“And Carl Richards married a woman who is younger than his son. Three years in, they seem happy. Sure, people might say something, but it won’t be a scandal. And Frank isn’t one to talk. He went along with this marriage. What does it say about him that he agreed to this so you’d pay his debts?”
“That’s just it. When it’s spoken out loud, it sounds horrendous. And it makes Brooke a pawn.” I felt sick about that. “Like her father sold her to me, and I took advantage.”
“Brooke is a grown woman who can stand up for herself. I doubt you took advantage. At least, I doubt anything happened that she wasn’t on board with happening.”
I pushed my sandwich away, all of a sudden, not hungry. “The end result is the same. How much time do I have to repay the money?”
“So, it is done? She’s gone?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her. She hasn’t returned my text or calls. That seems like the answer.”
“You know, and again this puts me in a predicament because I represent Frank, too, but you could sue him for the money.”
“Why?” I asked.
“You could argue fraud.”
“I knew what I was doing.”
She shrugged. “You must have some sort of contract. You could still sue over a breach. It would be in his interest to not let this get out. While everyone’s intentions were good, you’re right in that it could look creepy. But it would be worse for him. He’s her father.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to do anything that will hurt Brooke. He’s her father, and she loves him.”
“Is that why you’re here pining away, wishing that beer was something stronger instead of out finding her and telling her that you love her?”
“How do you know I love her, and this isn’t about the money?”
She arched a brow. “Give me some credit, Mo. You’re a good man. You’re putting her before yourself or Frank, which is more than he’s doing.”
“He’s doing what he thinks is best for her, his daughter.”
She laughed. “Now you’re defending him.”
“The point is, I don’t want to come between them. They’re all they have with Laura gone—”
“That’s not true. They have, or had, you.”
I shrugged. “I’m not family.”
She rolled her eyes. “The marriage certificate you have says otherwise.”
I sat back. “Whatever Brooke wants, I’ll do.”
“And the money?”
I lifted my hands in an I-don’t-know gesture. “I’ll figure something out. That was my plan for tonight.”
She stood. “I guess I need to talk to Brooke. Is she really at a friend’s place?”
I nodded, trying not to think about her alone in Tucker’s hotel room.
“Maybe I’ll talk to Frank again, and if he’s still stubborn as an old mule, I’ll talk to her.”
I rose from my chair to walk her to the door. “I appreciate all the work you’re doing on this.”
“I’d sure like to have a happy resolution.”
You and me both, I thought. “Life isn’t a fairy tale.”