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“You’re a freelance architect. You can work anywhere. If she’s as hot as you described, maybe you should be trying to get to know her. It’s way past time you got back out there and started dating again.”
Derek sighed and ran his hand over his head. It seemed as if he was getting the same speech from everyone lately, especially from Craig and their brother Keith, who was two years older than Derek. He could understand Craig’s insistence, but not Keith, who was in the middle of a divorce.
He and Craig talked for a few minutes longer before Derek disconnected. It was time to check on Noah.
The moment he stepped into the room, Macy’s pager went off. She glanced at it and blew out a breath. Derek knew she was a pediatrician, but didn’t know much else about her, which was okay with him.
If she’s as hot as you described, maybe you should be trying to get to know her. Craig’s words flitted around in his head. She might have been fine as hell, with blemish-free skin, light brown eyes and a smile that could stop a man in his tracks. But Derek didn’t have time for dating, especially dating long-distance. So what if he was curious about whether her long hair was as soft as it looked or that her full lips tempted him beyond belief? He wasn’t going to start something he had no intention of finishing.
“When Noah wakes up, can you tell him I’ll see him a little later?” Macy asked.
Derek nodded and she surprised him by handing him a business card. They had been keeping vigil over Noah for days and this was the first time she had given him her contact information.
“The hospital knows how to reach me, but can you call me if anything changes?”
Derek accepted the card and glanced at it before returning his attention to her. He had to be careful around her. Those eyes, accented with long eyelashes, could do a brother more harm than good.
“Will do.” He slid the card into the front pocket of his pants, his gaze following her as she headed for the door. She had the type of body, curvy without being too skinny or fat, that typically made him take a second glance. She was always casually dressed whenever he saw her, but he could tell that beneath the clothing was a hot body.
He shook his head and chastised himself for allowing his mind to even go there. He didn’t need that type of distraction right now.
“You can stop faking sleep, old man,” he said when he approached Noah’s bed. “She’s gone.”
“Nobody likes...a smart-ass,” Noah said in a voice just above a whisper.
Derek smiled. He hadn’t been sure Noah was awake and had spoken the words just for the hell of it.
He took in the older man’s appearance. His once-full head of gray, wavy hair was very thin, and his sunken eyes made him almost unrecognizable. Once a large man, Noah barely tilted the scale at a hundred and forty pounds now, and the realization that he was looking weaker by the day unsettled Derek.
“Look out...for her.”
Noah’s words pulled Derek back to the present. “Excuse me?” He leaned in close.
“You heard...me.” Noah’s voice suddenly seemed stronger and he met Derek’s gaze for the first time in days.
Derek hesitated. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for his mentor, but he wasn’t exactly sure what Noah was expecting of him when it came to Macy. He knew they were close, but there was just so much Derek could do for her when he lived thousands of miles away.
“Macy seems pretty independent.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets and leaned his hip against the side of the bed. “I’m sure she’s going to be fine. Besides, you know I live in Cincinnati. Between my architecture business and Jason, I don’t have much time for anything else.” Derek shrugged. “I honestly don’t think you have to worry about Macy. She’s sharp. She’ll be all right.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“It’s time...start living.” Noah’s wheezy cough sounded as if it was painful, making his whole body shake. “That ex-wife did a number...on you,” he rasped. “But it’s time...to move on.”
Derek groaned and rubbed the back of his neck and strolled over to the single window that was on the other side of the room. Staring out into the night, the last thing he wanted to talk about was his ex-wife. The day she walked out on him and his son was the day he’d vowed to stay clear of emotional entanglements with women.
“Son...I’m tired,” Noah said. Derek glanced over his shoulder. Noah looked as if he had aged in only a few minutes. “I need to know...the two of you will be okay when I’m gone.”
Derek pushed away from the window and went to stand next to the bed. Yes, he knew Noah was dying. Yet he still couldn’t accept the idea of not having him around.
“Promise me...you’ll look after Macy. And that you...will start living again.” When Derek hesitated, Noah continued, “Promise...me.” His voice was almost haunting. Foreboding crept up Derek’s spine. “Promise me.”
Derek swallowed hard. “Yeah. Yeah, I promise.”
Chapter 2 (#ulink_9016555a-3d80-530d-b4fb-513e7afbfe64)
Three days after Noah’s memorial service, Derek sat in his mentor’s lawyer’s office in shock. “He left me Price Architecture?” he said to himself.
