Chapter Eight
Eight
Felicity tugged on her ponytail, shouldering open the snowflake-plastered door leading into the cafeteria. Bright fluorescents shone down unforgiving white light on the circular blue tables. Her flats slipped slightly, the tread on the sole of her shoes worn from constant movement.
Stabilizing herself, she moved toward the table in the far corner where Conrad, handsome as always, sat in a sharp gray business suit, a buff Stetson on the chair beside him.
For the fourth time this week giving up part of his workday to drive across town for her.
A fact she wasn’t mad about at all. Actually, butterflies stirred in her stomach over how quickly this was starting to feel like a normal routine. As if they’d been meeting on her lunch breaks for years.
Felicity had worried over the first meeting. Assumed the silver fox would attempt to win her through pressure. She’d been pleasantly surprised at his laid-back demeanor.
She wasn’t sure how much longer he would continue this before making his big move, but she had to admit she was curious.
He could woo her with expensive outings and gifts, but he gave his time instead.
And to her, that was a much more precious commodity.
Although she might never know how long he would keep this up, as her client here at the hospital was due to be discharged within a week. She would return to regular case duty.
She should be rejoicing for her little client’s health, but she would miss these lunches.
She liked him, but knew this couldn’t go anywhere.
She had her career on track, had even applied for a social worker’s job at the hospital.
Her dream position. Her divorce had left her so gutted, her career had gone off the rails.
She wouldn’t lose all she’d regained.
Felicity wove past a table full of staff, toward the handsome man who’d not only reserved a table for her but also had bought their meal—he’d texted her earlier for her order. Conrad’s smile was as bright as the string of white Christmas lights that framed the kitchen door behind him.
“Hello.” She slung her leather bag on the spare seat as he pulled out her chair for her. “I’m not sure how this has become a habit so quickly.”
“In business, I’m known as a persuasive, persistent man. How was your day?” He handed her a steaming cup of soy vanilla chai latte. Her favorite midday pick-me-up from the coffee-and teahouse just up the street. Accepting it from his outstretched hand, her fingers brushed his ever so slightly.
Felicity did her best to bury the tug of a smile, inhaling the spice of clove and vanilla from the steam. Christmas in a cup.
Her client was doing well, but Tally’s little charge was in critical condition.
It could be so heartbreaking in the NICU.
“Busy. But I don’t want to talk about that.
” Felicity wanted to learn more about what made this man tick.
What made him willing to eat crummy cafeteria food day after day?
Was he just about the chase? “Tell me about your family’s plans for the fund-raiser. ”
Those piercing eyes turned thoughtful. There was something earnest in his chiseled jaw.
“Tally has been a godsend in getting things organized out at the ranch. Marshall was resistant, but she’s really helped bring him around.
” He stuck a straw in his tea. “We’ve all been worried about him since he broke his arm.
He works himself into the ground managing the ranch, but he lives for it.
Being out of commission has been difficult for an active guy like him. ”
A family shuffled by with a man in a green hospital gown.
She couldn’t miss the fatigue in his eyes as he wheezed, trying his best to sing “Jingle Bells” with two little girls about six years old.
Small attempts at the Christmas spirit even in this blinding room touched her heart.
As they took their seats at the table by the Christmas tree, she saw something like resilience in the way the man sat in his chair, smiling at the pretty blonde next to him.
She couldn’t help but be moved, wondering if her own outlook on life was too pessimistic, ironic given that she counseled others.
“I’m glad things are working out. She’s happy to have this job opportunity.
” Tally had been pleased at how accommodating her boss was about her volunteer schedule.
The interest in her eyes was impossible to miss, as was the wariness.
Felicity didn’t know the reason for it, but she worried for her friend.
“Jack and Jeannie are pleased with the progress. It’ll make quite a splash for the start of their charitable foundation to honor their spouses who died.” Conrad shoveled three fries into his mouth.
“They’re lucky to have found love twice in a lifetime. Most don’t find that kind of connection even once.” She dug into her burger.
“While I have my reservations about all this blending of families with our former business rival, I’m grateful Jack has Jeannie for support right now.
