Page 56 of An Unexpected Love

“I’m fine, Mom.”

Her mother hesitated. “Are you going back to him, Jill?”

Jill didn’t answer. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t know. She hadn’t heard from Jordan even once in the week she’d been gone. A concerned Shelly had dropped by twice, unobtrusively leaving the wedding dress, in its original mailing box, on Jill’swindow seat. Even Ralph had called. But she hadn’t heard from Jordan.

She shouldn’t miss him this much. Shouldn’t feel so empty without him, so lost. Jill had hoped their time apart would clear her thoughts. It hadn’t. If anything, they were more confused than ever. Her musings were like snagged fishing lines, impossible to untangle.

She hadn’t really expected him to get in touch with her, but she’d hoped. Foolishly hoped. Although if he had, Jill didn’t know how she would’ve reacted.

The doorbell chimed in the distance. A minute later Jill heard her mother talking with another woman. The voice wasn’t familiar and Jill pressed her forehead to her knees, suddenly weary. Part of her had wanted the visitor to be Jordan. Fool that she was, Jill prayed that he’d be willing to put aside his pride enough to come after her, to convince her they could make their marriage work. She ached for the sight of him. Obviously, though, any move would have to come from her. But Jill wasn’t ready. Not when her heart was in such turmoil.

“Jill?” Her mother knocked at her bedroom door again and opened it a crack. “There’s someone here to see you. A Suzi Lundquist. She says it’s important.”

“Suzi Lundquist?” Jill repeated incredulously.

“She’s waiting for you in the living room,” her mother said.

Jill hadn’t the slightest idea why Suzi would want to see her. Jordan had used her to ward off the younger woman’s affections. Perhaps Suzi still loved Jordan and intended to rekindle the fire. But in that case, she wasn’t likely to announce her plans to Jill.

After quickly changing her clothes, Jill went downstairs.Suzi was pacing the living room, her movements tense and agitated, when Jill appeared.

“I hope you’re happy.”

Jill blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“He’s done it, you know, and it’s all because of you.”

“Done what?”

“Given up the fight.” Suzi was staring at her as though Jill was completely dense.

“I hate to seem ignorant, but I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re married to Jordan, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” They stood several feet apart from each other, like duelists preparing to choose their weapons.

“Jordan’s handed control of the firm to my father and brother,” Suzi said impatiently.

“Isn’t this rather sudden? When did all this happen?” Surely if Jordan was in a proxy fight, he would’ve said something to her. Surely he would have let her know. She’d only been away for a week. Nothing could have threatened his hold on the company in that short a time, could it?

“This proxy battle’s been going on for months,” Suzi snapped. “It all started while you and Jordan were on your honeymoon. He couldn’t have chosen a worse time to leave. He knew it, too—that’s what was so confusing. When he returned from Hawaii, he had a full-fledged revolt on his hands. Dad used that time against Jordan, buying shares until he controlled as large a percentage of the company as Jordan did. He wanted Jordan out as CEO and my brother in.”

“What happened?”

“After months of gathering supporters, of buying and selling stock, of doing whatever he could to avoid aproxy fight,” Suzi continued, “Jordan handed the whole thing over to my father, who’ll hand it all to my brother on a silver platter. You met Dean, and we both know he doesn’t have the leadership or the maturity to be a CEO. Within five years, he’ll wipe out everything Jordan’s spent his life building.”

Jill didn’t know what to say. Her immediate reaction was to argue with Suzi. Jordan would never willingly surrender control of his company. She didn’t need the younger woman to tell her that Jordan had worked his entire adult life to build the company; he’d invested everything in it—everything.

Although it seemed a long time ago, she remembered that he’d told her about buying the controlling shares. He’d also said he’d soon be forced to battle to remain in power. Jill remembered what she’d said to him. She’d told him she couldn’t imagine him losing.

“Jordan’s resigned?” she repeated, breathless with disbelief.

“This morning, effective immediately.”

“But why?”

“You should know,” Suzi said harshly. “Because he’s in love with you.”

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