It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) (23 page)

Casey and the boys sat in an exam room at the clinic waiting for Ben to finish up with his last patient so he could fix Ty’s cast. It was probably as good a time as any to tell them about their father being in jail before they heard about it in school the next day. “I have something I need to discuss with you guys.”

Ty looked up from the building he and Caleb were constructing out of tongue depressors. “We know. We saw on Aunt Gloria’s television at the diner. They took Zane away. But he didn’t do anything so they let him go. His brother looks just like him, but he’s really bad.”

Casey hadn’t expected that to come out of Ty’s mouth. “Yes, that’s right. Zane asked me to say goodbye to you guys for him since he couldn’t.”

Ty frowned. “I’ll miss him.”

“It’s not fair Dad did that to him,” Caleb said as he slowly placed the last piece of the roof on top.

“Nope. It’s not fair at all,” she replied.

Ben came in, all smiles as usual. “Hey, guys.”

Ty’s face lit up. “Hi, Uncle Ben. Gonna need another one of these.” He held up his casted arm.

“I see that. But no more swimming with the new one. Promise?”

Ty nodded. “Promise.”

Ben lifted Ty up onto the exam table and then handed him a sucker. “Caleb, you want one too?”

“Sure.” His building complete, Caleb jumped up beside his brother. “Ty told Dad he wasn’t supposed to get his cast wet, but Dad never listens.”

Ty nodded. “We didn’t want to make him mad, so Caleb helped me wrap it up good.”

So it was Caleb who’d thought up the duct tape. Weirdly, it had almost worked.

Ben said, “Well, it looks like you were right, Ty, and your dad was—”

Casey cleared her throat to cut Ben off.

Ben stopped, but wasn’t happy about it.

While Ben scooted across the room on his stool to get something, she said, “What I wanted to tell you guys was that Dad broke the rules today by taking you out on the boat. So Uncle Ryan had to lock him up in jail.”

“Jail?” they both said at the same time as their eyes grew wide. Caleb finally said, “Will he get out soon?”

She nodded. “I’m sure his lawyers will bust him out tomorrow. Gloria will bring him dinner and breakfast, so he’ll be fine.”

Ty mumbled around his sucker, “Dad said his lawyers want us to move. But it’s only because of Marie that Dad wants us to live in France. She’s really nice to us, but Dad gets kinda tired of us sometimes. He tells us to go play video games. Or Marie takes us shopping to get us out of his hair and buys us cool stuff. I really like Marie.”

Wow. That made her question if even Marie knew about Tomas’s plan to send the boys to boarding school.

Caleb smacked Ty’s good arm. “Don’t say stuff like that in front of Mom. You’ll hurt her feelings.”

Ty’s face crumbled. “I didn’t mean I like her better than you, Mom. I just like her better than Dad sometimes.”

Ben laughed. “Sounds fair.”

Caleb shook his head. “Ty doesn’t mean that. It’s just Dad doesn’t like it when . . .”

Ty blurted out, “I want to call you because I miss you. Dad gets really mad. Then he says I’m being a baby.”

Casey’s already broken heart nearly burst.

Ben’s jaw worked back and forth while he recasted Ty’s arm, but he didn’t comment, thankfully.

“I miss you like crazy when you guys are gone too.” She stood, crossed the room, and slid an arm around Ty’s shoulders. “That doesn’t make me a baby any more than it does you. It’s okay to miss people we love when they’re not with us.” Like she was missing Zane.

Ben said, “Maybe what you guys need is your own cell phone. Then you can call your mom anytime.”

Normally she’d want to kill her brother for bringing that up in front of the boys, but he was right. After hearing how Tomas treated Ty, she’d cave on that. “Great idea, Ben. Why don’t you take your credit card and the boys to see Fred after this and get them all set up?”

“Fine.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “I will, because I’m the best uncle in the world!”

The boys both nodded in agreement.

She sent him a take-that-for-opening-your-big-mouth smirk.

Ben added, “But I’ll send you the monthly bill.”

She rolled her eyes at him, but didn’t really mind. It’d make her feel better to know the boys could call her whenever they needed to.

And her case just got stronger to defeat Tomas. No way she’d let Ty get bullied by his own father—the moment she had the thought, she realized she was
still
putting up with being bullied by her dad. Well, no more. Instead, she’d set a good example for her kids and put a stop to that.

When Ben’s phone rang, he reached into his pocket and grabbed it. His brows lifted before he hit the “Send” button. “Hello?”

