The Forever Gift Read online

  The Forever Gift

  Donna K. Weaver

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1: Hiding with the Billionaire

  Chapter 1: A Change of Plans

  About the Author

  Books by Donna K. Weaver

  Acknowledgments

  Copyright

  1

  “Hey, beautiful.” Jason Lee sauntered into the main office.

  Rae Cavanaugh pursed her lips in disgust. Handsome men should keep their clichéd antics to themselves. She refused to glance in the direction of the staff door where flirt-meister stood. From the corner of her eye, she could tell he was looking in her direction. She didn’t need him to bug her right now, not while she was fighting to meet the end-of-month deadline.

  The protection of widowhood was wearing off, and more than once Rae had wished she lived in the time when people had to wait a full year before being expected to socialize. She and her late husband had been married for five years. It seemed an eternity since she’d been the target of a man’s interest, and she didn’t like it.

  Where was Dylan? Her friend and coworker always managed to discourage too much of the come-on.

  “I said: Hey, beautiful.” Jason Lee stopped in front of her desk, obviously peeved she was ignoring him.

  Rae exchanged a quick glance with Amelia, the office manager. She shrugged. The older woman had more patience with their newest termite inspector.

  Yes, his Eurasian handsomeness gave him an almost exotic look, but as far as Rae could tell, he flirted with everyone with XX chromosomes, whether customer or coworker. He used it to his advantage and had the highest sales in the office. Once she’d become the target of his attentions, she’d wished more than once he’d take a job with one of those national chains instead of a small, local pest control company like Green.

  “Hello, Jason. I'm kind of in a time crunch right now.” She didn’t have to try to make herself sound stressed.

  “You need to take a break, love.”

  Rae cringed internally at the endearment. Jason reached over like he meant to touch her shoulder, but she leaned out of his reach. A flash of surprise crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by one of a man accepting a challenge. Ugh.

  “How do you know I didn’t just come off a break?” Rae asked, hurriedly.

  “Did she, Amelia?” Jason asked with a chuckle.

  Rae shot her friend a pleading glance.

  “She didn’t.”

  Traitor. If Amelia thought this was how to get Rae to start dating again, she’d have to set the woman straight.

  “That’s what I thought.” Jason’s voice had turned low and soft. He put his hand on her desk near her keyboard, only a couple of inches from her hand. “You’re working too hard, love.”

  Rae pulled back and looked up at him for the first time since he’d entered the room. His expression was sincere and even a little concerned. It did more to soften her defenses than any of his come-ons.

  It’d been ten months since her husband had died. Looking into Jason’s deep brown eyes brought home something she’d missed. He practically oozed masculinity.

  Rae blinked. Why had she even thought that? Dylan Rademaker had it too, that special spark of attractiveness, but he made her feel safe. He’d never come on to her like this.

  “You need to take some time for yourself,” Jason seemed to take her silence as encouragement.

  “He’s right.” Amelia sent Rae one of those motherly looks she dished out so well when she was sure she knew best.

  “Not on the clock, I don’t.” Rae wanted to get back to work but that would put her hands on the keyboard and too close to Jason.

  “She’s right too.” As Amelia walked by him, she shot him a you-lost-this-round glance.

  “Later then.” Jason winked at Rae and strode over to the termite account bookkeeper’s desk in the other office.

  Only then did Rae allow herself a little shiver. It made sense she’d find him attractive—she hadn’t seen a woman yet who didn’t. What she couldn’t understand was why he’d target her anyway. From what he’d said about his social life, he was only interested in a good time. She had two young children. Didn’t that discourage flirty men like Jason? And they were the reason she wouldn’t get involved again, not until they were grown. There was no point in setting herself, and them, up for possible heartbreak.

  But she was jumping the gun. She hadn’t even made up her mind to start dating yet, despite Amelia’s pressure. That was probably why she’d sided with Jason.

  Rae started typing again. It wasn’t like dating was an alien idea. She’d been asked out a few times since the holidays, but she’d turned them all down. It’d been too soon. Did Amelia think Jason would be a good first date for Rae?

  What would bringing a strange man into her life do to her children, anyway? Since her husband’s death, Rae’s biggest fear had been the inability to provide what their father had given them. She might try her best, but she wasn’t a guy and didn’t handle things the way her husband would have. If not for Dylan filling that need, she’d have resorted to finding a mentor for Preston.

  Dylan. She smiled to herself. He’d turned out to be the very best of friends. They’d worked together for a couple of years before her family’s tragedy, but they hadn’t gotten close until he’d moved next door to her last fall. Dylan had filled the gap in her children’s lives. Well, all their lives. As long as she had a friend like Dylan, she didn’t need romance.

  Rae felt a funny little twinge of longing at the thought but pushed it aside. She couldn’t afford to consider him as anything more. Their friendship was too important to risk with anything like casual dating, too important to both her and her children. Besides, he’d never looked at her as anything but a friend either. She gave herself a mental shake. It didn’t matter anyway.

