“That’s right,” Cheryl said. “Money that my kids needed, but they gave it to Eddie. My parents said that I could get this and I need it.”

  Good lord. This was their son and brother that died and they were arguing over twelve thousand dollars rather than grieving his passing.

  It was so sad that there was part of her that wanted to sign off and let them have it.

  She looked at Duke and saw him shake his head at her. As if he could read what was going on her mind.

  There was no worry. It was a passing thought and nothing else.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Hadley said. “But this account was mine and Eddie’s. While Eddie was hurt I was not only the one taking care of him, but I put this money in the account. He was struggling to pay his bills.”

  “No, he wasn’t,” Connie said. “We paid for them all. I’m not sure why you’re lying, but he said all you did was lie about everything the entire time you were together.”

  It felt like she was the one lied to once again.

  “I’m not aware of any of that. I know that Eddie told me he needed money to pay bills and medical expenses. I offered to pay them for him and he said he’d rather have the cash and decide how to split it on his own. Everything deposited in this account is a wire transfer from my other account and I can prove it.”

  “You don’t need to prove anything to them,” Duke said. “Your name is on that account, not theirs. They have no legal recourse and you know it.”

  She’d been annoyed that Duke had called Hailey and asked her. But he’d done it when she’d been there and the call was on a speaker. The balance of the account went to Hadley.

  “I can get a lawyer,” Cheryl said.

  “That isn’t necessary,” Mandy said. “We told you all of this. If Ms. Breaton wants to give you the funds, she can sign off now and we’ll issue the check to you. Or she can write a check to you.”

  “No,” Hadley said. She looked at Cheryl and Connie. “I loved your son and he hurt me. He cheated on me and he took my money when it seems he didn’t need it after everything I did to care for him. Which you all know because I was at his place the whole time.”

  “You’re lying,” Connie said.

  “I’m not. Other people know and it doesn’t matter because you’re going to believe what you want about me.”

  Maybe Eddie’s parents gave him money, but they didn’t bring him to appointments. They didn’t come to his apartment and help him when he couldn’t get around and even make a meal for himself. They didn’t do anything, not even visit half the time.

  It’s not like she thought Eddie would have lied about any of that since she spent pretty much every day with him or some part of it. She’d know if his family was there for him and they weren’t.

  “You don’t know anything,” Cheryl said. “We did our part when we could.”

  This was getting out of hand. She stood up. She didn’t like the scene that was drawing attention. “I’m sorry if that is what you thought was your part. It wasn’t enough for Eddie and if you knew him well enough you’d know that.” Or maybe they did know him well enough and it was her that was the idiot that fell for his helpless behavior and needing to be coddled.

  “You don’t need to apologize or explain anything,” Duke said.

  “I don’t, but I’m going to. This is just sad that it’s happening. You have no idea what I did for him and went through while he was hurt. I went in debt helping him and being there. This money is what I gave him and he obviously didn’t use it for bills as he’d said.”

  What she didn’t want to say was that the bulk of it was spent after he was back on his feet and should have returned to work but kept delaying. He was out living like he won the lotto. She supposed in his mind he had.

  He was using her money to go on trips and party like she’d heard he was. Parties at his house with his friends. Huge takeout food bills not to mention clothing and other items he didn’t need while he was home.

  He had the money to give back to her but yet lied one more time and she sat back and accepted it.

  She wasn’t going to take it anymore.

  “You have no idea what that money was used for,” Connie said.

  “I know enough.” She turned to Mandy. “Is there a way to call security? I’d just like to get this over with and go back to my life.”

  “I’ll gladly call security,” Mandy said. Mandy picked her phone up, but Cheryl and Connie left the minute the guard moved over.

  They finished the paperwork, she got her check and then Duke and she left the bank and started their drive home.

  They’d get some lunch out of town because she wanted to get away faster than ever before.

  “Sorry—”

  “Don’t apologize again,” he said.

  She laughed. “Hard habit to break. But I will thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For not jumping in and being a knight when I know you wanted to.”

  “I did say a few things.”

  “I expected no less,” she said. “But it was the exact amount I needed.”

  “I’m proud of you. I’m proud that you took a stand and told them what they needed to hear. That you took what was yours and they can go back and deal with it. They made their choices in life just like Eddie did.”

  “That’s right,” she said. “And my choice now is to move on. To be the person that I’m loving and hope that the man who helped me get there will stay by my side.”

  “Always,” he said.

  She wouldn’t hold him to the exact word, but she could dream and hope and that is what she was going to do.

  Because as difficult as this day had been, she wasn’t sure she could have gotten through it without him by her side.

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later

  The past two months everything felt like it was falling into place in Duke’s life. He felt it was for Hadley too.

  He’d been planning this for a solid month since the sale was completed for Southside.

  He never did like the name but didn’t say he was going to change it since he wasn’t quite sure what he’d change it to.

