The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch (13 page)

“Yeah,” his voice croaked.

“I found the information, not only her name, but where she lives.”

Zack closed his eyes. He could have pursued this information at any time but hadn’t. Having Naomi in his life eased aside the hesitation. Could it be that after
all these years, he’d get to meet his birth mother? Was he happy? Was he sad? Did he want to dredge up anger for being given away? Or should he allow the guilt for wanting to know his birth mother slow the revelation to the only people whom he knew as his family?

“Hey, Zack, you want me to call you back later?”

“No. Sorry. The news caught me off guard.” He looked around for a pen, taking the one from Naomi’s spot at the table. He wrote the information, folded the paper and kept it in his hand.

“Call me when you get back into town. I’m here if you need anything, man.”

Zack thanked him and ended the call.

The floorboard overhead creaked. Naomi must be out of the shower. He paused at the bottom of the step. He wanted to immediately make plans to head to Haiti. But he didn’t want to disappoint her by not showing up to her shoot. He took the folded paper in his hand and shoved it into his pants pocket.

Pinning on a bright smile, he ran up the stairs. “I hope you’re indecent tonight.”

“Not before I receive my massage, Mr. Man.”

N
aomi made it through the photo shoot with fewer lectures from Martha and with some favorable nods from Lorenzo. She felt good with herself for being able to respond to the directions with her own style. Although the temperature didn’t feel any different from the previous day’s frigid weather, she liked her new outfit of a flannel pajama bottom, bunny slippers and a tank top that left little to the imagination.

Where Zack had remained in center focus yesterday, today he leaned against his car looking off into the distance. Her challenge was not to allow any insecurity to creep in. Their lovemaking last night had been tender, sweet. Not that she had any complaints. But this morning when she thought she could roll over and entice him for an encore, he was already gone from the bed.

Yet she couldn’t point to one specific thing that made her feel off-kilter. Their breakfast was quiet. He
answered her questions, laughed when appropriate, nodded as she talked about general topics.

Naomi shifted poses, self-correcting her arms. She maintained focus on the camera lens as Lorenzo moved in for several close-up shots. Happy thoughts. Contentment. Love.

“You’re looking fantastic today. You look vulnerable, sweet. Huggable.”

Naomi blinked away the tears that had shown up on the last shot. She was determined not to have a meltdown. Even if she did turn into an emotional puddle, Zack wouldn’t notice. He was clearly more interested in the paper that he repeatedly read before folding it and putting it in his pocket. Her confidence didn’t improve when he looked at his watch, then leaned over to Martha.

Naomi approached him. “I can get a ride back with the guys if you have to be somewhere else.”

“No. I can wait.”

“What’s the matter?” Naomi touched his arm.

“Business. Something came up.”

She waited to see if he would share with her. His mouth tightened as if to ensure that he didn’t say anything.

“Lorenzo is waiting for you. You’re doing great.” He leaned to kiss her mouth, but she turned her head a smidgen. He caught the corner of her mouth.

Naomi wanted to get into it right there. But professionalism dictated otherwise. She blew out her cheeks to ward off any tightness in her face. What the heck was happening? Right before her eyes, he seemed to be retreating. Did this quick trip make things too hot and heavy between them? Was he putting space where she wanted to close and secure against any gaps?

Finally the photo shoot ended. Champagne was popped for the nondrivers. Naomi sipped in celebration for taking the risk to do something new. Zack remained in the background, still reserved but occasionally offering a weak smile.

On the way back to his parents, Naomi couldn’t take the strained silence anymore. If she’d done something to offend, then she was ready to make amends.

“What has you so quiet and pensive?” she asked.

“Not—”

“Look, before you raise your hand to proclaim your innocence, I know something is wrong. We are a work in progress, but I feel as though I know you well enough to sense when something is off.” She rubbed his arm. “I don’t mean to snap, but I’m here. My shoulders are strong and wide. I can handle just about everything. I’ve healed from a vicious assault.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “You’re right. I had Brent investigate the whereabouts of my mother.”

“Frannie?”

“My birth mother.”

“And you got information?”

Zack nodded.

“Why aren’t you happy?”

“I’m not sure how I feel. Part of me is numb because I’ve wanted to know for such a long time. Part of me wants to scream, rage, laugh. I just don’t know.”

“You don’t have to do anything right away.”

“But I do. I want to go to Haiti as soon as possible.”

