by Debbie Mason
“My New York BFFs wanted to check on their girl. See,” he said to the blurry faces on the screen, “she doesn’t look depressed anymore. I told you I’d find her some friends.”
Madison waved and said hi to Kate and Abbie.
“We’ll all get to hang out next summer. Kate, Abbie, and little Emma have promised to visit Charlotte then. We’ll have so much fun.”
“But I won’t be here next summer,” Charlotte said.
Ty laughed like he knew something she didn’t.
* * *
Charlotte had spent the rest of the day before thinking about what Madison said. It made sense. There had to be some financial reward in it for Jeremy. The man was motivated by money. Every decision he ever made revolved around the almighty dollar. Charlotte had planned to practice family medicine, but the ink had barely dried on her degree when Jeremy called a family meeting, insisting that she take her rightful place at Bailey Healthcare.
Her mother, a pediatrician, had still been alive then. She’d wanted Charlotte to follow in her footsteps, but Charlotte’s father and Jeremy had overridden both their objections. Granted, Charlotte’s had been half-hearted. Head over heels in love with Jeremy, she would’ve done just about anything to make him happy, even if it meant giving up on her own dreams.
She supposed that’s something she should think about when all this was over. Whose life was she living, her own or the one Jeremy had mapped out for her? Right now, he was definitely still pulling the strings. She planned to put a stop to that. She’d spent, or she should say Ty spent, the entire morning trying to reach the CEO of Valley Ridge Medical Center. In the end, they’d given up and driven the forty minutes to track down the woman themselves.
Valley Ridge Medical Center was the hospital most likely to benefit from Christmas General’s demise. They were also owned by a for-profit corporation who had expressed an interest in buying out Bailey Healthcare a few years back. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Jeremy was in bed with that company now, weakening Bailey Healthcare’s position and leaving them vulnerable to a hostile takeover. For which Jeremy would no doubt be handsomely rewarded.
Only Charlotte didn’t have any evidence, and it didn’t look like she was going to get any today. “She must have left early. We’ll try again on Monday,” Charlotte said to Ty, who’d insisted on accompanying her to Valley Ridge Medical Center.
He shook his head and rattled the knob on Maureen Cheever’s office door. “I don’t think so. Everyone we talked to said she’s here. She’s hiding from us, which means that we can try to set up a meeting with her all we want, and it’s not going to happen. She’ll wait us out.”
Up until fifteen minutes ago, Charlotte had begun to think she was reaching, seeing conspiracies where none existed. But Ty was right. Valley Ridge’s CEO was definitely avoiding them. “I don’t know what else to do. We can’t break into her office.”
“Why not?” He crouched in front of the knob. “It can’t be that hard to—”
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. “Because that would be breaking the law, and there are cameras. Trust me, I know how important it is that we get to the bottom of this and put a stop to Jeremy. But we have to go about it legally.” She looped her arm through Ty’s and guided him toward the elevators.
“Ma’am, I think you dropped something.”
She turned to see a man standing outside Maureen Cheever’s door. He was dressed in white coveralls and leaning on a mop, holding up a business card between his fingers.
“Thanks, but I don’t think—” Charlotte began, only to be cut off by Ty, who half dragged her back down the hall saying out of the side of his mouth, “He’s a janitor, and janitors know everything.”
Charlotte smiled at the thirty-something man with the attractive, angular face, a heavy lock of dark hair flopping over his forehead and left eye. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the card. It read NICK CLAUSE, NEW YORK CAB CO. She turned it over, and there, written in ink, were the words Believe and Miracles happen every day. Open your eyes and your heart to see them. She checked the zipper on her purse, trying to figure out how the card had fallen out. It didn’t make sense. She’d put the card in her wallet.
“Charlotte, Henry’s going to open the door and let us wait in Ms. Cheever’s office for her. Isn’t that nice of him?”
