“That’s not true.”
He was weary, and doing his very best to keep it together. “It is true. Quit arguing.”
She saw Lance smirk out of the corner of her eye as if to say see-what-I-deal-with?
“Listen, mom’s doctor is going to meet us at home. I’ll get him to give her something to help her sleep. Anne and I are both exhausted and you can’t help us if you aren’t rested. We need you to be there for her tomorrow. We’ll do the rest.”
“All right Royce.”
He cupped her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re here.” With that he went back into the ICU.
“Come baby, we’ll go home.”
Her heart constricted over Lance’s soft spoken words. She could only nod. She was exhausted and she suddenly felt chilly. It was because she was so overtired. She rubbed her arms. He immediately stripped off his suit jacket and put it over her shoulders. His warmth seeped into her like warm sunshine. Then, she felt his strong arms around her as he led her down the hall toward the elevator. The warmth from his body heat and his sensual masculine odor calmed her. Vern was already at the elevator pushing the button.
Once back at the penthouse, he led her to her old room, kissed her on the cheek and said goodnight. Her heart fell. Of course she couldn’t expect him to let her sleep with him after she told him they were over, but she honestly didn’t want to be alone. She stood at the end of the bed and stared at it. It looked so big and empty. Her suitcase was sitting on a small table next to the wall still packed. When on earth did this get here? Vern must’ve brought it when she was with her father.
She was too tired for a shower even though she felt sticky. She stripped off her clothes where she stood, and crawled into bed naked. Then she cried herself into an exhausted restless sleep.
***
“How is she sir,” Vern asked his boss walked into the great room straightening the cuffs on his immaculate dark navy pinstriped suit. He’d forgone the tie today and had the top few buttons of his shirt open. He’d already worked out and had a shower. He’d yet to eat breakfast. Mavis was busy in the kitchen preparing it.
“She’s tough. We’ll help her through this.” He lifted his arm and looked at his watch. “Give her another fifteen minutes. Royce hasn’t called me yet. I told him specifically to contact me first when they woke up. I don’t think she slept well last night.” He walked toward the kitchen. “Mavis keep a plate warm.”
“Yes, Mr. Hartley. Vern, did you want some eggs and sausage?”
“Just a coffee.” He watched his boss thoughtfully.
Lance took a seat as Mavis slid a plate in front of him.
“Is there anything I can do?” Vern asked.
“She’d appreciate the gesture, but no.”
Vern nodded and sipped his coffee. Something was bothering his boss beyond what had happened last night. He was very preoccupied and that wasn’t like him no matter what tragedy had played out in his life. Vern had been with him when his friend and family were murdered. It was the only other time he could compare this mood to.
Lance finished his breakfast and checked his watch again. Without a word he got up and left the room.
Vern and Mavis exchanged a concerned look.
Tammy had just finished combing her hair when she heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Lance opened the door. “Good morning. How was your night?”
“Awful.” She said walking to one of the decorative chairs and picking up his suit jacket.
“Leave it Tammy. Mavis will find it.”
“Oh.” She set it back down. When she turned around he was right behind her. He cupped her chin and traced a finger along one of the dark circles under her eyes.
“You look abysmal.”
She sighed heavily. “I know.” He wasn’t being insulting. She was on day two without any sleep.
“I should have stayed with you last night.”
“I shouldn’t have sent you away.”
