Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (7 page)

“Alright…look I got to go
.” He said again trying to hang up.

“Beckett
.” She said stopping him. “This will be fun.”

“Yeah
… bye Macy.” He said and he hung up. He stared at the phone then looked up the stairs where Bailey had disappeared. Again he began to wonder about her and if she was involved with someone else. Was she making the same arrangements with him? Would he be moving into the house Beckett was providing for her? The thought of that made him angry and he chose not to join his family again but to go outside for some air. As he stepped out onto the porch Regina Montgomery approached. She looked at him for a moment studying his expression before she spoke.

“Bad news?”
She asked.

“Nothing I can
’t handle.” He said studying her. How was it possible this woman who seemed to emanate strength and iron will had raised such weak minded children? The only one who seemed to have shown any backbone defied her when he married Bailey’s mother.

“Have you met my granddaughter yet
?” She asked.

“Yes
.” He replied not giving anything away.

“And does she meet with your satisfaction?”

Beckett was shocked she seemed to refer to Bailey as a piece of property instead of a blood relative. Again he wondered what Bailey had done that had given this woman so much power over her that she dictated who she married.

“
What if she didn’t?” He asked trying to gauge her reaction.

“
Then we would be at an impasse.” She said raising one eyebrow in challenge.

“Your granddaughter exceeds my satisfaction
.” He said honestly.

“I thought she would
.” She smiled. “May I suggest the two of you take these next few days to get to know each other….maybe go out on the town and be seen….it will help promote the belief in when the announcement is made.”

“
Are you ordering me to date your granddaughter?”

“No…just merely a suggestion…it will make things less
awkward between the two of you.”

“And what if Bailey refuses
?”

“I will see that she doesn’t
.” She smiled as she stepped inside.

Beckett felt like once again he had walked into her game and she had manipulated his pieces. He considered ignoring her advice but knew he wouldn’t. He was curious about Bailey and found that he truly did want to get to know her
and understand what had brought her here to this deal. He was about to go in search of her when he saw her heading down towards the stables.

It took her awhile to get both kids settled down and ready for their nap. Each of them had their own room with an adjoining bathroom. Bailey’s room was across the hall from them allowing her access to them but also her own privacy. She had been pulled by each to see their room and felt like she was in a tug of war for their attention. Alexis’s room was done in pink and Bailey noticed it had recently been painted. A large white canopy bed occupied the one wall and fluffy lace pillows were piled high against the head board. A collection of dolls stood in one corner and a table complete with a tea set occupied the other. Bailey was relieved there was no balcony on this side of the house. Tristan’s room was done in blues and browns complete with models on the shelves and airplanes hung over head. He had a collection of army men and tanks in his toy box and a game table that lifted up revealing crayons and coloring books inside. What surprised Bailey the most was that their closets were filled with brand new clothes exactly their sizes. Selene had explained that Ms. Regina had ordered everything and insisted it be completed before they arrived. She had evidently been confident Bailey would take the deal. She began to wonder exactly when her grandmother knew about social services arriving on her door step.

Once both kids were soundly napping she checked out her room. It was done in soft greens and lavenders complete with a large canopy bed
and curtains that closed giving her privacy. Her room had a collection of books and a reading chair set up next to the window for lighting. She also had a fireplace in her room which she imagined came in handy on cold winter nights. Private baths complete with a pedal stool tub and separate shower was stocked to the hilt with her favorite shampoos and lotions. She also noted like her siblings her walk in closet was completely stocked with a collection of clothes that ranged from jeans and tops to designer suits and evening gowns. Evidently her grandmother wanted them to play up the part of their status. Part of her wanted to revolt and stick with her wardrobe but the feel of the clothes was too tempting.

All of her life she had shopped at discount stores buying clothes out of season to get the best deals.
The closest time she ever got to designer clothes was when either Ross or Marshalls had the stores left overs. Because she was so tiny she would occasionally get lucky and find a piece or two. However on her budget most of her clothes came from Target. After a quick shower she grabbed a pair of jeans and a pale green sweater. Her grandmother had even thought about her lingerie and when Bailey put them on she couldn’t believe how such fancy clothes could cost so much, cover so little yet feel so wonderful. Slipping into a pair of Nikes she decided to explore the grounds choosing the stables as her first stop.

