The Billionaire's Christmas Miracle (Sweet Billionaires 3)

by Lorana Hoopes

  He ended that call and dialed another number. “Manuel, get the car ready,” he said as he hit the hallway. He had a woman he needed to find and offer an apology.

  Chapter 20

  “Can’t we go any faster, Manuel?” Drew was sitting beside him in the driver’s seat instead of in his usual seat in the back.

  “I’m sorry, sir. The snow is bad. I’m going as fast as I can.” Manuel’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly in a perfect three and nine formation.

  “I know, I don’t mean to pressure you. I’m just worried about her.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the rest, sending a prayer up to his newfound savior. Lord, help me find her. I can’t lose her like this.

  “Mr. Devonshire, we are here, sir.” Manuel was shaking his arm. Drew opened his eyes. Had he fallen asleep?

  “Do you see her car?”

  “No, but it is hard to see anything. The snow is getting worse. The news station said it is near blizzard conditions and that we should stay off the streets.”

  “All right, Manuel, let me see if she’s in there. I’ll be quick if I must, but I have to explain.”

  Manuel nodded, and Drew pulled the door open. A wall of white greeted him, and the snow whipped and tugged at his coat. He shut the door behind him and carefully made his way up the walk to Gwen’s apartment. “Gwen?” He pounded on the door. “Gwen, if you’re there, please let me in.”

  Behind him, the door of the apartment across the way opened. “Yo, man, I don’t think she’s there. She left like an hour ago and ain’t been back since.”

  “Thank you,” Drew said. If Gwen wasn’t in her apartment where would she have gone? Carrie. Drew hurried back to the limo and pulled out his cell phone when he was back in the warmth. He hadn’t thought he would ever call her, but he was glad he had gotten her number.

  “Hello?”

  “Carrie? It’s Drew. Is Gwen there?”

  “No, I thought she was with you. Didn’t the two of you have a date?”

  “We did, but there was a miscommunication. If she calls you, will you let me know?”

  “Of course. Should I be worried, Drew?” He could tell by the sound of her voice that she already was worried.

  “I don’t know yet, Carrie, but pray. I’ll call you if I find anything out.”

  He hung up the phone and stared at it. Now what did he do?

  “Sir?”

  “Hang on, Manuel, I’m thinking.” Drew closed his eyes again. He needed help of the omniscient kind. His lips moved slightly as he prayed for wisdom and guidance to find Gwen. Then his eyes snapped open. “Go back.”

  “Back where, sir? To the hotel?”

  “Yes, like you’re going back to the hotel, but we won’t go that far. Just go slowly.”

  Manuel nodded and eased the limo out of the parking lot. They started back the way they had come with Drew hollering out a turn now and then. “Right here.” “Left at the next street.” Drew had no idea where they were going, but he could feel the words in his bones.

  Suddenly, he sat up straighter and pointed. “There.” Ahead of them, they could just make out the flicker of something in the snow. Drew noticed the darkened houses on either side of the road. Someone had hit a power line, and he knew, he just knew it was Gwen.

  Sure enough, a few minutes later, her car came into sight. The car was pinned underneath the fallen power pole. “Call 911,” he said to Manuel before sprinting out of the car toward Gwen.

  A live wire flashed and jumped on the street and Drew gave it a wide berth. He was relieved to see the pole had missed Gwen when he reached the car, but they would still need the jaws of life to get her out. The pole had crushed the passenger side around her and mushed the dash, so it was pinning her thighs.

  He yanked on her door, but it was no use. Her window was a spiderweb of cracks, so Drew jammed his elbow into the upper right corner. The glass shattered inward, falling on Gwen like iridescent drops. He hoped none of them would cut her, but he needed to know she was still alive.

  “Gwen?” He reached in and felt for a pulse. There, but just barely. “Gwen? Can you hear me? Help is on the way, okay? Stay with me. Help is on the way.”

  Her eyes opened the tiniest bit. “Drew, what are you doing here?”