  But last month it finally hit him and he was going in full force and hoped to hell he hadn’t made a huge mistake.

  He, Hadley, his parents, Kelsey, Stan and Louisa were standing outside of Southside while the new sign was being lifted into place.

  “I’m not sure why you had to have it covered,” Hadley said. “Or why you wouldn’t let me have a hand in designing it. I’ve done everything else for you.”

  He knew she was bothered by that, but he’d told her he had it covered. He couldn’t do this if she’d seen it and it was all part of his plan.

  “I know,” he said. “But I’ve got a theme going here. One before I met you. It just had to be this way.”

  “I guess so,” she said, grinning. She bumped his hip with hers.

  Her life was back on track too. Her debt had been paid, and she had a great relationship with her parents now that she finally spoke up.

  And he’d heard her too. He was going to let her make her decisions and not try to do it for her. To let her be heard and be there for support only.

  “We are excited,” Kelsey said.

  His sister knew; she was just yanking everyone’s chain. His parents didn’t know it all, but Kelsey could keep a secret when she needed to.

  Stan and Louisa knew part of what was going on today but not all.

  His hands were sweating and he just wanted this over with, but he couldn’t do anything until the sign was in place. Tonight was a grand re-opening and he planned on it being crazy busy even for the last Friday of November.

  “All set?” he yelled up to the crew in the bucket securing the sign in place.

  “We are,” the guy yelled back. “Let us know when you’re ready.”

  “In a minute,” he shouted back. Then he turned to Kelsey and said, “Got it?”

  Kelsey opened the big purse she always carried and handed him the small Duke’s takeout box. Smaller than normal that he had made special. Stupid on his part, but it played into what he was doing.

  “What’s that?” Hadley asked.

  “It’s for you,” he said. “Go ahead and open it.”

  She laughed at him. “This is your day.”

  “Maybe,” he said. “You’ll understand when it’s all done.” He hoped.

  She took the small box out of his hand and opened it up and started to laugh. “You’re giving me a mini Jell-O mold.”

  Kelsey was giggling at this point, his parents laughed too. “Take a closer look at it.”

  It was yellow and he’d done it as light as he could so she could see inside. Many might think he was nuts putting the ring in there, but it’s not like it’d be damaged.

  “Oh my God,” Hadley shouted. “What is in the center of it?”

  “Guess you need to take a bite to find out,” her father said.

  “No,” her mother said. “Just break it apart. I’ve got some handwipes here.”

  “You knew?” Hadley asked her mother.

  “We all did,” his mother said. “All but you.”

  “Are you going to get it out?” he asked. “Or do you need me to do it for you? I know you like to do things on your own without help.”

  She had tears in her eyes as she started breaking the Jell-O mold apart. The large diamond was free and he’d taken it out of her hand and cleaned it off with a wipe from Louisa.

  He got on his knee in front of her. “I know it hasn’t been that long, but I think you just know when you do. I might have known the minute I saw you and tried to fight it off. I lost that fight pretty quickly.”

  “I think we both did,” Hadley said. She was all but jumping in place.

  He grabbed her hand. “Will you marry me, Hadley? Will you run this business with me like you’ve been doing for months? Turn it into the dream you just discovered you had. Make it into what you need for your cake business and make my dreams come true by being my wife?”

  “Only you would throw food and a marriage proposal together,” Kelsey said.

  “Hush,” his father told his twin.

  “Yes!” Hadley shouted.

  He slid the ring on her finger, pulled her up and hugged her tight, then gave her a big kiss and turned her.

  He yelled up to the guys, “Now!”

  The tarp came off and everyone saw the name of the new pub: “Hadley’s.”

  “Duke,” she said. “What if I said no?”

  “You weren’t going to. It’s this island after all. No one can resist a Bond descendant.”

  She laughed at him. “If you say so. At one point I was thinking the legend hit me hard with you, but then told myself not to be silly.” She shook her head. “I just can’t believe you did this. And it looks just like the design for Duke’s.”

  “Be silly,” he said. “I’m starting to realize that crazy legend has merit. And who knows? In time, each of our kids can have a restaurant named after them too, don’t you think? Together, we can make it work.”

  “With you by my side, I can do anything,” she said.

  “That’s my woman. Just as strong as I knew you could be!”

  The End!

  Check out the next in Amore Island….Family Bonds- Carter (Bond) & Avery (Keegan)

  Carter Bond is not embarrassed or ashamed to be a blue-collar worker. Nor does he mind he came from the ‘poor’ branch of the family tree. He’s got success in his own right through hard work and pure determination. If women don’t like his career, that was their problem. He doesn’t want the drama that a relationship could cause when he is just as happy with his dogs. Or so he tries to tell himself.