“Yes, that’s wonder…Henry? Your name’s Henry?” she asked, thinking back to what Nick had said that night about his partner. She could’ve sworn his name was Henry, too. Henry was a common name, but still…
The man grinned. “That’s me. There you go.” He held the door open. “Good luck finding what you need, Ty. Ms. Bailey.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte said as she looked around the room. They might have gotten in legally, but she didn’t want to be here any longer than was…“Wait, how do you know my—” She turned to face Henry, but he wasn’t there. She leaned out the door. The hall was empty. “Ty, did you tell him our names?”
“Of course. He’s hot. I gave him my number, too,” he said, as he rifled through some files on Maureen Cheever’s desk. “Not sure if I told him your name though. Why?”
“Nothing,” she said as she joined him. “I just…” She trailed off as her eyes landed on the photograph on the far corner of the desk. She picked it up and smiled, Henry all but forgotten. She knew exactly what Jeremy was up to and why.
Chapter Six
Smile,” Ty said just before he took a picture of Charlotte on the drive back to Christmas. The flash nearly blinded her.
She blinked the stars from her eyes to focus on the taillights ahead of her. Wrapped tight around the steering wheel, her hands began to cramp. After a year in Colorado, her defensive driving skills had improved, but today’s road conditions would be trying for the best of drivers. “No more pictures. If you haven’t noticed, it’s snowing and the roads are a mess.”
“It’s not your best side, but it’ll do. I can see the headlines now: Charlotte Bailey saves Christmas. I’m going to suggest it to Vivi. Catchier if she leaves off General,” Ty said as he worked his phone. “Wait, this is even better.” He lifted his hand and punctuated each word. “Miracle at Christmas.”
“Don’t start celebrating just yet. I don’t mean to be a downer. I’m excited about this too. But you heard my dad. We don’t have any evidence that Jeremy is colluding with Maureen.”
“Yeah, but he’s calling an emergency board meeting. So he must think he has a good chance of getting them to oust Jeremy.”
“You don’t know my ex like I do, Ty. If anyone can spin this, it’ll be Jeremy. I’m just hoping the board members will see through him. It all depends on whether my dad can lay out the case against him.”
“Maybe you should do it. You laid out a pretty good case when you were talking to your father.”
“Thanks, but I just stated the facts.” Ty was right, though. Despite not having solid evidence of collusion, they had a pretty good circumstantial case. It would be up to the board members to connect the dots. Maureen Cheever was Harold Delray’s daughter and could legitimately contest her father’s will. Charlotte imagined there was no love lost between Harold’s daughter and his second, much younger wife. Samantha was the reason Harold had left Colorado for New York. And until today, no one at Bailey Healthcare had even known Harold had a daughter. As far as anyone knew, Samantha was Harold’s sole beneficiary.
If Harold had indeed cut his daughter out of the will, Samantha’s pregnancy would provide Maureen with the ammunition she needed to prove her stepmother had been unfaithful. Even if a judge didn’t overturn the will based on the evidence, Maureen could tie up the money for years. And that wouldn’t suit Jeremy’s purposes at all. Especially with a baby on the way. Every time Charlotte had suggested they start a family, money had been the number one excuse he’d used to put her off.
Given how things had turned out, it was for the best. She returned her attention to Ty. “And I didn’t have Jeremy arguing
against each fact as I presented it. Or Samantha, for that matter. Which is what my dad will be up against,” she added. “And, like he said, if they offered to close CGH as a bribe, Maureen won’t come forward.”
“Why not? She stands to gain a lot more money if she goes after her father’s fortune.”
“No, the odds of her overturning Harold’s will are negligible. Even if she did, it would take years, and Samantha would still receive the majority of Harold’s fortune. If Maureen was lucky, she might get a couple hundred thousand dollars. But after paying her legal bills, she’d walk away with next to nothing. This way, the closure of CGH ensures a huge increase in Valley Ridge’s revenues and solidifies Maureen’s position as CEO, as well as ensuring she’ll surpass her targets. Her bonuses alone will more than likely be in the hundred-thousand-dollar range. She’ll also look good to the higher-ups, which puts her on track for a promotion.”
