Forbidden Disclosure (A Billionaire in Disguise) (10 page)

“Daniel, is there an accident up here?”

“No, Rosie, it’s like this all the time. When we leave the city the traffic will back off. My father’s estate is in the country. You’ll probably like it.”

“His estate…”

“Yep. Did you want to check on the horses?”

“That’s okay, Daniel, I can wait until we’re out of the car.” Rosie patted Daniel’s hand. She jumped frequently when horns suddenly blared next to them. He was hoping that the bumper to bumper traffic wasn’t going to be her final impression of New York. His hopes were met when they left the traffic behind them and entered the beautiful area of Lexington, home of sprawling estates.

“Daniel, why are we stopping?”

“We have to wait for the gates to open, and then we’ll drive through to my father’s house.”

“House? Daniel, this isn’t a house!”

Daniel laughed and squeezed Rosie’s hand. “Welcome home, Rosie.”

“Oh my Lord…”

Carl stepped outside and opened the door to assist Rosie out of the limo. “You must be the lovely Rosie. I’m Carl, the butler on the estate. If you need anything, there are several places throughout the mansion where you can ring for me. Come along and I’ll show you to your room.”

“Daniel, I thought I would be living in a guest house, not a mansion!”

“Rosie, look over there. That’s the guest house, and as you can see it’s pretty huge. We’d be honored to have you stay with us.”

“But maybe your father wouldn’t like that. I’m practically a stranger!”

“If Carl said he was going to show you to your room, that means my father has already decided he wants you under the same roof.”

“I would like to see Francesco if it’s possible. I want to extend my appreciation and make arrangements to pay for my stay.”

Daniel laughed once again and escorted her to his father’s study.
You aren’t paying one dime for anything unless it’s to spoil yourself.

Francesco quickly hung up the desk phone and stood as soon as he saw Daniel and Rosie enter the room.

“Daniel! Rosie! I’m so happy you’re home.” He approached both and gave them hugs. “Rosie, do you like your room? I can change it or anything inside of it. You just have to give me the word.”

“Father, she hasn’t seen it yet.” Daniel was smiling because he was sure that Rosie would be staying in one of the biggest and brightest rooms.

“Are you sure you want me to live here? I’m not sure if I can afford it. I do want to offer you whatever I can, and as soon as I’m able I’ll ask Daniel to take me to town and look for a job. That might not be too easy though, as all I’ve ever done is work a farm.” Rosie laughed, but felt completely awkward in her predicament and worn-out attire.

“Rosie, you are under my roof because I want you here. You’re family, and the kindness you showed to my son touched my heart so much. I hope you don’t mind, but Estelle will be assisting you, and I’ve planned on a nice shopping trip for you. Women love to shop, this I know! There isn’t anything you have to worry about other than what time of day you want to play with your horses or shop.”

“My horses! Daniel, I have to check on them and make arrangements for boarding.” Rosie let out a long sigh. She knew she didn’t have enough to board them for longer than a couple of months.

“Rosie, your horses are in good hands. They will be staying with a trainer until I get their accommodations complete on the estate. You’re welcome to go visit them whenever you’d like.”

“
Here
?”

“If you drove around you’d see a few homes with horses. Now mine will have some too!”

“Boarding with a trainer is expensive. I only have enough—“

“Your money is no good here, Rosie. You took care of my son, now I will take care of you.”

Carl stepped forward and offered his arm to show Rosie her room. Hopefully she wouldn’t trip and fall while gawking at all the beauty of the large mansion.

“Carl, look at the ceiling! It’s painted, and the stained glass!”

“Yes, Rosie, it’s all quite magnificent. I must tell you, though, that I live on the estate and have worked for Francesco for nearly thirty years.”

“He seems like such a sweetheart…”

“And he has said the same about you, Rosie.”

He noticed her blushing. If felt so wonderful having a lady in the house again.
Perhaps now Francesco’s lonely days will be over,
Carl thought as he led her up the stairs.

