The Wedding Guest (Colorado Billionaires Book 5) (12 page)

Brewster’s eyes crinkled at the corners and shone brightly. His voice, however, was somber. “She’s quite well, sir. She’s in the kitchen, saying hello to old friends. Would you like to see her?”

Uncle Kirby shook his head. “Plenty of time for that in the morning,” he said. “Goodness knows I’ll need a night’s rest before chasing her around the room.”

Kirby grinned. “She’s a delight, Uncle. She keeps us laughing.”

“Good. That’s good.” Uncle Kirby looked from one to the other. “You both know why I sent Brewster to take care of you. This morning I thought my time had come, and so did the doctor, so we sent for you.”

Kirby patted his uncle’s hand. “I’m glad to see he was wrong.”

Brewster and Uncle Kirby shared a glance. Then Uncle Kirby said, “Next time, he may be right. So I wanted you both to hear this at the same time. Brewster knows where my safe is, and he knows the combination. I also know that he shared that information with you. A wise precaution. Some morning, I will not wake up. When that happens, the two of you will go to the safe and open it. Inside you’ll find everything you need with regard to all of this.” He lifted his free hand to wave feebly at the room around them. “Penthouse. Properties. Investments. All of it. Lawyers, bankers, CPAs, it’s all there. Brewster knows everything.” He fell silent, as if he’d run out of air and energy at the same moment.

Kirby said gently, “Can I get you anything, Uncle?”

The old man squeezed his hand again. “This is all I want.” His voice was weaker now. He’d used up his strength issuing directions about the safe. His eyes closed for a few seconds. When he opened them again, a tear escaped. “I’ll see your mother soon. Wish she was here now. But soon…soon…. Loved her like my own. Love you.” Every word took more of an effort.

“I love you, too, Uncle Kirby. You’re the best Kirby ever.” Another shared memory from their mutual cache of memories.

Uncle Kirby smiled. When he spoke, his lips moved but his voice was no more than a whisper. “No, you…you’re the best….”

Kirby pulled his uncle’s hand to his lips and kissed the burly knuckles. They sat there, the three of them, for half an hour, until Uncle Kirby fell asleep.

Looking back on it now, Kirby realized that everyone else in the house knew that his uncle would not survive the night. Brewster had said nothing. He’d wanted Kirby to have those last few hours of hope before waking to the news that his uncle had passed.

Brewster had stayed by Uncle’s bedside, but Kirby hadn’t learned that until days later. He didn’t mind. He was glad for the two old friends. Employer and employee wasn’t an adequate description of their long years in each other’s company.

Ray and Maria sent flowers and condolences.

Together, he and Brewster had opened the safe, and the full import of his uncle’s passing was made clear.

All his life, Kirby had known that he and his mother were not really Forbes material. But thanks to his mother’s uncle, Kirby had never truly felt inferior. Daddy Forbes doted on Ray, but Kirby had still gone to the best schools, worn the nicest clothes, and owned the fastest horses. When he opened his uncle’s safe, he discovered the source of those benefits.

The days after the funeral were spent trying to get his mind around how wealthy he’d become. He and Brewster both, for his uncle had seen to the security of his faithful retainer as well.

Now here he was in what was once his uncle’s enormous bed, staring at the elaborately decorated ceiling in the New York City penthouse he now owned. And all he could think about as the cloud of grief began to dissipate was a pert and sassy Colorado redhead, and how much she disdained the rich.

A soft rapping at the door interrupted his daydreaming.

“Come in.”

Brewster appeared, followed by a glum middle-aged woman with a breakfast tray.

“Oh gee, you don’t have to bring my breakfast.”

She set the tray across his lap. “Are you firing me, then?”

Kirby was horrified. “No, of course not!

She nodded once. “Good. This is my job. Enjoy.” She turned and left.

Kirby stared wide-eyed at her departing back. Once the door closed, he burst out laughing, but quickly covered his mouth so the woman wouldn’t hear him.

Brewster set Pearl’s covered cage on a side table. “I hope you don’t mind, sir. She wanted to have breakfast with you.”

“Brew, what are you doing? You should be getting breakfast in bed. Uncle left you half of everything.”

Brewster held up a finger. “An enormous exaggeration, but yes, a tidy sum. However, if we are both to remain in the money, I shall need to work at maintaining our status. As I recall, you did not major in high finance.” He uncovered Pearl’s cage and opened the door.