No matter how many times Derek said the words out loud, he still couldn’t believe it. He rested his head against the high-back leather conference-room chair, trying to process all that Drew Ashton, Noah’s attorney, had told him. Noah and his wife had never had children and more than once, Noah had told him that he was like the son he’d never had. Derek now had a good idea just how Noah had felt about him.
Drew had gone through the specifics of the will as it related to Derek. Not only had Noah left him enough cash to live comfortably for years, but he had also bequeathed him a house in one of Atlanta’s suburbs. It was the knowledge that Noah had entrusted him with his multimillion-dollar company, his baby, that had Derek’s mind reeling, though. Never would he have expected to inherit the company. Sure, he had worked alongside Noah during the summers while in college and even occasionally after graduating, but Derek never expected he would one day be the CEO of the organization.
“Sorry about that.” Drew walked back into the luxury conference room and closed the door. The space looked as if the law office had spared no expense in its decor. The wall-to-wall bookshelves against deep taupe walls with dark wood trim gave the room a cozy feel, like a home library, fireplace and all.
Drew reclaimed his seat next to Derek at the round table. “I know this is a lot to take in, but I’m here to answer any questions you might have.” He opened the folder that he had brought back into the room with him. “You knew Noah well enough to know that the will comes with a number of stipulations.”
“I’m sure it does,” Derek said dryly, feeling a little overwhelmed with all that had happened since losing Noah. Overseeing the memorial service was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do. There were moments in the days since then when he still couldn’t believe he was gone. Noah had always seemed bigger than life and Derek had no idea how his life would play out without having his friend and confidant in it.
Derek’s gaze dropped to the photo in his hands of the home that Noah had left him. Actually, it was more like a mini mansion. The two-story, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom, colonial-style brick house with tall, mature trees and a manicured yard was breathtaking, even on paper.
“As I mentioned, within the next three weeks, you would be required to relocate to Atlanta and live in that house for a minimum of one year. And as for the company, you must agree to take the reins of CEO and maintain ownership of the firm for no less than a year.”
“I would never sell Price,” Derek said, not meaning to voice his thought aloud. He was honored that Noah trusted him enough to oversee the company. For years, he had tried to get Derek to move to Atlanta and be his right-hand man. Derek hated that it took Noah’s death to get him to play a role in the firm.
“Glad to hear that.” Drew broke into his thoughts. “I know I don’t have to tell you that Noah poured his heart and soul into the company. His staff is more like family, and I think you will find them quite helpful as you get settled in your new role. As a matter of fact, based on what I know of you through Noah, you’re the perfect person to take the firm to the next level.”
“Thank you.” Derek met Drew’s gray-eyed gaze before diverting his eyes back to the papers in front of him. He had heard of people becoming millionaires overnight, but never had he imagined it could happen to him. Not only had Noah provided for his future, he had also set up a trust fund for Jason.
Derek shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around everything Drew had shared with him for the past forty-five minutes.
“Attorney Ashton, you mentioned I would have to move into the home and join the team at Price within three weeks. I’m not sure if I can pick up and move my household in that short amount of time.”
“First, please call me Drew. Second, Derek, you are now a very wealthy man, assuming you adhere to all of the stipulations in the will. Noah has left you additional funds to assist you with any and all relocation costs. You’ll soon find out money solves a lot of problems and comes in handy when you have to do something quick.”
Drew slid a check across the table and Derek’s gaze immediately zoned in on all of the zeros behind the five. His mouth dropped open. He fingered the check but didn’t pick it up.
“This is just for relocating?”
Drew chuckled. “Actually, that check is yours free and clear, whether you agree to the stipulations in the will or not. Noah wanted you to have something whether or not you decided to relocate and build a life here in Atlanta. So if you decide not to move here and accept the CEO position, you won’t walk away empty-handed. Oh, and the trust fund for Jason is not contingent on anything. Noah often referred to him as his grandson.”
Derek nodded.
“I know this is a lot to take in, but there’s more.” Drew closed the folder and, as if on cue, the conference room door opened and his assistant stepped in.
“Drew, Macy is here. Should I show her in?”
“Yes, please do.”
Derek cocked his head and looked at the attorney, but before he could pose a question, Macy was standing in the doorway.
Her gaze met his, and it was clear she was just as surprised to see him as he was to see her. She recovered quickly and walked farther into the room and shook Drew’s extended hand.
