by Claire Adams
“My foundation donated twenty million to his latest research study a few months ago. He owes me one. I offered to give the hospital enough to cover a new wing, and they weren’t about to argue. This place is small. They could probably use a lot more than that.” Austin seemed pleased that he handled everything using money as leverage. That was his world.
I stiffened in his embrace, suddenly feeling trapped. I loved being in his arms, but this situation was too much to think about for me.
This wasn’t real life, was it?
Kim was on the phone with someone. She walked away from us. Austin let me go and dropped into a seat. I sat beside him, and he held my hand.
I noticed the looks he was getting from some of the people in the waiting room. I found it sad that people waiting in ICU were worried about a local celebrity. At least they had the decency to not approach him. He dropped his head forward and took a deep breath.
Kim came back and dropped beside me. She leaned forward to talk to Austin. “My parents send their love and prayers. That was them calling to wish us a Merry Christmas, Becs. I promised that we’d call them with news later. Mom is sending some flowers for your mama.” I nodded, looking at her and then Austin.
“It was you that saved the library, wasn’t it?” My voice was soft. I worked through the idea of that being such great news while I had mixed feelings about the deal he made with the doctors.
“I did,” he said. “I should have been helping this town a long time ago, since everyone was so good to me when I was growing up here. I owe it to my parents and the great teachers that I had.” He looked at me with a deep frown on his face. He looked so sad. I reached out to hold his arm. His pain hit me like a sledgehammer. “My dad could die, Rebecca. I could lose him. With doctors coming out to help him and handing money out to anyone that wants it, I could still lose him. I feel so helpless.”
“He’s alive, Austin. He’s alive, and he’s going to go home. He and your mama will be just fine.” He leaned over to hug me and pulled me to sit on his lap. Kim watched us with a small smile.
“He’s so young, Rebecca,” he said.
I knew how he felt. I worried about my own parents a lot.
“That’s why he isn’t going anywhere, Austin. He has a lot of life left in him,” I soothed him. He pulled me closer and buried his face in my neck. I just held him, not knowing what else to do or say.
I never expected this to happen.
We got news from the nurses that his father was recovering nicely. He was in stable condition. They were just keeping an eye on him to make sure there weren’t any complications.
Kim cleared her throat and excused herself. I could tell she felt uncomfortable. I stood to give her a hug, followed by Austin.
“Thanks for coming,” he said. “And thank you for bringing Rebecca to me.”
“It’s no problem. Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll be back.” She squeezed him tightly and then grabbed my hands again. “Keep me posted. Okay? Mom, too.”
We watched as she left. Then Austin searched the room again. “Mom will stay back there until he is out of surgery and in the clear. There’s no waiting room, she’ll just stand in the hallway until they tell her to leave again.” His voice was bitter and loving all at once.
I reached for his hand. “That’s love, Austin. She’ll be there for him as long as she thinks that he needs her.” Our eyes locked.
He licked his lips slowly. I dropped my eyes to watch. I was a horrible person for thinking he was as sexy at a moment like this. How could I want him when his father was in the hospital, and I was struggling with his unusual methods of getting him help? How could I love him so much?
Austin pulled me to the corner where we could see anyone that came into the room. We sat down on an old couch. “I have something to give you.”
He reached into the pocket of his jeans. “Merry Christmas, Rebecca.” Austin handed me a small red box that was suggestive of a gift of jewelry. My eyes widened. He wasn’t kidding about the present, but what was it? I took it, and I gazed at him with a faltering smile.
I opened it, tearing the paper quietly. I hunched over it, not wanting to share this moment with anyone else. I pulled the paper off in a clean rip and looked at the black box before I opened it.
It was a detailed, sterling silver dolphin. I stared at it, not expecting such a simple and beautiful gift from a billionaire after hearing that he dropped millions in donations to get his way.
A memory hit me as I looked at the necklace. I felt tears in my eyes. Austin watched me tenderly as I played back the night years ago.
We’d been dating for just a couple of weeks. After a movie, we found a meadow to look at the stars from. Austin parked by a tree in his old truck that he drove back then. We sat on the bed of it, on a pile of soft blankets, and we looked at the flawless night sky. I loved the peace of the moment, as well as the way he made my heart pound in my chest. He reached into his pocket and handed me a wrapped blue box.
I glanced up at him in surprise. “What’s this?”
“Just a little something that reminded me of you.” Austin kissed my nose before I giggled and unwrapped it excitedly.
It was the same necklace he’d just given me. I remembered, biting my lip and sniffling. We were so new, but I was already so in love with him, and the small gesture meant the world to me.
I blinked, finding myself back in the hospital. I stared into his eyes. “Oh, Austin. I still have the first pendant that you gave me. I can’t believe you remembered that night.”