Daniel was about to go for a walk on the grounds when he heard footsteps behind him.

“Daniel, do you mind if I walk with you?”

“No, Father, not at all. I’d enjoy your company.”

“You know how proud I am of you, Daniel. You’ve become a great man. It is time, though. I want to retire.”

“I think you should, Father. You could do so many things.”

“Daniel, I have the paperwork drawn up, and all you have to do is sign it. December twentieth of this year, I’ll officially retire, and the company will belong to you.”

“I’m very honored, Father. Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

“Daniel, I planned on giving you the business all along. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a son. Now we just need to find you a nice woman so you can have a family. A wife makes you very strong, balanced, and centered.”

“Father, the woman I want is gone. I overreacted and I blew it. I don’t know where she lives.”

“What is her name, Son? I’m sure we can find her.”

“Her name’s Katherine O’Brian, not that that’s going to help us. There are thousands of them, and I just don’t know where to start. Besides, even if I did find her she wouldn’t see me.”

“I want you to return to the house for me. I have a couple of people I can call. You just answer some of their questions, and it shouldn’t take them very long to locate her.”

“Father, I don’t know how to thank you for all you did for both myself and Rosie. You were completely amazing, and you came through. I want to ask you for your permission to move back home. I was serious about the penthouse and car. I don’t want them. You can sell the furniture in it as well. Being around Rosie, I learned so much. The farm changed me.”

“Daniel, this is how family treats one another. If I was in trouble I’m positive you would throw yourself into the situation and try and fix it. So there’s no need to thank me. And I would love to have you back home. Move in as soon as possible, the quicker the better as far as I’m concerned, and regarding the penthouse and car, I’ll take care of it. I must admit that I can see how Rosie would have a great impact on anyone.”

“You know I’d do anything for you, Father. I have the upmost respect for you. I was just lost for a while.”

“Daniel, I need to ask you something…” Francesco cleared his throat and stopped his son from walking.

“What is it?

“Do you think I’m too old to meet someone? I’ve been alone since your mother died, God rest her soul, but I don’t want to live alone anymore. I think she would have wanted me to not be alone.”

“I’m sorry that I never got the chance to know my mother. But I think you should find someone. Just be careful of who it is. You don’t want to end up with someone who just wants your money. It doesn’t feel very good.”

“I don’t think she wants my money. I think money scares her.” Francesco looked at the ground and blushed.

“Father, who is this woman?”

“Well…I was thinking that…maybe…well…”

“Father, just tell me. It’s okay with me and, as a matter of fact, I’d rather you be with someone than live alone.”

“Rosie.”

“Rosie? You like Rosie?!”

“I know I just met her, but, Daniel, I’ve stared at her picture. I love the sound of her voice too! She’s so sweet and deserving of the finest things in life!”

Daniel started to laugh, then jumped in the air and yelled, “Wooo hooo!”

“Daniel, why are you yelling?”

“If I could pick out any woman that I’d want to look to as a mother, it would be Rosie. You just made my day!”

“Well, now we go inside and find yours, no? This Katherine must be one special lady.”

One pissed off lady,
thought Daniel as
he walked back with his father.

Chapter 9

Katherine O’Brian woke up in her small bed and grabbed the covers she had kicked off during a fitful night of sleep. The tiny apartment was freezing. She couldn’t afford to turn the heat up any more than sixty degrees if she was going to save enough money to see her uncle for Thanksgiving. She let her eyes wander around the small studio apartment until they ended up on the alarm clock.
Shit!
Jumping out of bed she grabbed an old pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, shoes, and jacket, and then headed out the door. She wouldn’t even have time to grab a coffee.
Shit, shit, shit!
This would be the third day in a row that Katherine would miss her first class.
I hate Economics! Now I’ll be even farther behind.
At least she wouldn’t be missing her class in Fashion Design.

Stepping outside, the cold air blew right through her thin jacket. But buying new things for herself was completely out of the question.

“You look hurried,” laughed Marty, her friend in design class.

