Unexpected Love: White Oak Series, #2

By Liza O'Connor

Tess Campbell is a mafia princess who wants nothing to do with her dangerous family. She'd rather spend her life making Grams' forest the best state park in Iowa. 

Alistair Castile, aka Steel, is a British prince. His archeological career is in ruins due to his promiscuous nature. He's hired on as forest manager of Tess's woods and quickly falls in love with the charming young woman, so different from the socialites of his world.

Only there are several serious barriers between them: Steel's career cannot withstand another scandal and Tess's father will kill anyone who gets in the way of his daughter marrying a Chicago mobster.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Authors Online
• Release date: Apr 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386570028

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tess Campbell hugged her grandmother as the newly appointed governor signed the document to make the two-hundred-thousand acres a state park.

We did it!

With the help of God and Meg, we did, the old woman said. For a while, I feared all I’d done was get an innocent woman killed for trying to help us. I underestimated our family’s hunger for power and money. Thankfully, the FBI didn’t.

The phone rang. I’ll get it. Tess jumped from the couch and hurried to the wall phone by the kitchen. Hello?

May I speak to Tess Campbell, please?

This is she.

Tess, It’s Tom Barkman.

The head of the Park’s Commission, now her new boss. Mr. Barkman, I just saw the land transfer went through.

Yes, that was a great relief. Unfortunately, it appears we are now in lockdown and not allowed to leave. Could you do me a favor and pick up Dr. Castile from the airport at six this evening? He’s coming on British Airways from Cairo.

Of course. Where do you need me to take him?

This is a bit awkward, but he’s my first choice as forest manager for your land. I had intended to take him to my house and bring him over to you in the morning. I’ve explained the situation to him.

That I’ll be taking his job in five years?

Yes. To be honest, that was a deal breaker for most of the candidates I’ve considered. However, Steel has long-term plans in a different direction, so he’s open to a short-term offer.

Well, I’ll do my best to convince him to take the job.

Just give him the same tour you did me. And, if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, could you possibly take him to a hotel nearby?

We’ve plenty of room here, and this is just what we need to keep our minds on our achievements instead of the problems.

Ah. I imagine your family is a bit upset.

Well, they haven’t come by, but I expect they are as angry as I am thrilled that we saved the last forest in Iowa.

They wouldn’t shoot Steel, would they? he asked.

She grimaced. No, but I’ll do my best to ensure they don’t meet him.

I greatly appreciate this, Tess. I know it has to be hard for you to have someone take over a role you’ve been doing beautifully for years.

Well, the state requirements are very clear. I need my master’s degree in Forest Management, but I do appreciate your recognition that I can do the job.

I’ve never seen better trails and healthier woods in my life. I’ll be delighted when you finish your schooling and take charge.

Tears welled and ran down her cheeks. Her father couldn’t make her cry with all his negative comments, but a few compliments from a boss she barely knew had the water faucets going full blast. She dried her face with her sleeve and changed the topic. Will you be seeing Meg again?

I hope she’s far away from Iowa.

Why?

Not all the people who showed up to the press meeting were real reporters.

Her blood chilled. What were they?

His voice became muffled. No one is officially saying, but the first thing the FBI did was to secure the governor and get me and Hal out of the room. I heard one of the FBI agents get a radio call to check for a second shooter.

God, Grams was right. Had Meg attended the meeting, she’d be dead now, allowing my father to gain control of the forest and raze it to the ground.

What time did you say the plane is due in? she asked.

Six something. British Airways from Cairo. Dr. Alastair Castile.

That gave her five hours to check out her trails. I’ll pick him up and give him a grand tour tomorrow morning.

She hung up and returned to her grandmother who seemed to have aged ten years in the last hour.

Grams, you okay?

A little tired. I think I’ll go rest.

At noon?  How about I fix us lunch.

Not hungry, dear.

I’m to pick up a candidate for my new boss this evening. Is it okay if he stays here?

Grams’ eyes rounded in outrage. "You want to bring the man who’s taking your job here?"

It’s gotta be someone. Per the state requirements, I’m not qualified to be a forest manager.

