Promises of Forever Read online

  “Not you, too. Harley just finished ripping me a new one about cancelling my last two doctor’s appointments.”

  “Honey, I’m just saying.” Manny grabbed her hand and guided her further inside the festival. “Your father passed away unexpectedly, we just finished midterms, and you have a killer of a schedule. Something has to give.”

  “We’re taking the same amount of classes. Why aren’t you tired? You’re still doing modeling gigs every now and then.”

  “I haven’t been on a job in a month. You, however, work full-time, you’re taking a full course load, and up until your dad died, you were also volunteering at the homeless shelter.”

  “Okay, you got me. I’m going to rest later.”

  Manny shrugged. “If you say so.” He glanced around the park. “Where do you want to start first? I can’t believe I’m actually at a festival. See what you started?”

  She guided him to the food area. “I started?”

  “Yes, remember when we met, this was our first date.”

  She could barely remember those three months that she and Manny actually dated. “That was four years ago. Let it go.”

  He laughed. “We’re eating first? I should have known. Well, your appetite is spot on as always. Let’s go eat some Irish food.”

  * * *

  Finn was finishing up his question and answer section of the financial workshop when his cell phone went off. The conference room was filled to capacity of fifty people. When he started doing these seminars a few years ago, he didn’t have many attendees. As the word and his reputation had spread the amount of attendees had increased.

  He glanced down at the display with a little hope in his heart, but it was soon dashed. It wasn’t Kayleigh. It was his sister, Bethany, calling. He muted the phone and took another question. Some people in the crowd were regulars and asked the same question each time, and each time he gave the same answer.

  When the room cleared out, he returned the call to his sister. She answered on the second ring. He could barely make out anything she said over the loud music. “I’ll call you right back,” she promised very loudly.

  Laughing, he clipped his phone back on his belt and started tearing down the display charts. Some of his investment peers thought he was nuts giving away valuable information for free. He liked the feeling of doing something good. Some of the people attending his seminar couldn’t afford his services, but they had the information and could plan their own financial futures.

  His phone rang again. He answered on the second ring. His sister spoke before he could.

  “Are you still coming? We’re going to eat lunch pretty soon.”

  Finn scratched his head, trying to figure out what his younger sister was talking about. “Beth, slow down. Start from the beginning. Where are you?”

  “Phineas Callahan, don’t tell me you forgot?”

  “Apparently.”

  “The Irish festival. You said you’d meet us here, since it was downtown and you hadn’t seen your nephews in months. Remember. I mean you’re only ten years older than me. I didn’t think you were getting this forgetful.”

  Now it all came crashing back to him. He slapped his forehead. “Oh, sis, I’m sorry.” He’d agreed to meet his sister, brother-in-law, Robert, and their three children at the festival since it was being held downtown. “Things have been a little crazy lately. You know it’s tax season.” He glanced down at his casual attire of slacks and a polo shirt proclaiming his company and decided he didn’t need to change. “I’ve got a few things to do here, but I can meet you guys in about an hour or so.”

  “I’ll see if I can hold Robert and kids off for a while.”

  “Great. Tell them lunch is on me.”

  * * *

  Kayleigh couldn’t decide what she wanted to eat first, and Manny was certainly no help. He was still in the model’s mindset and ate like a bird.

  “Haven’t these people ever heard of heart attacks, obesity, or diabetes? Everything here is made with some kind of animal fat or something. I think I’m going to get a hot dog, just so I can drink a few beers. The coolest thing about these festivals is the liquor.”

  “Irish food is supposed to be hearty,” Kayleigh told her friend. “It’s supposed to sustain you most of the day. I think I’m starting with a meat pie and a corned beef sandwich. Why don’t you get some steamed clams?”

  Manny wrinkled his very handsome face at her. “Absolutely not. I’m getting a hot dog.”

  Kayleigh laughed. “I don’t believe they sell those veggie-dogs here, but I’ll get your hot dog if you get me a beer.”