” He swiped his mouth with a napkin. “I don’t know how much you’ve heard, but this merger hasn’t been as smooth as we like to make out. There are leaks.”
“There always are.” She let out a deep sigh, aware of how difficult things could be from the ugly power of privileged information made public.
“True enough. And people out to extort or hurt the family.” His face went tight. “Like the nutjob who wrangled her way into the company, then claimed my niece didn’t die in the crash. It’s insane and impossible, but still hurt my brother like hell.”
“And you, too,” she said softly.
He nodded once, then set his burger aside. “The woman—she calls herself Milla Jones—cut and ran into Canada. But we’ll find her and get to the bottom of her agenda.”
The phrasing caught Felicity off guard, and she choked on a bite of burger. Pressing her hand to her mouth, she coughed before finding the words on her tongue. “‘Calls herself’?”
“Yeah,” he said, his face taking on an all-business, all-facts air, but she could sense the tension underlying it.
“We have investigators looking for her. They’ve managed to locate a DNA sample off a brush she used at the office.
With luck, there will be a hit in the system that gives us more information. ”
“This has to be so hard on your family.” She could see the toll it was taking on him, and her heart tugged.
“Your brother’s lucky to have your support.
” She’d done her own research and knew Conrad pinch-hit for his brother personally and professionally, even though Conrad had a full life of his own running his investments corporation.
She also saw from her search that he didn’t have any children of his own.
“You’re close to your nieces and nephews. ”
“They’re like surrogate kids, I guess.” He swiped a fat fry through ketchup. “I haven’t had much luck building that family of my own. Got divorced before making it to our first anniversary. Then another engagement fell apart just shy of the altar.”
“I’m so sorry.”
For a moment, Conrad seemed distant. As if he replayed the broken relationships before his eyes on some phantom screen. But only for a beat. Shoulders shrugging, he looked at her. “It’s in the past.”
“Divorce is hell.” She knew that all too well. Her ex had cheated, blown through her small inheritance, then dragged the divorce out in court for heaven only knew what reason other than to torture and potentially bankrupt them both.
“Ah, I’m sorry yours was painful.”
She didn’t bother denying what he could no doubt see on her face. “I won’t go through it again. Under any circumstances. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
He gave her a lopsided grin, his enticing cowboy charm shining. “I don’t recall proposing.”
“You sure did put me in my place.”
“Stop thinking so much, and let’s just enjoy being together.” He bit into his burger, chewing thoughtfully while watching her. “I hope you’ll be attending the fund-raiser. I’ve already purchased a ticket for you.”
And there it was. The push for more, even if it was just chemistry. And she found she wanted to throw caution to the wind and go with him.
Tally shut off her car and let her head fall to rest on her steering wheel. Tears she’d held in check for the drive flooded free. She’d volunteered for a couple of years, and this never got easier. Little Stella Rae was in critical condition, and Tally’s heart was tearing in two.
A tap on her window pulled her upright. She swept aside her tears and found Marshall standing in the snow. She rolled down the window. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
He leaned an arm on the open window, blocking the wind with his broad shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine.” She forced a smile, gathering her purse. “I just want to get to work.”
“Forget it, really.” He opened the door and offered his hand. “Dishes don’t matter. You matter. Let me make you something to eat and you can unload—if you want to talk. If not, we’ll just share a meal. I’ve got some caribou stew I can defrost.”
What he offered sounded nothing short of amazing, sharing her burden with someone at the end of the day. She’d been alone for so long. Nodding, she stepped from the car. “Thank you.”
The dampness freezing on her cheeks and reminding her of her fears for the little girl, Tally followed Marshall into the house, to the kitchen.
He waved away her offer of help, and she sagged to sit at the table. “I should be used to this by now.”
“Used to what?” he asked, putting the container into the microwave and tapping Defrost.
“The baby I’ve been rocking at the hospital took a turn for the worse. The doctors don’t know if she’ll make it through the night.” The words tumbled free, threatening a fresh wash of tears.
He straightened from the counter. “Do you want me to drive you back up to the hospital?”