Derek stood and he couldn’t stop his gaze from roaming over her sexy body. He hadn’t seen her since Noah’s memorial service.
Despite a hint of fatigue around her eyes, she was as beautiful as ever. Gone was the ponytail she usually sported, as well as the simple shirt and slacks she preferred for work. Instead, she wore a low-cut red blouse that highlighted her breasts and flat stomach. The short black skirt she wore stopped just above her knees and fit her curves perfectly without looking indecent. In all of the times he had seen her, he’d never realized she owned a pair of shapely, traffic-stopping legs that seemed to go on forever. She had worn a pantsuit to the memorial service, but a woman with legs like hers should show them off every chance she got.
“Derek?”
His gaze shot up when he realized Drew had called his name more than once and gestured for him to reclaim his seat at the round conference table.
Instead of greeting Macy with words, they nodded at each other.
“Macy, please have a seat here.” Drew pulled out the chair on the other side of his. “I wanted you both to be here so I could discuss the rest of Noah’s will.”
* * *
Macy restrained from fanning herself at the sight of Derek in a suit. Had she known he would be there, she would have mentally prepared herself. His presence still affected her down to the core of her being. Granted, she hadn’t been with someone in months, but how could she be attracted to a man of few words who was also aloof and seemed to want to be anywhere she wasn’t?
If only she could forget how good it had felt to be in his strong arms, hugged up against his hard body. She would never forget that day, for more reasons than one. It was a week ago. Derek had called her at work, informing her that she needed to get to the hospital. Noah had passed away before she arrived. Though she knew the day was coming, she hadn’t wanted to believe her father was gone. No amount of preparation had prepared her for the loss she felt deep down in her soul. And to be comforted by Derek had wreaked havoc on her emotional state. His long, muscular arms wrapped firmly around her and the woodsy scent of his cologne had her wanting to bury her nose in the crook of his neck for a deeper sniff. The man who she’d thought was unfeeling and distant comforted her with soothing words while he held her close until she was able to pull herself together.
She glanced at him across the table and their gazes collided. It was as if someone had wrapped their hands around her throat and squeezed. She could barely breathe staring into his dark, intense eyes. Diverting her gaze, she returned her attention to Drew, who was speaking and sifting through a file folder on the table in front of him.
“Macy, here’s a letter Noah left for you. I’ll let you read it now before we proceed.”
She hesitated before accepting the white envelope and fought the urge to hold it against her chest, over her heart. She had always thought of herself as a strong person, but the past week and a half had proven she wasn’t as strong as she thought.
She took a deep breath and released it, bracing herself for Noah’s last words to her. The last thing she wanted to do was fall apart in front of Drew and Derek.
She smiled at the sight of Noah’s scribble.
My dearest Macy,
If you’re reading this letter, it means I have gone on to a better place...hopefully. I hope you don’t think I forgot about our agreement regarding the medical complex. I didn’t. Drew will give you the details regarding the building and the renovations.
Baby girl, I hope you know how proud I am of the woman you’ve become. You were like a little girl to me when you first moved to Atlanta for college, and I watched you grow into an amazing woman. You’re the daughter I never had. It’s no wonder people gravitate to you. The love and compassion you show everyone you meet, as well as your work ethic, make me proud.
But I worry about you, the way you always put others first, stretching yourself thin, and you’re the first person people seek out when they have a problem. Promise me you’ll start taking care of yourself. I know we always got together for dinner on Thursday nights, but maybe you can keep that going, just with someone else. Perhaps with a man your own age?
Macy chuckled at the last sentence and blinked rapidly, fighting off the tears that were threatening to fall.
I want you to have the type of love and passion I shared with Lorraine while she was alive. There’s nothing like finding your soul mate and building a life together. It’s time for you to settle down and have the family you always wanted. I just hate I won’t be there to walk you down the aisle the way we used to talk about or hold your firstborn.
I love you, baby girl. I’ll be with you always.
Noah
Macy closed her eyes and held the letter to her chest, unable to hold her tears at bay. She would never hear his deep voice call her “baby girl” again and she felt the loss the same way she had when Derek had first informed her that Noah was gone. She felt so blessed to have had him in her life and he would forever hold a special spot in her heart.
Macy slowly opened her eyes when she felt a hand on her arm.
“Are you okay?” Drew asked. He handed her a box of tissues. “We can give you a moment if you need it.”