  Manny agreed and took off for one of the beer tents. She was in line about to order her food, when her eyes started playing tricks on her. She thought she saw Finn. It looked like him, but he was walking with a woman and some kids. He hadn’t mentioned kids, or a wife for that matter, last night, she remembered. Maybe it wasn’t him, and if so she did nothing wrong last night. She ordered her food and took a seat, waiting for Manny to find her.

  She was halfway through her meat pie when Manny joined her. “That line was a nightmare,” he complained. “There were so many beers to choose from. I might be here all night.”

  Kayleigh chuckled. “Oh, no you’re not. After this we’re going to go car shopping. So you need to stay sober.”

  Manny sighed. “Oh yeah, I forgot. You know I’m not that great with cars. I saw mine online and made a call.”

  “I’m not buying a Porsche. I need something sensible. I need a male presence there to fend off the salesmen. I have an idea of what I want. I just want to see it in person.”

  Manny took a sip of his beer, glanced around and faced her with a smile. “Say, how did the meeting go last night?”

  “Fine.” She knew Harley had already spilled the beans to Manny. “And quit acting like you don’t already know.”

  “All right. Harley already filled me in. He seems to know his stuff about the tech stocks. Maybe I should switch to him.”

  Kayleigh shook her head. “He hasn’t done anything yet. The jury is still out until I see some growth in my money.”

  “Oh, I think you’ll see some growth pretty soon.”

  Kayleigh didn’t like her friend’s smug tone. It meant Manny knew something she didn’t. “What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing.” He took a bite of his hotdog. Taking the production of chewing to a whole new level, he pointed to his mouth, no doubt stalling for time.

  Kayleigh was used to this act. He loved making her beg for information. “Manny, I’m not going to do this today.”

  Finally, he finished his bite. “Oh, I think you will.” He nodded behind her. “Here comes your money man.”

  “What the—” Her words were lost as she noticed Finn standing at the table with a bottled beer in his hand.

  “Hello, Kayleigh. I noticed you sitting here and thought I’d say hello,” Finn said.

  Kayleigh hadn’t been dreaming! He wasn’t dressed as casually as she and Manny, but he still looked nice. Something about that salt and pepper hair and those blue eyes. She forced her voice to sound as calm as possible. “Hello, Finn. This is my friend, Manny Garcia. Manny, this is my financial planner, Finn Callahan.”

  The men shook hands and Finn stared at Kayleigh. Should she offer him a seat? “Would you like to join us?”

  “Maybe another time. I’m eating lunch with my sister and her family. It’s nice meeting you.” He left the table without another word.

  As soon as Finn was out of listening distance, Manny spoke. “I think he has a little more than finance on his mind, Kayleigh.”

  “Be serious, I don’t think I’m his type.”

  “Why not? You’re beautiful when you’re not chopping men into tiny pieces. He was staring at you the whole time. He wants you.”

  “Manny, men like that don’t date women like me. Not that I have time for such a dalliance anyway. Didn’t you notice he was a rich, white financial planner? He has multiple degree
s and is worth millions. I checked him out. What would he want with a woman who is just now going to college? He probably has all kinds of women hanging on him.”

  “Honey, I’m a man. He’s attracted to you, I can tell these things. He didn’t look at me once, when you were doing the introduction thing. He wanted to know who I was. He was marking his territory. He’s probably just trying to think of a way to approach you. He doesn’t look like a man who gives up easily, so I think you’d better have a plan of retreat ready.”

  Kayleigh finished her beer and picked up her corned beef sandwich. “Manny, you have lost your mind.”

  “No, I haven’t and I’ll just bet he’s going to ask you out within the next seven days.”

  “What makes you think that?” The last thing she needed was another corruption in her life.

  “I just know. You should trust my wisdom.”

  Kayleigh sighed. “There’s no room in my schedule for that. Besides, I can’t date my planner.”

  “We’ll see.” Manny finished his hot dog. “Let’s go hear the bands.”

