Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Jared would go afterward as they’d agreed on chronological order except for Fallon and Lizzie. If Aiden had been here, he’d go in with Jared.
He’d left a message for his sibling and Jared hoped he’d call back soon.
Twenty minutes or so later, Jared’s turn came. He followed a nurse’s directions and strode down a hallway until he came to his father’s room.
He knocked once and walked in.
His dad turned toward the door. His face looked pale, small oxygen tubing wrapped around his face and up his nose, and his smile was forced. “Hi, son. Come on in.”
A chair was already pulled up to the bedside and Jared sat down. “How are you feeling?”
“Like a stupid old man.”
Jared shook his head. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s hard to admit when you have to slow down.”
“I didn’t follow doctor’s orders. I fought with my kids. I smoked, ate like shit, and thought I was tough enough, that I knew better. I ignored all the warning signs, and now I’m facing heart surgery.”
Jared covered his father’s hand with his, leaning on top of the waffled blanket. “You are tough, Dad, and that’s why you’re going to get through this.” Jared wasn’t upset with his father. It had to be hard to face his own mortality. “I felt guilty after our argument, but you know I’m just looking out for you, right?”
His dad nodded. “I was wrong. With all my kids. With Lizzie.” His face looked more lined than before and there was definite regret in his eyes.
A lump rose to Jared’s throat. “I love you, Dad. You’re going to get through this.”
“Damn right I am,” his father said.
And when Jared left, he was smiling.
Chapter Seventeen
A few weeks passed after Alex Sterling’s heart attack. He had done well during surgery. Better yet, he’d learned his lesson about taking care of himself. He’d stepped down at Sterling Investments, turning the title of CEO, the highest role, over to Jared.
And since Aiden would return for good next month, Jared had insisted he be named CFO. He’d explained to Charlie that he didn’t want feelings of resentment festering once Aiden learned the ropes, after he studied for and took his Series exams. Brooke, too, had been promoted to COO, chief operating officer.
During the time that passed, Charlie adjusted to full-time work and she loved her new job. From shadowing the resident docents so she learned everything about the museum, to prepping to give guide tours herself, to cataloguing new items, she enjoyed both the work and the people. The staff included her during lunch hour and she’d gotten to know them all well.
Only once had she met Leo for a quick bite to eat, and Jared had joined them so he could meet her friend. Given how often she spent time alone with Jared in the evenings, she rarely saw Leo, though they texted and talked to catch up. He had met someone he was now dating and they’d both been less available.
Jared, despite wanting to cut back to more normal hours, had still been working late in the evenings, but somehow they’d gotten into a routine of him coming over for dinner, Charlie cooking and waiting for him to eat. As a result, they’d grown closer.
Today, Charlie was leaving work early for her eighteen-week sonogram. She’d gone to her last monthly checkup and had an ultrasound. According to the doctor, it was early and the baby had been shy, not revealing its sex, but the doctor had assured them they’d know at the next appointment.
Despite her saying she’d meet Jared at the obstetrician’s, he insisted on coming to the museum and going with her to the office. She checked out with her boss and took the stairs down to the sidewalk on the street level to wait for Jared.
The temperature was in the mid-seventies and a warm breeze blew around her. As usual, the city streets were busy with people walking past in both directions.
A man with a beanie and a green army jacket slowed as he passed, bumping into her. His dress sense was odd for this time of year.
She stepped aside, but he eased closer. “Tell your brother if he talks, he’s a dead man and you’re next.”
Before she could look up at his features, he dipped his head and took off, leaving her with nothing to describe but his clothing.
His warning settled into her bones and she realized Jared was right. Whoever her brother had pissed off was a danger to her, too.
Shaking, she was relieved when Jared pulled up to the curb in his Land Rover SUV, the large, luxury car with plush leather seats that heated her butt and the most comfortable vehicle she’d ever been in. She rushed over and yanked open the passenger door before he could climb out and do it for her.