  “Shh.” He patted her hair. “Don’t talk. I came to apologize. What you saw wasn’t truth. It was staged to make you run.”

  “How did you find me?”

  Drew shook his head. “I don’t know. I followed a feeling.”

  The corners of her lips twitched as if she were trying to smile. “I think that might have been God talking to you, Drew. Now do you believe he exists?”

  Drew chuckled. “I do, Gwen. I accepted him earlier today. I was going to tell you tonight.”

  “That’s good,” she said and then her eyes closed again.

  “Gwen?” He didn’t want to shake her. He had no idea if she’d injured her neck. “Stay with me, Gwen.”

  The blessed sound of sirens reached his ears, but they could not come fast enough for Drew.

  Chapter 21

  “How is she?” Carrie cried as she rushed toward Drew. Knowing she would be worried, he had called her as soon as the ambulance took Gwen away.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know yet. The doctor hasn’t said.”

  “What was she doing driving in the snow? Didn’t she know the storm was hitting tonight?”

  “I don’t think anyone knew it would hit that quickly,” Drew said, avoiding her original question. He didn’t want to tell her Gwen had been trying to get away from him even if what she had seen had been a lie.

  “Mr. Devonshire?” Drew and Carrie both turned to the approaching doctor.

  “Yes, I’m Drew Devonshire. Is… is she all right?”

  “Physically, yes. She was very lucky the pole missed her. She’ll have some bruising on her chest and legs from the impact, but that’s not our main concern. Does Gwen have family we should notify?”

  “Gwen’s parents are dead,” Carrie said in a small voice, “and she hasn’t seen her foster parents in years. We’re her family.”

  The doctor looked from Carrie to Drew. “Well, our bigger concern is that she isn’t waking up. It could be that her body is just in shock, and she’ll come out of it soon, but we don’t know for sure.”

  Carrie sobbed and buried her face in Drew’s chest. Instinctually, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Thank you, doctor. Please keep us informed if anything changes.”

  “I will.” The doctor nodded before turning and walking back down the hallway.

  “Drew, what are we going to do? I can’t lose my best friend.” Carrie’s voice was muffled as she cried into his chest.

  He led her to the seating area and pulled her down next to him. He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “Carrie, I don’t believe God brought Gwen and I together only to have this end in tragedy. She has had too much sorrow in her life, and she deserves some happiness.”

  Carrie sniffed. “Yes, she does.”

  “So, we pray, and we sit with her. Why don’t I take the first shift? You should go and check on Tabby, especially since Gwen might be here for a few days.”

  Carrie nodded and wiped her cheeks. “Right. I can do that, and I’ll close the shop tomorrow, so I can sit with Gwen.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.” Drew stood and pulled her up beside him. “Drive home safely please.”

  “I will, but Drew, you better call me if she wakes up.”

  “I promise,” Drew said. He watched Carrie exit the hospital into the blinding snow before collapsing back into the chair. He did believe God had plans for them, but it sure was hard to trust that right now.

  “Drew Devonshire, I want a word with you.”

  His head popped up at his mother’s voice. What was she doing here? How had she known where he was? Knowing his mother, she had pinged his cell phone. He certainly wouldn’t put it past her. “Mother, what are you doing here? Have
n’t you done enough?”

  “Done enough?” she asked. “What exactly have I done besides look out for you?”

  He glared at her. “Do you not know, Mother? Gwen was in an accident after she fled the hotel. She’s in a coma now, so I hope you’re happy.”

  His mother reeled back as if punched in the stomach. “She’s… but she’s going to wake up, right?”

  “They don’t know, Mother. They have no idea if she’ll wake up again. Do you know the life this woman has had? No, you don’t because you never bothered to get to know her. She lost her parents when she was twelve. She had a foster father who locked her in a closet. The one man she let get close to her proposed and then she found out he was cheating on her, and still this woman wears a smile. She became a teacher to help children like herself. She donates time and money to local foster care charities. She may not be wealthy monetarily, but she is rich in so many other ways, Mother, and you could never be bothered to see that.”