“You have no idea. I haven’t been sleeping during the night much. When I do, I have horrible dreams and end up sleeping through my alarm. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Katherine let out a long sigh as she set down her backpack. She retrieved her latest sketches and a notebook as Marty leaned over to look at her drawings.

“Did you find a model yet?”

“Marty, I haven’t even looked. I don’t have any time, and I don’t like meeting strange men.”

“Well, I’d be glad to do it if we were allowed to use each other in the show. I’m having my sister be my model. I made the most adorable outfit for her.”

“Maybe this is what’s causing me such stress. The show is in four weeks and I haven’t gotten past the sketch stage. I don’t even have the material picked out yet. God, I’m such a failure.”

“No, you just need a man. It works for me!”

Katherine started laughing with her dear friend but inside, she was a complete wreck. She had finally gotten around to calling her uncle. He wasn’t happy about where she was living and that she was alone, but she didn’t have a choice. Jacob had decided to head to Indiana, and she wanted to stay in Michigan to finish her education.

She couldn’t afford to stay on campus, and she either walked or rode her bike to school. If the weather was bad, Katherine was forced to ride the bus. She was grateful that there was a bus stop close to her, but waiting for it to arrive could make her late, not to mention freezing to death while standing outside. Being able to get financial aid was a life saver and without it she couldn’t afford to go to school, but the cost of living was eating her alive. Katherine ran karaoke at a local bar on the weekends, so that helped some. At least she had groceries,
most
of the time.

“Do you think I should put an ad up in the student center for a model?”

“Katherine, how much are you willing to pay them?”

“Not very much.” Katherine couldn’t afford to pay anyone.

“You can try putting up a few flyers. But don’t give out your number. Make a separate email to list as your contact. There’s a weirdo around every corner.” Marty worried about Katherine when she walked to and from school. He felt she was safe on campus, but not in the rough neighborhood she lived in.

“Okay, I’ll make the email after class and put the flyers up. Hopefully within a week I’ll have my model. I just don’t understand why I can’t pick a female. I think it’s ridiculous.”

“Those are the rules. Guys have to have females and vice versa. It’ll be more of a challenge, but I think it’ll be good experience. I’m excited about the show!”

“If I was prepared, I’d be excited also. But seriously, I think I’ll end up finishing at the last second.”

Katherine headed over to the student center and, with her aged laptop, she made a new email. The sign was simple. “Need male model for fashion design and show!” Hopefully someone would respond soon.

Her luck improved later that afternoon when she received ten responses to the flyer. But after reading them, she decided she wouldn’t pursue any of the applicants. Most of the emails were disgusting; one wanted to wear women’s clothing, a couple more wanted to know what she looked like.
Maybe I wasn’t professional enough
. Katherine decided that she’d place an ad in the paper, list her name, her temporary email address, and make it more professional. Her entire grade depended on this fashion show. It would just be the students in her class who participated, and it would take place on campus. These shows were always well attended and advertised. Some of the students ended up getting jobs in fashion.

I need a cute model who’ll appreciate us poor folk.

The next day, Katherine placed her ad in the local newspaper. She took great care in writing the advertisement, asked for photos of the applicants, and gave her full name and email address. If no one responded, she would either be forced to use one of the creeps who applied, or kidnap someone. She didn’t think that kidnapping would be very valuable on a resume.

That evening she received two responses. Both looked quite promising, and she decided to meet with them one at a time in a local coffee shop.

“Wait, you want me to pay you five hundred dollars for walking down a campus catwalk? Seriously, you’re talking about a minute. Five hundred dollars a minute! You’ve got to be kidding me.” Katherine got up and walked out.
I even paid for that bastard’s coffee!

The second applicant, after being told that she’d be making his clothes which he’d be modeling, didn’t even bother to show up. She had no more time to schedule interviews. Her flight left in the morning for Tennessee to see her uncle for Thanksgiving.
I should have just stayed in Prairie.

