Rags To Riches: At His Bidding

Kim’s eyes widened and she slid into the booth across from Coco. “Well, you’re not married, so you don’t need a divorce. I can’t believe you’ve committed any crimes.”

“It’s not that,” Coco said. “I just need to check on what happens to a person’s debts when they die. I need to know if I’m responsible for my mother’s debts.”

“Well, I can tell you that. As long as you didn’t cosign anything, you’re not responsible. How do I know? When my husband Hank’s parents died, they had a boatload of debt and none of the kids had to pay. Now the repo company took everything his parents owned and that meant no inheritance for the kids, but the kids did not have to pay.” She frowned. “Why are you worried?”

“These strange men have come to Benjamin Garner’s house. They remind me of the bill collectors who kept coming around when my mother was sick,” Coco said.

“Well, if they’re angling to get some money out of you, they’re just crooked. You should tell Benjamin. He’ll take care of them in no time.”

“But he’s my employer. It would be embarrassing to have to tell him about this,” she said.

“If they keep coming around the house, he’s going to find out anyway. Better to nip it in the bud. And trust me, there’s no one better-suited to take care of someone trying to pull some sort of money scheme on you than Benjamin.” Kim thumped the table with her knuckles. “I gotta get back to work. Enjoy those marshmallows and talk to Benjamin.”

Coco stared at the marshmallows, her stomach churning at the prospect of discussing her mother’s debt issues with Benjamin.

* * *

“She’s okay as long as I bob up and down. I just hope it doesn’t make my fillings fall out. You’ll have a high dental bill if that happens,” Sarah warned Benjamin as she jiggled Emma.

Emma had spotted him and was throwing a hard glance at him. It amazed him that a kid under six months old could kill a man with her eyes. Maybe she was a chip off the old block after all. He turned to go to his office.

“Not so fast,” Sarah called. “The least you can do is come here and say hello to your daughter.”

“I’ll just make her cry,” he said.

“I’ll take that risk. You can’t run from your own child forever,” she said.

“I’m not running,” he said. “I just don’t see any need in upsetting her.”

Benjamin slowly walked toward Sarah and Emma. The baby glared at him like a gunfighter ready for action.

“Boo,” he said in a low voice.

Both Sarah and Emma gasped. “Why’d you do that? You’re just gonna scare her even more.”

Benjamin shrugged and walked closer. He lifted his hand to the sweet skin of the baby’s chubby arm. “Hey, Princess, sooner or later, you’ll realize that I’m gonna be around a long time. I can just tell you’re gonna give me hell till you figure that out.”

Emma frowned, but she didn’t cry. She shot him another hard look and stared at his hat.

“Does this bother you?” he asked, removing the hat from his head and extending the Stetson toward her. He thought about the sweet nanny he’d hired. At first sight of the woman, Benjamin had sensed a tender heart. “Coco said it might.”

Emma stared at the hat then at him and for one sliver of a second, he saw a softening in those intense blue eyes of his daughter.

The front door opened and Coco’s footsteps sounded in the foyer. He knew her step already. Benjamin automatically turned and Boomer limped to greet her. “Hey, boy,” he heard her say to the dog. Seconds later, she appeared, breathless, clearly a little concerned. “How was she?”

“Ah!” Emma said.

“She’s fine as long as I jump up and down,” Sarah said in a grumpy voice as Emma stretched her hands toward Coco. “Did you take care of your business?”

Coco’s gaze darkened, taking Emma into her arms. “Mostly, but I—uh—I’d appreciate it if I could maybe talk to you sometime soon,” she said to Benjamin.

Surprised, he shrugged. “No problem. Just let me know when. I’m in the office this afternoon and I have a cattlemen’s meeting tonight.”

Coco stared at him for a moment. “So when is a good time?”

He got an odd feeling in his gut at the expression on her face. He hoped this didn’t mean trouble. Benjamin didn’t need one more iota of trouble in his life. And he sure as hell didn’t need trouble from his daughter’s nanny. He’d hired the woman to alleviate his problems, not exacerbate them.

“I can see you up until six today or after nine tonight,” he told her.

She took a deep breath. “After nine. Emma will be in bed by then.”

He nodded and placed his hat back on his head. “Nine o’clock. Come to my office.”

“Can we, uh, meet in the den?” she asked, surprising him with the request.

