“I didn’t. I was wrong to go behind your back.” Her eyes locked with his, and suddenly the steely-eyed gaze of the formidable media relations officer was replaced by a look of concern. She looked almost motherly. “I only wanted you to be happy. For years I’ve seen you shut people out. You’ve lived a solitary life for as long as I’ve known you. But ever since Heather first started working here, you seem so much more engaged with the world. More alive. Like you realize that you’re more than just a CEO who cranks out brilliant ideas. You’re not some cold, unfeeling machine, Simon. You’re a human being. With feelings, like everyone else.”
“Why do you care?”
“I guess somewhere along the way I started to see you as the son I never had. I don’t have children. Never wanted any. I’ve got my hands too full with so many nieces and nephews,” she replied. “And I have loved being a mentor to people. Especially to you Simon.”
He was stunned. Speechless. Linda had worked at Dover even before he had first invested in the company, so he supposed he would have grudgingly admitted that he and Linda were on friendly terms. Maybe they were even friends under the right circumstances. But he had never allowed himself to feel anything more than that. Never allowed himself to accept that, no matter how hard he had tried to keep people locked out, they still had a way of getting in. It wasn’t just Heather who had knocked down his defenses. Linda had as well. Even before Heather had come back into his life.
If he was being honest with himself, Linda really had been a mother figure to him all these years, especially since his relationship with his own mother was practically non-existent.
“Linda...” He paused, trying to grapple with the emotions swirling inside him. “I really don’t deserve you, do I?”
“No. You don’t.” She smiled ruefully.
“I suppose you have been like a mother to be all these years,” he said. “But that doesn’t give you the right to meddle in my life the way you did.”
Her smile faded. “It doesn’t. I’m sorry.”
“Good. Glad that’s cleared up.”
“So, did you and Heather at least reconcile?”
“I thought we established that my private life is none of your business,” he said sharply.
“It’s not, but that isn’t going to stop me from asking.”
“Things are complicated between us right now,” he muttered.
Linda’s eyes lit up, unable to hide her excitement. “So, you are back together!”
“No.” He shook his head and held up his hands. “We haven’t had time to talk. I’d rather not be forced into having a serious discussion with Heather in the workplace.”
“Workplace. Right.” Her eyes darted around, like she was trying to avoid his gaze all of a sudden.
Suspicion made him arch an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“The board had an emergency meeting yesterday,” she replied.
“What? When were you going to tell me?” he demanded.
“I’m telling you now, aren’t I?” She blew out an annoyed breath. “The board met because they’re worried about your relationship with Heather. Before you came back earlier today, I thought if you were back with Heather you’d be able to stand up to the board pretty easily. But if things are still rough between you two, I’m not sure how you’re going to weather this.”
“What was the meeting about?” he pressed, unable to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“They don’t like how you left things at the last board meeting,” she said. “Telling them you’re in love with Heather unsettled them. They think having her around is dangerous because they believe she’ll have influence over you. I thought if you got together with her you’d be able to face them, but if not they’re much more likely to try to drive a wedge between you two.”
“Linda, what are you saying?”
“There was talk about coming between you. Breaking you up before things got serious.”
“You mean by firing her?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, more than that. If they fired her, you’d still have feelings for her. They didn’t come up with anything concrete, but the gist of the meeting was that they’re worried. Concerned that Heather will control you, and therefore control how Dover operates. They think her influence over you is a threat to the company.”