I wave back at him, then turn around and go see what I can get accomplished with my boss. Hopefully, with all of the other miracles, I’ll get the change in my schedule I’d like to have.
“What has happened around here?” Paul asks me as we meet in the hallway. “Have you heard all the wonderful news?” His eyes go right to my left hand and he takes it, looking at the monster on my finger. “Delaney Richards, are you going to get married?”
“I am. On New Year’s Eve. Right in our little chapel. You should come,” I say, then take my hand back. “And what about these miracles? Have you ever seen anything like this?”
Walking beside me, he says, “You know, I read about a thing like this once. It wasn’t on Christmas and it wasn’t all in one day. It was a week, and thirteen children’s test results suddenly changed. All of them got better during that week. It was a rare case.”
“So, we are the new rare case, I assume.” I skip a couple of steps, as I feel light and overjoyed. “And we get to claim a part in history!”
“I’m sure there will be people wanting to interview Blaine. He’s the common factor in all of the children. Even Meagan Sanders, in a way. He was banned from her room, but she was one of his original group he made frequent visits to. And now he has your hand in marriage too. Well, he gets what he wants, doesn’t he?”
“I suppose he does,” I agree.
“Did you ever read that article that was written about him a couple of years ago?” he asks me. I shake my head. “It was written by a man who he ran out of business with his super stores. The man claimed to have seen Blaine coming out of a building that was a known place for Satan worshipers. He made claims about Blaine selling his soul to the devil to earn his wealth.”
My father has thought that for a while too. But I didn’t know there was an article. And I have no idea if what the man who wrote it said is true.
Could Blaine have really done such a thing?
Chapter 4
BLAINE
Leaving the chapel, I can hardly wait to find Delaney and tell her my news. Making my way to the nurses’ station, where I think she’ll be, I find myself feeling like I’m floating on air.
When I see her talking to her boss, I see her frowning and have no idea if I should interfere or not. So I wait and watch her as her arms go up. She goes a bit red in the face, then she slams her fist on the counter top, and I decide I should see what’s up.
Moving in behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist. “What’s up, buttercup?”
Her boss looks kind of testy, then snaps, “She’s not getting her way. That’s what’s up. And if you think I’m about to give her special treatment over the other nurses, you’re mistaken.”
“Oh, I see.” I had no idea it would be so hard to get a set shift for her. “There’s more than one hospital she can work at. You sure you won’t reconsider?” I ask the woman, who just seems kind of grouchy. She’s not normally like this. It makes me think something is wrong.
“Are you telling me she’ll quit if I don’t concede to her demands?”
Delaney looks mad as hell. “They are not demands. I’m being more than fair. I said I’ll do the remainder of this schedule for the month of December. That’s pretty nice of me, considering I have a wedding to plan. I’ve got double and midday shifts that will take up my time for getting things done, but I’ll do it and not make things hard on you or the other nurses. But the new schedule should have me on the first shift and only five days a week.”
“Monday through Friday,” I add. “No weekends. You do realize she doesn’t have to work at all, right?”
“Yes, I heard she’s going to be Mrs. Billionaire. So why even keep working, Delaney?” she asks, and I see it in her eyes. It’s the green-eyed monster also known as jealousy.
“I love my work,” she says. “But Blaine’s right. This isn’t the only hospital to work in.”
“Have him buy you one, Delaney. Then you can make your own schedule. A couple of hours each morning and let the rest of the staff work the hard hours. When did you stop being a team player?”
“She’s on my team now,” I say and pull Delaney back with me. “If you won’t make the next schedule the way she asked, then leave her the hell off of it.”
Delaney is not saying a word. Her body is tense, and I feel terrible about asking her to do this. Everything was great up until this point, and I feel like it’s my fault.
“I think we should get home now. Terry and Colby changed their baptism time to later in the evening. There’s no reason to wait around. Your parents will be here in a couple of hours, and I’d like you to be mellowed out by that time. This little matter …”
She cuts me off with a glare as she stops. “This is my career. Not some little matter!”