He shrugged. “Okay. See you at nine. I’ve got work to do,” he said and walked away.

* * *

That night, just before 9:00 p.m., Emma fell asleep with no struggle. Coco set the baby on her back in her crib. Emma was totally relaxed and Coco had a feeling the baby might sleep through the whole night. She quietly walked from the room and left the door open just a sliver. She had a monitor, but Coco liked the idea of having more than one modality to hear Emma if she cried.

Now she was second-guessing her decision to talk with Benjamin. She’d almost hoped Emma would take a long time to get to sleep, so she wouldn’t be able to meet with him. Her stomach knotted with nerves. Benjamin was a tough man. She just hoped he would be on her side.

Chapter Two

Coco hesitated at the entry to the den. Now she wondered why she’d chosen it with its brown leather furniture and masculine tan, rust and brown palette. Maybe the office would have been better.

Suddenly, Benjamin stood in front of her. Her heart stopped.

“You look like you need a drink,” he said.

She shook her head. “No. I’m fine.”

“Hmm,” he said doubtfully. “Come on in.”

She followed him into the den and gingerly sat across from him on the sofa. He’d sat in the well-worn leather chair. He looked at her expectantly and her throat went dry.

She opened her mouth and a croaking sound came out.

He set his shot glass next to her on the couch. “You need a swallow of something. May as well be some good whiskey.”

She took a sip of the alcohol. It burned all the way down.

“Another,” he said.

She hesitated, but his nod encouraged her and she took a second sip. “Enough,” she said and gave the glass back to him. “I need your help.”

He took a swallow from the squat glass he’d shared with her. “I figured that. What’s the problem?”

“I’m not sure. These men have been trying to see me.”

“Men?” he repeated, a shot of displeasure rising through him.

“They’ve already come to the house twice and—”

“Which house?” he asked, sitting up in his chair.

“This house,” she said. “Your house.”

“Why in hell are they coming here?” he asked. “And why haven’t any of my staff seen them?”

“They’re here to see me.” She pulled a card from her purse and handed it to them. “I have no idea who the House of Devereaux is.” She took a quick, desperate breath and pushed her brown hair nervously behind her ear. “As you know, my mother died a few months ago. She didn’t have much money at the end.” Coco bit her lip. “Bill collectors started coming around. These men reminded me of them.”

Benjamin frowned and set down his drink. He studied the card. “Did you cosign any of her loans?”

She shook her head.

“I’ll call my brother—he’s an attorney—and see if he knows anything about this House of Devereaux. In the meantime, if those guys show up, I want you to call my cell right away.”

She looked hesitant.

“Is there anything else I need to know?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. I’m just not sure I should have dragged you into this.”

“These men came onto my property without an invitation. You are an important employee. That makes it my business.”

The vulnerability she showed grabbed at him, although he sure as hell wouldn’t admit it. Coco had a fresh-scrubbed face and slim body, making her look younger than her years. Sweet and innocent, probably hoping for a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. Not his type at all. Benjamin had usually gone for low-maintenance women who knew their way around a man and wouldn’t expect too much of him. Except for Brooke. He’d made a big mistake with Brooke.

“I need your word that you’ll call me if they come around again,” he insisted.

She sighed and nodded reluctantly. “I will, but I’m hoping I’ll fall off their radar.”

Benjamin had a feeling that her wish wouldn’t come true. “Just so we understand each other,” he said and stood. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

* * *

The next day as Coco dressed Emma, she pointed to the photograph of Benjamin she had placed on a dresser in the baby’s room. “Daddy,” Coco said. “That’s your daddy.”

The baby was cheerful and a little less clingy than usual. Coco was pleased with Emma’s progress and hoped there might be an opportunity for Emma and Benjamin to make a little peace.

The doorbell rang as she was feeding Coco her lunch.

Sarah entered the kitchen. “Two men are here to see you. Dever-something?” she said.

Coco’s stomach clenched. She wondered if she should send them away, but remembered her promise to Benjamin. She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Tell them to wait in the front room, please,” she said and pulled out her cell phone. As soon as Sarah left, she punched Benjamin’s number on her cell phone.

“Benjamin,” he said in a curt voice.

“It’s me, Coco,” she said. “The men are here. They’re in the den.”

“Do you know what they want?” he asked.

“Not yet. I’ve been feeding Emma. I only called because you made me promise,” she said.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he said and hung up the phone.

