Nell feels the same way,” said Clint.
“That being said, we have no problem with your setting up a Zoom call in any part of the house. Somewhere comfortable for you,” I said. “We can help you.”
“I think that might be best,” Clint admitted. “Nell and I talked about going back to D.C. so I could work on the plan, but I’ve reconsidered. Claudine and I can work on it together online. I want to get back to playing with the kids and my other activities.”
“Well, then, let us know when and where you want to set up the meetings, and Nell and I will help you feel at ease. Vaughn is home for a while. He can help too.”
“I haven’t felt up to it, but I’m sure I’ll be able to work tomorrow,” said Clint. “I can do some number crunching with my right hand. Thank God that arm is in better shape than my left one.”
“Is there anything I can do for you now?” I asked.
Clint studied me and then spoke. “I told Nell that Claudine thinks I’m going to divorce her. But I’m not.”
“I appreciate that you brought that up. Claudine told me the same thing. Why would she say that?”
Clint looked uncomfortable, but he kept a steady stare at me.
“For a while, I was flattered by Claudine’s attention.
At home, Nell was preoccupied with the children, upset with me for taking the job with Everett, Shuster, and Donnelly in the first place, and was angry about the additional hours I spent working.
And then with the equity money in balance I had to increase time and energy on the project. ”
I wondered if I should say anything and then decided I owed it to both Nell and Clint to speak up. “Remember, I saw you with Claudine. And I didn’t like it. Your behavior suggested that you were more than just business partners.”
Clint’s eyes widened. “But that’s all it is. I swear. You know how much I love Nell. More than that, we’ve promised never to hurt each other.”
“But you’ve been ignoring your family while spending hours with Claudine.
What’s that all about? It’s just a work project.
It may be an important one, but your family needs to come first. Claudine is acting as if you’re courting her.
It’s a problem. Don’t diminish what you’ve done.
You need to have a talk with Claudine and set her straight.
You’d better take care of that now. Am I clear? ”
“Yes,” said Clint.
I’d heard enough bullshit from my ex to realize Clint was telling the truth. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes wet. But there was a steadiness to his gaze that I admired.
“Okay, then. Let’s work together as a family to support your marriage. Nell mentioned Claudine had played a similar game for another man’s attention in the firm.”
“Yes. He left the firm because of it,” said Clint. “I understand that better now.”
“Hanky-panky between co-workers is nothing new,” I said. “It’s a relief to know that in this case, it’s not going to work. But it does make me see that you and Nell need to spend more time together.”
“Even if she’s going to continue to work at the hotel?” said Clint. “How?”
“That’s between you and her,” I said. “But it’s something you should discuss.
Maybe being a mother doesn’t have to mean giving up what you love doing.
In Nell’s case, she loves being involved in activities outside the home, in addition to caring for her children and husband.
And we both know how much she’s wanted to move here.
In fact, at one point, she told me you were almost ready to do so. ”
Clint eased himself onto the lounge chair. “I realize I haven’t been entirely fair to her and the kids. But I thought I was doing it for them. I still do. Let me get past this project, and then Nell and I will make some decisions.”
“I’m proud of you, Clint, for being so honest with me.” I leaned down and kissed his cheek.
“Thanks for not judging me too harshly for allowing the situation with Claudine to get out of hand. I love Nell and will do whatever I can to save our marriage,” he said, closing his eyes and lying back against the chair.
###
The next morning, Nell and I prepared the library for the Zoom call between Claudine and Clint. We had a notebook and pen lying beside his laptop on top of Vaughn’s desk, a pitcher of ice water within reach, and a calculator lying close by.
Clint sat in the desk chair and surveyed the room with satisfaction. “Nell, you sit over there and take notes. I want to have a witness to conversations between Claudine and me. She told me she’s reworked the numbers, and I’m not sure I’ll agree to them. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“How will she feel about me being part of this?” Nell asked.
“She has no choice. I’ll record our conversation as well,” said Clint. “I’ve done a lot of thinking about this and many other things.”
“Okay. You know I’ll help you,” said Nell, leaning down and kissing his cheek.
“I’ll see you later. I’ve got to get to the hotel,” I said. “But if you need me for anything, let me know. Liana is here for the children. And Vaughn will be coming and going.”
Nell and Clint smiled and waved, and I left the room. Robbie was back in school, and Vaughn had left for a theater meeting.
I hugged and kissed Bailey and Ned, waved to Liana, and headed toward the hotel feeling better about Nell and Clint. They’d always worked together as a team. This would help heal the hurt and disappointments of the past.
