Haven knew all she needed to about Ellis. She didn’t want to spend another second in the same room with him. She plastered on a fake smile for Ms. McKenna’s sake. “It’s perfectly fine. I understand why Ellis would want you all to himself. I have some errands I need to run. We can pick up where we left off tomorrow.” Haven bent over and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy Birthday.”
Haven threw her own shade at Ellis. Even though her glare could probably cut diamonds, his dismissive expression never changed. Fortunately, Ms. McKenna couldn’t see her eyes cutting him up.
Not that there was ever a chance, but whatever ridiculous dream of a love match Ms. McKenna might have cooked up, it would absolutely never come true. Not only would it not be happening; Haven couldn't ever imagine even being friends with Ellis McKenna.
Chapter 3
Bertha was furious. Her nurse had helped her get into bed for the evening, and she would not be able to get any sleep until she cleared the air with her grandson. She summoned him to her bedroom. “Ellis! I can’t believe you talked to Haven like that. She has been nothing short of incredible to me. You will go and apologize to her, immediately.”
Ellis would do anything for his grandmother but apologizing for protecting her was not one of them. “Your heart is too trusting. You barely knew that woman before you brought her into this house and your life. It’s my job to protect you.”
“I think I’ve done a darn good job of taking care of myself over this last year.”
His face tinted an interesting shade of pink. Frustrated, Ellis rubbed the back of his neck. “Grandmother, I was making sure our business interests in the new Shanghai location were being looked after. There were more problems than anyone could have anticipated. The project would have cost millions of dollars if it wasn’t successful. Otherwise, I would have been here. You know that.”
She shook her finger at him. “What I know is that you’ve become more like your father and grandfather every day, God rest their souls. Work is not everything, Ellis. You’ve got to take the time to smell the roses. I won’t be here forever, and I want to see you settled, married, maybe even dote on a great-grandchild before I leave this earth.”
“Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be around forever.”
Her eyes held him captive. “I won’t. I will not be around forever, and you need to start preparing for that. I don’t want to leave this earth knowing you’re alone.”
Ellis chuckled a little. “I might not be married, but I can assure you, I’m rarely alone.”
“You’re too handsome for your own good. Jezebels and harlots are not the same things as having a good woman.” She shook her head. “Now . . . that Haven. She would be perfect for you. She’s sweet with a nice bit of spice. You need a woman who can help keep you in your place.”
“How did you two meet?”
Bertha couldn’t look Ellis in the eyes. “I-I thought you would have had her investigated.”
“I did, but I wasn’t able to get that information. I only know the basics. She’s twenty-eight. Has one living parent, Katrina Shaw, who seems to be more of the child than the parent in their relationship. Let’s see . . . Oh, Haven has been living with a man named Dylan Carpenter for around four years, and she is finishing her business degree at the university.” Ellis wasn’t going to mention the fact that her boyfriend had been cheating on her, with various women, almost from the time she moved to Colorado. “She doesn’t have a criminal record, her credit is fairly good, but she is dead broke. She doesn’t have a dime to her name.”
His grandmother frowned. “It’s not like you to be such a snob, Ellis. Does it matter if she doesn’t have money and I do for us to be friends?”
“Only if she’s convincing you to give her money because of your kindness. And what do the two of you have in common? The age difference alone makes this relationship suspicious. You know that I know her salary isn’t very much since I approve all of her checks. But what really gets me is—somehow—you’ve figured out a way to take money out of your trust so that it’s not on the books. Was that her idea or yours? It took me a minute to figure it out, but I’m a McKenna. One thing I know well is money. And you better believe I have a nose for if it’s missing or doesn’t add up.”
Bertha pursed her lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well, that’s not a good answer because, if you don’t, I’m going to have to call the authorities.”
“What?! Why? What for?”
“Because someone has been squirreling money away in a joint account with both your name and hers on it.”
“Ellis McKenna! You’ve been in all of my business! I am not a child. I can handle my own affairs.”
“Yes, I have. I know you have a bleeding heart, and I