Grams shook her head in disgust. Bring him if you want. She headed toward the bedrooms.

A new worry entered her thoughts. Her grams was a devious lady. You’ll be civil to him, won’t you? It’s not his fault.

Grams stopped and smiled at Tess. "That depends upon whether I find him qualified for the job."

Tess was about to mention he had a doctorate degree, but honestly, in Grams’ eyes, that would count against him.

After a quick lunch, Tess Googled her potential boss. Oddly, she couldn’t find him. The only Dr. Alastair Castile that Google could find was an archeologist who was working in the Middle East. If she had any doubt of the danger, everyone in the picture wore helmets and heavy vests. God, if not for the white peace signs painted on the vests and the lack of guns, they all looked like soldiers at war. She wasn’t even certain which one was Dr. Castile since the picture wasn’t labeled.

Certain this was not the Dr. Castile she sought, she closed down the PC and put on her boots. She needed to ensure her woods were at their best for her potential new boss’s inspection tomorrow morning.

She hoped to God he wasn’t a jerk...or a misogynist. The forestry field seemed to attract a great deal of those. Mr. Barkman was a blessed exception to the rule. And thankfully, he was the highest ranked forester in Iowa. Without him, she was pretty sure her new job would be utter hell. But Dr. Castile could still make her life a nightmare, so she really needed this dog and pony show to go well.

TWO HOURS INTO HER hike, Tess came upon a downed tree on a main trail. She spent an hour chain sawing off the major branches and then removed the smaller branches. These she dragged through the woods to a property line where she was slowly building a snag barrier to reduce the number of hunters and troublemakers sneaking onto her land. Several hours later she had six two-foot-wide major branches ready for transport but the four-foot-thick white oak trunk lying over the trail remained partially attached to its ground roots.

Not much she could do about that without her largest chainsaw and the lumber guy, Sam’s, assistance. When she took Dr. Castile for his tour tomorrow, she hoped she’d impress him with her skill at handling a chainsaw.

The time she spent cleaning up the branches and brush had seriously put her in danger of being late to pick up the good doctor. At least she had remembered to make a card with his name on it since she hadn’t a clue what he looked like. Hopefully, he was older like Mr. Barkman. Then he’d be more likely to let her do stuff his achy, old bones couldn’t.

By the time Tess climbed in the car, she was perilously late. She drove the pot-holed road as fast as she dared, but she saw no chance of making up the time.

She arrived at the airport at 6:16 p.m.  Please let the plane be late, she said to the ceiling of her car. She wondered if God would realize she was talking to him. Since she hadn’t spoken to God since her mother died, he probably had no clue who she was.

By the time she parked her car and made it inside, it was 6:28, and according to the board, the plane had arrived at 6:02.

"Shit!’ she yelled and held up her sign with Dr. Castile’s name. She waved it about as she hurried to the luggage carousels. She rechecked the board to determine which luggage loop she needed to haunt.

She’d made it two-thirds of the way around the carousel when someone gripped her arm and turned her around. An annoyed, blond Adonis with long hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing tight jeans and a tweed jacket, glared at her. Gads, woman! I’ve been chasing you through the whole bloody airport!

His English accent reminded her of James Bond, but his attitude wasn’t nearly so polite.

Shouldn’t you stand in one place and let your passenger come to you? he demanded.

Dear God, this couldn’t be her new boss. Surely, Mr. Barkman wouldn’t send a hippie to Grams’ house. Are you Doctor Alastair Castile? Please say no.

He rubbed his temple. Why else would I chase you all over the airport? His gaze swept up and down, taking her in. I must presume you are new to your occupation, and no one has taken the trouble to train you.

Great, a misogynist. But he sure as hell didn’t look like a doctor. May I see your passport please?

I beg your pardon? His voice had a decided chill to it.

To prove you really are Dr. Alastair Castile.

Surely, you jest.

You can either show me your passport or move on. You’re too young to have a doctorate, and you look more like a male model than a forest manager, so I’m thinking this is some stupid frat prank.

Tess turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm again. When she turned, an obnoxious smirk formed on his lips as he shoved his passport under her nose.

Opening the passport, she read Dr. Alastair Bastion Castile.

