A Beautiful Thought (The Beautiful Series) (27 page)

“Oh, how right you are.” I chuckled in agreement.

Everyone sat down and enjoyed one another’s company over a hot home-cooked meal while laughing and talking. Caroline had been bummed about taking a break from swimming class while she recuperated from her injuries. However, she now seemed determined to work hard during her physical therapy.

Dad talked to Damon about projects around the house while Mom and I chatted about her reorganizing certain rooms and other little things.

After we finished eating, Caroline talked Damon into drawing her a picture of her favorite bridge—the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. He explained to her in great detail of how to start with the foundation of a basic outline and build from there. Caroline beamed the whole time, saying how she would practice this coming week.

I smiled while observing them, grateful that Damon had given her something to look forward to this week to keep her mind occupied.

After visiting with my family until nearly dark, I found myself feeling uneasy and eager to get home, so Damon and I could finally talk. He must have reciprocated my feelings because he gave me the look that said it was time to go. We gave our hugs and said our good-byes before heading out.

Damon followed me since we both had our vehicles. With every mile closer to home, nerves crept in against my will. By the time we arrived inside of the apartment, I was ready to talk before I burst from the anticipation of the unknown.

He quietly shut the door behind us. I turned around to face him and searched his gaze for any answers I could go on. My pulse increased with every passing second. His eyes bore into mine with the same fleeting emotions I’d seen in them earlier today.

He soundlessly stepped closer, gathered me in his arms, and tucked my head under his chin. He let out a content sigh. Then, his lips kissed the top of my head before he created a small space, so I could meet his stare.

“I’ve wanted to share something with you all day, but I wanted to wait until we were alone to tell you…” He hesitated, making me anxious over what it could be. His hands came to my sides, caressing them.

“Is it good news or bad news?” I asked, feeling my heart rate spike to unfathomable heights.

“Very good news,” he said with a smile. “At least, I hope it is,” he added with a soft chuckle.

Damon lifted one hand and slipped it into his back pocket. He pulled out a thick manila sheet of paper that was folded several times. Small crinkles outlined the corners from being in his jeans.

“So, the guy I met with this morning was Paul Eisner,” he started to say while handing the document to me.

I gave him a perplexed expression as I grabbed it. “Should I know who that is?” I asked, feeling more confused than ever. Surely, I must have missed something because I did not recognize that name.

“He’s the founder of E2 Excellence in Education,” Damon said softly.

I nodded, processing the information. “I remember you said you worked on designing that building,” I replied, knowing that was where Caroline would be transferring to next semester.

“Yes, I did,” he acknowledged.

I finished unfolding the paper and read it.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. David Bennett,

I am pleased to inform you that Caroline has been granted a full four-year scholarship to E2 Excellence in Education.

We look forward to her joining our exceptional program next semester and watching her grow.

Sincerely,

Paul Eisner

Founder of E2 Excellence in Education

I could not read the bottom signature because tears were blurring my vision before flowing down my cheeks and dripping onto the manila paper. My hands started to tremble as Damon held me.

I blinked up at Damon, trying to see his face through my hazy, water-filled eyes. All the while, I felt awed beyond belief with gratitude and excitement at what this meant for my dear sister and my family. But I still didn’t understand how this could feasibly be happening.

“Where did you get this?” I whispered, finding my voice at last.

“It’s from Paul Eisner himself. This letter confirms Caroline’s tuition will be taken care of for the next four years until she graduates,” Damon said sincerely.

“I got that part—well, most of it,” I replied disjointedly, shaking my head. “But
how
did this happen?”

Then, the fog from my overwhelmed state of mind cleared, answering my own question. I blinked several times, wanting to see his face, and his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

But I still asked, “You did this? For Caroline?”

“Yes,” he responded with a gentleness in his voice as he cupped my cheeks to brush away my tears. “And for you and your parents.”

This was a substantial amount of money—thousands upon thousands of dollars per semester times four years. As someone who had paid her own way through college, I was still in debt with remaining loans, so I could not wrap my mind around why someone would so generously pay such a vast tuition.

As much as I wanted to for Caroline and my family, I simply could not accept it. It was too much.

“While I am awed and humbled by your kindness and generosity, I can’t accept such a gift,” I said, outstretching my hand with the document. “It wouldn’t be right of me to take it.”

Damon’s expression hardened, reflecting hurt in his eyes. The look made my heart ache, but I had to stand my ground. I had been raised to be an independent woman, and I would stand on my own two feet when it came to my finances.

“Why not?” he asked, his tone low as if he was struggling for control. He refused to take the offered document dangling between us.

“Because—” I broke off at a loss for how to make him understand my beliefs.

“That’s not an answer,” he retorted, his voice escalating marginally. “And I deserve one.”

My own anger rose. “Because, Damon”—I thrust the paper at him again—“I
know
how much this must have cost you, and I cannot allow someone else to bear my financial obligations!”

“I didn’t pay for it,” he offered.

“What do you mean?”

“Paul Eisner asked me to design a second E2 Excellence in Education school for him instead of exchanging money,” Damon explained.

That was equally as bad.

“Trade is the same thing as paying for it because you still have to do the work without any compensation.” I sighed, feeling worse. “Damon, you already have a lot of work on your hands. I can’t allow you to take on another burden for me.”

“Well, I will,” Damon said confidently. He bent forward, kissed and pecked at my lips teasingly, before skimming his mouth all the way over to my ear. “You always want to help others, Gail. Now, let me be the one to help you.”

I bit my lip to keep from whimpering and melting into him. I could not think clearly when the man was touching me. I barely managed to say, “You already do, and it’s more than enough.”

He gently bit my lobe, licked away the tingle, and growled, “Why are you such a stubborn girl?”

