A Man's Promise Read online

  The attraction had been immediate, although he’d fought it. She was sharp, intelligent and beautiful, and he was an inmate with nothing to offer her. But she hadn’t cared once they had been honest about their feelings. His father, Richard Granger, had merely raised a brow when he’d told him he was getting rid of his present attorney and replacing him with Carson. After all, as far as Shep was concerned, the man whom Vidal Duncan had recommended had done a piss-poor job while defending him during the trial.

  Now Shep wondered how much of everything was merely a well-thought-out plan to make sure he was the one to serve time for Sylvia’s murder. He couldn’t help but have his suspicions, especially after what had been discovered about Vidal. It hurt him deeply that a man his family had trusted—whom he had trusted—could have been so evil. The thought of what the man had done to Jace literally soured his stomach just thinking about it and, at the same time, it brought fear to his bones at the thought that things weren’t over yet. Not if he believed that email he’d just received.

  Recalling that email and the reason he’d sent for Carson made him break off the kiss. He then drew in a deep breath and licked his lips. “Thanks—like I said, I needed that.”

  She smiled and licked her lips, as well. “And like I said, for you, anytime.”

  And he knew she meant it. Carson was ten years younger than Shep and a divorcée who had ended her marriage to an abusive husband and fought hard to become her own woman by putting herself through college and law school. She wasn’t afraid of hard work, fighting for what she believed in or standing up for those she loved. He felt honored to be in that number.

  Although they had been involved now for close to four years, she seemed okay with dating a man locked up behind prison walls with fifteen more years to go before he would be freed. She often mentioned the chance of a parole, but because of the way his sentence had been handed down, he had to make at least eighteen of the thirty years before any idea of parole could be entertained.

  Shep also knew Ambrose always allowed them more private time than strictly permitted, thus giving them the opportunity to engage in conjugal visits if they so desired. But as tempted as he’d been to do so, Shep hadn’t taken advantage of that. Carson deserved more than a quickie based on lust. He intended to make sure she got what she deserved, even if it meant that they both had to wait another three years to get it. She’d always told him she would wait because she loved him. And he knew with every bone in his body that he loved her.

  He hadn’t told his sons about her and figured one day he would get around to doing so. He and Carson had talked about it and both decided to keep the relationship between them quiet until they decided the time was right to share it. His life was pretty much an open book, and he preferred having Carson as the one part of his life he could keep private. She was everything he could possibly want, and he knew she was everything in a woman he’d never truly had.

  Even when he thought he’d loved Sylvia, it hadn’t felt like this. And he had stopped loving his wife a year or two after Dalton was born—when he’d found out about her first affair. By the time she’d died there had been many others. But he had remained with her for the sake of his sons.

  “When Ambrose called, he sounded serious,” Carson said, breaking into his thoughts. “What is it, Sheppard?”

  Her comment once again reminded him of why he had summoned her. He took her hand in his and led her over to the table where the two of them could sit down. “This came in through my email account,” he said, pulling out the paper he’d printed and handing it to her.

  She scanned it quickly and then glanced up at him. “I can have it checked out, but I’m sure you know, chances are the IP address is probably from a public computer, one found in the library or someplace of that nature.”

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “And I assume you’re going to take this person’s threat seriously?”

  “What else can I do, Carson?”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment before reaching over and placing her hand over his. “You can let your sons know what’s going on, Shep. Let them know about this threat so they can be mindful and watchful. They are adults, and you can’t protect them forever.”

  Shep drew in a sharp breath. “I know, but right now, they are all I have. A part of me almost died inside when I heard what happened to Jace.”

  “And you still think Vidal Duncan might have had something to do with your wife’s murder?”

  “Hell, the thought crossed my mind when I first heard about it. He’d had an affair with my son’s wife, so why shouldn’t I believe he was having an affair with mine? But after talking to Jace about everything Vidal said while he held Jace at gunpoint, I’m not so sure. Jace is convinced the two incidents aren’t connected, and if that’s true, then the person who killed Sylvia is still out there.”

