Taming the Moguls (24 page)

“Why?” Lyle asked. “Maybe someone’s seen
them.”

“Garrity’s not happy with Tommy about STS.
It’s a long story, but it involves the woman. I think the fewer
people who know they might be together, the better.”

“What about Olivia?” Erica asked. “What
should we tell her?”

“Tell her to keep her mouth shut until we
know more,” Dodge said. “I know a guy who rents cabins on this side
of the mountain. I’ll give him a call, see if he’s seen Tommy and
ask about the road. If they open the pass, maybe he’ll be home by
the time Olivia arrives.”

Chapter 46

“What about Ryan? Tommy asked. “You said he
was out of your life.”

Gretchen took a deep breath and wiped her
hands on her pants. She had to get off that mountain and deal with
Ryan before he got his claws into Alex. “He has been. Every
holiday, he declines his time with Alex but not this year. He wants
to take him skiing when he goes out to New England to cover the
game.”

“You’re going to let him?”

“I can’t stop him. He has visitation rights.
Just because he’s never exercised them before doesn’t mean he can’t
now.”

“When was the last time he saw Alex?”

“He and his parents took him for Christmas
when Alex was one. Alex cried the whole time, and they couldn’t
wait to give him back. They were strangers to him. They’ve never
asked again. Ryan calls several times a year and threatens to take
him, but he never does. Until now.”

“Why don’t you think this is just a
threat?”

“His assistant usually calls and declines for
him. He called this time and argued with me. Robert said he’s heard
Ryan’s under investigation for being with a minor.”

Tommy’s jaw went hard. “He’s raped someone
else.”

“I don’t know.”

“Son of a bitch!” He hopped up from the couch
and paced in front of the fire. “He hasn’t seen the boy in nine
years? Haven’t you talked to an attorney about sole custody? Surely
that would be an option considering his lack of interest in Alex’s
life.”

“Attorneys cost money. Money I don’t have.
Besides, Ryan would never let me have sole custody.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not going to let Ryan get anywhere near
Alex or you. I’m going to stop him.”

“How?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I know who to
call.”

Gretchen couldn’t afford to get her hopes up.
As much as she loved Tommy for his passion and protectiveness, she
knew Ryan would never relinquish his control over them. “Who?”

“My soon-to-be brother-in-law. He’s got an
international law firm on retainer.”

“I didn’t think you were that close.”

“We’re not, not really. But we’re about to be
family. I’ll ask anything, pay any amount to keep Ryan out of your
life.” He stopped pacing and looked her in the eye, as determined
and angry as she’d ever seen him. “I don’t care what I have to do
or who I have to ask for help. He’ll never touch you again. Every
time he threatens your son, he’s threatening you. That stops now.
Right now.”

“His visitation starts in a matter of
weeks.”

“Then we’d better do what we can to get out
of here. I’ve got work to do.”

She stood. “What can we do? I thought the
roads were impassible?”

“We can shovel us out of the drive so we can
check the roads. I wasn’t willing to chance a ride down, but now
the clock’s ticking.” He reached for his coat. “You up for some
shoveling?”

“If it gets us down the mountain, I’m up for
anything.” She reached for him and wrapped her arms around him like
a lifeline. “I don’t know what you can do, if anything, but I love
you all the more for trying.”

“We’ll win this. I don’t make promises I
can’t keep.”

She nodded and tried to remain positive. It
wasn’t that she didn’t trust Tommy; it was that she didn’t trust
Ryan. He would do anything to keep Gretchen on a short leash. If he
knew Tommy was back in the picture, he’d fight even harder. “Let’s
get going.”

***

The anger fueled Tommy to shovel faster and
harder than he’d ever worked before. He would use the anger to get
them out of the cabin and back to the valley. He would make some
calls and do some research. The clock was ticking, and even though
he’d promised Gretchen the moon, he didn’t have a clue about
custody laws. But law be damned, Ryan Lowry would never touch a
hair on that boy’s head as long as Tommy drew breath.

“You’re not used to the altitude,” he told
Gretchen when she leaned on her shovel, breathing hard. “Go inside
and rest.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted and began shoveling
again.

He could tell by the way she held the shovel
that something was wrong. “Let me see your hands.”

“They’re fine.”