Pearl fluttered out to perch on the edge of Kirby’s tray. “Eggs, scrambled well,” she said, helping herself.

Kirby scooted upright. “Did you eat already?”

Brewster nodded. “But I’ll have coffee with you.”

“So Mrs. Sourpuss is all mine?”

Brewster chuckled. “She’s really lovely. They’ll all relax once they realize they’re still employed. Is that your phone buzzing somewhere?”

“I put it on vibrate. Vanessa has been calling every hour. I can’t stand the thought of talking to her.”

Brewster found the vibrating phone on the dresser and picked it up. “Oh my. I think you’ll need a special ringtone for this caller.” He smiled enigmatically and answered the phone.

“Hello, Miss Madlyn. Yes, he’s right here.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M
adlyn’s hands trembled. She grasped her phone tighter to keep from dropping it. Even the sound of Brewster’s voice was enough to make her tingle in anticipation. She’d planned to wait until nine a.m. to call, and she’d written a list of questions and statements that she intended to use during the conversation. Why hadn’t he left word for her? What did he really have in mind regarding their relationship? Was there a future for the two of them? Why had he lied about being a chauffeur? Was he as rich as his stepbrother? She had the list ready, and she was determined to stand up for herself.

Vicky had told her the night before about the death of Kirby’s uncle. Ray had sent flowers to the funeral. Madlyn supposed that was okay, since he was on his honeymoon after all, and attending a funeral during one’s honeymoon was probably not required. She herself had never met Kirby’s uncle, but given half a chance, she would have attended the funeral even if it meant hitchhiking back to Colorado afterward. She’d spent the previous evening composing her list because she couldn’t call New York in the middle of the night. But after a night of fitful dozing, she couldn’t wait any longer. She woke up at five, forced herself to take the time to make coffee and get dressed. Then she settled on the sofa in the living room and dialed the number that Vicky had procured for her.

Vicky and Mina had been right. Kirby did have a reason for his sudden disappearance. Now she felt guilty for doubting him. She wanted to put all her feelings into words, to let him know that her heart ached for him. She also wanted to tell him how fond she was of him. But why hadn’t he left word for her?

All these things zoomed through her mind as she waited for Kirby to come to the phone. What was taking so long? Maybe he didn’t want to talk to her at all. Maybe once again, she’d fallen for someone who did not return her affections. She felt the sudden urge to hang up. She should think things over more before revealing what was in her heart of hearts.

Too late. Kirby spoke into the phone and the sound of his voice robbed her of all rational thought. “Hello? Madlyn, is that really you?”

Madlyn sank back on the cushions of her mother’s sofa and marveled at the soft dawn that was creeping over Eagle’s Toe. The sound of Kirby’s voice sent her blood rushing headlong through her veins. Had she ever experienced such a thing with John?

“Are you there?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m here, I’m, I’m, oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about your uncle. Vicky just told me last night what happened. Are you okay?” She squeezed her eyes shut and berated herself silently for stammering.

Kirby didn’t seem to notice. “It’s been rough, but the worst is over. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I wanted you to meet him.”

Madlyn’s heart soared, then crashed at the missed opportunity. She cast about for something to say. As usual, the perfect phrasing made itself scarce, and she offered lamely, “I’m sure I would have liked him very much.”

Kirby’s voice softened. “He would have adored you.”

Madlyn smiled. “Thank you.”

Kirby added, “You just found out?”

“Last night. Ray and Maria are visiting Vicky and Jason, and Ray told her about sending flowers to your uncle’s funeral.”

Silence.

Madlyn wondered if the connection had broken.

Then, “You didn’t get my note?”

Madlyn whimpered with relief. “You left me a note? I never saw it.”

“The cook,” said Kirby. “He said he’d—” He choked the rest of it off, then began again. His voice was full of disappointment tinged with anger. “Vanessa.”

“She told me you’d gone,” said Madlyn.

“You saw her?”

“Oh gosh, I must have missed you by less than five minutes! Oh my heart. I feel like it’s broken. We could have said goodbye. I would have gone to the funeral with you.”

“Madlyn, dearest, are you crying?”

“Yes,” she sobbed.

“I’m right here. It’s okay now. I know what must have happened. Vanessa must have taken the note from the cook.”

