Chapter 15

Fifteen

Cory

The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint charred scent that still lingered in the air near my office building. I sat at a corner table in a small café just across the street, nursing a black coffee that had long since gone lukewarm. The view outside was dominated by the blackened skeleton of what used to be the office of the Horizon Foundation. It looked surreal, almost like a set piece from some apocalyptic movie.

Across from me, Roy, a close friend and insurance adjuster, scrolled through his tablet, occasionally looking up to glance at the wreckage. His gray polo shirt was neatly pressed, as always, and he carried that calm demeanor even in the face of chaos.

“Good news,” he said, tapping the screen. “The inspector’s preliminary report rules out foul play. Looks like lightning during those storms the other night caused the fire. It also knocked out the cell tower for a bunch of providers in the area, which is why you couldn’t reach anyone. Just bad luck all around.”

I exhaled sharply, leaning back in my chair. “Well, that’s something, I guess. At least I don’t have to worry about some arsonist on a vendetta because I didn’t approve their grant application.”

Roy smirked. “Yeah, just Mother Nature reminding us who’s boss.”

Despite his attempt to lighten the mood, my chest felt heavy. The building wasn’t just an office—it had been part of my transition from Grandpa’s oil money to something more meaningful. Losing it felt like losing a piece of myself, even if the work could continue elsewhere.

I stared out the window, my thoughts churning. That’s when I saw it—a car I would recognize anywhere.

“Damn, is that…Elena?” I murmured under my breath, blinking as if she might disappear if I looked too hard.

Roy glanced up. “What?”

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the tile floor. “That’s her. That’s Elena.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop me as I pushed through the café door, stepping into the morning sun.

“Elena!” I called out, waving and whistling loudly like some kid trying to get his friend’s attention on the playground.

The car slowed, and I saw her glance in my direction. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she pulled over near the curb, parking just a few feet away.

I jogged over, grinning despite myself. “You found me.”

She stepped out of the car, looking a little flustered but radiant all the same. “I had to,” she said, her voice tinged with relief. “I Googled you a while back. I found The Horizon Foundation and saw this address. I hoped you’d be here.”

I motioned toward the café. “Come inside so we can talk. I’ve been talking with my friend and the insurance adjuster.”

As we walked in, Roy looked up, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “This the Elena?”

“Yeah,” I said, unable to hide my pride. “Elena, this is Roy. He’s been helping me figure out what happened with the fire.”

Roy nodded, standing to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Elena. Cory’s told me about you. And don’t worry—the fire looks like it was just bad luck. No foul play.”

Elena smiled, relief crossing her face. “That’s good to hear. I’m glad you have someone like Roy to help.”

Roy chuckled. “Well, I’m glad Cory found me at home when he came looking for some help. The timing was perfect. Anyway, I should get going. Let you two catch up.”

I clapped Roy on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”

He waved us off as he left, leaving me alone with Elena in the bustling café. I turned to her and took in the twinkle in her green eyes. “So,” I said, leaning against the table. “You got my text?”

“Yes, and I couldn’t just sit in Cedar Cove, not knowing. I had to see if you were okay. I mean…”

I grabbed her hand. “I’m glad you came. Is Jake alright?”

“Yes. Sarah volunteered to take care of him while I went looking for you.”

“I’m sorry. I was hoping to spend yesterday with you and Jake.” I gestured toward the counter. “Let me get you a coffee.”

“I could use one,” Elena said, leaning back in her chair.

The café buzzed around us—murmurs of conversations, the hiss of the espresso machine, the clinking of cups—but all I could focus on was Elena. She sat across from me, her hands wrapped around her coffee cup, her eyes searching mine for answers.

“So,” she said, breaking the silence, “this is where you work? The Horizon Foundation?”

I nodded, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah. Well, it was until the fire.”

She tilted her head. “Cory, I’ve been trying to piece everything together since you came back. There’s so much I don’t know about your life.”

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a deep breath. “I know, and that’s on me. I should’ve told you more before now. But I wasn’t sure how you’d react or if Jake would accept me.”

“Told me what?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

I met her gaze, deciding it was time to lay it all out. “Do you remember my grandfather, Mark? He lived in Oklahoma City.”

She nodded slowly. “Of course. I met him a few times. He was always kind to me. I remember once he tried to teach me how to play ping-pong in your basement. Is he still living?”

“No, died soon after I returned from Japan.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I liked him,” Elena whispered, touching my hand.

“Well, there’s more, a few years before he passed, he struck it rich. Oil leases he’d held onto for decades finally paid off. By the time he died, he was worth billions.”

Her lips parted slightly, and I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes, though she quickly schooled her expression. “Billions?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice quieter now. “And he left it all to me.”

She blinked, staring at me for a moment like she was trying to process the weight of what I’d just said. “I didn’t realize… My folks mentioned something about it, but even Mom wasn’t sure if it was true.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “I’m sure they heard it from the grapevine. You know how things get around in Beaver Creek.” I palmed my hair and continued. “But Elena, it wasn’t something I wanted to hang onto. I didn’t have an interest in running an oil business, so I sold it. That’s how I started The Horizon Foundation. It gave me a way to give back, to do something meaningful.”

Her gaze dropped to her coffee cup, her fingers tracing its rim. “That’s a lot, Cory. I mean, I knew you were doing well, but this…”

I couldn’t quite read her tone—was she impressed? Overwhelmed? I cleared my throat, trying to gauge her reaction. “I get that it’s a lot to process. Honestly, I don’t live like someone with that kind of money. My cabin in Cedar Cove? That’s where I feel at home. I have a mansion here in Dallas… but it’s just a house. A big, empty one.”