  Dr. Avery Keegan became the guardian of her best friend’s daughter when tragedy struck. Her world is turned upside down and is spinning nonstop. When an old college friend reaches out to her about the need for a veterinary clinic on Amore Island, she jumps at the chance to start over. Too bad the past is determined to chase her down and remind her that sometimes she just can’t do it all on her own.

  Also by Natalie Ann

  The Road Series-See where it all started!!

  Lucas and Brooke’s Story- Road to Recovery

  Jack and Cori’s Story – Road to Redemption

  Mac and Beth’s Story- Road to Reality

  Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- Road to Reason

  The All Series

  William and Isabel’s Story — All for Love

  Ben and Presley’s Story – All or Nothing

  Phil and Sophia’s Story – All of Me

  Alec and Brynn’s Story – All the Way

  Sean and Carly’s Story — All I Want

  Drew and Jordyn’s Story— All My Love

  Finn and Olivia’s Story—All About You

  Landon Barber and Kristen Reid- All Of Us

  The Lake Placid Series

  Nick Buchanan and Mallory Denning – Second Chance

  Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – Give Me A Chance

  Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – Our Chance

  Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – Take A Chance

  Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- Deserve A Chance

  Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – Last Chance

  Matt Winters and Dena Hall- Another Chance

  Logan Taylor and Kennedy Miles- It’s My Chance

  Justin Cambridge and Taryn Miles – One More Chance

  The Fierce Five Series

  Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- How Gavin Stole Christmas

  Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed - Brody

  Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti- Aiden

  Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning- Mason

  Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall - Cade

  Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley- Ella

  Fierce Family

  Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes- Sam

  Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies - Bryce

  Drake Fierce and Kara Winslow – Drake

  Noah Fierce and Paige Parker - Noah

  Wyatt Fierce and Adriana Lopez – Wyatt

  Jade Fierce and Brock James – Jade

  Ryder Fierce and Marissa McMillan – Ryder

  Fierce Matchmaking

  Devin Andrews and Hope Hall- Devin

  Mick McNamara and Lindsey White- Mick

  Cody McMillian and Raina Davenport – Cody

  Liam O’Malley and Margo West- Liam

  Walker Olson and Stella White – Walker

  Flynn Slater and Julia McNamara – Flynn

  Ivan Andrews & Kendra Key- Ivan

  Jonah Davenport & Megan Harrington- Jonah

  Royce Kennedy & Chloe Grey- Royce

  Sawyer Brennan & Faith O’Malley- Sawyer

  Paradise Place

  Josh Turner and Ruby Gentile – Cupid’s Quest

  Harris Walker and Kaelyn Butler – Change Up

  Philip Aire and Blair McKay- Starting Over

  Nathan Randal and Brina Shepard – Eternal

  Ryan Butler and Shannon Wilder – Falling Into Love

  Brian Dawson and Robin Masters – Mistletoe Magic

  Caden Finley and Sarah Walker- Believe In Me

  Evan Butler and Parker Reed – Unexpected Delivery

  Trey Bridges and Whitney Butler – Forever Mine

  Dylan Randal and Zoe Milton- Because Of You

  Cash Fielding and Hannah Shepard – Letting Go

  Brent Elliot and Vivian Getman – No More Hiding

  Marcus Reid and Addison Fielding- Made For Me

  Rick Masters and Gillian Bridges – The One

  Cooper Winslow and Morgan Finely- Back To Me

  Jeremy Reid and McKenna Preston- Saving Me

  Amore Island

  Family Bonds- Hunter and Kayla

  Family Bonds- Drew and Amanda

  Family Bonds – Mac and Sidney

  Family Bonds- Emily & Crew

  Family Bonds- Ava & Seth

  Family Bonds- Eli & Bella

  Family Bonds- Hailey & Rex

  Family Bonds- Penelope & Griffin

  Family Bonds- Bode & Samantha

  Family Bonds- Hudson & Delaney

  Family Bonds- Alex & Jennie

  Family Bonds- Roark & Chelsea

  Family Bonds- Duke & Hadley

  Family Bonds – Carter & Avery

  Blossoms

  A Love for Lily – Zane Wolfe and Lily Bloom

  A Playboy For Poppy- Reese McGill and Poppy Bloom

  A Romantic For Rose – Thomas Klein and Rose Bloom

  A Return For Ren – Ren Whitney and Zara Wolfe

  A Journey For Jasmine- Wesley Wright and Jasmine Greene

  A Vacationer for Violet – Violet Soren And Trace Mancini

  A Hero For Heather- Heather Davis and Luke Remington

  Love Collection

  Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – Secret Love

  Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – True Love

  Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – Finding Love

  Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- Beach Love

  Ian Price and Cam Mason- Intense Love

  Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - Autumn Love

  Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - Holiday Love

  Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - Christmas Love

  Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - Winter Love

  Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – Chasing Love

  Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - First Love

  Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison - Forever Love

  Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – Simply Love

  Brendan St. Nicholas and Holly Lane – Gifts of Love

  About the Author

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