  “That’s why I want to push for a new investigation and—”

  “No, Carson. I can’t risk it if it means I could lose my sons.”

  Carson didn’t say anything. “So what do you want me to do, Shep?”

  “Hire someone to watch my sons.”

  “Without them knowing?”

  “Yes. That means the person has to be good. My sons are sharp, and I don’t want them to suspect anything.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

  “Yes, and I want you to arrange everything for me. Will you do that?”

  A smile touched her lips and she leaned over and placed a light kiss on his. “Like I always say, Sheppard Granger. For you, anything.”

  Ten

  The next morning, Caden came down for breakfast to find Dalton helping himself to a generous amount of bacon and eggs. He glanced to where Jace was sitting and, speaking loudly enough for Dalton to hear, said, “I thought he didn’t live here anymore?”

  Jace chuckled. “I thought so, too. However, he seems to find his way back whenever he feels entitled to a free meal.”

  “Why should you guys gain all the weight?” Dalton asked. “Besides, I know how to take it off easily.”

  Caden figured it had to be some way that was sexual. “So what time did everyone finally go to bed last night?” he asked, grabbing a glass of juice and a bowl of fruit. When he’d retired about ten, Jace, Shana, Dalton and Hannah were still up talking.

  “I left around midnight,” Dalton said, sitting down beside Jace and across the table from Caden. “I thought about spending the night when Hannah mentioned she would be preparing a huge meal for breakfast this morning, but then I heard you playing that damned saxophone and figured the best thing to do was haul ass if I wanted to get any sleep.”

  Caden took a sip of his orange juice and ignored Dalton’s comment. He hadn’t been able to sleep, and whenever that happened, he would take out his sax and play it for a while. Hannah and Jace never complained, and as far as he was concerned, Dalton didn’t count since he’d moved into his own place last month.

  “So, Jace, have you and Shana set a date yet for your wedding?” Caden asked his brother.

  Jace smiled. “I’m leaving all that up to her, but I don’t think she wants a huge wedding with the white gown, bridesmaids and a ton of guests and stuff.”

  “Hell, I hope not,” Dalton said, chewing on a piece of bacon. “The moment she walks down the aisle, everyone is going to know she’s knocked up. Shit, a pregnant bride is almost as bad as a pregnant nun.”

  Caden looked over at Jace. “Just ignore him.”

  Jace smiled. “I do. All the time.”

  “I hate being talked about,” Dalton said.

  “Then keep your damned mouth closed,” Caden suggested.

  Dalton had opened his mouth to say something when Hannah stuck her head in the door and said, “Don’t forget your lunch on the way out, Dalton.”

  “Thanks, Hannah. I won’t.” Dalton smiled when he saw his two brothers glaring at him. “What?”

  “You asked Hannah to fix your lunch?” Jace asked, barely
holding back his anger.

  “No, she volunteered, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by saying she didn’t have to.”

  “Yeah, I bet,” Caden said, sipping his juice. He looked at his watch. “I think I’ll head into the office.”

  “What’s the rush?” Dalton asked, looking at his own watch.

  “I have a meeting this morning with Shelton Fields. I want to see what his products and design department is all about.”

  “When you find out, let me know,” Dalton said, chuckling.

  “And what’s on your agenda today?” Jace asked Dalton. He knew his brother got bored easily and he wanted to make sure that didn’t happen. A bored Dalton somehow became a womanizing Dalton, and that was the last thing they needed.

  Dalton shrugged. “I have a meeting with the guys in the security department. They want to make sure I’m familiar with all the new security gadgets on the market.”

  “Heaven help us all,” Caden muttered, rising to his feet.

  Dalton smiled. “I heard that.”

  “Good.” He stared at Dalton. “And don’t put another damned gadget on my phone or anyplace else without my permission.”