Ben listened for a moment, then he grinned. “Yeah. She’s right here. Hang on.” Ben held out the phone. “It’s for you.”

“For me?” Who would call Ben’s phone asking for her?

Ben helped Ty to the floor. “Seems Ryan gave out my number by mistake. Come on, guys. Let’s go get your new phone while your mom takes her call.”

When she glanced at the screen her heart melted. It was Zane. “I’ll catch up with you all in a few minutes.” She waited until they were gone and then said, “Hey there. How are you holding up? I’ve been worried sick about you.”

“It’s been the crappiest day of my life. But my lawyers are working overtime on that restraining order now that everyone knows it was my brother breaking the law, not me. They assure me they’ll have it rescinded within a day or two.”

“That’s a relief. But Tomas specifically mentioned the murder allegation. What about that?”

“That’s the only snag. The case is being reopened and it could take a while. But my lawyers will argue that the judge consider the source of the allegation now.”

She sighed. “But, my lawyer hasn’t changed his tune. Tomas’s original argument still stands and he said the last thing I’d need is to have a rock star for a boyfriend, much less one accused of murder. Roger doesn’t want Tomas’s lawyers to be able to prove we’re still in touch. I might have to testify under oath about our relationship, Zane.”

Zane was quiet for a moment before he said, “I’d never want to hurt your chances with the boys, but please don’t give up on us, Casey. I’m working on a plan. You said before we wouldn’t be a match because of our lifestyles, but I think we can make anything work if we try hard enough. Give me the opportunity to prove that to you.”

“But this could take a very long time to resolve. Roger said he feared Tomas’s girlfriend has the money to keep us in court for years. It’s not fair of me to ask you to wait. Besides, you’re busy and will be touring again soon, you don’t need the added distraction.” God, she hated to say that—she loved him, but they did have different lifestyles. She and the boys would probably never fit into his. Even if she won the custody battle, would Tomas continue to make it difficult for her and Zane to be together because of his fame? It was best to let Zane off the hook now. So he could move on and find the right woman for him. He deserved that.

“I’ll wait for you as long as it takes. I love you, Casey. And I want to be with you and the boys, so I’m not going to stop working on this until it’s resolved. I hate that we can’t talk to each other in the meantime, but promise me you won’t give up on us.”

She closed her eyes and tried to hold back the tears that threatened. She’d never give up, but was it best to lie and let him go? “Zane . . . I . . .”

“Don’t do what you think is right for me. Do what your heart is telling you. I’m hanging up now because I’m not going to let you do the responsible thing like you always do and break up with me.” The line went dead.

She lowered the phone and blinked at it through her tears. She
should
do the responsible thing—call him back and tell him they were through. For his own good, not hers. But he was right. It was the last thing her heart wanted her to do. Maybe she’d leave it all up to fate and hope Zane’s plan, whatever that could be, would work.

But in the meantime, she’d do what she could to be a better example to her boys. She’d not allow Tomas or her dad to bully her anymore.

L
abor Day was a holiday for most, but not for Casey and her staff. It was business as usual, but after the last of their guests were served breakfast and shooed outdoors to explore, she took a moment to do what she hadn’t found the time or courage to do yet. Talk to her father. He’d have the day off, so she’d catch him at home.

She walked out the back door and her courage waned, so she headed toward Grandma’s house. She’d know how best to handle her own son.

Grandma sat on the front porch, sipping iced tea and flipping through a gun magazine. She waited until Casey was seated beside her to ask, “What’s up with the long face? You look like you’re about to face a firing squad.”

“I am, sort of. I realized that I’ve been setting a bad example for my boys by letting Dad bully me. Tomas is doing the same to Ty, and I’ll feel like a hypocrite if I don’t confront Dad about it and make it stop.”

“The firing squad option might be easier than that.”

Casey chuckled. “Seriously, Grandma, why is Dad that way? I mean you can be gruff, no doubt, but you aren’t mean like Dad is. I know there’s more to the story you aren’t telling.” She’d asked her grandmother similar questions before and usually got the stock answer that it was just the way her father was. But so many things had come to light in their family since Meg came back a few months ago. Like her sister having a different father, and that their mother had been no saint. Casey hoped for a real answer this time.

“Your dad is an unhappy person.” Her grandmother slowly took a sip of her tea. “Your grandfather expected him to give up his dreams of making it big and stay here and run the town because there has always been an Anderson in charge.”

“What dreams? And Dad did make himself rich by turning Anderson Butte into a celebrity hideout. He seems in his element bossing everyone around.”