“She told me you’d lied about yourself. She said it was one of your games, as if you enjoyed toying with me. She said you’d be as rich as Ray someday, and she was going to marry you. Then she tossed a crumpled paper into a wheelbarrow full of manure.”

Another silence, deeper, darker this time.

“Kirby, I could just choke the life out of her.”

“Me, too. But then we’d go to jail. And we’d never get to see each other.”

Madlyn wiped her tears away and calmed her breathing. “Yes, I guess that’s as good a reason as any to let the monster live.”

“Vanessa has no idea what my family situation really is. She’s a fool if she thinks I’m going to get a penny of the Forbes money. Daddy Forbes made my mother sign a pre-nuptial agreement that guaranteed neither she nor I would inherit. Everything goes to Ray. Maybe if I explain that to Vanessa, she’ll leave me alone. And as for the note she destroyed…. Close your eyes, Madlyn. I’m going to read you the note I wrote. Okay?”

“Okay.” She closed her eyes.

In a voice as loving as the songs on her mother’s Elvis albums, Kirby said, “Dearest Madz, you have won my heart, and I look forward to the day we can be together again. Uncle has taken a turn for the worse, and I must leave. Please call me as soon as you are able. Love, Kirby.”

She held the phone close with both hands, as if Kirby could feel her caress. “That’s so beautiful.”

“That’s what was on the paper she tossed away. On the bright side, reading it must have felt like I’d stabbed her in the heart.”

Madlyn laughed in spite of herself. “It does explain why she hates me so much.” She heard mumbling and a squawk. Then faintly, in the background, “Curse you, Pearl.”

“What’s going on?”

“Pearl just tried to take a bath in my coffee cup and knocked it over. Brewster is mopping up the mess.”

“That bird is so cute,” Madlyn crooned.

“You think so? I’m sure she could adjust to the climate in Colorado.”

Madlyn inhaled sharply. Then, astonished by her own boldness, she said, “Maybe you should bring her out for a visit.” Her insides ran riot as she waited for Kirby to respond.

“What a wonderful idea. I mean, there are so many things I want to talk to you about. I feel like we were really hitting it off before I had to leave. I mean, that is, I…. Just a moment.” He must have covered the phone to talk to Brewster because his voice was muffled, indistinct.

Madlyn’s heart pounded in her chest. She wished she could talk to Kirby in person. She couldn’t make out what he was saying. The seconds felt like minutes. At last, his voice returned, deep and intimate in her ear.

“I’m so glad you called, Madz. Through all the chaos here, the funeral, everything, I kept wishing you were here.”

Madlyn pulled her feet up onto the sofa and curled around the phone. “That makes me so happy.” Then, realizing how strange that sounded, she added hastily, “The wishing part, not the funeral part.” She cringed at her gaffe.

Kirby chuckled. “I knew what you meant. Well? How about it? Would it be okay if I came out to see you?”

“Oh my gosh, that would be super! I mean, I guess I should say something noncommittal, like ‘What an intriguing concept.’ You know, so you don’t think I’m madly in love with you. But I’m jumping up and down inside, and that makes it impossible to sound cool and detached. Oh dear, I should shut up, shouldn’t I?”

Kirby murmured, “No. Never. I love that about you. It makes me happy when you babble uncontrollably.”

Madlyn’s voice trembled. “You love that about me?”

“Mmm-hmmm.” Kirby’s affirmative sounded like a love song. “That and a thousand other things.”

Madlyn sighed dreamily. “Could you make me a list?”

“I’ll start one right away.”

“I can’t wait to read it.”

“I’ll bring it in person.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Give me your address so I know where to find you.”

Madlyn gave him her home address and phone number, the Boutique’s address, and the Boutique’s landline. She didn’t want to take any chances on missing a communication from him.

She heard another voice speak in the background. Kirby said, “All right, Brewster. I’m coming. Madz, I have to go now. We have several appointments this morning. I’ll call you as soon as I can, okay?”

“Okay.” Before she could gather the courage to add “I love you,” the line went dead.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

K
irby threw on the clothes Brewster had laid out for him. “How are we going to handle this valet thing?”

Brewster moved fluidly to gather up Pearl and put her back in her cage. “I’m not sure what you mean, sir.”

Kirby gave Brewster a crooked smile and let him fix his tie. “Uncle has leveled the playing field. You don’t have to be my valet or even work, if you don’t want to.”