A Promise of Forever

By Lynn LaFleur

The last person Kelly Blake expects to walk into the office of her father's complex to rent an apartment is Matthew Nicholson, her ex-husband. Seeing him after nine years brings back the pain of his desertion and their eventual divorce.

 

Matt is nothing like the boy with long hair and worn leather jacket who fell in love with Kelly in high school. He's a successful architect, and part of that success includes buying the complex to demolish for a new project. His trained eye can see the complex is in need of major repairs. His offer to buy it would be a favor to Kelly and her father, and give them plenty of money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

 

Kelly's father, Leo, doesn't see it that way. He refuses to sell to the man who had hurt his daughter so drastically when she needed him the most.

 

A medical emergency proves to Kelly Matthew truly loves her. She and Matthew have to let go of their painful past before they can share a future together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynn LaFleur
• Release date: Nov 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393160380

Lynn LaFleur

Lynn LaFleur was born and raised in a small town in Texas. After living in various places on the West Coast for twenty-one years, she is back in her hometown. Lynn also publishes with Ellora's Cave, and when she is not writing, she loves reading, sewing, gardening, and learning new things on the computer.

Book preview

Chapter One

Matt Nicholson exited the elevator on the fifth floor of N & D Enterprises, whistling the tune to the Eagles song he’d heard on his car stereo. The meeting with the Planning Commission had been a huge success. He’d tell the good news to his partner, Barry Demeyer, then he planned to take off the rest of the day and do nothing but lie in the sun next to his pool. With all the hours he’d put in finishing the newest Dallas high-rise he’d designed, he figured he deserved a break.

He entered Barry’s office with a smile on his lips. That smile faded when he saw the serious expression on his partner’s face. Matt sat in one of the large leather chairs before Barry’s desk and rested one ankle on the opposite knee. What’s wrong?

Everything. Barry threw his pen on the desk and leaned back in his chair. Our project in Crystal Springs is on hold indefinitely.

Matt knew everything to do with the project in the small town twenty-five miles north of Dallas had gone smoothly so far. Barry had easily bought dozens of acres for N & D’s latest development, a two-story shopping mall. What are you talking about?

Do you remember me telling you about that twenty-unit apartment complex I’ve been trying to buy?

Yeah.

The owner refuses to sell.

Matt couldn’t see the problem. Barry had received refusals in the past, but had always managed to get the owners to sign on the dotted line. So, up the offer. We’ll still make money.

"I have upped the offer, twice. The owner still won’t budge. I’ve explained what a good deal this would be for him, but he isn’t interested. He said he bought the complex for his retirement and to leave something for his daughter. The complex is right smack in the middle of our property, Matt. We can’t do anything with that building there. Barry tugged down the knot in his tie and loosened the collar button of his shirt. That place is sixty years old. It won’t make it to the man’s retirement. You should see it. It needs about a thousand gallons of paint just to make it look presentable. I didn’t get the chance to look over things closely, but I’m willing to bet this year’s profits it needs a new roof, and major plumbing and electrical work. It doesn’t make sense he wouldn’t take the money and run."

Maybe he got wind of our development and is holding out for more.

I don’t think so. Barry opened a thick manila folder on his cluttered desk. Everything I’ve found about him says he’s disgustingly honest. He’s a widower and has one daughter who’s thirty. His wife died eight years ago. It looks like his daughter went through a divorce after a short marriage. He bought the complex as security for his family. Barry shut the folder and leaned forward. I need your help with this.

"Hey, I’m only the designer. You’re the one with the golden tongue. If you can’t get him to sell, what makes you think I can?"

Because I have an idea. I think you should rent an apartment and work on the owner from the inside.

Matt didn’t believe what he’d just heard. You’re kidding.

I am totally serious. I’m married, you’re single. It makes perfect sense.

And what do I do with the apartment I already have?

You have a penthouse on the top of this building. It’ll still be here once you get the man to sell.

Barry had used the term disgustingly honest to describe the complex’s owner, as if it might be a bad thing. Matt saw nothing wrong with that trait. He didn’t believe in deceiving people. Trying to fool a man who wanted to do right by his family caused a queasy feeling in the bottom of Matt’s stomach.

Before he could voice his objection, Barry spoke again. All you have to do is get friendly with the man, drop a few hints about all the work that needs to be done. Maybe even be nice to the daughter. You know.

Matt didn’t like Barry’s implication at all. Now, wait a minute—

I don’t mean sleep with her. Just be friendly, charming. Hell, Matt, charm has never been a problem for you. With your good looks, women follow you around, willing to jump at your slightest command.

Matt frowned. And dishing out the bullshit has never been a problem for you.