“Okay, your father has as much on the line as you, but trust me, you’re the best one to present this to the board. You’re one of Samantha and Jeremy’s victims. You’re proof he lies and cheats and doesn’t care who he hurts. I’m not dissing your father. But I’d feel better knowing the fate of Christmas was in your hands and not his.”
Ty had hit a sore point. Charlotte hated to be seen as a victim. Which made the idea of being the one to bring Jeremy and Samantha down hard to resist. However, it was the thought of telling Matt that Christmas General and his job were safe that made the decision for her. “I’ll go.”
“Yay! I knew you would. Did you hear that, ladies? She said yes. Call every scalper you know and scrounge up four tickets to the Rockettes. We’ll have lots to celebrate. Later.” He made kissy noises into the phone.
“Who was that?”
“My girls?”
“Your girls?”
“Yeah, my girls. Abbie and Kate. I can’t wait to see them.”
“You’re coming with me?”
“Of course, I am. You need me. Besides, my job has become hazardous to my health. I need a holiday. All day long I take calls from angry people threatening you and people sharing what’s going to happen to them if CGH closes. One minute I’m shaking like a leaf and in the next crying like a baby.”
She knew exactly how he felt. He took thorough notes and made sure she—and the sheriff—got each and every one.
“That girl is good,” he said, holding up his phone. “Abbie’s got us covered. Emergency board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night. We leave first thing in the morning.”
“Ty, you might want to look outside.” She nodded at the near white-out conditions through the windshield.
“Good God, when did that happen? Charlotte, watch out!”
She reacted without thinking and slammed on the brakes. The car fishtailed, skidding sideways into the truck ahead of her. There’s was a crunch and screech of metal scraping metal and then the loud whoomph of the airbag on Ty’s side bursting open, pushing his body into hers. They bumped heads.
“Ouch,” they both cried at the same time.
Charlotte raised a hand to her temple, Ty to his forehead. Someone rapped on her window. “Charlotte.”
It was Matt, looking big and strong, his handsome face concerned. She opened the door, so glad to see him she wanted to jump into his arms and share the news that they might’ve found the answer to saving CGH. And then she realized how and why he’d arrived so quickly at the scene. She winced. “That’s your truck, isn’t it?”
He nodded and leaned in, looking from her to Ty. “You guys okay?”
“No, I’m sure I’ve broken several bones. I’ll need a thorough examination,” Ty said, casting a hopeful glance at Matt.
“He’s fine,” Charlotte said, attempting to undo her seat belt. “What about you? Are you okay?”
“He looks more than fine to me.”
Matt ignored Ty and reached in to help with her seat belt. “There’s a fifteen-car pileup. We’ll be here for a while. You’ll be safer waiting it out in my truck.”
She nodded while trying not to react to the feel of his strong hands or to how close his face was to hers. Until then, she hadn’t noticed how long his eyelashes were. Like his hair, they were golden brown and had a slight curl. Dark stubble shadowed his square jaw, and she got a whiff of his aftershave. He smelled like snow falling on cedars and warm leather.
“Bailey, you look like you’re going to lick the man,” Ty groused, then sighed. “I guess I can’t blame you. Just do it and get it over with.”
Matt turned his head, his whisky-colored eyes holding hers. “You want to lick me?”
No, she wanted to kiss his corded neck and his strong jaw and that sensuous mouth with the full bottom lip and…The corner of his mouth kicked up. She shot Ty a killing glare, and said, “Of course not. Ty’s just being Ty. I’m not a dog.” No, I’m an idiot. Why did I say something like that? Her seat belt popped free. Her “Thank you” came out a little breathy and squeaky. She sounded like she’d sucked in a lungful of helium.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“She’s fine, but I’m being smothered by a giant marshmallow. Not that either of you seem to care.”
Matt extended his hand. “It’ll be easier to get him out the driver side.”
“Right. Of course.” She put her hand in his and stepped from the car into ankle-deep snow. Only underneath it was ice, and her heel went out from under her. Matt’s arm shot around her waist, saving her from falling backward. It didn’t save her from embarrassment, though. From the waist down, she was pressed against him, resulting in another breathy “Thank you.”
