“Paul is with her and Mathew has gone to get a new medication the doctor prescribed.” He rubbed a hand over his face before looking at her again. “I’ve never seen her this bad. I feel so helpless, there’s nothing any of us can do.”
She reached toward him, laying her hand on his arm. “We can be there for her. We can deal with the company so Dads can be by her side during the treatments and when she’s here. They’ll let us know if there’s anything else we can do. Otherwise, as hard as it is, we just have to wait. Mom’s strong, she’ll get through this.”
“I hope so. I know they don’t want us to worry but when you see the worry in our fathers’ eyes, it’s hard not to. Mathew has been putting in fewer hours at the office and working more from home. I thought at first it was because of the attack on the office, but now I realize he wants to be close to Mom.”
“Even Mathew has been doing less and clinging to Mom more.”
“Do you think they know something we don’t? Could they have given Mom a time frame?”
She ran her hand up his arm, chasing away the goosebumps that had risen on his skin. “We can’t think like that. I don’t believe our parents would keep something like that from us, and the doctors wouldn’t be pushing such a high radiation and chemotherapy round on her, three days a week, if they didn’t believe there was a chance it would send her back into remission.”
“Mom is the center of this family, the one who keeps us all together. What happens if she doesn’t make it?”
“She’s going to and we’re not going to think like this.” She nodded to her door. “Why don’t you come in and have a drink with me?”
“I can’t, I’ve got an early flight to Florida. Can I have a rain check?”
“Sure, when you get back. I thought Jake was off tomorrow.”
“He is.” He raised his eyebrows at her, giving her a wide-eyed expression. “The horror, but I have to travel like common folk. This was a last minute trip. I don’t know if you remember Mr. Langer and his family, but his second wife was killed in a car accident last night. I’m going to attend the funeral and see if there’s anything I can do to help them.”
“I remember them. He hired us to find him a third wife.”
He nodded. “Wonder if that makes her the second wife now.”
“Anything you need me to cover while you’re gone?”
“I’ve got most everything done, and Dottie will handle the rest. If anything comes up I’ll let you know because I’m not sure how long I’ll be there.” He turned his sparkling blue eyes toward her—his father Paul’s eyes. “Paris…you will call me if anything changes with Mom, right? I can get the first plane back.”
“You know I will and I’ll send Jake to fetch you if you can’t get a flight home. It’s going to be okay.”
He nodded and turned back toward his open door, but she could tell she hadn’t been able to relieve his worry. That didn’t surprise her because she was terrified they’d lose Mom, too. “London.” She waited until he looked over his shoulder toward her. “I love you, little brother.”
“Love you too, sis.” He stepped into his quarters and closed the door, leaving her standing in the hall alone.
She needed to know how Mom was but didn’t want to disturb Paul. Instead, she pulled her cell phone out of her bag as she headed to her room and pulled up Mathew’s cell number. She sent him a quick text message asking him to stop by her room when he got home. With that done, she pushed the door shut to change out of her business suit and into something more comfortable before checking her email and voice messages.
She quickly slipped out of her clothes and into a pair of heather gray yoga pants and a white tank top before heading toward her desk. Even after the long day, there were things she wanted to attend to. Most likely phone calls from clients she had to return, and she knew there were emails that required her attention. On the airplane she could have pulled out her laptop and worked but her thoughts were preoccupied with Aiden. Well, not just him, but all three of them. She couldn’t separate herself from his case as she had done in the past with other clients.
She pulled her laptop from her bag, sat it on the desk, and booted it up. It was too late to make the calls she needed to some clients, but she could reply to the emails. More importantly, she wanted to start the system running a detailed check on all three of the men. She wanted to eliminate any surprises they’d failed to mention during her visit before she went any further. Maybe she’d find something that would force her to push them from her thoughts. She was beginning to think they were perfect for her.
She shook her head, trying to chase that thought away. She was their matchmaker, and that was as far as things would go. There was no use wondering how their hands would feel on her body. Or worse yet, what it would be like to have them in her bed.
They were attractive, but it was more than that for her. These men had answered questions about what was important to them just as she would have. When matching people, they were matched on levels beyond physical compatibilities. They needed to want the same things, have the same goals, desires, and so much more. If she was the client and not the matchmaker, she’d have thought they’d be a perfect fit for each other.
“Damn it, Paris, no!” She scolded herself just as there was a knock at her door. “Come in.”
Mathew peaked around the corner. “Hey, sweetie, I got your text.”
“Come in, Dad.” When he hesitated, she added, “It’ll only take a minute and then you can get back to Mom.”
He entered, closed the door behind him, and came closer to her desk. “Thanks for covering the Aiden Dalton case for Paul. Did you have a good trip?”
“It was fine and I promised to find them the perfect wife, so don’t worry about that. You and Dad need to focus on Mom. The case isn’t why I asked you to come up here.” She strolled around the desk, standing closer to him. “How is she? Truthfully, Dad.”
“My sweet little girl is all grown up.” He smiled at her but there was a sadness in his eyes.