  His mother’s hand covered her mouth and she sank down in a chair. For a moment she sat there, as if letting the words sink in. “Drew, I am so sorry. You’re right. I judged her without knowing her, and I can see now how very wrong I was.” She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Please, tell me that you’ll forgive me.”

  Drew wanted to snap at her, to tell her that he would never forgive her, especially if something happened to Gwen, but the sermons the pastor had been preaching on forgiveness resounded in his mind. He knew he had to forgive his mother. It was what God said, and it was right, but it wasn’t easy. “I’m trying to, Mother. With the help of God, I’m trying to, but when Gwen wakes up, you will apologize to her as well. And if, after that, you don’t want to be around her, that’s your choice. But I am choosing Gwen, and you will either accept this relationship or we will part ways.”

  She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Drew couldn’t remember the last time he had seen her cry, but he wasn’t going to let that affect his decision. “I will, Drew. I haven’t been the best example, but I’m going to change, and I will make this up to both you and Gwen.” She stood and pulled her shoulders back. “I promise.”

  Drew hoped his mother would make good on that promise, but he didn’t care right now. Right now, he just wanted to see Gwen, to hold her hand, and to pray.

  Chapter 22

  Gwen tried to open her eyes, but they felt glued shut. And her body ached everywhere. What had happened?

  “Hey, don’t move too much.”

  Was that Drew’s voice? Drew. Suddenly, the memories came flooding back. Drew proposing to his ex, her running out, and the car spinning out of control. She must have crashed.

  It took all her energy, but she forced her eyelids open. The room was hazy, and she found it hard to focus. Then a face appeared in her vision. “Drew, what are you doing here?” Her voice came out soft and raspy. How long had it been since she had spoken out loud?

  His face was still mostly a blur, but she could make out his smile. “Are you kidding? I’m never leaving your side again.”

  “But Sarah-”

  He shook his head. “Sarah was never real. Avery made her up to scare you away. She also sent the flowers and the note.”

  “Why?”

  “She needed you out of the way, so she could try to entice me to marry her. She wanted my money. Evidently, she lost all of hers when she went to Europe. We had dated briefly before she left, and I guess she thought we could pick up where we left off. I don’t know what happened to her while she was gone, but she is certainly not the same woman she was when she left.”

  Gwen let all of this sink in. She had left the hotel thinking that yet another man had betrayed her when it was really him who had been betrayed. Still that didn’t explain why he was at the hotel to begin with. “Avery said you were working late. Why were you at the hotel?”

  Drew’s face fell. “I’m afraid my mother was in on some of this scheme too. She didn’t want me falling for a girl with no money, so she hired Avery to get rid of you. She came to me the night of the benefit and told me I could keep my half of the fortune if I attended one final benefit. I was trying to save the jobs of my employees, so I went.” He grabbed her hand. “I called you though and left a message. Did you never get it?”

  Gwen shook her head slightly. Pain still pounded in her head like an orchestra of hammers. “No, but Avery came over that night and did a makeover on me. I was in my room for a few minutes. She could have done something to my phone. Then she packed my bag. I thought that was odd at the time, but I never bothered to check it. Was my bag in the car?”

  Drew’s eyes dropped to the floor for a moment. “Gwen, a power pole hit the car. It barely missed you. Shortly after they got you out, a spark from a downed line touched the gas that must have been leaking and the car went up in flames. They couldn’t get anything else out. I’m sorry.”

  Gwen closed her eyes. She didn’t care about the car. Not really. It was old - a 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage - but it had been paid for, and she couldn’t afford to take out a loan on a new one, especially as she was missing work. Work. Her eyes popped open. “Drew, how long have I been here?”

  Another side glance and his hand raked across his stubbled chin. Two sure signs it was longer than she hoped. “A week. You hit your head pretty hard and were in a coma.”

  “A week?” The words came out barely more than a squeak. “Do I even still have a job?”