Bailey had always had a love for horses and her father used to joke with her
that she was a horse whisperer. She walked among the stalls and as she passed each horse they seemed to sense her putting their noses out for her to pet. She was drawn to the back where matching pair of Percherons were housed. She felt dwarfed in their presence but showed no fear as each horse demanded her attention. She stood between both stalls with one hand on each of their noses. Bailey didn’t hear him approach but the horses sensed him and lifting their heads in warning looked in his direction. Bailey turned and found herself smiling as he approached. The horse behind her nudged her back demanding she return her attention to them and Bailey laughed as she turned back to the horses.

“Ok, ok
.” She said once again stroking their noses.

Beckett stood next to her taking over her role with one of the horses who seemed to protest the replacement.

“Really…I thought we were past that?” He said grabbing each side of the horses head and staring him down. Bailey couldn’t help but giggle as she buried her face into the other horse’s neck.

Beckett looked at her then back to the horse
. “See what you’ve done...now how can I be all serious when she thinks I’m a fool?”

Bailey looked back at him and tried to control her laughter. One look of his mocked hurt expression caused her to break out laughing. As if sensing the humor Beckett
’s horse snorted spraying his face and after a moment of shock he joined in the laughter. After a few minutes and with tears in her eyes Bailey finally was able to get control of herself. Beckett stepped back and with one hand on the horses head he studied her for a minute before he asked her.

“So does that mean if I were to ask you out you would hold this against me?”
He asked referring to his snot stained shirt.

Bailey tried to control her smile as she studied him
. “Uh…depends….do you plan on taking me out looking like that?”

“No… I guess I could shower
.” He smiled.

“Well…what did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know….dinner….somewhere quiet where we could talk…I guess since we’re supposed to be madly in love with each other we should know a little about each other…it could get real embarrassing someone asks us how we met and we both come up with different stories.”

“Ah….I see your point….well…..I guess since it
’s purely research how could I refuse.” She grinned. “But I’m not sure with this being our first night here I should abandon my brother and sister”

“You can always bring them along….I’m sure there’s got to be a Chucky Cheese around here
.”

“Chucky Cheese
?” She said doubting his seriousness.

“Yeah….and if you’re good I might
even challenge you to a game of Skeet ball.”

“
You’re serious.” She said suddenly surprised.

“
Yes.” He said. “Look Bailey…this doesn’t have to be an awkward situation between us….it’s purely a business deal…and the more convincing we appear the easier it will be for all concerned…what do you say….I promise to behave…..besides you will have Tristan and his superhero powers to guard you.” He said sincerely.

Bailey looked up at the horse as if asking for advice before she looked at him
. “That would be nice I’m sure the kids would be satisfied with any pizza place we find.”

“
They may but I won’t….I had my heart set on Chucky Cheese.” He said. “Would 5:00 be too early?” He asked as they both started out of the stables.

“No…we should be ready
.”

“Good
.”

“Beckett…..what you did earlier for Tristan…thank you….it was very kind of you
.”

“No problem….I remember the day my brothers told me I wasn’t a superhero…it crushed me
.” He said walking by her side.

Bailey stole a glance and
seeing he was being genuine she felt her heart once again flip. She had to remind herself this was all an illusion, not really a date. He wasn’t truly interested in her or her family, his family wanted the company and this was the means to the end. She began to wonder why her grandmother had added this clause to the contract. She meant to find her once they were inside and she was alone with her grandmother. When they reached the house Beckett excused himself to go shower and she went in search of her grandmother. She was pleased to find her alone in the study. Closing the door to prevent any interruptions she cautiously approached her grandmother. Regina looked up and seeing the closed door raised her eyebrow.

“Why the marriage
?” Bailey said choosing not to beat around the bush.

“What do you mean?” Regina asked.

“You could have easily signed a contract with them selling them the company and over the next year gradually introduced them to society.”

“True
.” Regina said putting her book down. “But at the end of the year when they took over the company and our family had pulled out so would the business.”

“How can you believe that?”