“It’s a Bennett trait,” I breathed, endeavoring to deflect his sinful kisses along the contours of my jaw and throat, knowing he was trying to bend my resolve. “I cannot accept more than our rental agreement from you. It would not be right,” I added.

“This was my choice to make, Gail, and I won’t change my mind. I made a commitment, and I
will
follow through on my promise,” he said strongly. “Caroline is an amazing young girl, and she deserves this opportunity.” He gently tipped my chin up until I met his gaze. “
You
deserve this, Gail. You don’t have to be so strong all the time. Let me support you.”

“Then, tell me why, Damon. Why would you do this for me?” I asked, needing to know his ultimate reason.

His thumb traced my bottom lip, and then he stroked it across my cheek. Those bright blue eyes of his bore into mine, and I felt like he could see right through me to my soul.

“Because you’re my girl, and I love you, Gail,” he answered simply yet with an endless degree of certainty and conviction in his tone.

More tears replaced the trails of the last as I soaked in his precious declaration.

“Y-you love me?” I stuttered as my heart felt like it completely stopped.

His deep breaths were coming out short, matching my own, as he pulled me tighter against him.

“Of course I love you. I love everything about you, Gail.” He leaned in, brushing his lips against the side of my cheek. His warm breath felt soothing on my skin. “The way you look at me…like it’s just you and me, together, conquering the world.” He placed soft kisses on my lower lip and then nestled his forehead against me. “You’re all I see, sweet girl of mine. You’re all I see.”

“I love you, too,” I breathed, reveling in his warm heartfelt words.

He lowered one hand between us and lifted my own, gesturing to the manila paper. “Please take this,” he said kindly. “If you can’t accept this letter for you, then do it for Caroline and your family.”

He was right. This opportunity would make a world of difference for my mom and dad, who were both working around the clock to help pay for Caroline’s tuition.

Another round of tears consumed me as I let out a deep breath and looked up at him. “Thank you, Damon. This means more to my family and me than you’ll ever know. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to you, but—”

He set his index finger on my lips, cutting me off. “That’s not why I did it. I don’t want anything in return, except for you to accept my gift…” He paused, and his hands came around to cup my ass.

He swooped me off my feet. I locked my ankles around his waist as he unleashed a sinful grin.

“And kiss me,” he added before seizing my lips in a scorching, all-consuming kiss.

I threw my arms around his nape, melting into him, as my heart pulled him in even farther. My love for this man and his kindness knew no bounds. It was endless.

I had every intention of repaying him with a thank-you someday. I just didn’t have the perfect thought in mind yet, but I had no doubt it would come.

~Damon~

“Hi, sweetie. What a surprise.” Kathy beamed up at her daughter from the front door of their home. “What brings you two here again?”

Gail hugged her dad and her mom, and then she and I glanced between the two of them.

“Damon and I have some wonderful news to share with you.”

“Oh,” Kathy responded in astonishment, intrigued. “Come on in,” she added, gesturing us inside.

We all sauntered into the living room.

“Where’s Caroline?” Gail asked, scanning the area.

“She didn’t sleep so well, so she’s taking a catnap.”

Kathy sat down next to her daughter, and I took a seat on the other side of Gail.

“Is her leg giving her trouble?” Gail questioned, concern lacing her voice.

I briefly wondered if she would want to wait to share the news until her sister could be present, but then I realized the financial aspects of Caroline’s school was probably more between her parents and herself.

“A little,” Kathy answered.

“Her ribs are still pretty sore, so they keep her up at night, breathing heavy and all,” David added sadly.

“Is she sleeping on her opposite side?” Gail asked in a worried tone.

“She tries to, but it is difficult with her leg,” her mom said, crossing her legs in front of her. “We gave her some ibuprofen to help ease the discomfort, so we are hoping she wakes up feeling better.”

“I hope so, too,” Gail frowned.

I set my hand on her back to ease her.

“So, what is this wonderful news, sweetie?” Kathy smiled. “The suspense is killing me.” She quietly chuckled.

Gail pulled out the document I’d given her yesterday without delay and handed it to her mom. I could feel her excitement radiating off of her, and I felt the same.

“This is from Mr. Paul Eisner, founder of E2 Excellence in Education,” Gail said as her mom unfolded the paper.

“Yes, I’ve met Mr. Eisner before. He is a delightful man,” Kathy replied, glancing down to read the document.

“Mr. Eisner is granting Caroline a full four-year scholarship to their school, beginning next semester,” Gail said.

Her mom’s eyes filled with tears as she glanced up at Gail and then at her husband. “Is this real?” She cried with soft sobs, beginning to shake.

David came to kneel on one knee in front of his wife, and he gently took the document to read it for himself.

“Yes,” Gail said, her own eyes damp with moisture. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“I can’t believe it,” Kathy whispered in awe, shaking her head between her husband and the manila document. Then, she shifted her attention to Gail and me. “How did this come about? I don’t understand how this could happen,” she murmured, confounded.

Gail took my hand in hers, set it in her lap, and then gestured to me. “Damon was the architect who designed E2 Excellence in Education here in Lake Tahoe,” she said with sincerity in her tone. “He is the one who made this incredible gift possible for Caroline.” She smiled.

“You did this for my Caroline?” Kathy whispered to me.

I sat up and leaned closer, glancing between Kathy and David, whose eyes were both locked on mine. “Yes, ma’am,” I answered softly. I was unsure how to explain the need I felt inside of me to help Gail and her family. It was exactly what I would have done for my own. “Caroline is such a beautiful young girl, and she has come to mean a lot to me.” I ran my hand up and down Gail’s arm affectionately. “Just as Gail and you two have. I wanted to be able to help.”