  Dalton waved off his words. “Whatever.” As Caden was leaving, Dalton called out, “And you never did say why you were in the historical district yesterday.”

  “And I don’t intend to.” Caden threw the comment over his shoulder as he walked out of the dining room.

  * * *

  Carson hung up the phone and sighed. It had taken some time, but everything Sheppard had asked for had been arranged. She had called on her good friend Roland Summers of the Summers Security Firm and told him what she needed. He thought he had just the right people she was looking for to do what needed to be done. He had access to men who were trained bodyguards, and several of them had served time with Shep and were now respectable, discreet and above reproach. And she made sure Roland understood they had to be ultra-discreet and remain at a safe distance.

  She understood Sheppard’s desire to keep his sons safe, but she felt they should be made aware of what was going on. Carson had an uneasy feeling about this, but it was Sheppard’s decision.

  She was about to pull a file from the in-box on her desk when her phone rang. Answering the call, she said, “Okay, Brett, what have you got for me?” Brett Holden was the guy she used on occasion as a private investigator.

  “Just as you suspected. The email was sent to Sheppard Granger at Delvers from a computer belonging to the Wesconnett library.”

  “Thanks for checking.”

  “No problem. If you need me to do anything else, let me know.”

  “Will do.” Carson clicked off the phone and said to herself, “Okay, Sheppard, your sons are being guarded. Now what?”

  She opened the desk drawer and pulled out a copy of the email Sheppard had given her that day. The person responsible for his wife’s death was still out there and was crazy enough to try to kill again...even after fifteen years.

  * * *

  Sitting at her desk, Shiloh stared at the huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to her that morning. She had been totally surprised when Tess had walked into her office carrying them. The card attached had simply said, “Remember my promise.”

  She pushed away from her desk, walked to the window and looked out. Caden was not playing fair. He’d sent her a dozen roses. All white. Her favorite. He’d known that and was using it to break her down, and she didn’t want that.

  Shiloh glanced back at her desk and wished the bouquet wasn’t so beautiful and that what he’d written on that card hadn’t made her remember his promise. A man’s promise to the woman he claimed to love. When Tess had placed the flowers on her desk and she’d read the card, she had been tempted to tell Tess to keep them because she didn’t want them. But then she figured there was no reason she should not enjoy a dozen beautiful white roses. The bouquet wouldn’t change a thing.

  Just like it didn’t matter that she was still plagued with memories of how Caden had looked the day he’d paid her a visit here at the boutique. Why did he still have to look so ruggedly handsome in a smooth sort of way? It didn’t make sense. How could a man look both rugged and smooth? She wasn’t sure, but Caden managed it. And then there was that sexiness he exuded so well. Her heart rate increased whenever she thought about it.

  Feeling frustrated, she welcomed the ring of her cell phone, a ring she recognized right away. It was Valerie. Moving away from the window, she went to her desk to answer the phone. “How did you know I needed my mind refreshed?”

  She heard her friend laugh. “Not sure. Do you?”

  “Desperately. Caden sent me flowers. White roses.”

  “Oh, a man after my own heart. He doesn’t plan on giving up without a fight, does he?”

  Shiloh nibbled on her bottom lip as she studied her flowers. “I guess not.” Valerie had met Caden and she was the one to encourage Shiloh to go to that concert during the time she was in college. Valerie had been able to see through Samuel right from the start.

  “I want to get over him, Val,” she said in a soft voice.

  “I’m hearing the words, but I’m not convinced.”

  “You should be. I have a date this weekend.”

  Valerie laughed. “Any reason you don’t sound excited about it?”

  “Probably because it’s a blind date. Actually, that’s not quite correct. Apparently, I’ve met the guy. At least that’s what Sedrick claims. He’s a doctor at the hospital where Sedrick works, and Sedrick swears he introduced us. I don’t remember.”