Coco handed the feeding of Emma over to Sarah and made her way to the front room. The two men immediately stood. “Miss Jordan, thank you for seeing us. Again, I’m Paul Forno, and this is my colleague Gerald Shaw.”

Tense, Coco laced her fingers together in front of her. “If this is regarding my mother’s debt, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Mr. Forno’s face crinkled in confusion. “Your mother’s debt?” he echoed. “I wasn’t aware that Miss London had any debt issues. According to our information, she’s been well cared for, per her agreement with your father.”

“Miss London,” she echoed, not certain who was more confused—she or Mr. Forno. “That’s not my mother’s name. You must have the wrong person.”

Mr. Forno studied her. “You do know that you were adopted, don’t you?”

“Of course, but—” She broke off, struggling to keep her emotions under control as she tried to make sense of the men’s visit. “Is this about my birth mother? I tried to find her years ago, but I was told she didn’t want to meet me. Has she changed her mind?”

Mr. Forno exchanged a look with his associate. “Unfortunately—”

The front door opened and Benjamin stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the front room. “Problem?”

Coco immediately felt a sense of relief. “I think there’s a lot of confusion right now.”

Benjamin addressed the two men. “It shouldn’t take long to clear up any confusion given the fact that you’ve been bothering Miss Jordan. If you have a legitimate reason to see her, then spill it or leave.”

Mr. Forno cleared his throat. “This is a matter of a delicate nature. We, uh, prefer to speak to Miss Jordan privately.”

“That’s up to Miss Jordan,” Benjamin said.

“I’d like Mr. Garner to remain,” she said. “Whatever you say to me, you can say in front of him.”

Mr. Shaw sighed. “Then, sir, we must request that you sign a confidentiality agreement.”

“I’m not signing anything,” Benjamin said. “You’re in my house and you’re wasting my employee’s time and mine, too.”

Mr. Shaw looked nervous and perplexed. “Then I must beg of you to keep what we are about to tell you in the strictest confidence.”

Benjamin lifted one shoulder in halfhearted agreement. “Still waiting.”

Mr. Forno waved his hand. “Allow me to introduce ourselves, Mr. Garner. I am Paul Forno and this is my associate, Gerald Shaw, with the House of Devereaux. Perhaps we should sit down.”

Impatience simmering from Benjamin, he sat down. The others followed.

“As I said, we are representatives of the House of Devereaux,” the man began.

“What is that?” Benjamin asked.

Mr. Shaw blinked. “The royal House of Devereaux. The ruling family of the country of Chantaine.”

“Never heard of it,” Benjamin said.

Mr. Forno looked at Coco and she shrugged. “Sorry. Neither have I.”

“Oh, my,” Mr. Forno said. “Chantaine is a small, but beautiful island country off the coast of Italy. The Devereau family has ruled the country for centuries.”

“And what does this have to do with Coco?”

Mr. Forno sighed. “Your birth mother was Ava London. She had a long-term relationship with Prince Edward of Chantaine and you are—” He cleared his throat. “A product of that relationship.”

Coco frowned, blinking at the man’s announcement. Her birth mother? Her birth father? After all these years, she would learn who they were? She shook her head in amazement. “Are you saying that Ava London and Prince Edward are my biological parents?”

“Yes, they are,” he said.

She was so stunned she couldn’t comprehend it all. “My father is a prince?”

“Yes, he was,” Mr. Forno said.

“Was?” she echoed, her heart racing. “Oh, my goodness! Is he alive? Is my birth mother alive?”

“Unfortunately, no. His Royal Highness passed away several years ago, and his son, Stefan, has since ascended the throne. Your birth mother passed away just over a week ago,” he said.

“Oh,” she said, feeling a surge of sadness. Since her mother had died, she had felt so terribly alone. She’d had no close relatives, no siblings.

“What does this mean for Miss Jordan?” Benjamin asked.

“Well, the House of Devereaux wishes to extend an invitation for you to visit the country of Chantaine and also to meet the Devereaux family,” he said brightly.

“Visit Chantaine? But how?” Coco asked.

“The usual way these days,” Mr. Forno said, continuing to smile. “A transatlantic flight.”

Her mind whirling, she looked at Benjamin and she immediately knew she couldn’t go. He was counting on her. Emma was counting on her. She shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t. I’ve just started working here and Emma needs me. Thank you for the invitation, though,” she said.