  With a sigh of relief, Rae typed in the last of the information and glanced at the clock. Perfect timing. She’d be ready to handle her route peeps who’d be bringing in their receipts. Unless something unexpected came up, she’d get out of here on time.

  “Now that you’re finished, love, you’ve earned a break.” Jason grinned as he walked back to Rae’s desk.

  She gave a mental groan.

  Dylan Rademaker dashed into the office, grateful to be out of the rain. A couple of his accounts had called to reschedule their service even though he’d explained the rain wouldn’t be a problem. Now he’d have to play catchup for the houses he hadn’t been able to spray today. As much as he loved the spring, it could be a pain.

  He hung up his rain gear and pulled out the money from the customers who preferred to pay in cash. When it was raining, he had to be careful to keep the bills from getting soggy. That drove Rae crazy.

  Rae. His heart swelled whenever he thought of her. He’d fallen for her big time, her and her sweet kids. Between them and his nephew Jayden, Dylan had the family he’d always wanted but never had. Except for the fact that she’d friend-zoned him, he was happy.

  Amelia had been working with him the last month to change that. She’d taken to dropping hints to Rae it was time for her to start dating again. It was Dylan’s job to find a way for her to see him as more than a best friend. So far, he hadn’t been able to bring up
the subject. Every time he’d tried, his brain and mouth had refused to work together.

  He was about to step into her office when he heard a second voice. Jason Lee. Dylan poked his head around the doorjamb just enough to catch a glimpse of the guy before pulling back.

  Why was he in there? Rae didn’t do his books. Dylan frowned, edging closer so he could hear better.

  “Ah, come on, Rae. You need to do something for yourself for once,” Jason was saying in that come-hither tone he used with all the females on the staff, even Amelia who could have been his mother.

  “My kids are my priority. Besides, it hasn’t been a year yet.”

  “What’s magical about a year anyway? You just need to get out and have a good time for a change. Feel like a woman again.”

  And Lee thought he was going to make her feel that way? Lee was a big-time player and probably thought since she was a lonely widow she’d be easy prey. The edge of Dylan’s vision turned red.

  “Hold your horses,” Amelia whispered from behind Dylan, taking his arm.

  Only then did he realize he’d taken a step forward, his fists clenched. He let her pull him away from the door.

  “Did you hear that?” he hissed.

  “Yes, and it’s not unexpected. He’s been asking questions about her for a couple of weeks.”

  “And you didn’t think to say anything to me?” Dylan didn’t try to shake the feeling of betrayal.

  “Don’t you get snarky with me,” Amelia said. “I’m on your side, remember? But you’re going to have to tread lightly here unless you’re willing to risk what you already have with her.”

  He let out a breath, his shoulders sagging. “You’re right.”

  Amelia was always right. She loved Rae too and wouldn’t let anyone take advantage of her vulnerability. And she was vulnerable. Did Rae know that though? She was so focused on her children that he and Amelia often had to remind her to take care of herself too. Had they set her up for vultures like Jason?

  Dylan wanted more from her than friendship, but if he didn’t handle it right, he risked losing even that.

  “What am I going to do? How can I protect her?”

  “First thing.” Amelia poked his chest. “Remember she’s a grown woman, so don’t you get into full-on rescue mode. She needs a partner, not someone who thinks she’s stupid and can’t figure things out for herself.”

  “But—”

  “No. What we need is to provide her with choices . . . and a little sabotage when necessary.” Amelia now wore a mischievous grin.

  “What are you thinking, you devious woman?”

  “For one, she’s been taking you for granted, Dylan. You’ve been such a great support to her she’s put you in the friend-zone.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he said with a groan.

  “That was appropriate at first, but it’s time for her to start living again.”

  “But not with Lee.”

  “No, not with him. The first thing we’ll need to do is help her go out on a few lousy dates. It’ll demonstrate how good the two of you are together,” Amelia said, sagely.

  “What about the sabotage thing?”

  “Well, don’t you want to sabotage any date she has with Jason?” Amelia gave him a sly wink.

  “Why, yes,” Dylan said with a grin. “Yes, I do.”

  He stepped into Rae’s office and approached her desk where he had every right to be. Unlike Lee.

  “Hey, Rae, I’ve got a bunch for you today.” Dylan indicated Lee should move aside and said to him, “I know you’re in a hurry.”

  “What are you doing here so early?” Lee had pulled out his phone and was looking at it. “Don’t you have somewhere else you need to be, like outside spraying houses?”

  “You know how it is when it rains.” Dylan sat in the chair by Rae’s desk. He pulled out his packet and tried to pretend Lee wasn’t there.

  “Where did a name like Rademaker come from?” Jason’s tone had turned condescending. “If I’d been born with it, I’d have already gone to court to have it changed.”

