A Friendly Arrangement

  If only he realized what he would be missing by not knowing his child. Even if he didn’t want to pursue anything more with her.

  She lifted the lid of her laptop and read the email from the women’s shelter one more time. That one little email had changed so many things in her life. Not only had they offered her a permanent paid position as their virtual assistant—effectively solving her job dilemma—they’d confirmed her belief that Roth had a huge, giving heart. He’d make an excellent father, if he’d just open up and give himself the chance.

  One of the first official jobs the shelter asked her to do as their newest paid employee was to design a flyer that would be mailed out to their supporters. The flyer advertised a beautiful daffodil necklace designed by Roth. All proceeds from each and every sale went straight to the shelter.

  The special project he’d been working on and hadn’t shared was finally revealed. Her heart swelled with love and respect, even though that same heart throbbed in pain.

  In the distance she heard her phone ring. “Moonlight Sonata” filtered up from downstairs and filled the air around her.

  “Roth.”

  She’d programmed that song to play whenever he called. Her pulse raced, and she closed her eyes against the lightness filling her head as she rushed toward the steps.

  On the third ring she reached the middle of the stairs. Her eyes flew from the phone she could see on the counter to the array of paint cans and pans along the side of the steps. She didn’t want to miss his call. What if he didn’t call back or answer if she called him back?

  She lifted her weight up and off the steps by leveraging her hands on the railings to hurdle over the brushes and paint cans on the next couple of steps. Just as she swung her legs in front of her, her arm gave out.

  The next few seconds went by in a blur. A sharp pain jarred her spine as she fell directly on the paint cans, hit the wall with her shoulder, and tumbled down the steps, taking all the paint supplies on the stairs with her. Her head hit the last post, and a searing pain shot through the back of her head and across her shoulders before she landed on the tiled floor below with a solid thud.

  In what might have been several seconds or minutes—she couldn’t tell for sure—she tried to push herself up. Silver dots danced in front of her eyes, and she thought she would puke, so she eased her head back down to the floor and let out a lungful of air. She needed to get her bearings and her strength, but her entire body ached, and she groaned as she tried to turn to her side. For some reason it took every ounce of energy she had.

  Holly pressed her fingers to her throbbing brow and pulled her hand back when it connected with a warm liquid. She squinted at the red on the tips of her fingers until it sunk in.

  Blood.

  Her surroundings grew blurry, and she closed her eyes again, her breaths coming in slow pants. Her chest hurt. Her back hurt. Her head freaking pounded. She needed to get up, but everything was too heavy. Too hard.

  She’d just rest her eyes. Gain some strength. Only for a minute.

  She opened her eyes to someone yelling her name. Was that Alex? Andrew? Her dad?

  All of them? She tried to say something, but even that took too much effort.

  The commotion of voices filled her head, and she moaned, trying to block out the sound by covering her ears, but she couldn’t even lift her arm.

  So many sounds. People moving around. Her head throbbed. Hands touched her, lifted her, and she groaned.

  “My baby,” she whimpered.

  Someone squeezed her hand. The reassuring touch soothed her enough so she could let go. Give herself over to their care. She felt tears on her cheek. And then everything went black.

  Roth paced back and forth in front of his living room windows as a feeling of dread settled across his chest. He stopped and leaned his head against the cool glass, closing his eyes as the tap, tap, tap of rain hit the panes.

  The last twenty-four hours had been pure hell. Pure hell he deserved for what he’d put Holly through.

  He sighed, pressing his forehead harder against the glass, seeking a reprieve from the burn scorching his skin as he relived the last day.

  The moment they’d landed in North Carolina yesterday he’d walked straight to the ticket counter and booked the first return flight home. He’d had to settle for an early morning, even though he’d argued with the representative that he’d pay whatever price. There hadn’t been any earlier flights available.

  He hadn’t slept a wink that entire night, refusing to leave the airport so there’d be no chance he’d miss his flight.

  The moment he landed in Grand Rapids, he’d taken a taxi home and had gone straight to Holly’s. He’d let himself in when she hadn’t answered, but she wasn’t there. Not only did it look like she hadn’t been there in a few days, but it looked like she’d left in a hurry. A couple of her dresser drawers were open and the contents pushed around in a mess. The basket on her bathroom vanity was missing several of her toiletries. She’d even packed her Keurig.

  Now that he was home, it didn’t do him any good that he’d come to terms with everything that had changed in his and Holly’s lives if he couldn’t find her. He needed to tell her again that he loved her. More than anything. He needed her to understand that he’d been afraid but would deal with it. He needed her to know he needed her. Wanted her.

  Hell, the thought that she carried their child, and he’d be a dad in eight short months, actually thrilled him. Gave him something to look forward to. All that alone time on the plane after his conversation with Devi had settled that score. He had no doubts.

  The more time he had to think, the more he realized he’d do whatever he could to make her happy and be the best damn father in the state. The country. Hell, why not the world?

  He only hoped he wasn’t too late. He clutched the cell in his palm until the metal bit into his flesh and then pushed himself away from the window. His plane had landed a little after noon, and he’d called Holly so many times since then he’d worn his thumbprint into the buttons on his phone.

