Karen Smith - Fortune's Secret Husband

“Prince Charming is one thing, a Fortune is another,” Kate proclaimed. “Ben can be very bold, as he proved at my party, but I believe he’s sincere. I’ve tried to contact his father since I’ve been out of the hospital to verify Ben’s claim that his father is Jerome Fortune. But Gerald Robinson hasn’t returned any of my calls or my emails. Ben might claim his father is Jerome Fortune, but the man doesn’t seem eager to prove it. His children deserve to know the truth, and so do I.”

“They also want to find any half siblings they might have,” Lucie explained.

“You’re the one who connected Ben with Keaton Whitfield, correct?”

“Yes. I happened to know Keaton. It was amazing, really, that Keaton confirmed to Ben that Gerald Robinson is his father, too.” Keaton and Ben were now working together to uncover other possible blood relatives that Gerald might have sired. The Fortune family was complicated and messy, and if Gerald Robinson was truly Jerome Fortune, Kate would have a lot to sort out.

“I know what you’re thinking, my dear—that maybe finding family and trying to control my legacy might just be too complicated for someone my age.”

“I’m not thinking that at all,” Lucie protested. “Maybe I would be thinking that if you were the type of woman who sat in a parlor with an afghan covering your lap, knitting all day.” She waved to the study with the computer, the printer, and the state-of-the-art smart TV for video-conferencing. “But you’re not that type of woman. You like to be in charge. You like to know what’s happening. You want to have a finger on what happens after you leave. I think you’re up to the task.”

Kate laughed. “I’m glad to see someone’s on my side.”

“I’m sure lots of people are.”

“I’ve been reading more about how you and your mother work together to build orphanages and provide schooling for children who don’t even have the necessities. Emmett Jamison, the head of the Fortune Foundation, told me you’re hunting for office space to open a branch of the foundation in Austin. How is the hunt for space progressing?”

“I’ve seen a few possibilities. Probably the best strategy is to tap into programs that are already running. If we set up the office, then on-site events for kids can be anywhere. For instance, if there’s a sports program that needs funding, we can do that. If there is a music therapist involved in community action, we can help her find space and a place to teach. We could also help provide college scholarships for girls interested in science.”

“Emmett told me you’d put a lot of thought into this. It will be a remarkable undertaking.”

“We would have an Austin Fortune Foundation Central, so to speak,” Lucie concluded. “Then all the outreach programs would be like satellites.”

“That sounds practical,” Kate agreed. “Any program that is worthwhile can apply.”

Kate gave Lucie a sly smile. “I have no doubt you’re capable of getting this ball rolling. But I have been wondering something.”

“What’s that?”

“You travel the world with your mother helping others, but that doesn’t leave much time for a personal life, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Do you ever intend to marry?”

Lucie didn’t know how to answer that honestly, because the truth was, she was already married!

When Lucie seemed stumped for an answer, Kate went on. “It’s none of my business, of course. Charitable work is wonderful. But you know, don’t you, it can’t replace the love of a husband and family.”

Lucie wondered if Kate was right. On the other hand, though, her mother had had both during her second marriage, as well as now, though now she spent more time and intensity doing her charity work. Lucie realized she would never want to give up helping children, even if she had a husband and her own family.

If she had her own.

Just what kind of father might Chase Parker be?

She pushed that thought out of her head.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” she asked Kate. “It’s a beautiful day outside.”

“A change of subject is in order, huh?” Kate smiled. “Sure. Let’s go for that walk. You can tell me about your sister Amelia and all about Horseback Hollow. You can also regale me with stories about how your royal life is different from mine.”

Lucie laughed. “You are a royal, Kate Fortune, and you know it.”

Kate gave a slight nod, agreeing.

* * *

Chase’s workday had seemed long and tedious for several reasons. Soon he had to tell his father his plans and was trying to figure out how to do that. His dad was away in Galveston meeting with cronies, checking on a branch of their office there. But when he got back, Chase would have to be honest with him. And speaking of being honest, his last encounter with Lucie was heavy on his mind, not to mention that kiss.

So when he got home from Parker Oil, he headed toward the barn. That was his place where he could work off stress, communicate with the horses and chill. At least that was what he hoped. After a quick change into jeans and a T-shirt at the guesthouse, he checked on one of the last horses he’d rescued. The owners had left the property and abandoned him in the pasture. Chase didn’t know how people could be so cruel.

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