She looked up at me. “You have a mansion?”

I shrugged. “Yeah. It’s… something else I haven’t talked about. But it’s not who I am, Elena. Not really.”

For a moment, she just looked at me, her expression softening. “So, what’s it like? Your mansion, I mean?”

I smirked. “Why don’t I show you? If you’re up for it.”

She hesitated for a beat, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s see this mansion of yours.”

The nervous knot in my chest loosened as I reached across the table, giving her hand a quick squeeze. “You won’t regret it.”

She laughed softly, her tension easing. “I guess we’ll see won’t we?”

We left the café together, stepping into the Dallas sunlight. I couldn’t help but feel that this was a turning point—a chance to show her who I’d become, not the boy she used to know.

“Ride with me. I’ll bring you back later to pick up your car,” I said, pointing to where our vehicles were parked.

The tension in the SUV was palpable as we wound through the streets. I stole a glance at Elena, her profile illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window. She seemed deep in thought, her gaze fixed ahead but not really seeing.

I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. “Elena, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, bracing myself. “That guy I saw you with at the salon… what’s the story there?”

“Oh, you mean Luke?” She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “There’s not much of a story. He’s a nice guy, but it’s not going anywhere. Honestly, he was more of a distraction than anything else. We’ve had a couple of dates, but nothing serious.”

Relief washed over me, but I tried not to let it show. “Does he know about… us? About Jake?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. And I’ll tell him when the time is right. Right now, you and Jake are my priority.”

Her words hit me like a jolt—unexpected but welcome. “I wasn’t trying to pry,” I said carefully. “I just… I needed to know.”

“What about you, Cory? Are you seeing anyone?” Elena seemed to hold her breath, waiting for my answer.

Before I could respond, the leafy expanse of the mansion’s driveway came into view, the grand facade of the house rising in the distance. Elena’s attention shifted, her eyes widening as she took in the sight.

“Wow,” she murmured, sitting up straighter. “That’s… not what I expected.”

I chuckled, pulling into the driveway and parking near the front entrance. “Yeah, it’s a little over the top, isn’t it?”

She stepped out of the car, her gaze sweeping over the sprawling estate. “A little? Cory, this is... something else.”

I walked around to her side, watching her closely, trying to read her reaction. “It’s just a house,” I said, shrugging. “Honestly, I don’t spend much time here anymore. The cabin feels more like home.”

“It’s beautiful, Cory. But… it doesn’t really feel like you. Has anyone else ever lived here?”

Her question caught me off guard, hitting deeper than I anticipated. I paused momentarily, then opened the door, gesturing for her to follow. “No,” I said simply. “And as for your question about someone else... there’s no one else, Elena. There hasn’t been for a long time.” I met her gaze, letting the truth linger between us. “Now, come on. Let me show you around. Maybe then you’ll understand why this place never really felt like home to me.”

Inside, the marble floors gleamed under the light of an enormous chandelier. The sweeping staircase, the ornate furniture, and the towering ceilings were a far cry from the simplicity of Cedar Cove. “It’s impressive,” she admitted, trailing her fingers along the edge of a polished table. “But it’s… a lot.”

“I know,” I said, watching her carefully. “That’s why I don’t spend much time here. It’s a reminder of a life I thought I wanted but never really felt right. At the time, I was drunk on what all those billions would buy. But soon…”

She turned to me, her expression thoughtful. “It’s beautiful, Cory. But I can’t imagine Jake coming here for a visit.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Yeah, neither can I.”

We lingered there for a moment, the grandeur of the mansion fading into the background as the weight of her words settled over me. This place might have been a symbol of success to some, but to her, it was just… too much. And maybe that was all the answer I needed.

“Come on,” I said,” Let’s order an early dinner and have some wine.”

“I’d like that. My shoulders are in knots.”

I poured us each a glass of wine, the dark red swirling as I handed one to her. “What are you in the mood for? I can have something delivered.”

She took a sip, considering. “Something light. Maybe pasta or a good salad?”

I pulled out my phone and placed an order from a nearby restaurant known for its Italian food. As we waited, we sat at the kitchen island, the wine loosening our conversation. We talked about everything—Jake, Cedar Cove, and even high school memories that made us laugh.

When the food arrived, we set up at the dining nook, which overlooked the garden as the sun began to set. Elena twirled her fork in her pasta, her shoulders finally relaxing as we shared more stories and easy laughter.

After the meal, I leaned back, watching her as she finished the last sip of her wine. “Want to see more of the place?” I asked.

She raised an eyebrow, her playful grin returning. “Is this where you show me the secret passageways and treasure vaults?”

“Something like that,” I teased, grabbing her hand and leading her through the house.

We wandered through the grand halls, pausing at paintings and artifacts that felt less like possessions and more like relics of someone else’s life. Elena’s curiosity and candid observations made the place less imposing. She poked fun at the elaborate décor, and I played along, happy to see her letting her guard down.

By the time we reached the pool area, the stars were out, casting their magical essence over us. Elena walked to the edge, running her fingers through the water. “It’s like a spa in here,” she said, her voice almost dreamy.

“It’s even better inside,” I said, the wine giving me just enough boldness to add, “Skinny-dipping optional.”

She turned, one eyebrow raised, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Optional?”

I shrugged, smirking. “No pressure. But if you’re game…”

Her lustful gaze never wavered from me as she slid off her sweater and undid her bra, revealing those luscious curves I never stopped craving. “Game on!”