God knows her, all right, and he’s clearly pissed as hell.

She grimaced and handed her potential boss back his passport, which he snatched from her hand and stuffed into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Time to grovel. I’m sorry I was late and said several inappropriate things thus far. My only excuse is you appear younger than you obviously are.

May we move this along, he snapped.

She headed to the parking lot, assuming he’d follow. A shrill, annoying whistle stopped her. She turned, and he waved her back.

Since no one trained you on your job, allow me to do so. You carried a sign. Excellent start. However, you should have stood with the other drivers in the lobby. That is where I expected to find you. While I have never had to provide proof of identity to a driver before, if people here are prone to absconding with other people’s cars, then I cannot fault you in requesting to see my ID. Still, you should never reveal your presumption of misconduct. It is most insulting to your true passenger. Finally, once you have located and verified your passenger, do not run off at the speed of light. You should first inquire if you may carry their luggage.

She rolled her eyes and sighed. Is that what had his tree in a knot? She held out her hand for his damn luggage.

Ask, he chided as if speaking to a small child.

May I take your luggage, sir?

No, thank you. I prefer to carry my own.

Was he serious? Honest to God, she had a great desire to kick him in the balls and leave him lying on the floor. But Mr. Barkman said he was the best candidate for the job. So suck it up!

"Now turn around and walk to your car."

Tess turned and growled at God, then Mr. Barkman. If he’d searched the whole world, he couldn’t have found a bigger ass than Dr. Alistair Castile.

After taking long slow steps all the way to her Volkswagen Bug, she opened the back hatch. She intended to ask him if he required her to lift his luggage into her car, but the jerk hadn’t followed her.

Aargh! she yelled and slammed her hatch down. If not for the horrible likelihood this bozo was going to be her boss, she would’ve driven off.

Hearing Dr. Asshole’s irate voice behind a parked truck a hundred feet away, Tess went to investigate, but remained out of sight from the jerk.

Tom, I thought you planned to pick me up...gads. Well, look. I don’t mean to worsen your day, but the service you hired to pick me up is a bloody nightmare. They sent an untrained driver who has no clue what she’s doing, and instead of a limo, she’s got a Volkswagen Bug!... What?... It is? Bloody Hell! He sighed. I wished I’d had known that... I understand, but matters have gone completely pear-shaped. I just spent twenty minutes telling her in detail how to do her job as a driver.

Tess laughed at the turn about.

One moment. He poked his head around the truck.

She lost her smile at once. Just coming back to find you.

His right eyebrow rose in challenge of her statement, and he spoke in the phone. Shall I ring you back in a half-hour?

She shook her head.

His eyes widened.

You won’t have cell phone service in half an hour. Best shoot for an hour.

Tom, I will ring you in an hour, he said and hung up the phone.

Miss Campbell.

Dr. Castile.

I do wish you would have told me who you were. It would have saved us both a great deal of aggravation.

Had we begun in a less hostile manner, I would have. She stared back at her car, wishing she could leave him. I tend to say nothing when someone screams at me.

I did not scream.

She shrugged, having no intention of arguing with him over the matter. May I put your luggage in my car? We really need to get going. The roads are hard enough to drive at dusk.

He sighed and rolled his carryon to her car. Without asking, she opened her trunk, placed it inside before slamming the trunk down.

Perhaps I should drive, he said and held out his hand for her key fob.

She laughed and shook her head. Why would she let a stranger, nevertheless one prone to the wrong side of the road, drive her car? Sorry, I don’t want to die today. She walked around his outstretched hand and climbed into the driver’s seat. Really, who asks to drive someone else’s car?

When he didn’t get in the passenger’s side, she opened her door and stared at him just standing by the car. You had better not be waiting for me to open your door.

No... I’m just trying to decide if at this point, I’m wasting my time. Maybe I should just return to the airport and get a flight home.

She walked over to his side and opened his door. Gripping his arm, she led him to the passenger seat. He was too big for her to stuff into the car, so she spoke gently in her best coaxing-the-frightened-raccoon-out-of-the-attic voice.

