Hers to Love: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Sisters of Springfield Book 3) Read online

  Hers to Love

  Sisters of Springfield 3

  Eliza Ellis

  Contents

  Website

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Hers to Hold Chapter One

  HERS TO LOVE

  Eliza Ellis

  Visit Eliza’s Website

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, without the express written consent of the author constitutes a copyright violation.

  HERS TO LOVE

  SISTERS OF SPRINGFIELD 3

  Copyright © 2019 Eliza Ellis

  Cover Art Designed by Mayhem Cover Creations

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  “You’ve got to take him to the cleaners. For all he’s worth,” Sabrina Buchanan said.

  Kornelia Kaye nodded, forgetting that her friend couldn’t see her since she was on the phone. She wished she could talk to her friend in person. She had no one here in New York City. She hadn’t been in town long enough to make any real friends. Five years and zero friends.

  Her father had been right. She wouldn’t amount to anything. All of her hard work for years had come to nothing. She hadn’t earned anyone’s respect, and she’d been treated cheaply.

  “To tell you the truth, sometimes I think I should just let things go.”

  “Let it go? Are you crazy?” Sabrina screeched into the phone. “He fired you because you wouldn’t sleep with him. Pretty sure that’s illegal.”

  “Well, I have another appointment with the lawyer in an hour. She said she could make a case for wrongful termination. But going up against Brigham Noland…”

  “That’s going to be expensive. I heard he—personally—made a billion dollars last year.”

  “I know, which is why I need a job. I don’t care what it is.”

  Kori tore her fingers from her mouth. She had a bad habit of biting her nails when she was really anxious. And the habit had worsened these last five years. She was always eating nail polish, but she kept manicurists employed. Instead, she continued to unpack her clothes from suitcases that had remained packed for the last couple days after since she had moved out of her place.

  “You can’t find one as an executive assistant?”

  “My boss—ex-boss—has black-balled me.”

  “Black-balled you? What in the world does that mean? Can he do that?”

  “As the CEO of a major company, he knows a lot of people in so many industries. No one in this city will return my calls.”

  “You cannot be serious. No! He’s told everyone not to hire you?”

  “Yup. I just got my fiftieth rejection email this morning. And it was a canned response. They’re not even giving me the courtesy of actually personally writing something.”

  “Oh, Kori…”

  “Believe me, I’ve sent out my resume a hundred times or more. I’ve called in every favor I could possibly think of.” Which reminded her that a person’s word was worthless. No one was willing to stand with her and pay back what they owed. Who could she trust?

  “And you’re getting zero bites.”

  Kori collapsed on the bed dressed in a cheap, thinly threaded comforter. “You’ve gotta help me. Don’t you know anyone that needs an assistant? I don’t care what kind of work it is. I don’t care that it’s a step down. I just need money coming in so I can pay the lawyer.”

  “You’re going to be going up against the corporate attorneys. That’s gotta be tough.”

  “Not just attorneys, a whole firm. A firm. What have I gotten myself into?”

  Kori’s breath hitched, and she held back a sob. She didn’t regret saying no to Brigham, but she was beginning to feel very sorry for herself given the consequences. Had she truly thought through her decision?

  How could she fight an entire firm with just one attorney? The retainer alone had cleaned out half her bank account, and she didn’t want to touch her retirement, which was where she’d moved most of her money anyway. She had been traveling so much, living out of hotels. She didn’t need a car, nor did she own a home.

  Her ex-boss had put her up in the hotel across the street from his building so at a moment’s notice she could walk twenty feet and be in the building. It had freaked Kori out at first—her boss being able to control her place of living—but since they were on the road ten months out of the year, it never became an issue.

  Now she was without a place to stay and a job. Her eyes scanned her room in the low-budget extended stay hotel. Basic furniture, cheap sheets, third-hand art on the walls. It depressed her even more. But not as much as what Brigham’s next assistant would face—the exact same situation that had gotten Kori fired in the first place. Kori wondered how long that assistant would last; how soon Brigham would pounce.

  She had to do this. There wasn’t any other choice. If she didn’t stand up, then her ex-boss would be able to do the same thing to another woman, and another woman, and who would have the courage to face him?

  Ever since his company had exploded exponentially in the last few years, his morality had taken a nosedive. Or maybe he was always a jerk, but with money he felt he could openly be one.

  “Sabrina, I would owe you for the rest of my life if you could do…anything. I don’t care what it is. I’m going down to McDonald’s today to—”

  “Now, hold on, let’s not be overly dramatic. It can’t be as bad as all of that. Can you send me your resume?”