“Oh.” Naomi heard the eagerness to go on his quest. Alone.

“I’ve got to pack. Rachel will have to reschedule my
appointments for the rest of the week. Thank goodness I don’t have any pets.”

“What about your parents? You can’t head off without talking to them.” Her heart cried out on her behalf. But she would never put herself in the position to beg.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“You’re sounding so cavalier.” Naomi chanced a glance at him.

“Don’t try to psychoanalyze. I’ll let them know.”

Naomi turned her attention to the fleeting landscape. Already the walls were being erected. Zack was returning to his comfort zone, closing the gate, pushing her out. She watched helplessly at the speed of its creation.

Silence reigned until Zack pulled up in front of the house. Before he could get out of the car, Naomi slid out. She walked quickly toward the house.

“Wait, Naomi.”

She didn’t stop right away. What more could he say? How else could he harm her? She tucked her hurt away and faced him.

“I have to talk to my parents tonight.” He joined her where she stood. “I want to get a flight out within the next few days.”

She turned and walked to the door. “How long will you be gone?”

“Don’t know. If the information Brent gave me is correct, then it shouldn’t take long.” He opened the front door for her. “But I’m open for anything.”

“Don’t you want to feel out your parents before you share this? Did they know you were looking for information?”

“No. I don’t know. But they should be happy for me.”

“And I’m sure they will understand your need to
know. But there may be some other feelings that could rise to the surface feeding into doubts and possible insecurities.” She continued, “You’re asking a lot of the people who care about you.”

“What about me?” He shoved his hands into his pocket. “Don’t I have the right to want to find out about my past?”

“Sometimes I want to know about my mother. I kill the urge, partly out of obligation to my grandparents because they sacrificed to raise me. Another part of me doesn’t want to know because then a door will open that I may not be able to close.” She sighed, heavily. “My mother sent me a letter with a life insurance policy as if that will heal not having her in my life.”

“Will you answer her?”

“I did. I told her that my grandmother deserved to be the beneficiary. I’m self-sufficient.”

Zack pulled her in with his gaze. “Doesn’t she have a right to know about you?”

The question hung in the air. Unanswered.

Naomi didn’t want to argue. While she tried to get him to understand his parents’ point of view, who was there to get him to understand hers?

“You’re back.” His father came forward and hugged him, then Naomi. “I want to hear the details.” He hooked his hand through Naomi’s arm. “Come join us in the family room.” He called to his wife.

“Dad, let’s all catch up a bit later. I’ve got something important to tell you.” Zack reached out to her. But Naomi stepped back. She didn’t agree with the delivery, knowing the pain of surprise would be sharper than what he actually was doing. She didn’t want to be a tool of convenience. Clearly, he took her presence at the house to be a constant.

“I’ll head up. I’ve got some paperwork to complete.”

Zack stared at her but didn’t stop her. She headed up the stairs, trying to organize her thoughts to determine her next step.

“Your mother’s waiting.” His father waited for him to refocus and follow him to the family room.

“Zack, good to see you. Where’s Naomi?” His mother looked behind him.

“She’s upstairs. But I want to talk to you.”

“You look serious. Is it good news?” His mother wiggled her eyebrows. Hope clearly shone in her eyes.

Zack shook his head. He didn’t want to be distracted from what he had to say. “It’s about my birth mother.”

His father’s sharp inhalation made him hesitate. He remembered his father’s strong caution—a caution he hadn’t followed. He continued.

“I got information on my birth mother and possibly where she’s located.” He took his mother’s limp hand. “I want to go find her.”

His mother sat silently for an unbearable amount of time.

“I knew this day would come.” His mom dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I don’t want you to think that I wouldn’t have given you any information I had.”

“I know,” Zack said softly.

“Do you plan to go barge into her life?” His father’s anger pulsed in the vein in his throat.

Zack hadn’t thought that he’d be intruding. After all, he was the one left behind at the mission.

“Paul, calm down. Son,” his mother’s plea and use of the word stirred his regret, “I’m not going to stop you or even slow you. All I’m saying is that you be sure to have a Plan A if everything goes the way you have it
planned in your mind. And have a Plan B if things take a detour.”

Zack nodded. He hugged his mother, hoping his love could pour into her to set her mind at ease.

“Frannie can pretend that she’s okay with this. I don’t think you’ve taken everything into consideration.”

“What is the problem, Dad?” Zack grew tired of his father’s dire predictions.

