Chapter 28
Piper
“Thanks, Luke. You did exceptional work. I know that all the German Langston hotels are in good hands.”
The man on the laptop screen smiled. “I have a good boss.”
“Oh, keep up the flattery.” I leaned forward. “You make my job easy.”
“You did hire me to do that.”
“An excellent decision.” I cocked my head. “But we both know that I poached you from Sofitel.”
Luke laughed.
My cellphone rang, vibrating on the table. “I have another call coming in. Send me an email with the resumes of the candidates for the Munich manager position. I’ll give you my opinion, but you know that it’s your choice at the end of the day.”
“Thanks, Piper.”
The screen went black and I snatched up my phone. The screen said Mom calling.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Piper.”
At her tone, my blood ran cold. Had Chance called her, or turned up there?
Worse, had any of Rocha’s goons gone after my mother?
“Are you all right? What’s happened?”
I heard her shaky breath. “I’m fine.” She paused. “It’s your grandmother.”
Everything inside me froze.
“She’s in the hospital. It’s her heart again. She had a spell…” There was a sniffle. “I found her on the floor in the kitchen.”
“Oh, Mom—” I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.
“She’s alive, doll. The ambulance came. We’re at the hospital and… Well, I’m waiting for news. They can’t tell me anything yet and they aren’t sure if she’ll…” Mom let out a small sob.
My throat was so tight. I tried to get my brain to work. I needed a plan. Mom needed help.
The thought of losing Gram…
“Hey, Piper—” Everett strolled in.
I turned my head and looked at him.
“Babe.” His face changed and he went down on one knee, pressing a palm to my leg. “What’s wrong? Has something happened? Is it Chance?”
All I could do was shake my head. I couldn’t get my brain functioning.
Scowling, he took the phone from my hand.
“Who is this?” His shoulders relaxed. “Hi, Ms. Ellis, I’m Everett. I work with Piper.” There was a pause. “I’m sorry to hear that. What hospital? Okay. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything, including Piper. Okay, we’ll talk soon.”
He ended the call and set my phone on the table. “Babe—”
“It’s her heart again,” I whispered. “We can’t lose her. I can’t lose her…”
“Hey.” He pulled me out of the chair and into his arms.
God, he felt so good. I held on tight.
I felt like I was caught in the storm, on a wild sea, but Everett was a rock. One that the waves could crash on, but he remained unmoved. I clung, my hands moving under his brown flannel shirt to find warm skin.
“She’s in the hospital.” My voice was shaky. “I don’t know if she’ll make it.”
“From everything you’ve told me, she sounds like a tough woman. All you Ellis women are.”
I nodded, but I didn’t want to let him go. I didn’t feel very strong right now.
“Kate,” he suddenly said.
I jolted, and realized Kate was hovering in the doorway.
“Can you get Piper a hot tea, lots of sugar.” His hand brushed the hair at the base of my neck.
“Sure thing, Everett.” The younger woman whirled and hurried away.
Everett kept holding me and I hugged him back. Kate was back momentarily, a teacup cradled in her hands.
“Babe, sit down.” He pushed me back into my chair. “Drink your tea.”
I took the cup, staring at it blindly. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t fix Chance, I can’t fix Gram’s heart.”
I cupped her cheeks. “They’re not yours to fix. All you can do is be there. Support everyone, love everyone.”
“Everett?” Ro appeared in the doorway, a concerned Tessa with him.
“Piper’s grandmother is in the hospital,” Everett said. “In Chicago. No prognosis yet.”
I swallowed, and saw Ro’s brows draw together.
“Get her packed,” Ro ordered. “I’ll have the jet fueled and waiting at Denver Airport.”
My hands gripped the teacup. “Ro—”
Everett smoothed a hand over my hair. “Drink. I’ll sort everything.”
“The pool construction—”
“Will carry on without you for a few days.”
With nothing left to do, I sipped the tea. The hot sweetness hit my tastebuds. My throat tightened. Never, not once, had anyone stepped in like this for me.
“I’ll pack Piper’s bag,” Tessa offered.
Ro nodded. “I’ll call my helicopter pilot for the transfer to the airport. Be ready for pickup.”
Everett lifted his chin. “I’ll call my dad and get him to bring a bag over for me.”
Everyone moved, and I just sat there. “Everett—”
His fingers whispered across my jaw. “Don’t worry, Piper. I’ve got you.”