“Gretch.” He pulled her hand from the shovel
and yanked the leather glove from her hand. “You’ve got blisters
all over your palm, baby.” He kissed her palm before grabbing some
snow. He placed it on her palm and closed her fingers. “Go inside.
I can do the rest. We’re almost to the road.”

“There’s so much snow. I don’t think we’re
going to get down today.”

“You let me worry about that.”

“Tommy, you’re exhausted. Come inside and
have a drink and something to eat. We could both use a break.”

“You go ahead. I’m almost to a stopping
point.”

She sighed and scowled. “Tommy…”

He kissed her cold lips and waved her inside.
He got back to work. He was just turning to retrieve the truck key
from the cabin when he heard the rumble of a diesel engine. He
watched a truck putter to where Tommy stood.

The bearded driver rolled down the window.
“You Tommy Golden?”

“Yeah?” Tommy wouldn’t have been more
surprised to hear his name if Jesus himself had asked. “Who are
you?”

“Dickie Sturgis. Friend of A.J. Dodge. He
thought you might be up here.”

“How’s the road?”

“Believe it or not, not too bad. Good thing
DOT got anti-icer on the pass before the storm hit, or we’d be
stuck up here for days.”

“It’s clear down to Lower Fork?”

“Far as I can tell. If you’re wanting to head
down, I’d go before sunset. They’re calling for more snow
tonight.”

Tommy shook the man’s hand. “Appreciate the
word. Can you reach Dodge, tell him we’re fine?”

“Will do. Be careful now.”

Tommy strode back to the cabin, knocked the
snow from his boots, and opened the door. “Gretchen?”

She peeked her head around from the kitchen.
“Do you want soup or chili?”

“Neither,” he said. “Road’s clear. Let’s get
our stuff and get back.”

Tommy heard Gretchen gasp on a few turns down
the mountain, but for the most part, his armrest took the brunt of
her worry. He’d plugged his phone into the charger, and when it
signaled he had service, he handed the phone to Gretchen. “Call
your son.”

She grabbed the phone and dialed. “Elise?
It’s Gretchen. Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry I haven’t called. It’s a
long story, but I didn’t have access to a phone for a day. I hope
Alex wasn’t worried.” She nodded and listened before sounding
disappointed. “Oh, okay. Will you tell him I called and that I love
him? I’ll be back at my phone in twenty minutes or so. Will you
have Robert call me when they get back?” She put the phone on the
console. “Robert took him to the movies.”

Tommy reached for her hand. “You okay?”

“Yes. He’s fine. I knew he would be. I just
wanted to hear his voice.”

When the road leveled, Tommy relaxed. “We’ll
be down in about ten more minutes. We’re through the worst of it
now.”

“Tommy?” Gretchen said. “Before we get down
and have to separate, I want you to know how much this meant to me,
this time we had. It felt like so much more than just a day.”

Tommy’s stomach clenched. “Why does it sound
like you’re saying good-bye?”

“I’m not.” She squeezed his hand. “We just
can’t be seen together, or we’ll never be able to broker this deal
with STS. Our credibility will be shot.”

“I’m not worried about STS. I want to get
back and call Jack, Olivia’s fiancé.” He kissed her knuckles. “Go
back to the hotel, talk to Robert, and get your stuff. I want you
with me tonight.”

“I need to go home. To Chicago. I need to see
Alex. If Robert agrees to the smaller development, can we set up a
meeting with STS? Or do you want to handle talking to them? If you
want me present, I’d like to get a meeting scheduled as soon as
possible.”

“If Holcomb agrees, we’ll set something up
for tomorrow. If we can get Dodge and a few others on board, it’s
as good as done.” He rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand.
“Are you having second thoughts? About us?”

She reached over the console and planted a
kiss on his cheek. “No doubts. I’m worried about Ryan. I feel like
he’s got a knife to my throat.”

Tommy’s hand tightened on the wheel. He’d
stick that knife in Ryan’s heart if he could. “Let me make some
calls. Jack works fast. Hopefully I’ll have an attorney’s name and
a meeting set up by the time you get to my place.”

“I’m trying not to get my hopes up.”

“We’ve come a long way in twenty-four hours.
Give me a few more. That’s all I’m asking.”

“I’ll give you a lifetime,” Gretchen
said.

Chapter 47

Gretchen eased away from Tommy as Lower Fork
appeared in the distance.