“Paul, don’t you dare make him feel like he wronged someone,” Frannie warned.

“I hope you can come to understand why I need to do this.” Zack kissed his mother’s cheek and left the room. He paused in the foyer, debating if he should try to talk to Naomi. His hand brushed his pocket with the information.

He had to find his mother.

Naomi awoke the next morning after a restless night. She felt as if someone had bodyslammed her into the ground. Her eyes could barely open. She didn’t have to look in the mirror to know that she looked a sight.

Now in the brightness of the morning, she was even more committed to her action. The fairy tale had to end. Although she had created a more upbeat ending, reality had thrust in an ugly alternative.

After she dressed, she headed down. The minute she descended the stairs, she sensed a difference in the air. A somber note hung over the area. No one was in sight or could be heard.

Naomi appreciated the quiet and helped herself to a bowl of oatmeal with a side of assorted fruits. She had to make a few calls as soon as she was done eating to start her new plan of action.

The back door opened and the Keathleys entered.

“Hi, sweetheart, how are you doing?”

“Hi, Frannie, I’m finishing up with breakfast.”

“Good, glad you didn’t skip it.”

Naomi nodded, trying to smile along with Zack’s mother.

“I’m heading upstairs.” Paul didn’t stick around to chit-chat.

“Frannie, you know that I appreciate all that you’ve done for me.”

“Yes?” Frannie’s frown lowered over her piercing gaze. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving.”

“It’s time for me to go home,” she admitted, not able to hide the sadness from her voice.

“Did you have a fight with Zack?”

“No. He had nothing to do with my decision. Nothing can take away or replace the wonderful opportunity to get to know your family. I will treasure it always, but it’s time to return home.”

“Sit down.”

Naomi shook her head. She couldn’t possibly sit in front of this kind woman and talk about her feelings. She didn’t have the stamina to put on a brave face when all she wanted to do was dissolve into tears.

“I know my son hurt you.”

“He doesn’t know,” Naomi said softly.

“Which makes it that much worse.”

“I never want to be the type of woman who holds her man back because she’s afraid of the future. We had fun together.”

“He loves you, Naomi.”

“Sometimes, that’s not enough.” She didn’t have the heart to argue with his mother that her son didn’t love her.

“Will you wait for him to return from Haiti?”

“I can’t.” She had no desire to look like a forlorn house pet waiting for attention.

“When will you leave?”

“In a few days.”

“My son is a fool.”

“He believes in what he’s doing.”

“Please stay in touch.”

“Sure thing, Frannie.”

Naomi headed back upstairs and started making her calls. She called her sorors to update them and alert them that she’d be home soon. Then she called Brent to explain that she was returning home. Everyone sounded disappointed, but the more people she told, the easier her story became.

Now the final thing to do was to call the airline. She waited on hold listening to the various choices and the buttons she had to push.

Fifteen minutes later, she had a window seat in the front part of the plane. Now she could say that she was definitely returning home.

Her heart ached for having to take that step. As she pulled out her suitcase to begin packing, the tears fell hot and poignant. Love wasn’t supposed to hurt. She’d worked hard to make sure that she remained levelheaded and not sappy over any man. However, Zack wasn’t any man.

As she packed souvenirs that she’d bought, each knickknack brought back tender memories of time shared with Zack. She’d cut her losses and hold on to the happy times.

Zack drank a strong cup of black coffee, no milk, no sugar. He didn’t bother to sleep, knowing that his
mind wouldn’t shut off. He sat in the deli watching other patrons come and go.

“Lost your way?”

Zack looked over his shoulder and immediately broke into a grin. “Hey, Brent, following me?”

“I stopped by your house this morning. Figured since you didn’t return my call, I’d have to track you. You were supposed to contact me when you got back from the photography shoot.”

“All kinds of hell broke loose. Parents freaked.”

“And Naomi?”

“She’s fine.”

“You don’t think that she deserves an explanation?”

“I told her what was happening.”

“Did you share how she could be a part of one of the most important moments of your life?”

“I didn’t think that she’d be interested.”

“I think that it was more about not releasing control. Once a control freak, always one.”

“I see the conversation is deteriorating. I suppose my father has your ear and would rather that you talked me into staying and erasing the development from my memory.”

“You sound paranoid. Get over yourself. I’m your friend and will always be your friend. It also means that I will not sit on the side and let you stomp over people.”