Chapter 64
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
When she woke the following morning, Matthew’s side of the bed was empty. Rachel’s brain hit the panic button. No. No. No . Last night had all been a dream and she and Matthew were still at war. They were still finished as a couple.
She’d just thrown back the covers, and leapt out of bed, when the rational part of her brain mercifully kicked in. If she and Matthew had not patched things up, then she wouldn’t have slept in his bed last night. Nor would the evidence of them having stripped one another naked and made love be scattered all over the floor.
“You are awake, good.”
It took her a minute to be able to answer him. She sat and stared at the door as a sweatpants clad Matthew stretched up and touched the top of the frame. The sight of his hairy torso and belly button had her smiling. Mini Matt was hidden under that gray fleece—she couldn’t wait to say hi to him again.
“Where have you been?”
“Building. Get dressed and come take a look.”
She struggled out of bed, her muscles quietly reminding her of the sinful things the two of them had done in the early hours of the morning. When she got the chance, she’d have to get back into yoga
Can’t we just stay in bed?
As soon as she’d thrown on some clothes, Matthew led Rachel into the ballroom. She looked to the table where his rebuilt model sat. But the sight which greeted her wasn’t the same as the model he had presented to council.
He’d pulled most of it apart, and pieces lay scattered across the table.
“What did you do?”
Matthew pointed at the table. “I took our design from the beach and worked it into the model. Now, I was thinking we keep the walls here. The front facade and of course the grand staircase. We both know the existing roof is beyond saving, but that presents us with an opportunity to open up the top of the old lodge and build a link to the new part at the back.”
Rachel had read the surveyors reports and the 3D scan of the roof she and Matthew had undertaken on the night they’d gone up to the roof confirmed that the old, weathered roof couldn’t be salvaged. In its place, Matthew had roughed up a new roof but with a walkway across to the solid brick hotel which would be constructed behind.
“That’s what we were missing on the beach the other night, the extra link between the buildings.”
Plastic cling wrap had been wrapped around some bits of wood, and while Matthew’s modelling skills left a bit to be desired, Rachel could see what he was trying to achieve. A glass mezzanine which ran between the two buildings.
“And all of this would be encased in your Death Star glass and steel globe thing?”
“Yep, the glass dome will survive. It might be a pyramid depending on how the snow would settle on top. What do you think? ”
“I think the council and the Brocks might wonder what we are playing at since we’ve already sent them the other design.”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “I’ve already emailed both the Brocks and the planning committee to let them know that we have made some substantial changes to our preliminary design. They will be expecting to see our final proposal in a couple of days. I CC’d you in on the email.”
Rachel took a few minutes to look over the new model. This state‐of‐the‐art with historical‐detail‐preserved design was going to set the architectural world on its ear. Her hands came together in applause. She was still clapping as she turned to Matthew. “Well done, Mister Royal, you’ve harnessed your creative flow. This is the final proposal we should put to everyone.”
They drove into town early, and while Matthew waited in the car, Rachel went into the Manhattan Escapee Bakery and bought up a dozen of their zucchini muffins. Climbing back into the Jeep, she handed him his coffee. “I think they are starting to warm to us again. The young woman at the front counter asked if we were coming in for breakfast this week.”
He wiped fake tears from his eyes. “My bakery ban is over. Praise the lord.”
Back at the lodge, they completed the list of exclusive experiences the new Royal Resorts would offer their guests. “I really like your idea of the midnight star‐gazers ball on New Year’s Eve. I think that will sell out every year,” said Matthew, after polishing off his second muffin in record time.
Rachel accepted his warm praise. She was particularly proud of having come up with that little spark of brilliance. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, all the lights in the buildings under the globe would be turned off and guests would be able to view the fireworks over Aspen Mountain. They could stay in their finery and not have to venture out into the chilly night.
Royal Resorts Aspen would be fantastic. All that was left was for them to put their joint proposal to the Brocks and the planning committee. If it got approved, then the final sale negotiations for the Green Tree Resort could go ahead.
Rachel’s cell buzzed and she picked it up. “It’s Dan.” She hit receive. “Hi, Dan. Yes, we did make good choices last night.” She laughed as her brother in law squealed down the phone. I didn’t think men could squeal like that.
“You left me a voice mail message, something about an unscheduled planning committee meeting?”
“Yes, Matthew and I are wanting to know if your parents can come to a meeting next Thursday. We emailed the committee last night and the chairman sent us a reply. They are happy to arrange an extraordinary meeting if we can get the Brocks to attend.”
There was some noise on the line, and she picked up the sound of hurried whispers. “Hi, Rach, so all good, everything sorted?” asked Kellie.
Rachel held out her phone and Matthew called out. “Hi, Kellie. Hi, Dan. Everything, is sorted. We just need to know when it’d okay for us to go over the proposal with Dan’s parents.”
He put his hands over his ears as both Kellie and Dan cheered with delight. “Yes! We’re hanging up now and will call them.”
Rachel set down her cell. “I think they might be pleased that you and I have sorted things out.”
“Whatever gave you that idea? ”
Matthew walked over to stand in front of the home made design model. “It’s a pity we won’t have time to get a new model built before the meeting, but as soon as we get the go ahead, we’re going back to New York to have a new one commissioned.”
“We?”
“Yes, we.”
She liked that he was thinking of her when he was making plans for the future. The past day had left them both a little bruised, but after last night they were unbroken. With love, their wounds would heal, leaving no scars.
On the table, Rachel’s phone buzzed once more.
UNKNOWN CALLER
They both glanced at the screen. When Rachel looked at him, Matthew nodded his agreement. “I have a feeling we both know who that is.” She hit the receive button and put the phone on speaker.
“Will you accept a collect call from inmate Scott Davilla at Ware State Prison, Georgia?”
“Yes, I will,” said Rachel. Her voice trembled, but her resolve was firm. Last time. Last time.
“Well, did you get the money?”
She took a deep calming breath. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t ask Matthew for the money, and I never will. He knows everything, and he is listening in on this call.”
Matthew slipped his warm hand over Rachel’s and gave a gentle squeeze. She was so very grateful for his comfort. And support.
There was a momentary silence on the other end. She could just imagine her father trying to come up with a new angle to get the money.
Matthew cleared his throat. “This is Matthew Royal. We know about the insurance payout to the clients you defrauded. ”
More lingering silence.
“My lawyers have looked into things, and even with good behavior, you are still going to have to serve a minimum of three years before you can front the parole board.”
Rachel summoned her courage. “You tried to get money out of Kellie and then out of me, just to line your own pockets. I have to ask, were you ever going to tell us the truth?”
“Now. Now you listen here. That money is to help your mother. It means she won’t have to rely on charity for the next few years. I did it for her.”
More lies.
“Rest assured Rachel’s mom will be taken care of. Family will look after her, and when it’s family, it’s not charity.”
Matthew let go of her hand, his body language clear. He’d said all he needed to say. Now it was Rachel’s turn. He trusted her to do what needed to be done.
If I don’t put an end to this, he will never leave me alone.
Rachel straightened her spine. Her father might not be able to see her, but she was finally facing down both him and his lies. She drew back her shoulders and spoke in a clear and even voice. “This is the last time I will accept your call, so don’t bother calling again. I’m doing the same as Kellie and moving on with my life. You’ve made your choices, and I’ve made mine. Goodbye.”
She pressed the button to end the call. Picking up the rest of her muffin, she took a bite. Her father had been given every opportunity to show remorse for what he’d done. He’d chosen himself over his loved ones.
When Matthew drew her into his arms, Rachel’s brave facade cracked, and she wept in his embrace.
“It’s alright, Rach. I have you.”