  “Hmm, that’s not good if he wasn’t worth remembering.”

  She wasn’t going to tell Valerie she thought the same thing. Instead, she said, “Sedrick says he’s a nice guy, and I’m taking his word for it. Sedrick can be overprotective, and he wouldn’t hook me up with just anyone.”

  “Then you should have nothing to worry about. Where are you going, and what are you wearing?”

  She told Valerie it would be a double date with her brother and his girlfriend, Cassie, and her and Wallace. Sedrick was selecting the place, and once he told her, she would know what outfit to wear. They spent another ten minutes more talking about how plans were shaping up for the grand opening. Valerie and her husband were arriving from Boston a couple of days early to help out with last-minute details.

  After Shiloh ended her phone call with Valerie, she leaned back in her chair and stared at her flowers, remembering the first time Caden had given her white roses. There had been three of them...on her sixteenth birthday. Her father had spies at the high school, namely the principal, Mr. Waverly, and one of the teachers, Mrs. Joyner, who reported back to him on her behavior. Caden had sent the flowers to her best friend at the time, Cindy Brooks, to give to her. You would have thought Cindy had handed her a million dollars that day.

  Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she checked the clock on the wall. In a few hours, she had an appointment with Nannette Gaither, the woman coordinating Charlottesville’s annual Live-It-Up Ball to benefit cancer research. Shiloh was on the committee that met every two weeks, but since the event was next month, they were getting together more regularly.

  She and Nannette had attended high school together, and instead of moving away for college, Nannette had remained in Charlottesville and attended college here. She was engaged to marry Vance Clayburn, a wealthy businessman who’d moved to town a few years ago. Shiloh had never met the man, but it was rumored that he was old enough to be Nannette’s father.

  Deciding she had been held up in her office long enough, Shiloh stood and was headed toward the door to go check on things below when the phone on her desk rang. Tess was transferring a call that had come in through the boutique.

  She went back to her desk and picked up the phone. “Yes, Tess?”

  “A Mr. Caden Granger is on the line and wants to speak with you.”

  Shiloh drew in a deep breath. She should take the call and at least t
hank him for the flowers, but then she thought better of it. The last thing she wanted to do was encourage Caden. If he thought he was breaking down her defenses, he would continue with this, and she preferred that he didn’t.

  “Tell Mr. Granger that I’m busy, Tess.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell him.”

  Tess hung up on her end, and Shiloh hung up on hers. If Caden thought he would get close to her with a bouquet of flowers, he was sadly mistaken.

  * * *

  Caden held the phone in his hand a full minute before hanging it up. Shiloh had told her employee to tell him she was busy. That was fine. He wouldn’t push for now, but he damn well wouldn’t give up. He knew all about the grand opening of her boutique next weekend, and he intended to attend.

  He glanced toward the door when he heard the knock. “Come in,” he called out and then wished he hadn’t when Dalton walked in. “What do you want, Dalton?”

  Dalton smiled as he plopped down on the chair across from his desk. “Still in a bad mood, I see.”

  “What do you want, Dalton? Some of us have work to do.”

  “So do I,” Dalton countered. “I just came from that meeting with those Security guys, and you wouldn’t believe some of the technical shit they have now. Trying it out, I felt like a regular James Bond. And just so you know, you don’t have to tell me why you were in the historical district yesterday.”

  “I don’t?” Caden asked, staring hard at his brother.

  “No, you don’t. I was able to backtrack all the places you went yesterday with the tracker I put on your phone.” A huge smile spread across Dalton’s lips. “Why didn’t you tell me Shiloh owns a wine shop?”

  “Does she?”

  “I’m sure you know that she does. So tell me, what’s the real deal with you and Shiloh? And don’t tell me there isn’t one. All it will do is keep me digging.”

  Caden leaned back in his chair and built a steeple with his fingers while staring at his brother. “Has it ever occurred to you that it’s not any of your business?”