Chapter 30
*~* Barbara *~*
Today has been a long and interesting day. After the initial rush of the first appointments, I was called into the office where I found both Molly and Jamie waiting for me. Although I wasn’t worried by them both being present, it did raise my curiosity level somewhat.
Jamie asked if I would like a coffee while we talked, another thing that piqued my curiosity.
That should have been my job as the lowest - ranked person in the room, so to speak.
Accepting the offer, I squinted at Molly, who tried to give me a non-committal type of look, but failed, and failed miserably.
Jamie returned with three coffees and a plate of pastries.
Pastries. Now I know they’re up to something and they want me involved.
Pastries are nothing more than bribery in this place.
Occasionally a reward, but more often than not, out-and-out bribery.
I know I have done nothing out of the ordinary to warrant a reward, so bribery it is.
“How are things in Barbara’s world?” Jamie asks, smiling like a freakin’ tiger before it bites your jugular.
“Everything is good in my world, thank you, Jamie. How about yours and Molly’s worlds?
What needs my attention, you pair of sneaky, sly dogs?
Don’t try the innocent look on me. I have worked with you two long enough to know when I’m being set up.
I’m not touching one of your Xanax-laced pastries, either.
” They give each other a look that speaks volumes.
They were so trying to butter me up for something.
“You pair of suck-ups will have to get up earlier than this to catch me out.”
Molly drops her pastry onto a napkin on her desk. “Yes, okay, we’re guilty, but it’s all good. We are thinking of opening a second practice across town. We have more than enough business for this building and feel that we could comfortably manage a second building.”
“We would need someone that we trust one hundred percent to run it, so we wondered…” Jamie lets her voice trail off.
“I don’t know anyone who could do that, so you’re wasting your time if that’s what you’re asking me.” How on God’s green earth would I know anyone with those kind of qualifications?
“What?” They look at each other totally confused.
“No. That’s definitely not what we are asking, Barbara.
We are asking you to manage that building.
We want to know if you’ll take it on. We’ll supply the doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
We need someone to oversee everything and everybody, though.
You would be the practice manager. Everyone would ultimately answer to you on a daily basis.
We think you’d be perfect for it.” They look at each other and nod, as though this is already a done deal.
“Whoa. Hold on. What about Marie? She’s been your assistant, shouldn’t she be your first choice?” I watch for Molly’s reaction.
“Yeah, no, you’d think so, but no. I still wouldn’t trust her walking my pet rock.
She’s good at what she does. She just isn’t what a new location would need.
It would overwhelm her in days, and that wouldn’t be fair to her.
We need someone who won’t get flustered at every hurdle.
Won’t start second-guessing decisions and choices.
Someone who can think ahead and on their feet.
Someone who is you, basically.” Molly raises her eyebrows. “It would be a promotion.”
Jamie adds, “With a good salary and benefits.”
We discuss things for an hour, and I agree to think it over.
It’s all very exciting, and I’m leaning towards accepting, but they haven’t found a building or even land to build a purpose-built practice on yet.
I think talking things over with Cannon will help me put things in perspective and may throw up stuff that I haven’t even considered.
It’s the end of the day and I’m rushing back to the clubhouse. I need to get there before Cannon, as I have a couple of secret missions of my own to accomplish. Abandoning my Toyota by the clubhouse, I dash down the compound to speak to Guardrail. Finding him alone is a miracle.
“How is the house coming along? Is it on schedule, behind? Any issues that need dealing with?”
“Wow, slow down there, Barbara. I didn’t know you were so keen to get Cannon all alone, although I can understand your need for privacy. You two have got to be the loudest lovers I have ever heard.” Guardrail grins at me and I blush furiously.
“That’s not it at all. I just want to know that everything is running smoothly. I have a lot of things to buy for the place and want to know that my buying schedule matches the build schedule.”
“Oh. OH! Congratulations. Cannon must be over the moon.” Guardrail has a massive smile on his face.
“What? SHUSH! What are you saying?” Oh my God…
“Barbara, since you’ve been here the last few seconds, you’ve put your hand on your belly three times.
I may not be Sherlock Holmes, Columbo, or even Leroy Jethro Gibbs, but I can read the signs that tell me a woman is having a baby.
” Guardrail looks around and then gestures to a spot on the construction site.
“Come over here. We’ll be out of sight of prying eyes. ”
“I can’t believe I’ve been so obvious. Everyone will know before I get to tell Cannon at this rate.” I feel like bursting into tears, but I’m suddenly wrapped in a pair of arms.
“He won’t hear it from me, Barbara, but your actions certainly speak louder than words. When did you know?”
“Only today. I just had a feeling, so I did two tests at work today. No one knows anything. I can’t believe I’ve fallen so quickly.
” I see the way he looks at me with his head tilted to one side.
“Oh, fuck off. I haven’t been with a man in years.
There is no one else in the running if that’s what that look is for. ”
“Well, you must be incredibly fertile, or his swimmers are exceptionally good at their job. Either way, I’m happy for you both.
He will be a pain in the ass, you know that don’t you?