  Kayleigh glanced around the room, looking for Finn. Was she ready to date? No, she reminded herself, her plate was already running over. She didn’t need any more complications in her already complex life.

  CHAPTER 4

  Finn stomped back to his family, muttering and cursing to himself. He should have just asked her out right then and there. Right in front of pretty boy, he should have asked her out on a date. He sat down next to his nephew, BJ, twisted the cap off his beer and drank the beer so fast he didn’t even taste it.

  “Finn, what on earth is wrong with you?” his sister asked, her bright blue eyes searching his face for an answer. “You didn’t stop to taste that brew. I didn’t know you knew Armand.”

  “Armand?” Finn looked at his sister. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Beth stared daggers into him. “Kids, why don’t you go buy some cookies while I talk to your uncle.”

  BJ, the oldest of the three boys, glanced at his uncle with a mischievous smile. “Oh, you’re in trouble. Mom is pissed.”

  “Robert Andrew Morgan Jr.!”

  His nephew jumped up from the table. “Sorry, Mom.” The kids scattered away before Beth could assign them any punishment.

  His brother-in-law, Robert, smiled as the kids left. “You know you’re in the doghouse now. No one talks to Beth like that. I’m career military and I don’t even talk to her like that.” Robert kissed Beth on the lips and drew her into his arms. Beth never looked happier, even if she was furious at Finn for breaking her rules about profanity in front of the children.

  Finn grinned. Robert and Beth had married directly after high school when Robert enlisted in the army. They’d lived all over the world and landed in Fort Worth last year. “I know I shouldn’t use bad language. I wasn’t thinking.”

  Beth smiled. “Is Armand your new client?”

  Finn shook his head. “No, he’s not my new client,” he said shortly. “The woman is my new client.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Beth, please talk sense.” Finn wanted another beer.

  “I saw you walk over to the table. You didn’t look at Armand once. He’s a model, you know. He was the hottest thing in New York until he retired last year.”

  “He looks barely old enough to vote,” Finn said. “How can he retire so early?”

  Beth took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly. “He’s almost thirty.”

  “What on earth does she see in him?”

  “Finn, if the woman is your client, why does it matter what she sees in him?” Beth laughed and kissed her husband on the cheek.

  “Honey,” Robert told his wife of fifteen years, “I think that Finn wants to see more of his new client than just her financial statements.”

  “Finn, is this true? You realize she’s black, right?”

  “When has the color of anyone’s skin mattered in our family?” Finn shook his empty beer bottle. He could feel his fist tightening around the neck of the bottle, wishing that could be Manny’s neck.

  “Never,” Beth answered. “But I also know you’ve been through a dry spell lately. It’s not because she’s the first woman that didn’t jump up and down when the great Finn Callahan walked by.”

  “She called me dude,” Finn admitted.

  Beth clapped her hands. “Oh, this will be fun.”

  Finn was getting angrier by the second. “What?”

  “Finn, I know you. You want her. Bad, I might add. Do you have any idea of how many laws you’re breaking?”

  “Oh, please, I’m not breaking any laws. Quit watching so many court television shows. As long as I don’t manipulate her portfolio, I’m not doing anything unsavory.”

  “So you have thought about it?” Beth stood, waving for the kids to return to the table, but Robert stopped her.

  “I’ll get them, honey,” he said and left the table.

  Finn knew he was leaving them so that him and his sister could do some serious talking. “Okay, Beth, what should I do? I’m attracted to her. I was thinking about asking her out, but she takes classes at night, and she works full-time during the day. I don’t want her thinking that she has to go out with me.”

  Beth mulled over his words. She’d probably think up something ultimately romantic and something Finn would definitely hate. She snapped her fingers in a “eureka” moment. “You should ask her to something really casual the first time. What’s something she likes?”

  Finn shrugged. “I don’t know. She talked about some plays she’d seen the other night at dinner.”

  “Like plays at Bass Hall?”

  Finn nodded. “That’s not casual. That a formal occasion.”

