Page 15 of Impossible Rapids

“Excuse me?” But he smiled at her, and that made her feel a little better. She loved making him smile.

“You do everything for Mercedes, Franz, and Grayson and you never have a choice.”

His brow wrinkled as he studied her, as if he’d never thought of having a choice. She wanted him to have a choice and to choose her.

No. He’d chosen Mercedes as his wife. That had been his choice.

“It’s not like that,” he said slowly, as if choosing each word carefully. “I chose to retire from the military four years ago and take care of Mercedes and now Franz because of how much I love them. They’ve always chosen to believe in me and look for the best in me. They’re family and I would do anything for them. I swore to Grayson that I would always take care of them and Mama T, but it’s not about some obligation. It’s about being there for the people I love.”

Julie studied him. He chose to take care of Mercedes and now Franz. The people he loved. His allegiance was to them, not to Julie. It never had been. She needed to walk away. Her allegiance was to Mercedes too, because she adored her friend. She’d spent over three years being there for Mercedes as her assistant and her best friend. She’d see this through to the end and then she’d have to figure something else out, focus on her charity, go see her family in Boulder, take a break from Shawn and all the pain.

“I’m grateful Mercedes had you as a husband,” she managed to get out.

Shawn flinched slightly at that word.

“I need to go.”

She hurried around him, tears stinging her eyes. A quick stop at the bathroom and maybe she could go face the guests. Who cared if the relish tray was freshened? Her entire world was in turmoil, and she couldn’t even talk to Mercedes to sort it out.

Chapter

Five

Shawn somehow made it through the rest of Mercedes’s death day. Julie was often close at hand and he could let his gaze wander to her. She didn’t get close enough to make him smile or to brush his hand or arm on accident, but her presence strengthened him.

She was upset and confused. Who could blame her? She’d found out about their marriage, been left out of her best friend’s wedding, and was being manipulated by Mercedes into spending a week on the river with him. Was she mad at him too? If only he could confide everything to her.

Finally, it was just him and Franz in the living area, looking out the many windows at the tree lined five acres of grass, pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and flower gardens as the sun set and evening sky darkened. The staff had finished cleaning up, and they were both drained from this emotional and busy day, leaning back in the leather couches and not speaking. Two of Franz’s top security men had been assigned to follow Julie. Franz and Shawn had agreed she might not be in danger from Lucas and Arianna, but they weren’t willing to risk anything happening to her.

Franz spoke into the silence. “Is this too much?”

“Which part?” Shawn asked, looking at the only man he’d ever thought of as a father figure.

“Putting the burden of this money, businesses, properties, and the entire legacy and future of the Belle foundation on you.”

“When you phrase it like that …” Shawn tried to joke. Franz smiled, but this was no time for joking. He held Franz’s teal-blue gaze. “Franz. I promised Grayson I would take care of you, Mama T, and Mercedes.”

Franz flinched slightly at his mention of Mama T. It was still painful and awkward, but Franz had made his mistakes, and as far as Shawn knew, he’d only apologized to Grayson for them, never to Mama T. “I know that, but …”

“A promise is binding in my mind,” Shawn interrupted, “but more than that…” He cleared his throat. He couldn’t look at Franz now, but he had to say these words. Today of all days, they had to come out. “I loved Mercedes and Grayson and I love you, Franz. You’re the father I never had. I would do anything for you.”

“Ah, Shawn.” Franz’s voice was thick. “I love you too. More than you’ll ever know.”

The moment was touching but also awkward. Thankfully, neither of them moved and hugged or something even more awkward like that.

“Because I love you so much, I worry I’m asking too much of you. The family fortune, the legacy. We can … donate it to the cat foundation to protect you from Lucas and Arianna and give you freedom and a future.”

“The cat foundation?” Shawn sputtered out a laugh. “We’re both allergic.”

Franz laughed too, and they were able to exchange a warm look without letting it get too uncomfortable. Mercedes had been the one who made things comfortable and never stopped hugging and touching both of them, while Julie was the one who made them all laugh.

Julie. Where was she? She was usually here at the mansion or at Franz’s building downtown. Had she gone home to her condo? Alone? He wanted to go to her, claim he needed to protect her, but she had security with her. Besides, what would he say? No words—at least none he could say—would make her feel better. Would their week on the river be awkward?

“Okay, not cats, but we could allocate it between our charities and other worthy causes.”

Shawn held Franz’s gaze. “Franz. I know what your family inheritance means to you, and I can and will protect it like I protected Mercedes. Like I will protect you.”

“Thank you, Shawn. Thank you for being the man I can trust. You have no designs on the money, and you won’t get prideful or abuse the power it will give you. You’re one in a million, my boy, and I’m very proud of you and grateful you’re willing to do this for me, Mercedes, and Grayson.”

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