Chapter 36 #3
“Because she didn’t trust him. She didn’t let him in on what she was thinking.
” Was it the same now? I had told Reese about the deal, but only when I didn’t think I could wait any longer.
Not at the beginning to give her a choice in the matter.
To let her decide if she wanted to help me get my company.
It wasn’t something I should have hidden for as long as I did.
Same as loving her. I’d never said the actual words, but I’d showed it to her the other night. Showed her how I felt, how I wanted her with me. Did she see it? Understand it?
Grandmother nodded. “Exactly. When you love someone, you share with them. You don’t put them in a box to take out when you want something. You share a life with them, and that means all of it. The good, the bad, the things you worry about, the things you fear they’ll take the wrong way.”
She crossed the room again, sitting down and clasping my hand.
This woman had given me more than a shelter from the heartbreak of Father’s death and Mother’s remarriage.
She’d given me love. Every second of every day, she was there for me.
“The second you realized you were falling for Reese, she deserved to know the truth. Honestly, she deserved it the minute you took her to bed, but I won’t harp on that.
She left because she doesn’t know what to do with the pain or the love she feels. ”
Standing, I took Grandmother’s spot at the windows.
Thirty-six hours ago, Reese and I had danced under the moonlight.
She’d asked me to make love to her, and I’d never felt anything like I did the minute she uttered the word.
Like I could do anything. As if being gifted Reese Henley’s love and trust was the most precious thing in the world.
Because it was. It was a gift to be treasured and protected and I’d fucked up.
“I betrayed her.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but I knew them to be true.
“No, you betrayed both of you. I don’t mean to be harsh, but you did.” I didn’t move as she approached. “You betrayed your feelings and the relationship you were building, but she’s not the only one hurting.”
Pain sliced through me at the truth of her words, at the thought of being without Reese. I had betrayed us both when I didn’t tell her everything from the beginning. When I didn’t tell her I loved her. How could she trust me when I didn’t trust her enough to give her the whole truth?
“Can I ask another question?” Grandmother’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“Of course.” I turned toward her, surprised to see sympathy and not disappointment, in her eyes.
“What exactly were you planning? Did you have a plan?”
I shook my head, not following along. “Plan for what?”
“For a relationship.” She looked at me as if I were an idiot. “Clayton, your business is in New York, and I don’t believe that woman is leaving Henley Falls any time soon. You’re head of Conti-Montgomery now. How exactly were you going to make this relationship work?”
I cringed, not at all excited to tell her. “We hadn’t talked about that yet.” When she threw her hands up, I quickly added, “I was going to bring it up when I got home yesterday.” Then that went to hell.
She glanced around as if trying to find an answer in the empty space.
“What is it with the younger generations? Clayton, you must talk to the woman. Did you tell her you loved her?” My face must have given me away.
Putting a hand to her head, she closed her eyes.
“Where did I go wrong? People cannot guess about feelings. So now she thinks you used her to get your company, and she doesn’t realize you love her.
I don’t say this to be mean, but you are an idiot.
” Being on the receiving end of Giovanna Conti’s displeased stares are not somewhere anyone wants to be.
Even knowing she loves me, it was not pleasant.
“I know, Grandmother. I know.”
With her hands propped on her hips, I felt like I was a child again, getting yelled at. “So, what are you going to do? Are you prepared to give up Conti-Montgomery after all of this?”
“Not on your life.” Truthfully, I hadn’t really thought long-term, and that likely made me the idiot she suggested I was.
“It’s no longer the ‘80s, Grandmother. I can run the company from Henley Falls.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized the idea felt right.
Even being a native New Yorker, I’d never experienced the feeling of home like I did in that small town nestled in the mountains.
It had mostly to do with Reese, but a lot rested on the shoulders of the people and the town itself.
It was special, like the woman who called it home.
“An office in DC may be beneficial, don’t you think? ”
A smile broke out across Grandmother’s face.
“Well, that will go far in getting back in her good graces, if she’s willing to listen.
But Clayton, you are going to have to go big to rectify this.
We’ll discuss plans after you get some rest.” She gave me a gentle nudge toward the stairs.
“You have a company to make your own and a woman to woo. Best get some rest.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
Crossing the living room, I took the stairs two at a time, energized with the thought of setting everything to rights. I stepped into my bedroom and stared at the bed where we’d made love, and a wicked smile crossed my lips.
“Get ready, Little Trouble. I’m coming after you.”