He stared into her eyes as she lay over his arm like a heroine on a romance cover. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her think he wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him. Even if he didn’t, at least he wasn’t looking at her like she’d disappointed him when she pretended to go along with the plans to close CGH and that made it feel like everything was finally right with the world. Through the snowflakes pelting her face, she smiled up at him. “We might’ve found a way to save the hospital.”
The smile he gave her softened his ruggedly handsome face, telling her more than any words could. Dr. Matt Trainer liked her, a lot. Maybe as much as she liked him. Slowly, he drew her upright until they were thigh to thigh, chest to chest, the frosted clouds of their breath intermingling. “I always believed you would, Dr. Bailey.”
This time something more than admiration lit up his eyes. He didn’t just want to kiss her; he was going to. It would be the perfect ending for what was turning into a perfect day. Other than being involved in a fifteen-car pileup and smashing into his truck, she supposed. She went up on her tiptoes, and he began to lower his head when from within the car Ty said, “Seriously?” And from down the road, “Doc Trainer, is that you?”
Matt straightened, easing Charlotte from his arms. “Ted, what’s going on?” he asked the older man hurrying toward them.
“A young woman. Think she was the one who caused the pileup. Car went off the road. Someone just spotted it. She’s hurt bad. Unconscious. Two young ’uns in the back. Shaken, but I think they’re all right.”
“I’ll get my medical bag out of the truck and be right with you.” He handed Charlotte his keys. “Get Ty out of the car and into my truck. Be care—” His head shot up, and he grabbed Charlotte. “Ty, brace. Ted, run. Not between the vehicles,” he ordered as he slammed the car door shut and took off at a run, half dragging her with him. She turned her head and saw what he had, headlights coming through the wall of snow, and they were coming on fast.
“Oh God,” she cried out, just before the SUV crashed into her car, followed by two more. The ground shuddered as if there’d been a mini earthquake. A drawn-out, ear-piercing screech and the sound of metal crunching like accordions vibrated in the early evening air. And then it was over. Low moans, an anguished cry, and the hiss of steam replaced the sounds of moments before.
Matt snapped into
action. Once he’d confirmed she and Ted were okay, he moved to her car and checked on Ty, and then the on the passengers in the vehicles behind. She hurried after him, wishing not for the first time today that she’d worn practical boots.
“Charlotte, call the sheriff’s office and ask where the hell they are. I called them ten minutes ago. And unless they have emergencies, get on with the fire department and Search and Rescue. We need all the help we can get.”
Less than fifteen minutes later, Matt had proven, at least to her, why he was called Dr. McSexy. His gorgeous face, chiseled six-pack, and rock-hard pecs that his scrubs couldn’t hide were probably why he’d been given the nickname. And of course those attributes put him at the top of anyone’s sexy meter.
But in Charlotte’s eyes, he’d never been sexier than he was when he took control of the situation. He was confident and commanding, and no one doubted they’d be safe with Matt Trainer on the job. He wasn’t only a doctor; the man had been a special ops medic and volunteered with Search and Rescue. It’s how he was able to outfit Ted and his friends in some form of reflective wear. They were stationed a few hundred yards down from them with flashlights in hopes of preventing the pileup and the number of injuries from getting any larger.
At last count, there were twenty vehicles involved and at least fifteen people injured. Matt had gone to look after the unconscious woman and her children while Charlotte took care of the rest. Most of them had sustained minor injuries, including Ty, who’d broken his nose. He currently wasn’t speaking to her. Aware of his dramatic tendencies, she’d thought it best not to warn him before she reset his nose.
From where he sat cross-faced and cross-legged in a snowbank, he grumbled at the distant wail of sirens, “About time. Now a real doctor can fix my nose.”
The woman whose arm Charlotte was putting in a splint glanced from Ty to her. “Don’t worry, I’m a real doctor,” she assured her patient while shooting a zip it look at Ty. He lifted his nose and sniffed, and then his face contorted in a pained grimace.