Neither of us have shown our best sides so far. So let’s start over. Welcome to Iowa, Dr. Castile. I’m Tess Campbell. Mr. Barkman was held up in Des Moines and couldn’t pick you up, so I’m taking you to my home, and tomorrow I’ll be your hiking guide around our beautiful forest.

He frowned. "I’m going to your house?"

Yes, but don’t worry. My grandmother will be there to chaperone. It’s really her home, but legally it’s mine now.

Will your father be there?

God, no!

Will he be upset with my being there?

He must know who my father is. First of all, my father never comes to my grandmother’s house. They don’t get along. Second, even if he sends relatives, they call before they come to ensure Grams will call for a rescue if they fail to show up. Third, they never begin the drive after three in the afternoon, so I can guarantee your presence will be a secret to all.

He still didn’t get in the car.

You really need to trust me. You have nothing to fear from my father, but the drive home is iffy once darkness sets in.

He studied her another moment before sliding inside the car.

Tess closed his door and rushed to the other side. She drove as fast as she dared through Dubuque’s evening traffic to catch up some serious time. When she hit Highway 52, she floored it.

Dr. Castile didn’t verbally complain, but the white knuckles of his hand that gripped the window handle were clearly unhappy.

I gather police don’t give those in the mafia speeding tickets?

"I don’t normally speed, but we are losing daylight. We do not want to drive our road at night."

Are you night-blind, by chance?

She laughed. No. Have you ever driven in pitch blackness?

In fact, I have. But seeing as how Iowa has neither bears nor moose, and the land is quite flat, I’m not sure how that would be a problem. Your high beams do work, do they not?

Yes. And while I agree we don’t have moose, I assure you a large deer can pretty well wipe out this car.

Then perhaps you should slow down so the wildlife has a chance to see and avoid you.

She waved at the crop fields on both sides of the road. I can see any deer coming easily enough here.

He sighed and said no more until she turned off Highway 52 and slowed down considerably as she headed into the hills.

Thank you, he muttered.

Oh, I’ll be slowing down to a crawl before we get home. Grams will no doubt be worried sick. I should have called her once I got you in the car, but I just wanted to get moving.

He cursed softly as she took the first of a thousand hairpin curves as fast as she dared.

It gets worse, she warned.

You could take them slower.

Not if you want to make it home.

Preferably alive, he muttered.

Hey, we agree on something, she teased.

The dimmer the light became, the slower she dropped her speed.

Dr. Castile rolled down his window, evidently thinking it would improve his vision.

Roll your window back up, please.

Why?

I had a bear stick his head in the window before. Kind of disturbing when I’m trying to drive.

There are no bears in Iowa. I looked it up.

Yeah? Did you happen to notice all the videos of those non-existent bears that people around Iowa have up on the web?

He paused and then rolled up the window.

She smiled. Thank you. I know you probably think it’s a ridiculous worry, but every time I’ve taken this road near dusk, I’ve come upon Grumpy Bear. It gets chilly at night, and the road is warmer than the ground, so he prefers to sleep on the road.

While this car couldn’t frighten a bear, won’t the other cars scare it off? Dr. Castile asked.

Believe me, we’ll be the only car on this road for the rest of the night. Locals try to get home by four. That gives someone time to rescue them before it gets dark.

He smiled. You don’t have vampires out here by any chance?

She chuckled. Worse.

And what’s worse?

Things that eat your car. Potholes, washouts, bears, and deer.

As if to prove the point, Tess slammed on her brake as three deer crossed before them.

Bloody Hell! I see what you mean.

Just wait. I’ve been dodging the potholes, but pretty soon I won’t be able to see them.

As night settled in, the darkness overpowered her high beams.

Crap. Dr. Castile leaned forward, squinting into the darkness before him.

I’d lean back if I were you. I might be coming to a halt any time without warning.

To her amazement, he did as she asked. Maybe he wasn’t un-trainable after all.

As they took a hairpin curve, weaving about to dodge potholes, he asked, What happens if a car comes down the hill on one of these curves.

We’d crash, but hopefully at a very slow speed. But there’s almost no possibility of anyone being on this road beside us. I’m sorry. I should have gotten us rooms in Dubuque, only I wanted you to see the sunrise in the morning. It’s quite beautiful.

