The Teacher's Billionaire (2 page)

“
This isn’t some woman we’re talking about. This is my daughter!” Warren immediately came to his feet. “I’m not going to send a hired messenger to meet with her. She deserves better than that.”

Obviously, his stepfather didn't entertain the idea that this was all a lie. In his own mind Warren already decided Callie Taylor was his daughter. And for Warren’s sake Dylan hoped it was true. That this wasn't some kind of scheme to get money from the family.

Regardless that didn’t mean Dylan planned on blindly accepting the fact. “What if I go and see her?” He didn't want to play messenger, but it would help protect Warren from any possible negative media attention.

“
My schedule at the end of the month is light.”
At least lighter than usual.
“I’ll talk to her and set something up for you.”

By the way his mother nodded he assumed she agreed with his idea. “What do you think?” he asked.

His mother smiled for the first time since his arrival. “I agree with Dylan. And I know Marty will approve. Let Dylan handle this for you.”

She hadn’t said it, but he suspected his mother thought the same thing he did. He’d always been a shrewd judge of character. A face to face meeting with Ms. Taylor might be enough to prove whether or not she was Warren’s daughter or just someone out for something. Maybe this Callie Taylor learned of her mother's past relationship with Warren years ago and decided to use it to her advantage now. She could have written the letter and mailed it out herself. Obviously his stepfather hadn't thought of that possibility.

Several seconds passed before Warren reluctantly nodded. “Do it. But if you don't make it happen, I will.”

Dylan didn’t care why his stepfather agreed to his plan. He just wanted to take care of the problem and keep it all out of the media.

***

Sighing, Callie rubbed her temples and attempted to focus on her work. She still had half a stack of science tests to correct. Unfortunately, she couldn’t focus. In fact she hadn’t been able to focus on much for the past five days. Not since Helen Lee dropped the bombshell about her father in her lap and turned her entire life upside down. After spending her whole life believing that her father died in an accident, Callie didn’t know how to feel now that she knew the truth. If that wasn’t enough he was also an exceedingly rich and powerful man who might be the next President of the United States. News like that would mess with anyone's head.

“You should have told me,” she mumbled fingering the gold locket around her neck that her mom had always worn.
Anger toward her mom flared momentarily. It seemed to happen every time she thought about how her mom had kept the truth from her. Callie hated lies and secrets. She knew from personal experience that nothing good ever came from them.

Through the open window Callie heard a car pull into the driveway behind her apartment building. The noise sent Lucky, straight to the window for a better look. Shortly afterward there was a strong knock on the door and Lucky bolted toward it. Thankful for the distraction, Callie followed at a somewhat slower pace.

She didn’t know whom she’d expected when she opened the door, but it wasn’t the large and exceedingly well-dressed dark haired Adonis standing on the other side. Like a brainless ninny, she stood and gawked at the gorgeous man standing on the landing. An occasional reader of People and Time magazines, she’d seen plenty of pictures of business executive Dylan Talbot. In fact months earlier he’d been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the United States.

The man standing at her door could be his identical twin.
They say everyone has a twin.
Her brain just wouldn't let her consider the possibility it was him because that would mean only one thing, Warren Sherbrooke sent him.

“Miss Taylor?” the gentleman dressed in a dark gray suit Callie suspected he hadn't picked up at Sears asked.

“Can. . . can I help you?” Callie stammered out, suddenly forgetting how to speak.

Lord, you might think she'd never seen a handsome man before
. Not this handsome you haven't.

The man offered her a friendly smile which transformed him from gorgeous to down right heart stopping. “I hoped to have a word with you. Warren Sherbrooke sent me.” His voice was deep and laced with a slight English accent.

Callie's stomach plummeted. Since talking to Helen Lee she'd tried not to think about Warren Sherbrooke and her unknown family. She was having a difficult enough time dealing with the fact that her mother had lied to her for thirty-one years. But obviously she could not ignore him any longer.

Under normal circumstances she wouldn’t let a stranger into her apartment, but these weren’t normal circumstances. “Please come in Mr…” She paused accepting the fact that the man was Dylan Talbot and not just a look alike. Warren Sherbrooke was married to Dylan Talbot's mother.

The man pulled open the screen door. “Dylan Talbot.” He supplied extending his hand to her once inside.

Her friends would never believe Dylan Talbot had been to her apartment. She wouldn’t blame them either. If one of them told her one the country’s most desirable man had showed up on their doorstep she wouldn’t believe it either. Actually she would probably laugh at them.
So not important now.

But why exactly was he here? He’d mentioned Warren Sherbrooke. Obviously her father received the letter her mother wrote him. Did he believe it? And if he did why hadn't he contacted her himself? Why send someone else?

Chapter 2

Dylan shoved his hands into his pants pockets and studied the woman in front of him. He already knew a fair amount about her. After his meeting with Warren and his mother, he used Sherbrooke Enterprises' HR system to run a background check on Callie Taylor. Not that it turned up anything worrisome. She was an elementary school teacher who had done her undergraduate at Boston University on a sports scholarship. The only outstanding debt she had was a small student loan from UMass for her Master's degree. She had no criminal record, not even a parking ticket. Still that didn't mean she didn't want something from Warren. “You look confused.”

When the woman didn’t reply he continued. “My stepfather, Warren Sherbrooke, received a letter last week from your mother claiming that you’re his daughter. Warren believes it's true and wants to meet you. He sent me to arrange a meeting.”

