Page 68 of Tough as Steele

“No.” He shook his head. “Nothing like that. She and I butted heads at times, but mostly because of those off-the-cuff decisions.”

“Could I get a copy of your corporate meeting minutes for the past year?” Londyn asked. “And before you say no and that they’re confidential, I assure you, I will keep them confidential. And if you say no, I’ll just get a warrant.”

He gave her a terse look as he stood. He pressed a button on the phone on his desk. “Felicia, I need a copy of our board minutes for the past year right away.”

“Thank you,” Londyn said and looked at Peyton. “Any questions I missed?”

“Just one.” Peyton’s gaze softened as she peered at Charles. “Are you going to let this interview weigh in your decision on our company’s bid for security services?”

He raised his chin, the look of superiority telling Londyn everything her family needed to know. He would indeed hold it against them, and when this was all over, she would have to find a way to change his mind. That was, if he wasn’t embezzling from Mimi’s company and wasn’t behind her abduction.

17

Late in the afternoon, Nate met Londyn at Mimi’s home office, Londyn’s sweet scent in the air. She stood by the whiteboard and greeted him with a yawn. He wasn’t about to waste a second sleeping when the hours were flying by, but he wished he could persuade her to take a nap. She wouldn’t, that he was sure of. And suggesting it? He doubted that would go over well. So he swallowed his protective feeling for her that included not only keeping her safe from harm, but ensuring her general health and well-being too.

She tossed aside a stack of papers. “Minutes from Vandervoort’s board. I’d hoped it might give me a motive for Charles to take Mimi, but there’s nothing in them to help.”

“Was a good idea to check though,” he said, sounding relieved.

She removed a vintage plaid thermos and metal tin from a matching bag with leather handles sitting on the desk. “Gran sent coffee and two slices of her pecan pie. She said she made the coffee strong, and with all the sugar in the pie, we are guaranteed to stay awake.” She laughed and opened the container.

He loved how she could be intense and focused, but at talk of her family, a ready smile broke free. She loved them deeply, and they clearly returned the feeling. It wasn’t hard to see why. God’s love united the Steele family, starting with Eloise and Artie and extending down through the generations.

What would it have been like to grow up on a farm with a big happy family surrounding him? Special, he would imagine, though also challenging as farming was not an easy occupation. Not that they were immune to tragedy. The loss of Thomas was still fresh for all of them.

She handed him a plate holding a large golden brown slice of pecan pie. “You look so serious. I know finding Mimiisserious, but we need to take a minute to eat and relax.”

“Like at lunch.” He took the plate and leaned against the desk. “Even if we talked about the investigation. You have a great family.”

“I do, don’t I?” She frowned.

“Is that a bad thing?”

She opened the thermos, releasing the tantalizing smell of coffee, beckoning him closer. “Not usually, but I’ve been thinking a lot about Thomas. As the only guy in the family, all the girls ganged up on him, and he took it all so good-naturedly. I really miss him.”

Nate set down his pie and went to her. He didn’t know what he was thinking other than it was about time he held this woman in his arms. He slipped them around her back and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m so sorry. It twists my stomach to see you so upset.”

“It does?”

He nodded. “You have to know I’m developing feelings for you. That moment in the barn should’ve made it clear.”

“Yeah.”

“But?”

She took a long breath. “But you know this isn’t something either of us wants.”

“Maybe not, but the thing I’ve learned over the years is that God doesn’t give us what we want. He gives us what we need. Sometimes it’s the same thing, but often it’s not. Then we have to adjust, and I feel myself starting to adjust to thinking about having someone in my life.”

“Someone?”

“Not someone. You. Just you.” He smoothed her hair back from her face.

She shivered.

“Was that a good shiver, or does my touch make you sick?”

“Good. Definitely good.”

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