“I remember everything about you, Rebecca. I gave this to you in my truck just two weeks after we started dating. I saw things everywhere that made me think of you that I wanted to buy you. I still do, in New York.” I felt a tear slide down my cheek. “I remember the first time that I saw you when we bumped into each other in the hallway at school. I can’t believe that it took me that long to see you. We wasted so much time.” He stroked my cheek gently, his eyes softening as he stared at me. “I remember all of the dates, and I saved everything that I could to remind me of them. I have a box of movie stubs, menus, and all kinds of stuff to remind me of you. Not that I need the reminder since I can’t get you out of my mind.”
I watched Austin shake his head. I clutched the box to my breast. He was telling me he thought about me as much as I thought about him. My heart jumped in my chest. He was about to speak when his phone rang, and we both flinched. Austin took it out of his pocket and looked at the screen before he jumped up.
“Austin?” I asked as I stared at him. I knew that the moment was over. He glanced at the phone, at me, and around the room.
“I have to take this,” he said in a grim voice before walking away to take the call. I clutched the box in my hands and watched him leave before the tears streamed down my face. The necklace was such a beautiful promise of our future, but the moment was broken. I curled my arms around my knees and rested my face against them.
He came back after a few moments, telling me that he’s explained to his mother that he had to deal with something. He needed to go.
“What about your dad?” I asked in shock.
He shrugged with a painful grimace. “The doctor is on his way, and I’m coming back later. I just need to take care of something. Want a ride home?” He pressed a hand to his head.
“I guess. Is your mom okay?” I asked.
He nodded. “The police chief is here waiting for news, and I’m coming back.”
I stood to leave, and he led the way to the car, his pace fast and cold compared to how he acted earlier. He dropped me off and told me that he’d call me later. I walked to the door, quietly feeling as though it wasn’t even Christmas.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Austin
I kicked into a different gear when I saw Preston’s name on the screen. I had to take care of business. I stood to answer the phone without even thinking. Once he told me there were problems with the deal, I knew it would provide
a distraction from what was happening. I went to tell Mom that I was stepping out for a bit, but I’d come back as soon as I could. Dad was still sleeping. I looked worriedly at him as I approached the bed where she sat with him.
“Preston called,” I said. “I have to have a quick meeting with him, and I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re leaving?” she asked in shock.
I knelt to kiss her hair. “I called a cardiologist from New York, and he’ll be here soon, Mom. He’s going to look over all of Dad’s charts and see what can be done.”
She gave me a confused look. It was obvious that she was crying and emotionally drained, but I needed to get out of here.
“How?” she asked.
“It’s a favor, Mom. The doctors here know the specialist is on the way. They’ll bring him right back once he gets here.”
Instead of looking relieved, she looked disappointed. I stood and told her to call me as soon as anything changed. Then, I turned to leave the small room. I felt claustrophobic in there and needed some fresh air. I needed to think about something else. I just needed to get Rebecca settled.
I frowned when I thought about her face as I took the phone call. She wasn’t going to be happy, but I could fix the deal. I had control of that. I felt helpless otherwise, just sitting in the waiting room fearing the worst.
I got her home, noticing her clear disappointment in me. We’d been having a moment before the call, but I couldn’t throw all my hard work out the window. Rebecca got out of the car quietly and walked up to her door before I jerked from the curb and headed to Preston’s hotel.
“I’m so sorry that I called when you have a family emergency,” Preston said the moment he opened his door.
“It’s fine. I needed to get away, anyway. It’s stifling in that place.” I walked to the table and sat, rapping my hands on the table. “What’s happening, Preston?”
“It’s falling apart, Austin. I tried to talk to them, but everyone wants to speak to you in person.” I looked at him. “They want you there. They won’t even accept a phone call or video call. Nothing.” His face looked serious, and I ran a hand through my already messy hair.
“When?” It was just one word, but I knew that it might shift everything that was happening in my world right now.
“As soon as you can. It will be a series of flights to get there, and there are threats of them dropping the entire deal.” His delivery was soft, and I saw the worry in his eyes.
“Fuck,” I cursed and dropped my head in my hands. “There’s no other way?”
“It gets worse. You might be there for weeks, if not longer.”
I groaned, and he looked at me with sympathy. “Damn it,” I said. “I can’t lose this deal, Preston.” I felt anger at feeling helpless again. I knew I needed to make the right choice.
“I don’t want to intrude in your business, Austin. You have a lot going on right now, though. Perhaps you should drop this deal and stay in Texas with your family. There will always be another deal.”
I raised my head to glare at him, anger flaring inside me. I stood and paced around the room.
“I worked my ass off for this deal, Preston. I put my heart and soul into it. Nobody in the company cares about this like I do, nor would they drop everything for it.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Exactly,” he said as I stared at him. “They might have the right idea, Austin. It’s Christmas.”
“This deal is the biggest one in the investment world, Preston. It was on the local news, for fuck's sake. I don’t want someone else to get it. Think about what I can make and all of the change I can bring about with that money.” He just kept looking at me. “I can change the world with that money, Preston.”
“Do you have to do that, Austin?”
He didn’t see my point at all, and I needed him to. “Nobody else would bail on a holiday, but there aren’t any holidays in the world of business.”