“I’m not saying it’s not important. I know it’s important to you,” I tell her and pull her along so we can get out of the hospital and to the truck where no one can eavesdrop on our conversation, which is sounding more and more like an argument.
“Well, I may not be able to have things the way you want them to be.”
I wait until we get outside, then I say, “You shouldn’t allow your career to be defined by one place. Your career—your passion—can be done anywhere. This is not the only place to be a nurse. And that woman in there is just jealous of you and the money you’re marrying into. She shouldn’t even be a boss.”
The walkway has been covered with snow again that hasn’t melted off yet, and I find it slippery. “They should’ve thrown some salt on this already. Come on, let’s go back inside and get some or someone’s going to get hurt.”
As I turn around to go back, I feel her hand slipping in mine and yank her up before her ass hits the ground. “Oh!” she shouts as I pull her back up.
“See? Damn! You were nearly hurt!”
As we go back into the hospital, I hear a voice, and my name is coming out of some woman’s mouth. “Yes, that’s right. I remember that article on Blaine Vanderbilt. The one claiming he was into Satanism.”
Fury explodes inside of me. I can’t believe people are bringing up that old article written by that crazy old man!
Delaney looks at me with a nervous expression on her pretty face. “Don’t worry about that, Blaine.”
That’s easier said than done. I know all too well how things can get out of hand with rumors. And right now is not a time I’d like shit like that to be thrown around. Not with Delaney’s parents here in town for the week!
How is it that you can do so many good things and it doesn’t overshadow the stupid or bad shit you’ve done?
The truth about what happened in the warehouse is that I was there to make a deal. Not with the devil per say, but the person I dealt with was, indeed, an evil man. And I knew that. But I bought the clothes from his connection anyway.
Young children were used in the factories that made those cheap clothes. Women were used too. All the employees worked under horrible conditions, and I made money on that torture.
And that did make me an evil man. I’m making a change today that will help me on my new path. The right path. What makes me mad, is that no matter what good I do, it’s the bad I’ve done that will follow me.
A helpless feeling comes over me—a feeling I shouldn’t have on this day that’s so full of miracles. Delaney asks the lady at the reception desk, “Do you happen to have any salt back there for the sidewalks. Mr. Vanderbilt is worried about people slipping and getting hurt. We’ll put it out if you have some.”
She retrieves a bag of it and hands it to me. “Here you go, Mr. Vanderbilt. How nice of you.”
I know she overheard that woman talking, too, and I find it hard to look into her eyes. “Thanks,” I say as I take the bag from her.
“Mr. Vanderbilt?” she asks, making me turn back around. “Don’t listen to what anyone says about that thing that happened a couple of years ago. Who cares about that? I’ve seen you do a lot of good recently. That’s what matters in this life. There’s not one
of us who hasn’t done things that are bad in one way or another. Don’t let it get to you. You’re a great man and getting greater all the time.”
I look her in the eyes and find a smile on her face that lights her pretty, brown eyes up. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
She nods, and we go to sprinkle salt over the slippery surface of the sidewalk people have to use to get into and out of the hospital. Delaney pats my back as I move along it. “Blaine, you really can’t let things like that get into your head.”
“I know,” I tell her. “I talked to the preacher while ago, and he told me where I can get a marriage license. He also told me he was available the whole day of New Year’s Eve to perform the ceremony.”
“Good!” she says with a huge smile. “Thanks for taking care of that.”
“I also will be coming back up here tonight with my family, if they want, and with you and yours, hopefully. I’m going to get baptized.” I look back at her and see her eyes shiny with unshed tears.
“Really?” she asks as she reaches out for me.
“Yes.” I put the bag of salt down and hug her. “Have you been baptized?”
“I have,” she says. “When I was ten. But if you want me to, I’ll do it again with you.”