  “Of course, you do. I went there myself and explained the situation. That Carol in your office is a big fan of yours.”

  Gwen managed a small chuckle. “She’s just glad she finally knows who the flowers were from.”

  At that, Drew let out a deep laugh. The chocolate tones of it tickled Gwen’s ears. She could get used to that laugh. “I feel like you told me, Drew, but how did they find me? It sounds like it was close.”

  Two lines of concern creased Drew’s brow. “You don’t remember?”

  “Guess not.”

  “I found you, Gwen. You spoke to me in the car. I thought you’d remember.”

  “Wait, you found me? How?”

  Drew’s smile widened, and a light danced behind his eyes. “I think God told me. I accepted him that morning and was going to tell you that night. When I found out what my mother and Avery had done, I had Manuel drive me to your place, but you weren’t there. I called Carrie, but she didn’t know where you were either, so I prayed. On the way back to the hotel, I heard- no, I felt directions in my head. Those directions led us straight to you.”

  “That’s amazing, Drew.” Gwen had thought he seemed different. Lighter, more smiley. This news explained it. “Tabby. Did someone take care of Tabby?”

  “Don’t worry. Carrie’s been cat sitting dutifully. Now, if you feel up to it, you have another visitor.”

  Gwen wasn’t sure she felt like more visitors. She still didn’t know the extent of her injuries, but he seemed so excited that she couldn’t say no.

  “Promise you’ll hear her out,” Drew said as he headed for the hallway.

  Gwen didn’t like the sound of that. Surely, he hadn’t brought Avery here. She knew the Bible preached forgiveness, but she was going to need a little time. But it wasn’t Avery who walked in. It was Jacqueline, and contrite didn’t begin to describe her appearance. The haughty expression was gone from her face, replaced with what appeared to be genuine concern.

  “Hello, Gwen.”

  “Jacqueline.” She better have something good to say because as far as Gwen was concerned, she wasn’t much better than Avery. Who hired someone to get rid of their son’s girlfriend?

  “I’m glad you agreed to see me.”

  “Well, in all fairness, I didn’t know it was you.” Stop it. Ephesians 4:32 filled her mind, and Gwen knew she needed to forgive Jacqueline as God had forgiven her.

  “Yes, I suppose that’s true. I came here today for a few reasons. The first is to tell you how truly sorry I am. Money and my place in society had become my idol. D
rew’s been helping me see the error of those ways.” She flashed a tight smile Drew’s direction. “I should never have tried to separate you. He cares for you a great deal.”

  She paused as if waiting for an acceptance of her apology, so Gwen gave what she could. “Thank you, Jacqueline. That means a lot.”

  The woman twisted her hands together in a nervous gesture and then reached into her bag. She withdrew a small green box with a bright red bow. “I know Christmas is still a few days away, but I wanted to give this to you now. I hope you’ll accept it.”

  Gwen took the present. Curiosity outweighed her dislike of the woman, and she opened the lid. Inside was a key. She looked up to Jacqueline. “I don’t understand.”

  “Drew told me the accident totaled your car, and I feel responsible for you crashing that night. I’ve already taken care of all your hospital bills, but I knew you’d need new transportation. This is a key to your new car. I wasn’t sure what you would like, but Drew mentioned something about a Mini Cooper.”

  Gwen smiled as she touched the key. That conversation had happened over lunch one day. They had ventured into a topic of their love for all things British, and Gwen had told him of her secret desire to own a Mini Cooper one day.

  “If you don’t like it, I can have it returned, but-”

  “I’m sure I’ll love it, Jacqueline.”

  “Oh, good.” Her hands twisted together again. “I have one more thing then. I’d like you to spend Christmas with us. I know I messed up Thanksgiving, but Drew and I have bonded over the last week, and I’d like to make it up to you.”

  Gwen nodded, her heart warming. If Jacqueline was acting, she was putting on quite the show. Gwen was much more inclined to believe the woman was changing or trying to at least. “I would like that.”