  Dylan shifted in the chair to frown at the other man and was gratified to see Rae do the same thing from her seat. He scanned Lee’s shorter frame.

  “Well, a more substantial man needs a more substantial name.”

  Lee bristled. He straightened to his full height and looked about to say something. Amelia coughed from the doorway.

  “I really do need to get this finished,” Rae said, glancing with concern between the two men.

  “We’ll talk later, love.” Lee winked at her and sauntered from the room.

  Dylan heaved out a breath. He wasn’t usually confrontational, but every time that guy tried to schmooze Rae, it brought out Dylan’s inner caveman. One he hadn’t even known he had.

  “You have to stop the verbal sparring,” Rae said.

  “He started it.” Dylan leaned forward. “Do you think I should have let him get away with mocking my name? Sure, my father’s a jerk, but he’s a prestigious jerk. He might sue for defamation of . . . I don’t know. Something. I don’t even get why they keep Lee on here.”

  “You mean besides his sales numbers?”

  “Who cares about money?” Dylan shook his head, feeling stupid for letting the guy get under his skin. “I know he’s the best at sales, but I don’t trust him.”

  “Well, at least you don’t have to spend a lot of time around him, so don’t. Just ignore him.”

  Like he could ignore the guy when he was obviously in pursuit of the woman Dylan loved.

  “Except he keeps hanging around you.” Fear flooded him that she’d think he was coming on to her too, and he quickly added, “We're friends, so it’s hard to avoid a guy who’s always around.”

  Crud! That hadn’t come out right at all, and Dylan gave himself a mental kick. How was he going to get Rae to see him as more than a friend if he kept reminding her that they were only friends? He needed to figure out how to do what Amelia had said, to show Rae how good they were together.

  All these months, Dylan had been careful not to push her and to give her time to heal from her loss. He’d always assumed she’d naturally see there could be more between them. What if she never did? Was she not attracted to him at all? He certainly was to her and would have thought it was obvious, but what if he were wrong? What if it were one-sided, and he was the only one who felt this way?

  “Were you going to hand me those receipts or just mangle them?” Rae asked tentatively.

  “Oh. Sorry.” He handed over the bills first and then the papers. “He just gets to me.”

  “I know, but I don’t think he’s really a bad guy. I’m kind of surprised at your animosity, to tell the truth. You usually get along with everyone. You’re one of the friendliest people I know. I’ll bet if you gave him a chance, you’d find you have a lot in common.”

  “Maybe.” Dylan kept his voice noncommittal. He didn’t want to argue with her over Jason Lee of all people.

  Rae let out a sigh as she sorted through the receipts. “You ready for your final exam tonight?”

  “After you helped me study last night, yeah. This whole going back to school thing has been a new experience after all these years.”

  “Once you get your business degree and can move up to a supervisory position, I think you’ll be glad you did it,” she said. “And it’s fun having Jayden spend the evening with us when you’re in class.”

  “And he loves it. I’d better—”

  At the sound of their boss’s office opening, Dylan snapped his mouth shut. Rae gave her attention to her monitor.

  “Dylan, can I have a word with you?”

  Swallowing, he rose and faced Mr. Green. The elderly man and his father had worked to build an independent company that had thrived in spite of being part of an industry of nationwide franchises. He was a firm but fair boss. Something in his expression made Dylan’s stomach knot. Had he done something wrong?

  “Of course, sir.”

&nb
sp; Dylan followed Mr. G. inside and took the chair the old man indicated. He sat at his desk, folded his hands, and stared at Dylan without saying a word.

  “Can I help you with anything, sir?” he finally asked.

  “You’ve been with Green Pest Control for almost eight years now.”

  “Yes, sir,” Dylan said slowly, trying to think of anything he could have done that might have bothered the boss.

  “You’ve been Employee of the Year the last four years running.”

  “Yes, sir.” So not something he’d done wrong.

  Mr. G. heaved out a breath. “I’m going to be seventy later this year.”

  Dylan nodded, and then what the older man had said sunk in. Mr. G. was in excellent health and had always seemed happy to still be running his company. Had that changed?

  “My wife wants me to retire and consider taking an offer for a buy-out.”

  Dylan’s heart sank, and he had to struggle to keep from showing it on his face. Being bought out by one of the big franchise companies would kill the independence Green Pest Control had fought for. They wouldn’t have the flexibility to make quick changes and would have to rely on what the power brokers decided, regardless of whether they knew anything about the local area. During the years Dylan had worked for GPC, he’d seen how Mr. G.’s quick action had been able to stave off problems.

  “You know I have three children,” Mr. G. said.

  “Yes, sir. A doctor, a dentist, and a geneticist.”

  The old man chuckled. “Ironic, isn’t it, that the children of a pest control man would all go into healthcare fields?”

  Dylan shrugged, not sure what his boss was leading to.

  “Well, none of them want to run my business.”