And things had only gotten worse after Linc came on board and excelled in the business. He had no doubt Kenneth Kingston felt threatened. How far would he have gone to prove himself better than his son?
“But Wallace was supposed to be on top of things,” Linc said.
Jordan frowned. “I’m going to talk to your father’s secretary. If anyone knows what he was up to, it would be Suzanne, and considering you were kind enough to keep her on and give her job security, maybe she’ll open up to me.”
He glanced at her and once again was struck by how vital she was to both his business and to him personally. “Thank you,” he said in a gruff voice. “Jordan, listen. I know things are awkward after–”
She held up a hand. “Nope. We’re back to work and everything is fine.”
In other words, let it go. The problem was, the more he thought about their night together, the less he wanted to pretend they had never happened.
* * *
Jordan woke up early Saturday morning with her weekend fully planned.
Astounding everyone, including Jordan, Linc had asked his mother to let Aurora move into her huge estate. The house had seven bedrooms and plenty of room, not to mention a staff available for every need, but the fact remained, Aurora was Kenneth Kingston’s illegitimate child.
Yet Melly had agreed. Apparently she was too kind a person to take her husband’s sins out on an innocent woman and her unborn baby.
Nervous, Aurora begged Jordan to come with her. Although Chloe planned to meet them there, Aurora felt more connected to Jordan, no doubt because they shared an understanding about how they viewed the world around them and because they’d spent a lot of time together in Florida. Chloe was still new to her and Linc wasn’t female.
Jordan had no problem joining them. When Aurora saw the Kingston Estate, she might very well pass out, and she’d need support.
Aurora was silent on the way to Linc’s mother’s, her few bags loaded in the trunk of the car with Max driving. Linc was on the phone, his frustration growing because they were no closer to discovering who his father had entered into an agreement with. Wallace was MIA.
Nobody had been able to get in touch with him, and from the way this partner’s lawyer had dropped the information without details, obviously the man in question was enjoying his silence. Which left Linc worried about who he was as well as the amount of money on the line.
Max drove down a secluded, tree-lined street, turned left into a hidden driveway, and pulled up to a gate, where he opened the back window and Linc punched in a code.
“Oh, God.” Aurora’s eyes opened wide. “This isn’t a house, it’s a mansion.”
Jordan put her hand over the young woman’s knee. “Hey, my mother used to be the main housekeeper here. If I can adjust to it, you can.”
Aurora whipped her head around in surprise. “You never told me that!”
“It never came up but I’m not ashamed. It’s how Linc and I met.” The car started up again, and Max drove forward, parking at the top of the driveway, in front of a four-car garage. “But as overwhelming as everything looks, Linc’s mother is a wonderful person. I promise this is all going to work out for you.”
“I have to go,” Linc said to whoever he was talking to. I’ll talk to you again on Monday.” He disconnected the call and turned to face them. “We’re here.”
“Obviously.” Jordan smiled at a nervous Aurora. “Okay. Let’s get you moved in.”
They stepped out of the car just as one of the garage doors opened and Melissa Kingston stepped out, looking as elegant as always, her dark hair reaching her shoulders, subtle but perfect makeup on her face.
“Mom, hi.” Linc kissed her cheek.
“Hello, honey.” She turned to Jordan. “It’s been a while. You’re looking well. It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too,” Jordan murmured.
Melly’s gaze shifted. “And you must be Aurora. Welcome,” she said warmly.
Aurora studied Melly, who was a contradiction. On the outside, she was a wealthy socialite, but on the inside, she obviously had a warm heart. The young girl needed to relax enough to see the hidden parts of Linc’s mother.
“Hi,” Aurora said. “Thank you for your generosity. I know it can’t be easy for you to overlook who I am.”
Jordan winced.
“Aurora–” Linc started to speak, but Jordan grabbed his arm, indicating he should let the two women find their footing.
Melly stepped over to Aurora. “To me you’re a young woman who got a raw deal that wasn’t of your own making. My son likes you and wants you to become part of the family.” She took Aurora’s hand. “So when I say welcome, I mean it. And I can’t wait to have a baby around again. It’s not like my sons are rushing to give me grandbabies,” she said, shooting Linc a pointed look.
“Well, Chloe’s getting married, so you can focus on her, too,” Linc said, obviously eager to take the spotlight off of him.
“Speaking of Chloe, she can’t make it today, but she promised to call you later,” Melly said to Aurora. “Now how about we go inside?”
Max picked up the bags and followed them in through the garage and the lower level, with Aurora gaping at the enormity of the mansion and the décor. Aurora had bought suitcases in Florida so she could pack her things and bring them to New York. Max placed those in the bedroom Melly had chosen for Aurora to stay in. Then he excused himself and said he’d be waiting when Linc was ready to head back to the city.
Linc left the women and excused himself to make some calls. The man was constantly working, Jordan thought.
In the half hour they’d been in Aurora’s new bedroom, it became clear Melly intended to treat Aurora like a daughter, and the young girl relaxed, becoming more like her normal, talkative self.
It didn’t take long for Melly to realize Aurora was sadly lacking in clothing and to take charge of the situation. She announced they were going shopping.
“Jordan, come with us please?” Aurora asked, obviously overwhelmed.
But Aurora needed to get to know Melly, and Melly hadn’t extended the invitation.
“I can’t,” she told Aurora. “I have laundry and things to catch up on at home. But you have fun! I’ll check in later, okay?”
Aurora stepped forward and pulled Jordan into an awkward pregnant hug. “You’re the best. You’ve been so good to me.”
“You make it easy.”
“I’m going to get my handbag and freshen up. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” Melly said, walking out of the room.
Aurora swept her arms around. “Look at this room! It’s meant for royalty!”
Taking in the queen-size bed with a gorgeous floral spread in beautiful colors, draperies on the windows and a large television on the wall, a private bathroom and walk-in closet, Jordan had to agree.
“It’s gorgeous. There’s space for a crib in here, too. Or you can put the baby in the room next door.” Jordan turned toward her. “You’re going to have to go shopping for baby supplies. But something tells me Melly is going to want to help,” Jordan said with a grin.
Aurora sat down on the plush mattress. “She’s really sweet. I think I’ll be happy here, at least until I can figure out my life.”