One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [9]
Then she looked at Sterling for a long, taut moment before speaking again. “I would like to know how you got this?” she asked, indicating the financial statement spread out on the table.
“The financial position of any company is a matter of public record.”
“Are you saying James should have anticipated this takeover attempt by Morton Industries?”
“No,” he said calmly. “It appears Morton Industries’ planned acquisition of Wingate Cosmetics was a calculated move on their part. I believe their reasons for wanting it are both business and personal. Your brother didn’t leave on the best of terms. He was their top chemist and had created quite a number of successful products for them. Homer Morton took it as an act of betrayal when he left to form his own company.”
Colby lifted a brow as she sat curled up in the chair. “And just how do you know all of that?”
A tiny corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “I have ways of finding out anything I want to know.”
She stood and began pacing the room. After a while, she turned toward Sterling. “And you’re absolutely sure about all of this?”
Sterling eased out of his seat and came to stand before her. “It’s all there in the report. I suggest you read it for yourself. So far, Morton Industries has acquired the minimum amount of outstanding stock they need before filing with the SEC. Since it appears they’ll be doing a filing relatively soon, I can only assume their plan is to start going after a vast quantity of shares of Wingate’s stock available on the open market. All Morton needs is enough stock to give them control of your brother’s company.”
Colby turned and walked to the window. She stood there stunned for several minutes and felt moisture gathering in her eyes. This couldn’t be happening, she thought. She closed her eyes briefly, hoping that when she reopened them, the events of today would have been a dream. She wanted to open her eyes and find herself back in Virginia, in her classroom taking care of her rowdy third-grade bunch. But when she reopened her eyes, that was not the case.
Sterling sat down and watched Colby. He knew she was upset. The anger and hurt had been obvious in her expression before she had walked over to the window. And he was perceptive enough to know she was crying. For some reason that bothered him, and he was surprised by the protective feelings she’d awakened in him. They were feelings he wasn’t used to. He wanted to go to her and comfort her.
In one swift movement he stood and walked over to where she was standing. Turning her to face him, he gathered her into his arms, enfolding her in the firmness of his form to absorb her trembling body.
“Your brother means a lot to you, doesn’t he?” he asked her softly.
She nodded, then tearfully told him why James meant so much to her and the sacrifices he had made throughout his life for her.
“Shhh, Colby,” Sterling whispered in her ear. “Maybe there is a way you can help your brother.”
Colby’s body was stiff and unyielding for a moment, before she drew in a deep, unsteady breath. She raised tear-stained eyes to him. “How?” she asked brokenly.
“Come sit down with me and we’ll talk about it.”
Colby allowed him to lead her to the sofa and sit her down close to him.
“If you’ll agree to have my baby, I’ll provide your brother with whatever financial backing he needs to keep his company. And I’ll do whatever endorsements are needed to ensure the success of his newest creation.”
Colby stiffened and pulled herself out of the comfort of his arms. She glanced up at him. “You just don’t get it, do you? There’s no way I could carry a baby inside of me for nine months and then turn it over to you, relinquishing my ties to it. I’m an elementary school teacher, Sterling. That means I love kids. I couldn’t just give away my child.”
Sterling’s features hardened. “Not even to help your brother?”
Colby swallowed. “James wouldn’t want me to give away my child to help him.”
“No, I’m sure he wouldn’t,” Sterling said. His voice was like a soft caress as he continued. “A few minutes ago, you mentioned all the sacrifices