The SEAL's Surprise Son (The Admiral's Seals, #1) - Leslie North Page 0,32
names of places he’d recommend.”
She blew out a breath as she processed the information. Zach was right; she hadn’t wanted to hear any of it. The question was, what was she going to do about it? “I can’t just fire them. I have a contract until the end of the year, unless my lawyer can get me out of it. Can Steve give me proof of their negligence?”
“He can. I’m sorry about this, sweetheart.” He reached across the table, taking her hand.
“Not your fault.” She sighed. “And I guess it’s good to know. Is it connected to my problems, though?”
“Steve couldn’t say for sure yet. He’s still digging.”
“He thinks so, doesn’t he?” At her question, Zach nodded.
“Okay.” She felt as though someone had punched her in the gut. Setting up with a new tech company would take a ton of time and come with up-front costs. She didn’t think her budget would stretch that far. The blows kept coming, enough to make her wallow in self-pity. Until she looked at Zach and Austin across the table from her, with their identical blue eyes and dark hair. Then she remembered she had a whole lot to be thankful for. Austin waved to her, his chubby toddler fingers splayed out, and she smiled at him.
“We’ll figure this out,” Zach said, squeezing her hand.
“We will.” Sometime in the past week they’d gone from singular to plural. It felt good to have Zach’s help. “I’m still thinking Mom’s former business partner might be behind all this.” After the conversation with her mother about the events of twenty years ago, Carolyn had confided in Zach.
“It was a long time ago,” he pointed out.
“I know, but I can’t think of anyone else who might have a grudge against my family. We’ve never even fired an employee.” Carolyn had combed her memory for any incident, no matter how small, that might be coming back to bite them now. “I really think it could be her.”
“From what your mother said, Marta wasn’t the type to put together a complex revenge scheme. She didn’t appear to have the right psychological makeup for that. And what would be her motivation at this point?”
“I don’t know,” Carolyn said, not letting the idea go. “I just can’t get it out of my head.” Her gut was sending her a message. She’d learned long ago not to ignore those. “I’m going to do a little research.”
“No problem. I’ll keep this guy entertained.” Zach tickled Austin while he spoke. “We’re hiking later, though.”
“I haven’t forgotten. Give me an hour.” While Zach took Austin into the living room to play, Carolyn grabbed her laptop and started searching any information on a Marta Huntly in Sheridan Falls, Virginia. The name wasn’t too common, so she hoped some records would be available.
After following several false leads, she came across an obituary from two years before. Fifty-eight-year-old Marta Huntly had died suddenly at home. It appeared she’d been unmarried at the time of her death, as no spouse was listed. She was survived by a son, Dale, and had been predeceased by a daughter, Gloria. Carolyn’s breath caught in her throat. Despite her feelings about what Marta had done twenty years ago, she wouldn’t wish that kind of grief on anyone. Shuddering, she closed the laptop, wanting nothing more than to hold Austin close.
“Find anything?” Zach asked, returning to the kitchen.
“Marta passed away two years ago, it seems,” she replied.
“That settles the question if she could be involved.” Zach put his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get out of the house and go for that hike.”
“Sounds great.” She pulled herself away from sad thoughts to focus on having fun with her guys. “I’ll get Austin changed.”
“Already done,” Zach said. It surprised her again how easily he’d taken on the responsibility of being a father.
They drove ten miles outside of town to a state park that had several trails. While they were first together, she and Zach had hiked all over the park. Zach had introduced her to the activity, and she soon loved it as much as he did.
“I thought we’d take the Lone Elm trail,” Zach said after they parked. “It’s not long, but somebody has short legs.” He pointed in the back seat.
“Perfect,” she said, since they’d probably end up carrying Austin most of the hike.
She slung the day pack over her shoulder and followed Zach and Austin onto the shaded trail. The first part wound uphill gradually until it reached the lone elm tree at