As he spoke Dylan watched the woman. Although he had his doubts, he couldn't deny the family resemblance. Her eyes were the exact same shade of sapphire blue as Warren’s. And her visual likeness to his half-sister Sara had initially taken him back. Like Sara, Callie had a pretty heart shaped face, with large eyes and delicate features. Unlike Sara, however, the woman in front of him had dark mahogany hair and lush full lips. But it wasn’t the family resemblance that surprised him the most, rather it was the utter shock on Callie Taylor’s face.

“He wants to meet me?” Callie whispered loud enough for him to hear.

“Are you feeling well, Miss Taylor?” All the color seemed to drain out of her face. “Maybe you should sit down.” Without waiting for an answer, he guided her to a painted kitchen chair and pulled it out for her.

Giving him a weak smile, she sank into the seat and rested her elbows on the table. “I didn't think he would contact me.” Callie paused and Dylan sensed she was trying to regain her composure. “Mrs. Lee told me about the letter she mailed him, but I didn't think he would want to meet me.”

“Helen Lee?”

Callie nodded.

“There was a note included from a woman named Helen Lee.” Dylan opened his suit jacket, and pulled out an envelope. Before he left, Warren gave him copies of both letters. “Warren wants to see you as soon as possible. He would’ve come himself, but he’s campaigning out West.” He thought his words would bring a smile to her face. Instead she merely continued to stare at him as if he had grown three heads.

Callie laughed nervously. “Meet him? I don’t know if I can do that right now.” The words came out slowly as if she was deliberately thinking of the correct response. “Until several days ago I didn’t even know my father was alive. I’m not sure I’m ready to meet him, Mr. Talbot.”

Her admission surprised him. Neither he nor Warren had considered the possibility that she hadn’t always known the truth, or what Warren believed to be the truth. And something Dylan couldn't help but start to believe himself given the family resemblance.

“Now isn’t a good time anyway,” Callie continued. “It’s getting close to the end of the school year. That’s one of the busiest times.” As she spoke she stroked her dog’s head. The dog sat pressed up against her leg, his eyes never leaving Dylan. “I need some time to think about all this.”

Dylan nodded. If what she said was true, he could only guess at what must be going through her mind. Still, he needed to get this meeting set up before Warren took matters into his own hands. “I’m scheduled to be in Boston until Friday on business. If you decide you’re ready, you can fly back to New York with me.”

Callie shook her head, her long dark ponytail swinging back and forth. “That’s nice of you, but I know I won't be ready by then. Maybe when school is out.”

Dylan knew his stepfather didn’t want to wait any longer than necessary. Getting him to wait till now had been a challenge, but he couldn’t physically force the woman. However, he might be able to change her mind. When he chose to be, he could be quite persuasive; especially when it came to the opposite sex.

“I wrote my cell phone number on the back of this card.” He handed her his business card. “I’ll be back to see you before I leave Boston. If you change your mind before then call me.”

Without a word, Callie accepted the card. “I’ll definitely think about it, Mr. Talbot.”

“Warren wanted you to have this. It’s a copy of the letter your mother sent to him. Perhaps it’ll help you make your decision.” Placing the envelope on the table, he took a step toward her. “From the sound of the letter, your mother wanted you to meet Warren.” He added the last comment about her mother hoping it would help change her mind. Though he disagreed with Warren's decision, he'd promised his stepfather that he would set up this meeting. And he planned on doing just that.

“
Why don’t we go out for dinner tonight. I can answer any questions you have about Warren. The more you know about him, the easier it will be to make a decision.” The way he figured it the more time he spent with her, the more time he’d have to sway her decision. Once he set up the meeting between her and Warren, he could wash his hands of the situation.

He was a wealthy politician who sent others to do his errands. What more did she need to know? If he was that anxious to meet her the least he could do was come himself. Yet, she couldn’t complain about his choice of messenger.

In fact, Callie doubted any woman would complain about finding Dylan Talbot on their doorstep. And as tempting as most would find his offer to dinner, she had to refuse. Not only did she have work to complete, but she didn’t need Warren Sherbrooke’s messenger trying to force her to make a decision she wasn't ready to make. Even if the messenger was drop dead gorgeous.

If and when she decided to meet her father, it would be when she felt ready. While she didn't know when that would be, she knew it wasn’t this weekend.

“
I appreciate the offer, Mr. Talbot. . .” Before she could complete her sentence, Dylan interrupted.

“
Please call me Dylan.”

Uncomfortable with calling him by his first name, Callie ignored the interruption and continued. “Tonight isn’t a good night. I have a lot of work to do.” She forced herself to meet his steely gray gaze as she spoke. But it wasn't easy. She’d always found it difficult to lie to someone while looking them right in the face. This fact had always made it nearly impossible for her to lie to her mother. Evidently her mother hadn’t shared the same problem.

Dylan raised an eyebrow indicating that he didn’t believe her but otherwise didn’t comment.

I’m not really lying. There are things I need to finish tonight.
“Actually, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave so I can get back to work.”

“Since you have so much to do, I won’t keep you any longer tonight. But I'll be in touch.”

His tone remained polite, but she suspected he was being a bit sarcastic.

Once Dylan left her apartment she could breathe again. In general strangers made her uncomfortable. But Dylan Talbot gave the word uncomfortable a whole new definition. Usually after meeting with a person a few times, she felt at ease with them. In this case though Callie suspected she could spend a month with Dylan Talbot and still be uneasy.

So Warren Sherbrooke wanted to meet her, she thought focusing on something other than her recent guest. It was nearly impossible to believe. She really needed someone to talk to. Another person's opinion might help her sort some of this out. Unfortunately, her closest friend Lauren wasn't around. She'd gone to Cape Cod to visit family for the weekend. Who else could she trust? Almost immediately Callie thought of Helen Lee. The woman already knew the truth about her father. She was the perfect choice.