“There’s more to life than business and money, Austin. Your father is in the hospital, and your mom is there alone with him. You’re all she’s got right now. Why do you have to leave them for this damn deal?” Even Preston looked disappointed in me today.
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can’t help him, Preston. I have the doctor from New York coming. You know, the one we supported a while back. He’s going to look over everything in my father’s file. That’s all I can do for him. And I can at least control this fucking deal and save that.”
He sat down in front of his computer. “I just don’t want you to regret this choice, Austin. I think that your family needs you.” He didn’t look at me.
I sighed. Didn’t he know that I knew that? I didn’t want to leave my parents or Rebecca, but this was my job. I did everything I could here with the doctor, but they should understand that I needed to handle this situation.
“I want you to set a flight up immediately for me. Have my jet pick me up tomorrow morning at eight, and I’ll use the time tonight to tie up any loose ends.”
Preston stared at me before nodding, picking up his phone, and dialing.
While he was on the phone, my own cell rang, and I saw a strange number on the screen. I knew that it might be Mom calling from the hospital, so I stepped outside and answered it. “Hello.”
“Austin, honey. I wanted to let you know that your dad is awake.” Mom’s voice shook with emotion.
“I’m done with Preston for now,” I said. “So, I’ll head right over.” I heard her sniffle at the other end. “I’ll see you soon, Mom.” I thought for a second before texting Rebecca that he was awake and that I was going to see him. I glanced at the door to Preston’s hotel room, but we were finished here. I strode to the car and got inside, pulling out of the parking lot to go to the hospital.
I was shaking as I got out of the car and walked through the main doors. I got on the elevator, seeing a nurse look at me with wide eyes and a sensual smile, but I glared at her until she looked away. I wasn’t Austin the billionaire right now walking into this building. I was a son worried about his father. She got off on the floor before me and darted away. I leaned against the wall of the car with a sigh. Once the doors opened again, I walked out and made the left turn to get to his room and walked through the door slowly. Mom was sitting beside him, leaning close and holding his hand as they spoke.
“Dad.” My voice was soft. He looked at me, his eyes tired and red. I stepped forward and took the spot on the other side of the bed, reaching for his hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m a little tired, but I’ll be fine. You two need to stop fussing over me.” Dad tried to smile, but I could see how uncomfortable he was. He looked weaker than I’d ever seen him, and a hint of guilt rushed through me as I thought about leaving for an undetermined amount of time.
“They’re going to take good care of you here,” I assured him. I glanced at my mom. She was smiling, but I could see the worry in her eyes. We made some small talk for a while. I asked him what his doctor said and listened to him and my mom. I learned that he was going to be there for a while, making me glad that the other cardiologist would have time to review his chart.
After a while, I asked Mom to go get some coffee with me. She frowned as she glanced at Dad before standing to follow me into the hall. “Is everything okay, Austin?”
“Yeah. I have to fly out tomorrow for some business, Mom. Something has come up.”
Her eyes narrowed with shock and anger. She’d never looked at me like this in my entire life.
“Is this that business you’ve been so obsessed with this entire trip, Austin? Is that why you’re leaving?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “How can you leave with this going on? How can you leave on Christmas? People don’t work on the holiday.” Her eyes begged me to tell her I would stay, but I merely shrugged.
“I have a doctor coming for him, Mom. That’s all I can do.” I clenched my fists at my sides.
“There’s a lot more you can do here, Austi
n. You could stay and support your family. You could put the business aside for the time. Until your father is home, at the very least.” Mom shook her head wearily. “I don’t want to do this alone. I need my son.”
“Mom, I have a business that I need to take care of. It’s critical, or else I wouldn’t leave. I’ll come back as soon as I can.” I was lying, but I couldn’t tell her the truth. She’d never understand.
My heart broke as a tear slid down her cheek. “Mom, I’m staying all through tonight. I am not leaving until tomorrow morning. You’ll have so much help from everyone in town. You know that everyone already knows about this.” I cracked a smile as I made the light joke, seeing her face fall even further. “Mom.”
“Every time there was a new story out about you, people talked. They gossiped about your life over there, and I remained quiet. You know why? I thought I knew my son. I am your mother, and I know that you’re kind and generous, and you love your family. I didn’t have any doubt in all those years, even when you didn’t come back for your father’s first health scare. Now you’re here to support me, and you tell me that you’re leaving?” Another tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t feel like I know you at all. You care about your damn money more than you care about your family or your father.”
“Mom,” I said, searching for the right words to make her understand.
“Just go,” she said and turned her back on me.
Mom walked back into the room, and I slumped against the wall. She really laid into me, but I wouldn’t argue with her. Not right now when I was turning around and leaving in the morning.
She told me that she didn’t know me.
As I turned to leave the hospital, I didn’t feel like I knew myself. I wanted to go and see my dad, but I couldn’t stand the idea of seeing the look on Mom’s face again. I’d try to come by later, after she was home, if I could. Dad worked hard his entire life. He’d understand the spot I was in.