After a long pause, Grams finally said, “After a blowout fight with Grandpa after he graduated from college, your dad left and swore he’d never come back. But your mom refused to go with him. She wanted to stay here. It wasn’t long before your dad figured out he loved your mom more than he loved the lousy job in New York being a runner for the stock exchange, so he came back. He asked your mom to marry him. Not long after that, Grandpa had his first heart attack, so your dad took over as mayor and your uncle Brewster took over the family bar and a few of the other businesses. The rest you know.”

“Then Mom cheated on Dad with Meg’s father. After Mom died, I do remember Dad changing, becoming more angry and sullen.”

“That’s when he found out about her cheating. Your dad really loved your mom. And then for Meg to look just like her, and have the same scrappy attitude, was like a daily reminder of your mother.”

“Do you think it’s why he does whatever Sue Ann wants? To be sure she doesn’t cheat on him too?”

“I suppose. But he doesn’t love Sue Ann like he did your mom. She was his one true love. And speaking of that, now that your lousy ex is on his way back to France, what’s going to happen with you and Zane?”

The mention of Zane sent a stab of pain to her heart. She stood to leave. “I can’t have him because of my battle with Tomas, but I refuse to punish my children for it like Dad has done to us.”

Grandma nodded. “That’s the right thing to do, but not everyone has as big and forgiving a heart as you have, Casey. Your dad has told me how proud of you he is. He just doesn’t know how to tell you that.”

“He’s never said anything remotely close to that. You probably just misunderstood him.”

Grandma chuckled. “Nope. He said it. But my hearing isn’t what it used to be, that’s for sure.”

“So any words of advice to get him to change?”

“Well, I’d say the only way it’ll ever happen is if you go in there, state your case, and tell him in no uncertain terms that unless he changes his ways, you’ll quit. Worse, tell him you’ll move away. You won’t believe this part, but I know my own son, and he’d hate that. But only if you’re really prepared to do it, because I’m not sure your dad’s pride will allow him to beg you to stay.”

Casey blew out a long breath. “I’ve tried everything else. So maybe I’ll try it. If I had to move away, which I really don’t want to do, it’d only help my case with Tomas. His main complaint is that the boys are surrounded by corrupt celebrities here. Cross fingers for me.”

“I will. See you at the picnic later?”

“Yes. I had to promise Jeannie two extra days off so she’d cover for me this afternoon.”

“Good luck with your father. You’re gonna need it.” Grandma grimaced into her iced tea glass.

“Thanks. See you later.” She stepped off the front porch and walked up the gravel drive to Main Street.

Her father lived in the same house that he’d grown up in, just as every Anderson Butte mayor before him. She’d hated growing up in the big, drafty, pretentious house in the center of town and was glad when her father built the owner’s quarters at the hotel for her. He’d said it cost him as much as the others’ college educations so it’d always be hers. She might be putting that promise to the test if all didn’t go well with their talk.

Dreading what she was about to face, but knowing it had to be done, she slowly walked up her father’s front steps. She raised her hand to knock, and the door swung open. Sue Ann, dressed to the nines as always, jumped. “You scared me, Casey. I was just on my way to supervise the decorations committee. What can I do for you?”

Good. It’d be easier to talk to her father without Sue Ann there. “Is my dad home?”

Sue Ann nodded and hurried down the stairs. “In his study. Don’t upset him now, you hear? He’s already threatening to stay home from the picnic to work.”

Oh, she was probably going to upset him, all right. So no guarantees there.

She made her way past the formal living room, then the dining room Sue Ann kept permanently decorated with place settings, as if twenty of her closest friends might stop by unexpectedly. It always made Casey shake her head in wonder. Sue Ann was born to be a mayor’s wife.

Her dad sat behind his big desk, frowning at his computer.

“Hi. Can I come in?”

He looked up from the screen and blinked at her. “Just in time. I can’t figure this damn thing out. How do I get that sales report Meg made for us to come up?”

Casey slipped around the desk, wiggled his mouse, and called up the report. “There. All set.”

“Good. Now what brings you here?” Her dad continued to study the screen instead of looking at her.

She sat in the guest chair in front of his desk. “Just wanted to talk to you about something, if you can stop what you’re doing long enough to listen.”

He leaned back in his chair and laid his hands over his large belly. “I’m all ears. Go.”

Before she worked up the guts to begin, Dad lifted a finger. “Wait. I wanted to tell you that the private investigator I hired in France came up with squat on Tomas. I don’t know if the PI wasn’t any good, or if it’s true.”

“It might actually be true. Tomas is trying to stay in Marie’s good graces until he marries her for her money.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. It’s why Tomas married you.”

