Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Are you sexually active?”
“Um, yes.”
“We’ll do a pregnancy test, then.”
“I’m on birth control.”
“Still, just to be sure. Just another check on the form.”
Ten minutes later, I was back in the lounge, the blood drawn. Dr. Wilson had given me a sandwich from the fridge in the doctor’s lounge, insisting I eat it, along with a container of milk. “Better than the horrid coffee here.”
I sat down and nibbled on the sandwich and drank the milk, feeling better once I had consumed some calories. Remembering I needed to call Bane, I grabbed my phone, groaning when I realized I had no battery life left.
A nurse appeared and told me I could go up to floor four and wait. I headed up, hoping to find a charging station. Before I could inquire, I was allowed to see Dad, and I forgot about everything else as I followed the woman into his room. He was asleep, a nasty-looking bruise covering half his face, the bandage white against the dark discoloration. His arm was casted and in a sling, and I could see other bruises forming on his skin. I sat beside him for a few moments, watching his chest rise and fall in steady, even breaths. I held his hand, feeling how cool his body was, and I went to get another blanket to cover him.
I stayed for a while, then returned to the waiting room, unsure what to do. I was surprised when Dr. Wilson appeared and sat beside me. She looked serious.
“Is everything all right?” I asked, a new pit of worry forming in my stomach.
She took my hand. “I have some results, Magnolia.”
“And?”
“You’re pregnant.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
BANE
Iwalked into the office, needing two things. A sandwich and Magnolia’s smile.
I was agitated, grumpy as hell, and hungry. Magnolia would describe it as hangry.
She wouldn’t be wrong.
But I knew in ten minutes I would feel better.
Maybe a few kisses would help as well. I was certain I could persuade her.
Except, she wasn’t at her desk. Instead, one of the temps sat there, flipping through a magazine, not particularly concerned to be caught doing so.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“Tammy,” she replied. “I’m new.”
“Where the hell is Myers?” I snapped.
“She had to leave.”
“Why?”
“Personal reasons.”
I leaned on the desk, glaring at her. She shrank back a little. “What kind of personal reasons? Is she ill?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“I’m her boss. And yours. What reasons?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to inquire with HR.” Then as if to gain favor, she smiled. “She left you a sandwich in the fridge. I’ll get it for you.” She hurried away, and I went to my desk, already dialing Magnolia’s phone. It went straight to voice mail, and I left her a fast message. “Are you sick? What’s happening? Why aren’t you here?”
I sat down, puzzled. She’d been okay when I left for the meeting. She’d teased me about my sliver and purposely got me riled up. If I’d had time, I would have shown her who was boss fast and hard with my door locked. But the meeting I was attending was important, and the client hated to be kept waiting.
He also loved to hear himself talk and had taken up almost three hours of my day.
And to top things off, Magnolia was missing.
I called HR as I chewed a bite of my sandwich the temp had dropped off. Laura’s line went directly to voice mail, and the same thing happened when I called Jessica. Irritated, I called Rylee, interrupting her before she even finished her greeting.
“Do you know where Magnolia went?”
“Hello, Bane,” she replied dryly. “No. Is she not at her desk?”
“No. The temp said she left for personal reasons. I thought you’d know.”
“I haven’t spoken to her—”
I cut her off. “That’s HR on the other line.” I hung up. “Why is there some stranger outside, and where is Magnolia?” I snarled into the phone.
“Hello, Bane,” Jessica said in the same tone as Rylee had used earlier.
“Where is she? I tried calling, but it goes to voice mail.”
“Reception is never good in a hospital.”
I was on my feet in an instant. “Hospital? Is she okay? Which one?”
“Her father fell,” she replied. “She had to go be with him. I made sure she got there as quickly as possible.”
“Which one?” I repeated.
“St. Joe’s.”
“Thanks.” I hung up and rushed from the office, stopping by the desk out front. “I’m gone the rest of the day. Cancel my appointments and leave. Don’t touch anything.” I paused. “Anything.”
“Okay.”
I headed downstairs, hailing a cab and giving him the address. “There’s a huge tip if you make it fast.”
“On it,” he replied with a smirk and took off like a bat out of hell.
The whole way, I worried. Why hadn’t she called me? Did she think I wouldn’t care?
Was she all right? Was she alone? How was her father? I called her again, and it went to voice mail again.