Marty agreed to keep an eye on her apartment for the holiday weekend. She was excited to fix a nice dinner for her uncle and spend time with him, but there were definitely some sad memories waiting for her in Tennessee.

Boarding the plane at seven on Wednesday evening, Katherine began to feel uneasy. She didn’t mind flying, but what if he was still in Prairie?
What if I walk into the bar and see him practically having sex with Emily on the dance floor
?
What would he do if he saw me
?
Cuss me out
?
Try to get me in bed
?
Could I resist him if he did
?
I almost lost it with him being that close to me.
She knew that John Williams was bad news, and she needed to stay far away from him.

Katherine’s uncle was busy so, of all people, Emily came to pick her up at the airport.
I’m definitely starting out on a roll.

“Katherine! Over here! How are you, sweetie pie?” Emily’s loud squeal could be heard over anything.

“Hi, Emily, it’s good to see you again.” Instantly the visual of John’s hands on her ass were so real.

“Girl, the whole place is talking about you coming home. There’s a bunch of people waiting to see ya!”

“Like who?” Katherine was hoping to find out if John would be there and with
her
.

“Oh, just all the locals! They’ve been missing that beautiful singin’ voice of yours!”

“So what have you been up to, Emily?”

“Just workin’ and hanging around the house.”

“You mean some cute guy hasn’t snatched you up yet?”
Stop it, Katherine!

“Nope, I haven’t had a boyfriend for about three years now. Ain’t much into commitment myself.`” Emily raised her eyebrows up and down.

“What about that really cute guy who was in town? He was living up at Montoose Farm. I thought you guys had a fling going.”

“He dropped me as quick as it started. I think he only did that to get you jealous. As soon as you walked out the door, he pushed me away and left. Kind of an inconsiderate bastard if I do say so myself.” Emily examined her bright pink press-on nails.

“Oh, is he still in Prairie?”

“I’m not sure, I haven’t seen him around. And that’s just fine with me.” Emily got a disgusted look on her face, which sported thick makeup.

They drove to the bar, and when Katherine saw the lights and heard the music, she got a bit excited and worried at the same time. She took a deep breath and in she stepped.

“Katherine! Come here, baby!” Andy’s loud, boisterous voice made everyone stop what they were doing. Before she knew what was happening, she was being hugged, kissed, tapped, and picked up.

“Hello, everyone!” She was given a stool up by the bar, and Emily took off to put her apron back on.

“I’m so glad to see you, Uncle Andy.” Katherine leaned over the bar and pecked him on the cheek. “Have you been taking care of yourself?”

“Yep, I got a clean bill of health from the docs. How about you? Did ya find yourself a prince?”

There isn’t a prince, they don’t exist.

Katherine thought about John as he petted the white horse in the barn.
His smell.
She closed her eyes and recalled the wonderful feelings she felt when he was near enough so she could inhale him.
Stop it!
But of course, her insides were already pumping.

“Uncle Andy, is that guy still around? The new one who was here some months back?”

“Oh that John Williams that got himself knocked out his first night here?” Andy started to laugh loudly.

“Yeah, him.”

“He stopped in here asking for you. He wanted to know where you were staying. But I didn’t have any information because
you
didn’t call me.”

“I’m sorry about that. I got so busy with work and school. But I’m here now!”
Katherine wanted to know about John Williams
. “So, is he still around? He stayed at Montoose Farm.”

“Sam Montoose set the horse barn on fire out at that farm. He’s sitting in jail now, which I’m glad. I never liked that guy. He's a drunk just like his brother Albert was. I think Rosie Montoose lost the farm. I don’t know where she moved to. I haven’t seen John Williams since the day he asked about ya. Something was strange though.”

“What was strange?”

“Well, when I mentioned your cousin Jacob he appeared to be shocked.”

Oh my God! I never got the chance to explain to him!
She could only imagine what John thought when he spotted the two of them together. But even if that display with Emily was just to make her jealous, she didn’t need a man who would stoop to that. But she had to know.