Barry grinned, but quickly turned serious again. We need this property, Matt. You know how much money is tied up in the deal. I’ve done everything I can do. Now, I need your help.

That queasy sensation in the bottom of Matt’s stomach intensified. A voice inside his head told him this was dishonest, and that voice had never been wrong. Yet, what other choice did he have if everything Barry had tried had failed? I’m still not sure about this, but I’ll head there first thing in the morning.

Great, Barry said with a huge grin. He pushed the folder across the desk toward Matt. Here’s all the information I’ve gathered.

Matt opened the file and scanned the top page. He had experienced chills many times when something bad was about to happen. Those chills were nothing compared to what erupted over his skin when he read the opening lines on the paper. The owner of the complex, Leo Blake, was fifty-eight. His wife, Virginia, had died eight years ago at age forty-six. They had one daughter, Kelly, now thirty.

My God, he muttered. Kelly.

What’s wrong? Barry asked in an anxious voice.

Matt closed the file and slapped it on Barry’s desk. Forget it.

Barry scowled. What the hell do you mean, forget it?

Leo Blake is my former father-in-law. I can’t go anywhere near that complex.

Barry raised his eyebrows and Matt would swear his partner’s face paled. Your former father-in-law? You were married to Kelly Blake?

Yeah. Matt rubbed the area between his eyes. I don’t believe this.

Neither do I. Barry released a soft curse. What now?

I don’t know. Matt stared at the folder, but a different picture formed in his mind. Instead, he saw Kelly with her long, brown hair and huge, brown eyes. He remembered falling in love with her the first time he’d seen her. He remembered when they’d exchanged marriage vows and promised to love each other forever.

He remembered how her eyes had filled with tears when he’d said he wanted a divorce.

We don’t have any choice, Matt. The only option we have left is for you to move there.

Yeah, right. Leo will greet me with a shotgun if I take one step on his property.

Whatever happened between you and his daughter was a long time ago, right?

Nine years. A lifetime, he thought.

People change. Barry shrugged. Maybe ol’ Leo doesn’t hold a grudge.

Matt snorted. He would believe Leo wouldn’t hold a grudge for hurting his baby when the sun rose in the south and set in the north.

You have to try, Matt.

For this project to be completed, Matt knew he had to convince Leo to sell. Millions of dollars had already been poured into this project. N & D couldn’t afford to absorb that much of a loss. Maybe Matt could convince Leo how wise it would be to get rid of a place that would end up costing him thousands of dollars in repairs over the next few years.

For the sake of his business, Matt knew he had to give it a shot. All right. I’ll go see Leo tomorrow.

* * * * *

Kelly Blake sorted through the two-inch stack of envelopes on her desk, trying to decide what had to be paid first. She pulled out the electric bill, but stopped before opening the desk drawer to take out the checkbook. There was less than one hundred dollars in the bank account. She couldn’t pay the electric bill, or anything else, with so little money.

Kelly had promised her father she would take care of everything at the apartment complex while he recovered from heart-bypass surgery. Leo had been in the hospital for two days. Although he was heavily sedated most of the time, she sat by his bedside every day and talked to him, assuring him everything was fine. He only had to worry about getting well.

She did enough worrying for both of them.

The telephone rang. Kelly mentally crossed her fingers and hoped it was someone to rent one of the five vacant apartments. Thank you for calling Crystal Terrace, she said in her friendliest voice. May I help you?

Her shoulders sagged when the caller identified herself as the receptionist from the company who did the complex’s yard work. Hi, Marva. What can I do for you?

The door to the office swung open. The movement caught Kelly’s attention and she shifted her gaze to the doorway. A tall man stood there, framed by the bright sunlight. She couldn’t see his face clearly at first. Then, as recognition dawned, a cold numbness filled her body. She had to be mistaken. The man standing in the doorway couldn’t possibly be her ex-husband.

He stepped farther into the office. She thought she detected a widening of his eyes as if in surprise, but it disappeared so quickly, she could have been mistaken. For a moment, she simply stared at him. His dark-brown hair was shorter than when they’d been together, but still fell over his forehead and touched his ears and collar. His eyes were the same intense, piercing blue. He wore a summer-weight jacket, white shirt, and slacks the color of hot chocolate. The Matthew she’d known—the Matthew she’d loved—had been the most comfortable in ratty T-shirts and torn jeans. The man who stood before her now looked every bit the successful businessman.

Hello, Kelly, he said softly.

That husky, sexy voice had always been able to turn her into complete mush. He stood close enough so she caught a whiff of his aftershave, the same scent she remembered from the hundreds of times he’d held her. The memory brought back a stirring of old-fashioned lust.