“I’ll always be your little girl, Dad, but I need the truth. How bad is the cancer this time?”
He laid the brown bag from the drugstore on the desk and sat down on the only chair in front of her desk. “Oh, Paris.”
She knelt in front of him, taking his hands in hers. “That bad?”
“It’s worse than last time, and you know how hard that was on her. This chemo and radiation combination was a killer, and today was only the first day. It’s going to get worse over the next three weeks. Three treatments each week for the next three weeks before her doctors want to run a fresh batch of tests, but it’s possible there’ll be an additional three weeks.”
Three to six weeks of this combination therapy might be Hell, but if it kept Mom here, they all knew they’d fight to make it happen. Mom wasn’t a quitter, none of them were. She pushed back the tears that threatened to fall. “Mom’s strong and we’re going to get through this. What can I do to help?”
“You’re already doing too much.”
“Dad, we’re family and we’re there for each other. London and I have the company managed, but what else can I do?” She ran her thumb over his knuckles.
“There’s nothing you can do. Not really.” He paused, glancing from her desk and back to her. “Just spend time with her when she’s up to it. If this has taught me one thing, it’s we never know when our days are over.”
“She’s not—” She couldn’t bring herself to give him false hope, because in the end no one knew when their time was over. “Dad, there hasn’t been a time line given, has there?”
He turned from her and refused to meet her gaze. “I’ve got to get back to them.”
“Dad!” She didn’t budge when he started to get up. If he wanted to stand, he’d have to push her out of the way. “If anything has been said like that I’ve got a right to know. London and I have a right to know so we can cherish whatever time she has left.”
“Paris.” He finally l
ooked at her, and she saw terror in his eyes. He was scared of losing his wife. “The doctor didn’t say it to your mother, he’s a friend of Paul’s and he mentioned it, but there’s nothing definite.”
“What did he say?” Despite the fact it was going to break her heart, she still needed to know.
“He only mentioned that if this treatment combination doesn’t work, it’s our last hope. That…” His voice broke before he was able to continue. “That we needed to prepare for the possibility…that she wouldn’t make it to the first thaw.”
Deflated, she sank back on her heels. The possibility that her mother’s cancer wouldn’t go into remission again had hung over them, a constant fear since the news came that the cancer was back with a vengeance. But the first thaw? It was January, that didn’t leave much time. She couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face.
“Paul and I made the decision not to tell you or London until we knew something definite. There’s no reason to worry if this treatment works. If not, we’ll know in three weeks and then we would have told you.”
“It’s that bad.” The words came out barely above a whisper.
“I’m afraid so, sweetie.” He stood, drawing her into his arms and held her tight as she cried. She wasn’t sure how long he held her, but when she finally pulled away he added, “Let’s keep this to ourselves, don’t tell London yet. He’s already worried about Mom and there’s no reason to stress him out more until we know something.”
“I think he already suspects something. When I came home tonight, he was waiting for me. He’s worried about her. I know we all are, but I still think he should know before he leaves for Florida in the morning. As you said, no one knows what the future holds. None of us will ever forgive ourselves if he gets on that plane tomorrow and something happens to her.”
He shook his head. “I’m leaving here at six in the morning and you know he’s not an early riser. It’s going to have to wait until he gets back because I’m not going to ask Paul to watch for London in the midst of caring for Mom.”
“I’ll do it.”
“You’ve had a long day and I’m sure you have work you need to attend to. He’ll be back in a few days.”
“No, Dad. He needs to know. I’ll tell him in the morning if that’s okay with you.”
He took a deep breath and exhaled before nodding. “Tell him not to say anything to Mom. We don’t want her to know or to give up fighting. If she becomes discouraged, we might lose her.”
“I’ll make it clear, but if there’s anything I can do please come to me.”
“I will, but now I have to get back to Mom. I love you, sweetie.” He kissed her cheek before reaching past her to grab the drugstore bag.
“I love you too, Dad. Give Mom and Dad my love too.”
When he left, she leaned against her desk. The work she had planned to do was suddenly unimportant. It was as if her whole world had shattered around her. Before she spoke to London, she needed to get her head together. Her emotions were all over the place, making logical thought nearly impossible.
Needing fresh air, she pulled open the sliding door to her private balcony and stepped outside. The cold winter air enveloped her, welcoming her to the winter wonderland. Below her, she saw the guard making his patrol of the perimeter. Everyone around her was going about their business, while she tried to face the eventual death of her mother. She was only twenty-five and London twenty-three; they were both adults, but they should have their mother around for many more years to come. Mom should be able to see her children get married, have children of their own, and enjoy all the other milestones of the future.
Standing there in the cold, she let the tears fall until her body shook. She gave herself time alone to fall apart so she could put the pieces together and be strong for her family. By the time the tears had ended, she was shivering from the cold. Her cell phone, which she forgot she’d shoved into the waistband of her yoga pants, was vibrating. She tugged it out with the intention of sending whoever was calling straight to voicemail. Aiden Dalton’s name on the screen caught her attention, and without thinking, she answered and brought it to her ear.
