Read Online A Fairytale Bride by Hope Ramsay - Free Book Online Page B

been easy, too. All it took was money—and not even a lot of it. For him, money might as well grow on trees. He had more than he’d ever be able to spend in several lifetimes. Money could buy a lot, but it couldn’t buy trust and it couldn’t buy love.
    If he wanted Melissa in his life—and he did—he would have to earn back her trust. And then he might be lucky enough to earn her love, too.
    *  *  *
    Fifteen minutes later a maid ushered Jeff into Charlotte’s Grove and left him waiting in a sitting room right off the main foyer. He’d visited Charlotte’s Grove only once in his life, and his memories of the place were vague—just a sense of formality that left him cold. He’d expected the historic house to be filled with museum-quality Georgian furniture, but the room he was led to seemed surprisingly contemporary, with a couch and two well-used wing chairs.
    “Oh my God, Jeff, I’m so glad you turned up.” Aunt Pam entered the room from the hallway dressed for a day in the garden, in a pair of slacks and a long-sleeve cotton T-shirt that was slightly dirty. Her hair was pulled back in a haphazard ponytail, and she wasn’t wearing makeup.
    She hurried across the wide-plank wood floor and gave Jeff a fierce, motherly hug. She smelled of the garden. Like roses or lavender or something.
    “I’ve called your mother,” she said as she let him go. “She’s so relieved. Honestly, Jeff, you should have called her. Where on earth have you been? And when did you grow a beard?”
    Jeff steeled his resolve. He’d seen Aunt Pam in action; she certainly hadn’t been this sweet to Melissa on Saturday. He took a step back. “I’ve been staying at Dad’s fishing cabin, and I grew a beard so you wouldn’t recognize me.”
    “But—”
    “Look, Aunt Pam, I’m not here to reconnect with the family. I’m here to issue an ultimatum.”
    “What on earth…? About what?” A little V of puzzlement formed on her forehead.
    “About Melissa Portman and Secondhand Prose.”
    The frown morphed into an expression of utter astonishment. “What in the…? Oh my goodness, you’re the man who fell off the ladder.” She chuckled. “I’m afraid I wasn’t looking at your face that day.”
    His humiliation was utterly complete. But he wasn’t going to let it get the best of him. It was well past time to go on the offensive.
    “Yeah, I admit I managed to get disrobed by a coat hook. But that’s beside the point. I’m here to let you know that I’ve paid Melissa’s taxes. So you won’t be getting your hands on that building.”
    “Oh, that’s wonderful news, Jeff. I’m so pleased. I’ve been worried about Melissa. I know it’s hard to let go of that bookstore, but once she realizes she can make money leasing out the space, I know she’ll come around.”
    Wait a sec. What the hell was Pam saying? That she didn’t want the building? That she cared about Melissa’s future? “Wait. I’m confused. You don’t want her building?”
    “Well, if she wants to sell it, I’m ready to buy it. But I’d rather see her join the rest of the property owners and participate in our downtown restoration project.”
    He stood there for a moment trying to figure out which Pam Lyndon was the real one, the woman who had threatened Melissa on Saturday or this sweet Southern lady.
    “Sit down, Jeff. Lidia will bring us some tea, and we’ll talk. I can see you’re upset. But, truly, if you’ve paid her taxes, then that’s good news.” Her drawl was suddenly thick as a brick.
    “I don’t want any tea or talk, Aunt Pam. What I want is for you to call Melissa Portman and tell her you’re sorry for the way you threatened her. I want you to make it clear that there is no truth to the rumors flying around town that you used me to soften her up so she’d sell out.”
    “What? Why are people saying that?”
    “I don’t really understand, except that when I introduced myself to her, I dropped the Lyndon from my last name. But