“You would?” I ask, as I didn’t think about that. But it would be special. “I’d love that.”
“It’s a good idea, anyway. I was too young to really know what that meant then. Now that I have a real faith that resides in me, I’d like nothing more than to renew my devotion to our Lord and Savior with you, my soon-to-be husband.”
Placing a light kiss on her rosy lips, I say, “And soon-t0-be father of your children.”
She blushes and pulls out of my arms. “We have so much to do. Hurry, let’s get this finished and head home. I can’t wait for my parents to get here.”
Hurrying to clear the sidewalk, I finally get it all done and place the empty bag in the trash can as we head to the truck. Helping her up into the tall truck, I see my future in her green eyes and know that, no matter what, we’ll make it through this life together.
Climbing into the truck too, I find my phone going off with a text and read what my sister has written. Can I bring Randy with me today?
“Seems my sister has found a date. She’d like to bring him today.”
Delaney claps her hands. “Yes! Tell her yes, Blaine!”
So I type back in the response and text my brother next. Kate’s bringing a date. You should, too, or you’ll feel left out.
Starting the truck, I pull out of the parking space to go back out to the estate. When my phone dings with his reply, Delaney picks it up and reads it to me, “Already have one. You remember the sexy elf from the costume rental, right?”
“I knew it,” I say as I pull onto the road that’s beginning to get a little slippery. “Damn, they need to de-ice these again too. What a cold day we’re having here in Houston!”
“It feels weird, doesn’t it?” she asks as she puts my phone down. “It’s like a wonderland. One that can’t possibly be real. I keep thinking I’m about to wake up and find this entire thing is just a dream. Including you, Blaine.”
“I hope it’s not,” I say as I pull onto the freeway and find it a little slick too. “Damn it! Would you call the sheriff’s office or something and tell them the roads need to be de-iced again? This is ridiculous!”
“Okay,” she says as she looks up the number on her phone. “Should you pull over?”
“No, I’ve got great tires and this is four-wheel-drive, but not everyone has this. And if you look behind us, you’ll see a car has just slid off to the side of the road. Report that to them too.”
The snow begins to get thicker, and I can see the makings of a real disaster. I hope this wonderful day doesn’t end in tragedy. This started out as the best Christmas ever, after all.
“Hello, this is Nurse Delaney Richards, and I’d like to report a vehicle that’s slid off the road on Interstate 10, near mile marker 112. There’s ice on the roadway and the snow is beginning to fall harder. So it’s time to de-ice them again.”
“I’ll send an officer to the area. Thank you,” the dispatcher says, then the call is over.
“That’s about all we can do, Blaine,” she says as I take our exit off the highway and find this road is worse than that one was.
“We are in for a slow ride, baby. I hope this clears up by the time your parents get to the airport or they’ll be sitting there for I don’t know how long.”
“Can’t you get them out in a helicopter? Your place has ample room to land one.”
“They won’t fly in the snow. If there’s a break in it, I might be able to get my neighbor down the road to go get them. Max Lane has a badass machine and he’s got tons of experience flying. Maybe I should call him to be sure he can do it, though. It is Christmas, after all.”
“Do you know how cool that would be to fly them to the estate in a helicopter? Blaine, you have to ask him to do it. Offer him some money to entice him,” she says.
I laugh and say, “He won’t take my money. He’s got enough of his own. But he might not want to risk it. He’s got a wife and kids. But I’ll see what he says.”
Making the call on my speaker system, I find him answering, “Well, Merry Christmas, neighbor. How’s it going?”
“It’s better than I ever expected. I got engaged last night.”
“No way! You’ll have to bring her by to meet the missus. Lexi can help her acclimate to being the wife of a rich man,” he says. “What’s she do?”
“I’m a nurse. My name’s Delaney Richards.” Delaney answers. “Hello, he has you on speaker, Max.”