A little while later, I was unprepared for a frantic phone call from Nell as I sat with Rhonda in our office.
Trying to remain calm, Nell said, “Claudine refused to let me help Clint. She said any meeting should be here at the house with him, not me. Clint finally agreed for me to leave the room after I turned on Vaughn’s tape recorder.
I get the feeling she’s up to something not quite right with this business project.
Apparently, the numbers she and Clint came up with for the sale of the property did not meet with approval from the board. ”
“That shouldn’t be a cause for alarm,” I said. “Financial deals take time and a lot of compromise.”
“I don’t have all the details, but it involves the sale of one property so it can be re-purchased and then sold as part of a group of properties to another buyer,” said Nell.
“No wonder Clint has felt under such pressure,” I said. “You’ve done what you could to help. I’m sure Clint is grateful.”
“I’m going to go ahead and register the kids in school. You don’t mind my using Liana to babysit until I establish a better order, do you?” asked Nell.
“Not at all. She told me she enjoys your children.” I tried to keep my voice neutral, but the possibility of Nell and her family moving here made me want to jump with joy.
We ended the call, and I turned to Rhonda. “Nell was going to take notes for Clint’s business call, but Claudine wouldn’t allow it.”
“What do you know about this person?” Rhonda said, frowning. “Let’s look her up.”
We checked Claudine Everett online.
She was listed as being 38 years old, married and divorced, the daughter of Louis and Isabelle Everett. An older sister, Natasha, had died as a toddler.
“Look at this,” said Rhonda. “Louis Everett’s company, Everett, Shuster, and Donnelly Real Estate Enterprises has had trouble with some of its dealings. One court case was recently settled for $10 million.”
I shook my head. “Why would Clint get involved with a company like that?”
“They’re high rollers,” said Rhonda. “You said Clint wanted to prove he could support Nell in style.”
“The company recruited him,” I said. “He might have been satisfied to go along as he was. Nell and Clint were doing well until this project came up. And then he had the opportunity to share in the equity.”
“Clint is bright, attractive, and would be appealing to any company,” said Rhonda. “They must have given him an excellent opportunity for him to want to become part of it.”
“He placed a second mortgage on their house to buy equity in this special deal,” I said. “Nell didn’t like the idea, but she went along with it.”
“This doesn’t sound like Clint,” said Rhonda. “It seems a bit risky. Why’d he do it?”
“Like I said, I think he wanted to prove himself to Nell and us.” I couldn’t help clutching my hands together. Alarm bells were ringing in my head.
“You know that Reggie and Will are willing to help in any way they can,” said Rhonda.
“I’ve kept that thought in the back of my mind. But Vaughn and I decided that though we can show our support, we have to let Nell and Clint work this out on their own.”
“Well, I’m just sayin’.” Rhonda’s voice shook with emotion. “You know I love those kids.”
“Thanks. I know you do.”
###
Later that day, after Rhonda left to go to a school event with Angela’s children, I was surprised when Nell came into my office.
“Hello, good to see you,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“I just signed up the kids for school,” Nell said. “And I talked to Annette and Lauren to see about working in the hospitality department.”
“You’re not going to D.C. with Clint?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “Clint is upset about the new numbers Claudine came up with. He’s not going to leave Sabal until this situation is resolved.”
“Did you know Everett, Shuster, and Donnelly had to settle a lawsuit for $10 million?” I asked her.
Nell shook her head and plopped down into the chair facing my desk. “I knew that a legal matter had been settled recently, but not for that amount of money. I’ve never liked the people there.”
“Did you tell Clint that?” I asked her, needing to know.
“Yes, I have, but I eventually stopped. The disagreement was ruining our marriage, and I didn’t want to do that to the children. They adore their father.”
“Does Clint understand that?” I asked.
“He does. We’ve discussed it as well as several other matters. I’ve wanted to support Clint, and I’ve tried to do that. but I can’t pretend I think this is a healthy situation.”
“If you or Clint need any advice, you know that Reggie and Will would be more than happy to help,” I said. “They’re family, after all.”
“Thanks. Clint is meeting with Reggie tomorrow,” Nell said.
“Oh, good,” I said. “What can I do to help the kids get ready for school? Why don’t we take them shopping for new clothes?”
“I brought some with me, but that would be great. Bailey is very aware of fashion, and it might make it more exciting for her to have a couple of new clothing items to wear. And Ned is growing so fast, he needs a couple, too.”
“We’ll make it an exciting adventure,” I said.
“I’ll meet you back home,” said Nell. “Thanks, Ann. You’re always sweet and understanding.”
“You’re my daughter, and I love you,” I said, moving close to hug her.