“Bailey you have a lot to learn about the South….no matter how they try to paint themselves the Birmingham’s are Yankees….only by marrying one of our own will my kind overlook that.”

“That’s ridiculous…what
’s the difference between them buying you out and us getting a divorce….they will no longer be married to one of your kind.” Bailey argued.

“True….but it won
’t be for want of his trying…people here are fickle in that way….people get divorced and remarried here all the time and no one bats an eye.”

“
Why would you care if the Birmingham family is successful anyways….especially since they are Yankees?” Bailey asked

“I don’t care about them….I care about your grandfather
’s company…..he built that up from nothing…had your father not run off and gotten married he would have helped him run it and we wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in now….your father always had a good head on his shoulders…..not like the rest of my useless children.” She noticed the way Bailey reacted. “I’m not so proud that I can’t admit how useless my children and grandchildren are….I have spent years bailing them out of their troubles….looking back maybe I would have been better off letting them learn from their mistakes….but at the time I had the family to think about…..now all I have is your grandfathers name and his company….I will not see that dragged through the dirt.”

Bailey shook her head as she tried to understand her grandmothers rational. “
What would you have done if I had said no?”

“You wouldn’t have….I didn’t just find you randomly….
I have followed you since you were born.”

“
What?”

“Your grandfather was a very proud man….he couldn’t admit when he made a mistake….I always figured one day they would make up….even accept your mother….but neither one of them budged and then it was too late….I had kept tabs on your family….when your mother got ill I almost came to the hospital
.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Your grandfather was ill then …when your mother died and you were left alone to raise your brother and sister I didn’t know what to do….I didn’t want to make the same mistakes I made with my children and your cousins…what you went through made you stronger.”

Bailey was crying now. “Grandmother….do you realize how hard it was for me…I was only 19…I gave up every dream I ever had
?”

“
Would you have done anything differently……be honest?” Her grandmother asked.

Bailey thought about it for a moment, all the hard times she had gone through. Then she began to think about the rest of their life and the good times. She knew they were sweeter because of the combination of the good and the bad. She suddenly realized she wouldn’t have.

“No.”

“Bailey…you are like your father
and grandfather….you can get thrown into a trashcan and somehow find art in it….when you’re cousin Alicia pulled her stunt at first I was angry….then I saw an opportunity for me to contact you….I don’t regret any of it.”

Bailey studied her for a minute then
had to admit to herself neither did she. The kids were in a better place, the bills were all paid and all she had to do was give up one year of her life in payment. She then began to wonder about Beckett.

“Why did he agree
?” She asked her grandmother.

Regina smiled
. “Ah yes young master Beckett…he was very smart…unlike his brothers he did all his homework….if it wasn’t for him I still wouldn’t know about the business and what your cousins and uncle had done….one day I would just get a knock on the door and they would have evicted me to pay for all their debts….so I have to thank him for that.” She smiled. “Why did he agree…the truth?”

“
Yes.”

“
It was the only way I would agree to sell the company….and since he has spent his life moving from one bed to another he had nothing to lose.” Regina said carefully watching her reaction. “In fact he actually has something to gain by this….it will keep his mistress from trapping him into marriage.”

“Mistress?” Bailey said as she felt the stab of pain.
Graham had said he had a girlfriend. What was the difference if she was his girlfriend or his mistress, he was still taken. Maybe because in Baileys eyes a mistress was less honorable.

“Bailey…Beckett Birmingham is a player….for most of his life he ha
s jumped from one bed to another….then a few years ago he found a female counterpart and they have made a life of enjoying each other in every way possible….but I believe she is looking to make things permanent and I don’t believe he feels the same….so by marrying you he gets to enjoy the benefits of his relationship with her without worrying about the possibility of her trapping him.”

Bailey sat down on the chair suddenly
as all the illusions she had created came crashing down. He had been playing her, playing her brother and sister. Was it some game to get her into his bed?

“
He wants me to go out with him…..to talk.”

“Yes I know…I told him that would be a good idea
. If you two are to pull this off you need to know a little about each other.”

“It was your idea?”

“Yes…I advised he suggest it when I came home….you will be going.”

“I don’t know…..I’m not sure it
’s such a good idea exposing the kids to this.”