“I’ll drop you at your car and then head to
the restaurant.” He handed her his cell phone. “Plug your number
into my phone so I can reach you later. I’m going to have some
explaining to do, so I won’t be home for a couple of hours.”

She felt panicked at the thought of
separating, as if that was the end of whatever they’d rekindled.
“Okay. What are you going to tell people?”

“That we went up to Bear Stream, got stuck in
the storm, and spent the night at Bosco’s cabin. I’ll tell them the
truth, minus a few details.”

“They were lovely details.”

“Yes, they were. I won’t be able to kiss you,
but I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

“Don’t you think it’s risky for me to come to
your house? What if someone sees us together?”

“They won’t, and if they do, I don’t give a
damn.” When she worried her lip, he said, “Do you think it’ll look
better if I come to your hotel?”

“No. What’s wrong?” Gretchen noticed the
pinched look on Tommy’s face.

“There’re an awful lot of cars in the Tap’s
lot for four-thirty.” He turned into the parking lot of Golden
Mountain Sports and parked the truck by her car. “I love you. I’ll
call you when the coast is clear.”

“I love you, too.” She brushed his fingers
with hers before opening the door and getting out. He waited for
her to get inside her freezing car and start the engine before he
backed out and crossed the street. Gretchen pulled onto the main
road toward Westmoreland, but not before she saw a stunning blonde
run into Tommy’s arms.

***

“What the hell are you doing here?” Tommy
asked Olivia as soon as he peeled her off his chest. “Why aren’t
you in Denver?”

“You weren’t answering your phone, and you
didn’t show up for work. I knew something was wrong.”

They walked arm in arm into the restaurant.
“Nothing’s wrong other than a storm that blew in quick. Is Jack
with you?”

“No. He’s back in Denver. Why?”

“I need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” she asked.

Tommy spotted Lyle and Jack’s sister at the
bar talking to Stevie. “I’ll explain later.”

“Does it have anything do with the woman who
got out of your truck or the fact that you smell like sex?” Olivia
whispered.

Tommy bumped her with his hip. “Yes, it
does.”

It took an hour to square things with Stevie
and drag Olivia away from Erica and Lyle once they’d announced
their engagement. Tommy was desperate for a shower and a moment
alone with Olivia. He ushered her to his truck. “You can pick your
car up tomorrow. Get in. We need to talk.”

“What’s going on? Who’s the mystery
woman?”

“Her name’s Gretchen Lowry.” Tommy grit his
teeth as he spit out her last name. It wouldn’t be long, he
reminded himself, before he gave her his. “We were together in
college. Something happened, and we broke up. I didn’t know a lot
of the story, but now that I do, we’re back together.” He stared at
his sister. “I love her, Olivia. I always have.”

“Oh my gosh. This is huge. I’ve never heard
you say that about anyone.”

“It’s always been Gretchen. She’s in some
trouble.”

“With the law?”

“No. Her prick of an ex is trying to take her
son. I can’t let that happen. I know Jack pulled some strings to
get that attorney down here to help you during your case with the
superintendent. Do you think he’ll pull some to help me find the
best child support lawyer in Chicago?”

“Why Chicago?”

“That’s where she lives.”

“Of course he can,” Olivia said.

“I don’t care how much it costs.”

She ran her hand along his sleeve. “My big
brother’s in love. When do I get to meet her?”

“Tonight. She’s coming up.”

Olivia rubbed her hands together. “What’s she
like?”

“She’s…beautiful, down to earth, real. She’s
humble, and she’s a fighter. She’d put her life on the back burner
for ten years to raise her son, and she did it all on her own.”

“You’re proud of her.”

Tommy pulled into his driveway and pushed a
button to open the garage. “I’m going to marry her, but I’ve got to
help her son, first.”

“I never thought I’d see the day. Wow, okay.
I’m happy for you. Go take a shower, and I’ll call Jack.”

Chapter 48

Gretchen let the phone go into voice mail as
she stepped out of the shower. She’d already talked to Alex and
Robert. She knew Tommy was calling and she wasn’t ready to talk to
him yet. She’d never asked him if he was involved with someone. Why
hadn’t she asked? The woman she saw running into his arms didn’t
look like an acquaintance or a friend. She had been a lover and a
current one from the way she bounded into his arms. Tommy certainly
hadn’t pushed her away; he’d hugged her back before setting her
feet on the ground and walking inside the restaurant with his arm
around her waist.