  “Yes.” Kori breathed out and tried to calm her racing, anxious thoughts. A job equaled money, which meant she could fight for the reinstatement of her good name. That would put her career back on track.

  “Good. Then we’ll just have to be creative about what kind of jobs you apply for. Maybe there’s a smaller company or firm that you could work in that isn’t connected to Brigham’s. Maybe a competitor?”

  A competitor? Why didn’t she think of— “No, I can’t. I signed an exclusivity clause that I couldn’t work for a competitor for at least a year.”

  “As an executive assistant? I’ve never heard of that. Maybe if you were a lawyer—no offense.”

  “No, no, I get it. I thought it was odd too when I first read the contract, but I signed it anyway. With all the proprietary secrets of his tech firm, I see why it’s necessary. But now I’m stuck. Boy, was I an idiot.”

  “Okay, none of that either. Nip the emotion and the negativity in the bud. You know that’s not you. Kori, if you’re going up against this guy you’ll need all the guns you can get. And sometimes the only gun you h
ave is yourself. You’ve got to fire on all cylinders.”

  Kori smiled. That’s why Sabrina was her best friend. Whenever she needed someone to right her, to keep her focused on what was really important, Sabrina always came through. She had the perspective that oftentimes eluded Kori.

  “You’re an amazing coach, Sabrina. You’ll have to catch me up on your business. We haven’t talked in…” She couldn’t remember. It had been so long. She rarely had time to text anyone outside of her boss and his contacts. How did she allow herself to drown in the work? If she was lucky enough to get another executive assistant job for a CEO of a major corporation, she’d conduct herself differently. Mandatory vacations and time off. No exceptions.

  “We’ll talk about that later. But it’s going great.”

  “I am happy for you, Rina.”

  “I know. And I’m glad you’re out of that toxic environment. Look, I’ve just had a crazy idea. You might like it, you might not. But I think it’ll really appeal to you right now. Especially since you haven’t had a vacation in who knows how long. Your lawyer might not like it, but you need the money, right?”

  “Right. What is it?” Kori asked in a rush, anxious to know Sabrina’s idea.

  “How about you work for my father?”

  “What?” Kori’s voice dropped like a rock. “Your father?”

  “Yeah! He’s the CEO of a major financial firm. I don’t think he’s connected to your last company.”

  “But if he is—”

  “Maybe, maybe not, we can find that out later. Look, life doesn’t happen if you’re not moving. Get in motion! Say ‘yes.’ This could change your life.”

  “Sabrina—”

  “If he’s connected to Brigham in any way—and that’s a big if—he’ll be the one person who will accept you, because you’re my friend. He’ll see it as doing me a favor.”

  “You think so?” Kori’s left thumb found its way back into her mouth. She yanked her hand down. She hated her fingernails, and it was her own fault.

  “Absolutely. Look, he just lost his own assistant. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner! Yeah, she just had a baby like a week ago. She’s actually been gone for two weeks preparing for the birth. I don’t think she’s coming back either.”

  “Oh. Well…if she’s not coming back. I don’t want to take someone else’s job when they’re on maternity leave. That’s…I’d feel like a jerk doing that.”

  “No, I get it. Look, I’ll confirm with my dad. But I’m pretty sure she’s out for good. And my dad is based in Italy, so you’ll be able to finally take a vacation. I’m positive he won’t have you as busy as your last boss.”

  “Italy…” Kori couldn’t even begin to imagine working in Italy, let alone moving there. Her passport was still good, and she wouldn’t be traveling with any furniture, so…yeah, she could totally do this. Pasta every night? Then running beside beautiful city rivers to keep all the weight off? The beaches? It actually sounded amazing.

  “You said you needed a job. What could be better than going to work overseas in a location that’s actually beautiful and on the water? His office overlooks the Med, and…he stays in a hotel as well, but I’ve seen the suite. I’m sure he’ll put you up in something similar. Oh my goodness, I’m thinking about applying for the job myself, but my clients…I couldn’t leave them, that wouldn’t be fair.”

  Kori chuckled. It was the first time in days that she had laughed, and her shoulders felt measurably lighter. “Okay. Okay, could you pass my resume to your dad? That would be fantastic, thank you, Sabrina.”

  “No worries. I’ll let you know what he says tonight.”

  Kori hung up at ten a.m and by five o’clock, she was riding in a town car to the airport to fly on one of Marshall Buchanan’s corporate jets to Italy. She wasn’t sure how Marshall was able to arrange everything so quickly, but she had a job, and that’s all she cared about.