  “Quit being such a man and listen. That’s not the only place they have plays. Arlington Theater is doing a Shakespeare tribute and you don’t have to be in black tie.”

  “Okay, maybe she won’t ride to Arlington with me.”

  “Of course she won’t. She’ll agree to meet you. And don’t try your salesman technique of telling her how dangerous it is for a woman to drive alone. You can eat at one of those quaint restaurants near the theatre. When you say good-bye, ask her to brunch the next day. If things are going well and she hasn’t told you to hit the road, then ask her for a date to a nice restaurant, maybe something in Dallas.”

  It was so simple, Finn thought. He’d never come up with an idea like that. He’d probably have come on way too strong and Kayleigh would’ve run to Ted screaming harassment or something just as damaging to his career.

  He saw the idea forming in his head. He leaned across the table, kissed his sister on the cheek. “Thanks, sis. I know I don’t say it enough, but I love you.”

  “Right back at you, big brother,” she said. “Now what’s this woman’s name?”

  “Kayleigh Hardy.”

  “Well, Ms. Hardy isn’t going to know what hit her. Before you know it you’re going to be planning your wedding.”

  Finn hated to refute his sister’s words, but he was only thinking of a few dates and Kayleigh would be a thing of the past.

  * * *

  “What about this one?” Manny asked as he walked down the row of mini SUVs. “I can’t believe you’re looking at these.”

  “It’s sensible. Cars depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot. I checked the value of my car and I have a cashier’s check for the rest.”

  Manny walked to a bright red SUV. “How do you know how much the difference will be?”

  Kayleigh walked to a dark blue one. She smiled. It was exactly the same one she saw on the internet. “I’m not going a penny over $17,000.”

  Manny looked at her and laughed. “Okay, I know I’m just a model, but honey, this sticker says $22,518.”

  Kayleigh snickered. “I know that. There’s such a thing as dealer incentives and rebates, and I’m paying cash. I should be able to get what I want.”

  “Ahh, someone has been researching.”


  “Yes, I have. Sometimes I’m just too tired to fall asleep after class.”

  Manny walked to her, pulled her in his arms and hugged her. “Baby, you so need to go to the doctor.”

  “You don’t have to tell me. I hope the doctor can give me a booster shot.”

  “Hey, how can I help you guys?”

  Kayleigh looked at the middle-aged stocky salesman. He had fiery red hair and a face full of freckles. She imagined he was teased a lot as a child with all that red hair.

  “We guys,” Kayleigh started, “are looking to buy this SUV.”

  “Bert Collins,” he said extending his hand to Manny.

  “Manny Garcia.” Manny winked at Kayleigh. “Yes, my wife and I are looking at this car, but we only have seventeen grand to spend.”

  “Well, I’m sure we can work out something. We have incentives if you make a few upgrades.”

  Kayleigh stepped toward Bert. “No upgrades. The dealer incentive doesn’t require any upgrades.”

  Bert hung his head. “A researcher.”

  Kayleigh laughed. “You know it. I also want the $2,000 rebate for buying this model.”

  Bert took out his calculator, punched a few numbers and exhaled. Kayleigh imagined he was thinking of the commission he was losing. “How about financing? We have some great deals right now.”

  Kayleigh shook her head. “No financing.”

  After a little negotiation, Kayleigh drove away from the car lot with a dark blue Honda Element. Much to Bert’s dismay, she had some change coming back from her cashier’s check. Now she and Manny were on their way back to Manny’s car to drop him off.

  She’d have to thank Uncle Teddy for making her get a new car. He was going to be so surprised when she told him she had.

  “This is nice, Kayleigh. It’s nice and roomy.”

  Kayleigh smiled. “Yes, I like this car. It has so much more room than my old car. I know it’s not your Porsche, but it sure was a good buy.”

  “Next time I buy a car, you’re coming with me. I had no idea I could haggle on the price. When I was in New York, I took cabs everywhere.”