Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
That perked her right up. “That’s great! Find me when you get back and we can talk over lunch.” I frowned and she shrugged. “I can wait. I won’t starve.”
My shoulders sank in relief and I felt tears start to sting my eyes. “Thanks, Persy. You’re the best.”
“I am pretty great.” She laughed. “And you deserve it.”
I kept Persy’s kind words with me as I drove out to the cliffs, specifically to Gavin’s getaway mansion because it was not his home. The moment I pulled up in front of the beautiful piece of architecture, I felt anxious and scared. Sick to my stomach.
“It’s now or it’s never, Suzie.” With those encouraging words, I stepped from the car and made my way up the stone walkway until I stood in front of the oversized door with the giant angel knocker, and banged it four times.
No answer.
I knocked again, six times, and waited with butterflies twisting my guts into a figure eight.
No answer.
“I shouldn’t have come.” It was a mistake to come here. It was a mistake to reconsider telling him about the baby. He hadn’t called, not even today, to explain why he hadn’t shown up. He acted like we’d never had plans. Worse, it made me feel like I wasn’t just unimportant but like he just didn’t give a damn.
I took a few steps away when a voice sounded. “Are you looking for Gavin or Granddaddy Aaron?”
I froze for a moment at the sound of the low feminine voice, but I was no damn coward, so I turned slowly to get a good look at the woman who was my replacement.
She was gorgeous. Smooth, light brown skin with almond-shaped eyes, a mass of coppery curls, high cheekbones, and lusciously full lips. No, she wasn’t just gorgeous. She was stunning. Magnificently, so.
“Um, I was looking for Gavin, yes. But I’m not anymore.” I took a few steps back as the woman approached, looking down to earth in loose jeans and a tank top that showed off muscular arms.
“Sorry to say that Gavin isn’t here. I’m pretty sure Granddaddy said he left to go back to Hollywood sometime last week.”
She knew Aaron, which meant she was close to Gavin. Was she his girlfriend? That thought was hindered by understanding. “He left?” Last week?
She nodded, sympathy swimming in her honey-brown eyes. “Yep. His snake of an agent pushed and pushed, and eventually he gave in, the way he always does. Even sent a helicopter to make sure his cash cow traveled in style.” Her derisive tone was another clue she wasn’t just some girl he’d met and brought home. “Sorry. I shouldn’t say all that to a stranger. I’m Zola, Gavin’s stepsister.”
That name was familiar. It wasn’t a name you came across every day. “I’m sorry, are you in the entertainment industry?”
She let her head fall back and laughed for a full minute, shaking her head and swiping at amused tears. “Hell no. My mom is a model and Gavin’s dad has been my dad since I was a kid, so if you know Gavin, you might have heard my name in passing. I’m a doctor.” Her tone was proud and instantly I liked her.
“You came for a visit and he just left?” That didn’t sound like the Gavin I’d gotten to know, which made me wonder if I even knew the real Gavin Ross.
“Oh, no. Gavin wouldn’t do that. In fact, he offered up his guest house when I told him I got a job in town.”
That sounded like Gavin. “Oh well, it’s no big deal.” Since he was already gone back to greener pastures, there was no reason to worry about informing him about our baby. My baby. “Anyway, welcome to Jackson’s Ridge,” I told her and produced my business card, the way I always did when I met new people. “If you need anything… oh, crap.” My pregnant brain finally put it all together. Zola Ross. Doctor. “You’re the new cardio fellow.” It wasn’t a question.
“That’s right.” She flashed a pretty smile before her brows dipped in question. “How did you know?”
I held my hand out and tried for a smile. “Suzie Wright. Hospital administrator.”
Her brown shoulders sank and her head fell forward. “Does this mean that whatever Gavin’s done has canceled my fellowship?”
I frowned at her question, wondering if this happened to her often. “Hell, no. You were the best candidate for the job and I picked you myself. I look forward to seeing you in action.”
That much was true, but I did feel like crying as I thought of just how tangled this mess with Gavin could become. His sister would be working for me, at JRMC, which meant keeping the pregnancy a secret from him was now an impossibility.
“Seriously, Zola, don’t worry about your job. As long as you perform well, you have a job. Your boss, my brother, is skeptical, but that’s only because he wanted to make the choice himself. I happen to think you’re going to be great for JRMC.”