Well, if we’re alive come morning, I look forward to seeing it. And honestly, had you suggested we stay in a hotel, I would have objected.

Why?

It wouldn’t be appropriate. We’re going to be working together.

Just then, the right front wheel slammed into a deep pot hole.

If we survive the ride up, he added.

She was about to ask how it would look worse than him staying as her guest but remembered her grams. And the fact no one would know he’d been there.

While creeping along the last curve before they made it home, she slammed on the brakes. The blackness ahead looked wrong in her headlights.

Why have you stopped? he asked.

Our non-existent bear is in our way.

When the bear didn’t move, she honked her horn.

I don’t see anything.

I do. Think I’m hallucinating? she teased.

Or off your trolley, he muttered.

She stared at him. I am not crazy! The bear is lying on the road, ten feet in front of my car!

He leaned forward and shook his head. Move up a bit.

Grumpy won’t like that.

Well, we can’t just sit here.

She put the car in park and let go of the wheel. Actually, we can. But don’t worry, Grams has probably called the rescue squad by now.

Five minutes later, a heavy thumping came from behind and hovered above them.

Bloody hell! Castile yelled.

Chapter 2

Memories of the carnage in Egypt flashed before Steel’s eyes, the enemy helicopter hovering above, firing at them. The need to dive from the car and take cover overwhelmed him.

Rescue’s here. Bear’s moving, Tess yelled over the thumping.

He focused on the road before them. The helicopter had a bright beam shining on a six-hundred-pound black bear. Between the noise and light, the snarling bruin left his warm bed and slowly waddled into the trees.

For a bear he couldn’t even see before, the damn thing was huge!

Once it was gone from sight, Tess slowly drove forward. The thumping helicopter didn’t leave. Instead, it provided additional light to the road so Tess was able to speed up to twenty miles per hour.

Soon they pulled onto a tree-lined driveway. The helicopter continued to shine its light down from above and followed them all the way to a well-lit parking area.

A thin, old woman wearing hiking pants and a loose shirt stood on the bright porch and waved at the helicopter.

Tess parked the car and ran to the old lady. Steel escaped the car as well, but for a different reason. Although he knew he was perfectly safe, his heart pounded in fear, certain the car would blow up any second now. He ran behind a tree and hid until the helicopter’s bright light disappeared and the thumping faded away. Only then did his heart calm. With dignity, he walked to the trunk of the car and retrieved his luggage. Tess remained with the old woman on the porch, but he could hear their conversation.

You’re a life saver. Grumpy was sleeping on the road and refused to move.

Is your car okay? the old woman asked.

Yeah, I stayed ten feet back and honked my horn from there.

Steel recalled suggesting she do otherwise. Thank God, she had ignored him.

You need a better car to push about that bear, the old woman scolded.

Well, now that I have a job, I’ll save up and buy something less pealable.

He rolled his suitcase to the porch and held out his hand to the woman. You must be Tess’s grandmother. I’m Alastair Castile.

Grams held out her hand. Call me Helen.

My friends call me Steel.

He stared at the small cabin, then glanced at Tess. What the bloody hell was she thinking? There wasn’t room for him here.

Helen patted his arm. There’s room. Don’t you fret. The old woman’s ability to read his thoughts shocked him. She led him into the ancient kitchen, then faced him, her dark eyes drilling into his. What you’re about to see, you can never speak of. Do I have your word?

He nodded, wondering if the old girl was loopy.

Helen opened the small kitchen closet, walked in, and exited through the back wall, which turned out to be a hidden door. Well, come on then. Tess will make sure everything is locked up tight.

Tess gave Steel a gentle shove. She’s fast. Don’t fall behind.

Recalling Tess’s speed at the airport, he rushed to catch up, knocking down the broom with his luggage as he passed through the narrow closet. Sorry.

Go on, I’ll put everything to right.

He was momentarily lost in darkness, having no idea where the old gal had gone, then a light came on from below, exposing a staircase down to another level.

Helen smiled up at him. Watch your step.

He lifted his luggage and made his way down,