Page 25 of Beau

“I am not sure," he hedged. “I will call and let you know.” With that, he turned and bounded down the stairs. Without looking back at her, he entered the vehicle and was gone.

She was still standing in the open doorway even when the taillights of his vehicle had disappeared. It was the icy fingers of the wind slashing through her clothing, galvanizing her into closing and securing the door.

She stood there in the wide hallway for a few seconds before shrugging out of her jacket and hanging it on the intricate looking coat tree. Right before the wedding, Beau had asked if she wanted a full complement of household staff, and she had told him a resounding no.

“One is enough and even so, I am going to have a difficult time telling a grown woman what to do.” But fortunately, Mrs. Greene needed no direction from her.

The house was run like clockwork, without her having to intervene. The housekeeper consulted her on the menu a few times a week and Georgie would alert her to the times they were dining out.

But for the first time, the lovely home that had been first his mother’s and now theirs, felt empty and lonely.

The first time she saw it, she decided then and there that it should be filled with the sounds of children laughing and racing along its parqueted floor. She vowed to fill the six bedrooms with sounds of her children playing or seeing them taking naps in their beds.

Walking into the spotless kitchen with its ultra-modern appliances and bright yellow and blue wallpapers, she stood at the sparkling counter and felt tears burning the back of her eyes. He should have taken the day and spent it with her. She had expected him to do just that.

Yes, she knew they were meeting with officials from the FDA concerning the drug, but she comes first, dammit! They had just discovered she was carrying triplets, and her emotions were veering near to the surface.

She felt weepy and confused. She was also scared and would have liked to feel his strong arms wrapped around her, assuring her that they were going to get through this together.

But he couldn’t wait to unload her and had not said anything at all on the subject. Taking a deep breath, she went to make herself some tea.

The hunger pangs reminded her that she needed sustenance. She was carrying precious cargoes and would not allow herself to wallow in self-pity. So, her husband was still sulking, and was still not on board, but that’s his problem.

Placing a protective hand on her flat stomach, she murmured. “It’s just us, darlings. Mama is going to make something scrumptious for us to nibble on and I am prevailing on you not to disgrace us by making me get rid of it in the bowl. Let’s get to work, shall we?”

*****

“You seem like a man who has a lot on his mind.” The sound of his father’s voice had him jumping slightly. He had been so lost in thought, he had not heard the doors opening. The meetings were over and most of the staff had gone for the day. He had called earlier to check on his wife and she said she was okay and was taking a nap.

“Dad.”

Blake stepped into the room and closed the doors behind him. Moving forward, he sat on a padded chair in front of the desk. It always amazed and pleased him to see his son sitting behind the massive oak.

For years, it had been his desire to have Beau running the company alongside him and so far, he had not been disappointed. “You were distracted. Even at the meeting, I could tell you were not all the way there.”

“Didn’t I make my contributions?” His tone was unaccountably sharp and had his father’s eyebrows lifting.

“It was not a criticism.”

“Of course not.” Pushing his chair back, he walked swiftly over to the recessed cabinet and pushed a button. The shelves then slid out silently to reveal rows of liquors and other beverages fully stocked. “Anything for you?”

“I just had a glass of scotch earlier and I promised Cynthia I would take her out for the evening. There is an off Broadway show at the Palladium she wants to see.”

Beau poured a measure of scotch and decided to skip the ice. “Is the relationship progressing?”

He turned just in time to see his father shrugging.

“She is really a wonderful woman.”

“Are you in love with her?” Beau settled behind his desk and cradled the drink between his palms. He really should be getting home. The staff party had been thrown just two days ago and the corporate office would be closed until the New Year. His wife needed him.

Blake rubbed his palms up and down the leg of his immaculately cut ash gray trousers.

“You already know the answer to that question. I respect her and admire her wit and her determination.” He smiled slightly. “But the only woman I will ever love has been dead for five years. There is no changing that.”

Leaning back in his chair, Beau sighed. “Love is damned complicated, isn’t it?”

His father eyed him shrewdly. “Had a fight with Georgie?”