Derek stared at her openly and didn’t speak, but she didn’t miss the concern in his eyes. Maybe he wasn’t as distant as she had first thought.
“Sorry. I’m all right,” she said to Drew and dabbed at her eyes and cheeks. She breathed in deeply and slowly released her breath. Something she did often, especially right before she had to deliver bad news to the parents of her patients. “Thank you for giving me this.”
“My pleasure.” He squeezed her arm and returned his attention to the papers in front of him. “I’m sure you both have other things to do today, so why don’t I explain another part of Noah’s will.” He handed Derek a large manila envelope and then gave another one that wasn’t as thick to Macy. They both opened them and perused the contents.
Macy’s heart thumped faster against her chest as she sifted through documents that included a deed and title to a new commercial building that would one day serve as a medical complex. Her gaze fell to the set of keys in her hand. Noah had done it again. He had helped get another one of her dreams started. All she could do was stare at everything, finding it hard to believe what it all meant. He had already left her an obscene amount of money, but to give her a building, too, was unbelievable.
“Wow.” The one word slipped through her lips and didn’t begin to express the elation flowing through her body. He had told her he was going to help her with the medical complex, but to see his promise come to fruition was beyond exciting.
She glanced at Derek as he went through the contents of his envelope. He also had a set of keys that she wondered about, as well as some drawings and what looked to be a blueprint.
Derek shrugged. “Exactly what am I looking at here?” he asked but didn’t look up from the documents.
“That’s most of what you will need to get started working on the medical complex that Noah promised Macy.”
“What?” Macy and Derek said in unison, staring at Drew.
“What do you mean, he’ll be working on my medical complex?”
Macy sat dumbfounded as Drew explained how Derek would be in charge of overseeing the project from the beginning to the end, including the design, renovations, furnishings and everything else needed to get the doors open.
What had Noah been thinking? Sure, he had told her Derek was one of the most talented and sought-after architects in the country, but did he have to get him involved with her project? Why was he forcing her to work so closely with Derek? Surely he had sensed the tension between the two of them during their visits. How was she going to keep her wits about her if she had to see Derek and be subjected to the hypnotic scent of his cologne whenever they had to meet to discuss the specifics of her ideas?
By the scowl on Derek’s face, he wasn’t any happier about the news.
God help me. She was going to need to do a lot of praying and probably take some cold showers over the next few months just to get through this new adventure.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_4eee39a8-5e37-5b4c-a8d7-d66ed0584fab)
Derek drove into the cul-de-sac and to his new place. The brick colonial, with four oversize pillars and beige trim, was one of the largest homes in the neighborhood, and it was his. He still couldn’t believe all that Noah had left him. Derek also couldn’t believe he’d packed up both himself and his son and relocated to Atlanta, all within a two-and-a-half-week period. As a single father, raising a child alone was hard enough. Take away his built-in babysitters, and it was like sailing upstream without a paddle.
Now that he had made the big move, the challenges it would bring, raising Jason and getting acclimated to a new city, were at the forefront of his mind. Not only that, but he had started his freelance architecture business a few years earlier and it had recently taken off. Leaving Cincinnati to oversee Price Architecture was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but he hated that he had to subcontract out some of his own projects before coming to Atlanta.
Derek pulled into the extra-wide semicircular driveway and slowed before he reached the three-car garage. Noah had given the mansion that he’d lived in before passing away to his favorite charity. Derek couldn’t understand why he would purchase this home only to risk leaving it empty, considering he couldn’t have been sure Derek would agree to the relocation. Noah didn’t do anything without a reason, but this part of his will had Derek stumped.
His gaze fell back on the structure of his mini mansion. He couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across his lips. Noah definitely knew what Derek liked when it came to houses. Tudors were his favorite, but this colonial-like home was a little unique, with its wide Palladian window above the double burgundy front doors.
He drove farther up the driveway, stopping in front of one of the garage doors before cutting the engine. Part of him was excited about all of the changes to his life, but there was a twinge of anxiousness that spun inside his gut.
“Daddy, why did we stop?”
Derek turned to the backseat where his four-year-old son sat in his booster seat, playing a video game. Jason had been so quiet, Derek had momentarily forgotten he was there.
“This is our new home, son. Ready to check it out?” Derek stepped out and walked around the car to open Jason’s door, but his son didn’t budge. Neither of them was overly thrilled about leaving their home and family in Cincinnati, but together they were going to embrace this new chapter in their life. “Let’s go, kid.”