“Hello to you too, Delaney. It’s nice to see my friend and neighbor has met the woman for him. It’s about time. He’s been all work and no play. I’ve invited him to every one of my gatherings, and he’s always been way too busy.”
“Well, I’ll make him go to the next one. It’s important to know your neighbors,” she says.
“That it is. We have an extensive friend base and adding a new couple sounds great. You two planning on a family anytime soon?” he asks, and I knew he would because he and all of his friends began having kids from the get-go, once they married.
“We do. Your kids will have friends down the street before you know it,” I tell him. “I’m calling because Delaney’s parents are flying into the airport on a private jet and the car ride is pretty treacherous right now. I don’t suppose you’d like to fly your helicopter over and pick them up for us? I know it’s a little more than the typical favor neighbors do for one another—not exactly a cup of sugar or an egg or two.”
“Sure thing,” he says without any hesitation. “When they get there, call me, and I’ll check the weather and the radar. The trip there is only ten minutes. It’ll be a snap to get them to you guys. Have you told them the news yet?”
“Not yet, so don’t let it slip, Max,” Delaney says. “And thank you so much. I’m a nurse, like I said, so if you, your wife, or any of your kids get sick, you can call me and I’ll come see if I can be of help.”
“Cool,” he says. “Will do. Give me a call when they touch down.”
“Wow, a helicopter pilot as our next-door neighbor,” Delaney gushes. “How cool is that? Mom and Dad are going to freak. I can’t wait!”
And with one little phone call, I’ve made her day even better. This is getting a little too easy!
Chapter 5
DELANEY
With the snow still falling, I’m getting increasingly more worried about my parents getting stuck at the airport. Kate and her date, Randy, as well as Kent and his date, Tiffany, managed to get here, thanks to their four-wheel drive vehicles. But the jet had to land at a small airport in LaGrange to wait for the snow to stop in Houston.
“It looks like we have a few trays of appetizers, Blaine. Roxy made a ton of food.” I pull the tray of cut-up veggies and dip and place it on the counter top. “Maybe you could ta
ke this tray out to them and take a bottle of that white wine too. I feel terrible for making them wait even longer to eat, but I still have a bit of hope mom and dad will make it here within the next couple of hours.”
His lips touch my cheek, and I feel an instant heat deep inside of my stomach. All his sexual attention last night, this morning, and even when we got home from visiting the kids at the hospital has my libido overloaded.
Fighting the urge to turn to him, wrap myself around him, and take that sweet kiss and turn it into more, I slide the platter to him and turn to take the other trays out of the fridge. Those have to be heated.
His chuckle as he takes the tray and leaves me alone in the kitchen lets me know he saw the reaction I had to his innocent kiss. And, damn the man, even his chuckle sounds sexy as hell to me right now. I think the man has put me in heat, like some kind of animal!
Turning the oven on to 425 degrees, like Roxy’s directions, which are taped to the top of the aluminum pan full of tasty looking little savory treats, state, I turn back to see what the directions are on the other tray. My cell phone rings and I see it’s my mother. “Mom, how’s it coming?”
“The pilot said we’re taking off again. How’s it looking there?”
I peek out the window over the sink and see the snow has lightened up. “It’s a lot better. I suppose the pilot must’ve seen an opening in the weather if he’s going to make a break for Houston. I’ll let Blaine know you’re headed there now. He’ll have his friend pick you guys up, if the weather permits. You may have to sit a while in the airport. I’m sorry about this. I wish the weather was cooperating. But it is beautiful out here with the snow.”
“We wanted to tell you not to hold your dinner for us. We can eat leftovers. It’s not a problem,” she says, sounding chipper about it.
But I know my mother, and she’s not one to be an inconvenience to anyone. “No, we’re waiting for you guys. I’ve just started to heat up a couple of trays of appetizers and have set out a vegetable platter for our other guests.”
“How many are there?” she asks, sounding worried. “I don’t want a bunch of people waiting on us, Delaney.”
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