The men looked surprised. “You’re turning down the invitation to meet the Devereaux.”

“It’s not a good time for me or my employer,” she said, glancing at Benjamin, who was wearing an expression of shock.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“Of course I’m sure. I’ve made a commitment. I have every intention of keeping it,” she said and stood. All three men were gaping at her as if she’d grown an extra head. Her mind was racing. She finally knew who her biological parents were. She also knew they hadn’t wanted her. She had a brother, a prince, who probably wasn’t thrilled with her existence. “Are there other Devereaux? Do I—” She stopped at the insane thought. They weren’t her full brothers and sisters, yet she couldn’t tamp down her curiosity. “Did Prince Edward have other children?”

“Yes, he did,” Mr. Shaw said. “There’s Prince Stefan, Princesses Valentina, Fredericka, Bridget, Phillipa and Prince Jacques.”

Mr. Forno and Mr. Shaw exchanged a look. “Prince Edward also fathered another child with your birth mother. A son.”

“Another,” she said, disbelief racing through her. “My, he was quite the busy one, wasn’t he?”

Mr. Shaw cleared his throat, but didn’t respond.

Benjamin gave a low laugh. “I have to agree.”

His chuckle distracted her from her own state of shock for just a few seconds. “Now, let me get this right. You’re telling me that my birth father has six—no, wait, seven—other children. And one of these is my full biological brother. I have a real brother? Where is he?” she wanted to know. “Who is he?”

“He’s currently in Australia. An engineer. He’s been quite difficult to reach,” Mr. Shaw said. “We aren’t at liberty to give any more information about him. However, the news could break at any moment.”

“News?” Benjamin repeated. “I thought you said this was a confidential matter.”

“It is, but we fear the news of Prince Edward’s newly discovered children could be leaked to the press any day,” Mr. Shaw said.

“That’s why you’ve been so determined to get to Coco,” Benjamin said. “Why you’ve invited her to Chantaine. Control Coco and you can control the spin.”

“It’s quite understandable that the Devereaux would like to have an opportunity to meet with Miss Jordan,” Mr. Shaw said in a snippy voice.

“Hmm. Well, this is a lot for Miss Jordan to take in, so I’m sure you don’t mind giving her some time to process it.”

“Of course,” Mr. Shaw said. “If she would just sign a release stating she won’t discuss the matter with the press—”

“She’s not signing anything without an attorney looking at it,” Benjamin said.

“Sir, it’s in her best interest not to discuss this publicly. Once the story breaks, she’ll be flooded with requests from the paparazzi. Signing this document will provide her with an easy excuse to avoid interviews.”

“She won’t need an excuse,” Benjamin said and rose to his feet. “Now, as long as she has your contact information, I think we’re done for the day.”

Both men appeared disappointed. “Call us if you change your mind about the release or visiting Chantaine,” Mr. Forno said to Coco.

Her mind was reeling with all the information, and Benjamin was right. It was going to take some time for her to digest it. “I don’t think I’ll be changing my mind, but I have your phone number,” she said and watched as the two men walked out the front door.

She felt Benjamin’s gaze on her. “You okay?”

Not wanting to appear as rattled as she felt, she lifted her chin. “Of course I’m okay. The news is a bit bizarre, but I’ve always known I was adopted. I also knew that neither of my birth parents wanted to meet me. Now I know why.”

Sarah walked into the room. “Are they gone? Good. I was in the middle of placing my grocery order. Do you mind taking the baby?” she asked.

“Of course not,” Coco said, automatically holding out her hands for Emma.

Sarah quickly walked away and Coco caught a whiff of why the housekeeper was eager to have Coco take Emma. “Someone needs a change,” she said and tapped Emma on her nose. “Excuse me. Duty calls.”

“Just a minute,” Benjamin said.

“Trust me. Waiting will just make this worse,” she said and headed down the hallway toward the stairs. She heard his footsteps behind her as she made her way to the nursery.

Feeling Benjamin’s presence behind her, she quickly changed the messy diaper and picked up the baby. Coco turned to face him. “Thank you for being with me during the announcement.”

“I’m not sure you realize what an impact this could have on you,” he said. “Your father was a prince. It’s possible you have an inheritance. Hell, in a way, you’re a princess,” he said, with a hint of horror in his eyes.