The lust lasted but a moment. Anger soon replaced it. What are you doing here?

I’m looking for an apartment.

Kelly’s mouth dropped open. This man had the incredible gall to come here and say he wanted an apartment? Slowly, she stood, keeping the desk between the two of them so she wouldn’t be tempted to strangle him with the telephone cord. "You’re what?"

I need a place to live. I saw the ‘For Rent’ sign out front.

The sound of Marva saying her name made Kelly remember her call. Sorry to keep you waiting. May I call you back?... Thanks. She replaced the receiver and once more looked at Matthew. I have no vacancies.

Your sign out front says you do.

That sign is for acceptable tenants. You are a long way from an acceptable tenant.

Seeing him frown made her want to gloat with satisfaction. He ran one hand through his hair in obvious frustration. Kelly enjoyed the mussed look since he no longer appeared perfect. Are you going to turn me away without even giving me a chance to explain?

You said everything that needed to be said nine years ago, Matthew, when you said you wanted a divorce.

Haven’t you ever made a mistake?

I made a huge one the day I married you.

He winced. Touché, Kelly thought. Score one for me.

Kelly—

I’m not interested in anything you have to say. Get. Out.

Kelly clenched her hands into fists to try to stop their shaking. She glanced at the desk, took a breath for confidence, then looked back at Matthew. The breath she’d taken caught in her throat. The past nine years had added a maturity to his features. He still had the high cheekbones, straight nose, and strong jaw, but now the angles were softer, less pronounced. The thick mustache was new, and incredibly sexy. His body had been lean when they’d been together; now, his shoulders were broader, his chest wider. She couldn’t see one physical flaw anywhere.

He seemed perfectly composed while she fell apart inside.

He took a step closer to the desk. She caught another whiff of his aftershave and felt a fluttering deep in her stomach. This man had hurt her so much, yet her body still responded to him. Traitor, she thought.

Kelly, I really need a place to live.

She let her gaze slowly sweep over him. His clothes fit him to perfection, leaving no doubt they were custom-made. You look like you can afford just about anything you want, Matthew. Our complex is nice, but certainly not the fanciest one around. Why would you want to live here?

It’s convenient. I work in Dallas, but I don’t want to live there. Crystal Springs is only a twenty-five-mile drive from my office.

She was tempted to ask him what kind of work he did that paid so well before telling herself she didn’t care. It doesn’t matter to me why you want to live here because the answer is no. I don’t want your money.

Maybe Leo does.

Dad has no say in this.

Why don’t you let me ask him?

He isn’t here.

Where is he?

That’s none of your business.

His eyes flashed with anger. Damn it, Kelly, be reasonable. I...

He stopped when the telephone rang. Kelly watched his shoulders rise and fall as he took a deep breath. Good, she thought. It’s his turn to be upset.

Kelly reached for the receiver. Do you have to answer that now? Matthew asked with a scowl.

Yes, I do. Before he had the chance to respond, she lifted the receiver. Thank you for calling Crystal Terrace. May I help you?

When the caller identified himself, Kelly cringed. Great, what perfect timing. She turned around and lowered her voice, hoping Matthew wouldn’t hear her conversation with the plumber. May I call you back? I’m tied up right now... That would be fine... How much?... Is that normal?... I see... No, not now... Okay, thank you.

Is something wrong? Matthew asked as Kelly replaced the receiver.

Nothing I can’t handle.

C’mon, Kelly, I know you’re lying. You asked whoever was on the phone ‘how much.’ You need work done somewhere, don’t you? You have vacant apartments and I’m ready to rent.

No.

Frowning, he glanced away for a moment before looking at her again. I’d like to talk to Leo.

I told you, he isn’t here.

Where is he?

She debated on not telling him, but decided the truth would make him leave quicker. Fine, if you must know, he’s in the hospital ICU.

Matthew stared at her for several seconds, the shock of her statement evident in his eyes. He’s in intensive care? Why?

He had heart surgery two days ago.

Is he all right?

His obvious concern for her father was more than Kelly could take. All the pain and anger from nine years ago piled on her all over again. You have no right to ask anything about me or my father. You gave up that right when you walked out on me.

Chapter Two

Matt flinched from the venom of Kelly’s words. The lady certainly didn’t pull her punches. The fact she could still be so angry after almost a decade had passed hurt him more than he thought possible. That was a long time ago, Kelly, he said softly.

Some things are hard to forget.

I’m not the same man I was nine years ago.

You mean you’ve learned the meaning of commitment?

He almost lashed out at her, matching angry word for angry word, but stopped himself. Arguing with Kelly over their past wouldn’t do either of them any good. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t regret his decision to leave her when she’d needed him the most, but he