Casey blinked in confusion. “You know I don’t have that kind of money.”

“No, but I do. Tomas did his homework and figured out that when I die, the hotel goes to you.”

“It does? How could he have known that when I didn’t even know that?”

“My lawyer’s wife. I’d drawn that up not long before you and Tomas started dating. I’ll let you figure it out from there.”

Damn Tomas. One more woman he’d seduced while with her. “Well, as much as I appreciate that, I came to talk to you about something that might change your mind about leaving me the hotel.”

He sat up and laid his hands on the edge of the desk. “You’re not going to cave and move to France, are you?”

“No. I’m here because I need a few things to change. But before we get to that, I’m curious about something. Do you have any idea why I decided not to go to college?”

“Because I gave you the best job in town, running the hotel.”

“It was because of Meg and Ryan. They were only ten and twelve and you’d checked out emotionally. And we both know Sue Ann was no mother figure.”

“So I was a bad father.” His jaw clenched. “What’s your point?”

“My point is, because I never went away for school and only dated men from here, I was naïve. So when someone as charming as Tomas came to work for us, telling me what I wanted to hear, I couldn’t wait to marry him. But shortly afterward, his true colors came out. He yelled at me, belittled me, and expected me to jump at his every command.”

“That’s because the guy is an ass. Luckily you know better now.”

“Tomas’s behavior toward me wasn’t what broke us up, his running off with another woman ended things. But I made a very big mistake by letting him push me around like that. My boys saw it, and I don’t want them to be that kind of husband to their wives one day, so I finally stood up to Tomas. I’m going to sue for full custody based on his sometimes cruel and reckless behavior with the kids. And now I’m here to stand up to you. The reason I put up with Tomas’s bullying is that I was used to being treated that way by you.” She steeled herself for his reaction.

Dad ran a hand down his reddened face. “So what do you want me to do? Apologize? I can’t change how I am, Casey.”

“No, but you will change the way you treat me from here on out, or I’ll quit and the boys and I will move away. I realized when I was with Zane what it was like to be treated with respect, and I won’t settle for less ever again. No more making reservations without speaking to me. No more yelling and screaming, and no more expecting me to ask how high when you say jump. You treat Sue Ann with respect, and I’m demanding the same.”

Her father worked his lower lip with his teeth, just the way Caleb always did when thinking. “So you’re giving me an ultimatum? I have to change or you leave?”

“Yes.” She threw her shoulders back, ready for him to fire her first. He’d threatened to do it before when she’d tried to take a stand.

“Look. I understand you’re upset about the Zane situation—”

“Stop. I am upset about losing Zane, but don’t you dare try to tell me I’m just in a mood here. I mean it, Dad.”

“Fine, dammit! I’ll stop making reservations without talking to you. Okay? Will that make you happy?”

Make her happy? Her father hadn’t heard her meaning at all. She wasn’t asking for anything more than she and her brothers and sister deserved. He was going to have to dig deeper than that. “It would have been a good start.” She stood to leave. “But not enough. And whoever replaces me won’t stand for it either. It’s you who needs to change. Consider this my thirty days’ notice.”

“You’ll be sorry if you walk out that door, Casey. I’ll not be threatened. I
will
accept your resignation.”

“It’s not a threat. I’ll e-mail the letter to you when I get back to my office to make it official.” She slowly stood and walked out of his office. After the front door shut behind her, she closed her eyes. She’d done it. So now what?

Panic set in at the thought of not being able to find another job. But she had so much hotel experience, she’d find something else. She’d done the right thing. Yet in the process had she just made the biggest mistake of her life?

If she had, it was about time, because finally standing up to her father, and Tomas, filled her with a new kind power she’d never known before. She’d find an even better job, and she and the boys would be just fine.

Later that day, after Casey sent the letter to her dad, she and Ty laid out a blanket on the grass in front of the bandstand at the park while they and half the town waited for Caleb to sing. She was determined to stay positive about her decision, but wouldn’t tell the boys or her siblings until she knew where they’d move. She forced a smile when she wanted to cry because she’d miss her family so much, and settled in next to Ty. It was Caleb’s big moment and she’d not let her father ruin that too.

After a few minutes, Ben showed up with his own blanket and set up next to them. Then Ryan and Tara appeared with Grandma and Dad and Sue Ann, all carrying lawn chairs. Meg and Josh joined them with their kids. All accounted for. She couldn’t even look at her dad she was so hurt by the ease with which he’d accepted her resignation earlier.