Coco scoffed and jiggled Emma as she fussed at the sight of Benjamin. “Oh, that’s ridiculous. I’m no princess, that’s for sure. I’m sure there’s no inheritance for me. They would have mentioned that right off the bat,” she said and took in his doubtful expression. “Wouldn’t they? After all, I’m illegitimate. They’ve probably got all that sort of thing covered. I can’t believe Edward was the first man in the Devereau family to spread his seed. I mean, some men just can’t keep it zipped and—”

She stopped when she realized Benjamin might construe her words as criticism of him. “I mean, he fathered, or sired, eight children. That’s different than one or two or—”

“It’s okay. Let me know when you want to get in touch with the Devereaux,” he said.

“When?” she said. “That will never happen. They don’t really want me. Their father never wanted me, either.” She suddenly felt vulnerable because she’d been so sure before that she was alone in the world. She’d coached herself to believe that she would be okay. Now she could hardly believe what she’d just been told—at the same time, she sensed that her newfound family wouldn’t welcome her. “I have enough going on in my life. I don’t need to—”

“You’ll change your mind,” he said.

She scowled at him. “You can’t know that.”

He hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “I know you will. At some point, at some time, you’re going to want to meet those brothers and sisters. Anyone would want to know their relatives, especially if they thought they had none. I would,” he said.

“Would you?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’ve got three brothers. Two in town and one up in Claytor Junction, Colorado. They’ve always been important to me. More so after my dad died and my mom took off for Costa Rica.”

“Costa Rica?” she echoed.

Benjamin shrugged. “Mom always wanted to travel. Except for a few vacations, she just waited until after my dad died to do most of it. It’s her way, she’s running. One day, she’ll stop.”

Coco gnawed the inside of her lip. “You don’t resent her? Don’t you wish she was here?”

Benjamin laughed. “Hell, no. She needed to go. My dad’s death was hard on her. I’m glad she had the guts to get out of town. Everyone has to mourn their loss in their own way.”

“Is that why you got involved with Brooke?”

He paused a long time then sighed. “Maybe. I had to be strong for a while there. None of my brothers wanted to take over the ranch and it was going to be a big job.”

“Why didn’t they want to help?” she asked.

“They don’t have ranching blood in them. One is a lawyer in town. One is an investment specialist. The other’s a computer specialist. That left me,” he said.

“I don’t know much about ranching, but it looks like you’re doing a pretty good job.”

He cracked a half grin. “Thanks. I am doing a pretty good job.”

Emma made an unhappy sound. “And if I can get my daughter to stop crying every time she sees me, I’ll be in good shape.”

“You can start by taking off that hat,” she said.

“I don’t know if that makes a difference,” he said.

“Give it a try,” she said.

Sighing, he removed his hat.

Emma stared at him in silence.

“I can’t believe it’s the damn hat,” he said.

The baby extended her hand out to his face.

“Lean closer,” Coco said.

He slid her a doubtful glance, but bowed his head toward the baby. Emma gave a disapproving growl. Yet, the baby extended her hand to Benjamin’s chin.

“Ah!” Emma said.

“Improvement,” Coco said, unable to withhold a trace of victory in her voice.

Enduring the baby’s probing strokes across his mouth and chin, he grimaced. “That’s a matter of opinion.”

“She’s not screaming,” Coco said.

“True,” he said, gumming at Emma’s tiny finger.

The baby’s eyes widened and she pulled back her hand.

“Don’t scare her,” Coco scolded.

“How ya’ doin’, darlin’?” he asked Emma.

Her rapt gaze held his and she waved her hand at his face. “Ah!”

“Ah!” he echoed and caught her hand within his. “You’re my girl. Don’t ever forget that,” he said and kissed her hand. “Ever,” he said.

Emma kicked her feet and stared into his eyes, but for the first time in forever, she didn’t scream. Maybe Coco was right. Maybe the hat had frightened her. More important, maybe Coco was right and he needed to chill and just love his child. That assignment could be a bit more difficult than he planned.

* * *

Over the next few days, Coco tried to ignore the new information she’d received about her birth family. Her birth parents had never wanted her. Her half brothers and sisters weren’t truly interested in her. If so, wouldn’t one of them have come to meet her? And what about her full brother? He apparently couldn’t give a flying fig about her existence.