  The flight landed in Italy the next morning, and when she disembarked onto the portable staircase, she immediately noticed the black limousine parked a few yards away. A man dressed in linen slacks and a light blue button-down shirt leaned against the car with his arms crossed. His silver-streaked sandy hair fluttered in the warm wind, his dark shades hiding his eyes. Was this the driver? If this was considered the professional look in Italy, she would run with it. A relaxed environment was what she needed right now.

  The closer she came to the car, the more unsettled her stomach became. That wasn’t the driver. He had an air about himself that had Kori guessing he owned the car. No way would he be driving it. Interesting how a driver didn’t get out to get her luggage or open the car door. Brigham never touched a handle or lifted a finger for anything, if he could help it.

  The man removed his shades, and he grinned. Kori recognized him at her and Sabrina’s graduation from grad school several years earlier. A man who looked a good ten years younger than his age. Italy had it’s perks.

  Marshall Buchanan.

  Chapter 2

  So this is Kornelia Kaye.

  Kori.

  Marshall had to tell himself again that his step-daughter’s best friend went by her nickname.

  And that he wasn’t to try anything stupid.

  Stupid like fall for her.

  Don’t even think about showing those dimples. That’s how you hooked my mom and that made a mess of everything, Sabrina had brutally reminded him over the phone yesterday.

  She was right. His dimples got him into more trouble than they were worth. The only good thing that came out of marrying Sabrina’s mom was being a father figure to Sabrina. A reckless teenager by the time he had entered her life, she was now a well-adjusted woman. He liked to take a little credit for that.

  And she was smart.

  She had told him to steer clear of her mom and he didn’t listen.

  He wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.

  Marshall took a deep breath and put what he hoped was a friendly smile on his face to make Kori feel more comfortable about flying halfway across the world at a moment’s notice. He wondered how she had handled the news, but since she was here, that probably meant she’d taken it well. The young woman had just lost her job and desperately needed money for something Marshall couldn’t recall.

  He did remember being somewhat inebriated when he said yes to Sabrina’s proposal to hire Kori as his new executive assistant. He wasn’t in a position to argue since all the ones he had interviewed in the last week hadn’t measured up to his standards. Things were slipping his mind and falling right off his calendar, so now he had no choice.

  Annie just had to go and marry an Italian cover model and get herself pregnant. He wouldn’t be in this situation if she had had a little more consideration of his needs. He was the CEO, for crying out loud. He relied on her to keep him organized so he could focus on running the ship. Didn’t she know how valued she was?

  Marshall swallowed a belch.

  You’re not drinking again, are you?

  Sabrina’s words nagged a him when he had to concentrate. Yet, he shouldn’t have had that drink on the way over. He wasn’t sure what Sabrina had told Kori about him, and first impressions went a long way. No sense in having this girl think he was too fond of drink before she even started working. She’d quit and would’ve lost no time but travel.

  You sad o’d never be like your father.

  Well, like father like son. He was a fool to think he could escape his heritage. Still, he had to convince Kori to stay and help him out of the impending mess he discovered the board was about to dump on him, and then she could leave once he found a more suitable replacement.

  Her resume had been impressive—what he had actually read before he fell asleep. For the last five years, she had been the executive assistant for Brigham Noland, who was well known in the tech industry. Having once been in the army, Marshall considered that position a long-term deployment. The fact she had stayed for five years showed an incredible amount of dedicat
ion.

  Or stupidity.

  One of the two. He’d find out on the ride back to the hotel. Brigham was fast-becoming notorious for his wild behavior. Marshall didn’t care how much money the guy earned. He wouldn’t respect him. Brigham was a sloppy drunk; at least Marshall had the good sense to make it home before passing out.

  But Kori had been fired. That he did hear about this morning when he asked his contacts for references. Whispers of a lawsuit. Allegations of misconduct. Couldn’t keep her hands off the boss. That didn’t sound like someone his daughter would call a best friend. And Brigham had a reputation of only dealing with models.

  Kori…Kori…Kori…

  Marshall racked his brain to remember this girl. Had he met her before? Probably, but he couldn’t remember what any of Sabrina’s friends looked like. Probably not a model or even he would’ve remembered.

  Kori appeared on the staircase, her puffy hair moving like a thick wave in the wind. Marshall’s gaze drifted down the statuesque woman. She walked toward him confidently, her head held high. Her body was covered by a light jacket and a large bag she had slung over her arm, but her energy radiated across the distance between them, setting on fire the what little alcohol his system hadn’t digested, burning him into sobriety.

  What a woman to let go.

  Brigham was an idiot. Last Marshall had heard, Brigham was still single and on the hunt for the next top model.

  Everyone told him not to hire her. To call the pilots directly and have them turn the plane around. Give her an early termination compensation package so she’d keep her mouth shut. Anything to keep her from setting foot in the company building.