“Hello, Mr. Dalton.” She couldn’t bring herself to answer more formally, and ask him what she could do for him, because at the moment she just wanted to hear his voice. Damn it, Paris. He’s not yours. Don’t get attached.
“Is everything okay?”
“I don’t believe you called to see if I was fine. What can I do for you?” She quickly avoided the question, while her mind screamed for her to tell him. She wanted to hear someone tell her it would be okay, even if it was a lie.
“You’re right. I didn’t, but the sound of your voice tells me something is wrong. Trust me, when you travel away from your family for years you tend to pick up on things like the changes in someone’s voice. Are you okay, Paris?”
“Just a little bad news.” She shook her head. That was the understatement of the year. “Nothing to worry about. If you’re calling to see how the matchmaking is going, it’s too early.”
“No.” He let out a light laugh. “I guess you’ve had people call the same day wondering about a match.”
“A few.” She stared out at the mountains, wishing she was skiing down one of them. “I just got home, but I’ll get started in the morning and will be in touch soon.” After one last deeper background check is complete on all three of you.
“That’s not why I called. The guys and I were talking after you left, and we think in order for you to find a perfect wife for us, you need to come back.”
“I’ve gathered the answers I need for the search.” She pushed the sliding glass door open and stepped inside. Immediately the heat began to warm her and she was able to focus. “There’s no need for another visit at this stage.”
“This upcoming Saturday we’re having an informal family get together with my parents and Kain’s parents. I think if you met our families, because they’re the people we’re closest to, it will give you another insight on what we need in a spouse.”
“Mr. Dalton…Aiden, I’m not sure I’m available this weekend.”
“I understand you have other clients and commitments, but I think it will give you a better idea of us. A different side of each of us you couldn’t see in an interview.”
“It’s been a long day.” She rolled her shoulders. “Can I get back to you tomorrow? Once I check my planner and talk to my family. With London going out of town tomorrow I need to make sure things are covered here.”
“Very well.” He paused and she heard his desk chair creak forward. Instantly her thoughts were filled with him behind the grand desk, the pastures, and mountains in the background, before her imagination took a more erotic turn, his voice pulled her back. “There are rumors that your mother is sick again.”
She stayed quiet. The family had decided to keep the fact that her mother’s cancer had returned quiet. They didn’t want anyone focused on that, especially not with Mathew currently prosecuting the woman who killed her own daughter while on vacation.
“Shall I take your silence as an admission?”
“Mr. Dalton, my family business is just that, my business.” She knew she couldn’t afford to be snippy with this client but she needed to set up boundaries.
“Very well. I’ll give you a call tomorrow night and see if you will grace our gathering with your presence. Until then, Paris, I hope your dreams are full of wonders of the future.” With that, he clicked off, not giving her time to say goodbye or anything else.
She stood there holding the phone, wondering why she didn’t agree to the family gathering. At least then she’d be closer to him and the others, even if it was only for a short time before she matched them. Soon her time with them would be over and she’d be able to get back to her normal life and try to forget them. You’ll never be able to forget them.
Chapter Seven
The dark and threatening sky matched Paris’s mood. She sat behind her desk, the work pilin
g up, but she couldn’t keep her thoughts on anything. How did one deal with knowing death’s long fingers were closing in for the kill? If she could discover the answer for that, she might be able to get back to the things that needed to be completed by the end of the day.
London had taken the news as she expected he would and hadn’t wanted to catch his plane. After countless promises to call him and send Jake for him if anything happened, she had managed to get him out the door and on his way. Now that he was gone she half wished he’d stayed. There was nothing he could have done but at least she’d have someone to talk to, to confide in. Her dads were too busy caring for Mom and didn’t need to be bothered by her fears.
“Busy?” Paul stood in the door frame in the jeans and t-shirt he favored when he was around the house.
“Not really. What’s up?” She tried to keep her tone light and not let her emotions show through.
“Mom wants to see you.”
“How is she?” She laid her pen aside and pushed her chair back.
“Tired but at least she’s been able to eat something this morning. Tomorrow she has another round of treatment so if you can come down to see her today while she’s feeling better that would be good.”
“I’ll go now.” She stood and came around the desk, closer to him.
“Mathew told you about what the doctor said, but remember she doesn’t know.”
“I won’t say anything, Dad. I also know we need to keep things upbeat for her and not stress her out. This hasn’t been the first time we’ve been through this.” She forced herself to smile because she was going to have to when she got downstairs.
“This time it’s harder.” The sadness leaked through his voice.
She nodded. “I know, Dad, I know.”
“You go ahead and see her, I need to get a little air.” He strolled from her office before she could say anything.
As she headed downstairs to her parents’ room, she realized this cancer was taking a toll on all of them. No matter what anyone said, when someone in the family was fighting a battle against cancer the whole family fought. Everyone had to be strong, supportive, and pick up the slack for the others. Their family had always been tight knit, but this had brought them even closer.
Theirs to Treasure (Beyond Monogamy Book 1) Page 6
