Chapter 25
Cole
Harper called Thursday evening.
“Nora agreed to see you Saturday,” she said.
I sat up on the sofa. “She did?”
“She said I could give you the address. Don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t.”
“She agreed to talk, Cole. That’s all.”
Hope hit hard anyway. I shut it down fast. A conversation wasn’t forgiveness. It wasn’t Nora coming home.
“I understand.”
“Good. Keep it that simple.”
The address was in Williamsburg, Virginia, about four hours away. I saved it.
Saturday morning, I packed a small bag. Ellen’s letter, the papers giving Nora first choice to run the inn, and proof that her repair money had been returned went into one folder. I wasn’t taking it to convince her to come back. It was proof I’d fixed what I could.
Before I left, I checked an email from the lawyer I’d hired after Nora left. David had signed his statement, and the evidence was ready to go out Monday.
As I headed toward the door, my phone rang.
I recognized Gregory Adams’s number immediately.
“I thought I told you not to call me ever again,” I said, walking toward the front door.
“I need an answer,” Gregory said in the same firm tone he used when he wanted to get under my skin.
“I gave you one. You just didn’t like it.”
“You’d be stupid to refuse, Sullivan.”
“Call me stupid, then,” I said, closing my front door.
“One million, final offer.”
“You still think this is about money? Still no.”
“Goddammit. This could take you places.”
“I’m exactly where I want to be. I love your daughter. If she wants me back, that’s up to her.”
“You’re fifteen years older than she is. You think that makes this any less disgusting?”
“She’s twenty-five. You don’t get to decide for her.”
“So this is revenge? You went after her to get back at me?”
“Nora was never revenge. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I swear I’ll make you regret this,” he hissed.
“Try it. David Mercer signed a statement, and my attorney has the engineer’s report, photos, and your emails. The licensing board and the press get everything Monday.”
Silence followed.
“You wouldn’t,” Gregory said.
“You’ve owned the story for seven years. That’s over.”
“You’ll destroy everything Nora stands to inherit.”
“Then take it up with Nora. I’m not helping you threaten her.”
“You think this makes you a hero?”
“No. I’m clearing my name.”
I ended the call.
I put my phone in my pocket, stopped for flowers, and headed for Virginia.
* * *
She’d agreed to see me. That was all I had.
I wanted her back. Badly. But if she heard me out and told me to leave, I’d leave.
I grabbed the flowers and got out of the car. By the time I reached her door, I still had no idea what the hell I was going to say first.