He’s going to be so protective of you from the day you tell him until, well, forever.
” Guardrail laughs at this, but it makes me frown.
“He better not start any of that shit with me. I’ll be hormonal enough without him adding to it,” I growl.
“Well, Barbara, I’ll be sure to push on and get everything done as timely as possible. Will five bedrooms be enough? Although there will be enough room at the back to extend if you need to.” He grins as he pats my belly.
I spin away from him and stomp my way back to the clubhouse, heading directly for Bank’s office. Knocking loudly, louder than I intended, I then charge in without waiting for a response.
“Come in, why don’t you. To what do I owe the pleasure of this intrusion?” Bank leans back in his chair and gives me a hard stare.
“I’m sorry, Bank. That was very rude of me. I’m not sure I’m feeling myself today.”
“Apology accepted, Barbara, now what can I do for you?”
“I came for the thing I ordered.”
“Barbara, you know that Cannon should be doing this, don’t you? He might not be happy with me if I give it to you.” Bank tips his head at me.
“Well, if he wanted to give it to me he would have come to see you himself, wouldn’t he? He’s had enough on his plate lately without realizing he forgot this. Anyway, the way I plan to reveal it, he won’t give a shit how I got it.”
Bank reaches down beside his chair and grabs a box, then casually tosses it to me. “Too much information, Barbara. It will be a lovely sight, I’m sure, but not one I need stuck in my head. Enjoy.”
Walking back into the rec room I see no sign of Cannon, so I slip upstairs and hide the box in our bathroom.
My secret missions accomplished, I’m just heading out of the clubhouse doors when he drives in with his truck.
He’s a handsome man, I have to say. I think he’s lazy with his hair and beard.
I don’t mean he doesn’t take care of them, he just uses a trimmer on the same setting for everything.
Every hair on his head is the same length, though it does suit him.
He smiles at me and his dark brown eyes sparkle.
At 6’ 5” and well-toned, he is one tall drink of water, and he’s all mine.
Lifting me so our lips meet, he kisses me thoroughly, and when he thinks he’s done a good job, I kiss him right back.
Walking back into the clubhouse, he marches right to the center of the room.
As I walk to the kitchen, which is where I thought we were heading, I stop when I hear several gasps and then silence.
Stopping and turning, I start to panic when I see him, head down, on his knees. I start to rush back to him when he looks up smiling, and I realize he’s not on both knees, just one. He’s holding something out toward me and I must look puzzled.
“Babe, we have skipped a couple of things out that I feel I need to put right. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Tears run freely down my cheeks. “Get up you damn fool. It’s a bit late for all that, don’t you think?” I still say yes and let him put the ring on my finger. He surprises me further when he shows me his wedding ring and then slips a smaller matching one on my finger.
“Does it fit, Babe?” he holds my hand as though the rings will disappear.
“They fit perfectly. How did you get my size?” I’m guessing that Molly and Jamie had something to do with it.
“Abigail was practically your double, so I slipped it on her finger, and it was perfect. Just like it was made…” The room has gone silent, and I mean silent. There isn’t a sound, especially of anyone breathing.
“You put these rings on another woman's finger? A woman called Abigail who is my double?” I ask him quietly.
“Her hair is dark and her eyes are brown, but she’s like Pattie and Jamie. They look like sisters, and she could be yours.” He hasn’t noticed the silence yet.
“I’ll say it again, shall I? You put these rings on another woman's finger? And just who the fuck is this Abigail woman?” My voice has got slower and deeper, and I think he’s just beginning to realize that something isn’t as it should be.
“Abigail is the jeweler’s daughter. I stopped her from being robbed and they were very grateful…What’s going on? What’s happened?” He looks around the room, and all the brothers just shake their heads. “Babe? What’s the matter?”
Guardrail leans over and whispers in his ear. Cannon’s eyes grow wider with every whispered word until he looks like a gigantic owl standing there.
“No! No, no, no. It wasn’t like that. Her father was with us the whole time.
She stood her Mr. Right up at the altar, he married her sister, for fuck’s sake.
I just borrowed her damn finger!” He is shouting this by the end of his sentence, and I can’t help but laugh at the panic I can hear building. I think everyone is laughing with me.
“It’s okay, Sweetums. I believe you. I understand. A pretty girl needed a hero and you just happened to be there. It’s okay.” I put my hands to his cheeks as I laugh.
He wraps his arms around me and crushes me to his chest. “I should squeeze the life out of you for scaring me out of ten years of mine.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. There’s two of us in your arms right now.” The room goes silent again.
“What? Two of you? No, I said she could be your double, but she’s not here…” Guardrail leans forward once again, whispering in his ear.
Almost dropping me in panic, he stares at my face, then my belly, and back to my face. “What? You’re not…Are we…What?”
“I’m pregnant.” I take his hand and place it on my stomach. “We’re having a mini-Calder.”
“I’m not surprised after hearing all that noise every night. Free drinks, for the night!” Whack announces this and as each one passes on their congratulations, they swamp the bar with orders.