  Where the hell was she? Why wasn’t she answering?

  He’d try one more time, and then he’d track down her sister. Parents. A brother or two. He needed to see her.

  A sense of foreboding settled around his heart and dug deep into his chest. Something wasn’t right. Holly would never not answer, no matter how mad she might be. She’d at least send him a text telling him to get a life.

  He rubbed the side of his neck and punched her number into his phone again.

  “Yeah.”

  Roth’s heart stopped at the voice on the other end of the line—the male voice that sounded beyond irritated, a bit worried, and arrogant as hell.

  He gripped the phone until his knuckles hurt. “Who is this?”

  “Andrew.”

  Roth’s shoulder’s relaxed, and he swiped his hand through his hair, smiling up at the ceiling one minute, then frowning the next. Why was Andrew answering Holly’s phone?

  He opened his mouth to ask just that, and Andrew cleared his throat.

  “Listen, Roth. There’s a lot going on right now. I’ve seen all your calls and planned on calling you back when I had answers, but…”

  “But what? What the hell is going on? Where’s Holly?” He’d finally come to his fucking senses, but was he too late?

  A silent pause filtered through the receiver, and he pressed the phone to his ear, as if that would make him hear Andrew’s thoughts.

  Andrew blew out a long breath of air. “Listen, man, I don’t know all the details of what’s going on between you and my sister, and the only reason I’m telling you this is because she’d want you to know, and because you’re the father of her baby.”

  A weight settled across Roth’s body until he couldn’t move, barely breathe. “What’s going on?”

  “There’s been an accident. We’re at the hospital and…”

  Roth’s blood rushed through his ears, and every word Andrew uttered sounded
far away. As if he shouted through a tunnel.

  “Is she okay? Where are you? The baby?” The fear of being a father had nothing over the fear wrapping around him now. His chest ached as he struggled for air. His legs shook with so much force he had to brace himself against the wall.

  “We’re not sure. They’re running tests. She must’ve fallen. I found her at the bottom of the stairs at the cottage…”

  Roth slid down the wall until his butt hit the floor. Fell. Hospital. Tests. None of the words he wanted to associate with Holly or their baby.

  He’d been such an idiot. They’d only been apart for a week, but he already felt like he’d missed so much. And guilt consumed him at the same time. What if they hadn’t fought? Would she have stayed home instead of going to the cottage? Hell, she’d probably have gone with him to North Carolina. She’d never have fallen down the steps. Or been rushed to the hospital.

  “Where…what hospital?” He sprinted across the living room and grabbed a sticky pad and pen from the drawer, frantically writing down the information Andrew gave him over the phone.

  “It’ll take you about ninety minutes to get here. Use your GPS or you’ll never find it,” Andrew said.

  “I’ll find you, and it won’t take me ninety minutes. I’ve been such an ass. I don’t want to lose her, or the baby.”

  “Roth, just arrive in one piece. You won’t do her or anybody any good if you get in an accident.”

  Even though Andrew was right, that didn’t stop the urgency pumping through his veins. Ninety minutes would be a lifetime.

  Through the receiver he heard several excited voices and lots of movement that was suddenly muffled. Andrew must’ve covered the mouthpiece with his hand. He held his breath, hoping to make out a few words, but he couldn’t.

  “Listen, man, I gotta go. See you soon?” The stress in Andrew’s voice sent a new round of panic through him.

  “What’s going—”

  “Gotta go.”

  “Wait,” Roth begged.

  “Make it quick.”

  “Take care of my girl.”

  “I will. And, Roth?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m glad you fucking came to your senses. Now drive carefully.”

  The call ended, and Roth took a deep breath. He tried to keep calm as he grabbed his car keys and the large teddy bear he’d bought at the airport to give to Holly, even though his heart pounded in his chest so fast it hurt. He closed his front door and locked it, trying to keep a sense of calm.

  “Fuck it.” He fisted his keys and hugged the bear under his arm as he raced down the hall, avoiding the wait for the elevator by taking the stairs two at a time. No way in hell could he take his time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I’m okay. Geesh, get off me.” Holly laughed as her entire family crowded around her for a group hug the moment the nurse tech locked her bed into place. Even though her temples still pounded and she’d endured a couple of stitches on the top of her head, she loved their attention. She fought back the swell of tears that made it hard to swallow. There was no better feeling than being loved.

  If only Roth—

  “The tests are all normal?” Grams asked. “You only have a few bruises and stitches and nothing more. Right?”

  Holly nodded above the rush of bodies covering her.

  “We were so worried.” Hailey hung her arms around her neck as if she’d never let go. “I’m so glad you’re okay, and the baby, too.”

  “Love you, sis. You gave us a huge scare.” Alex tousled her hair, taking care to avoid the stitches.

  Mia bent forward and dropped a kiss on Holly’s forehead, lightly tracing the side of her face as she tucked her hair behind one ear. Tears glistened in her eyes as she opened then closed her mouth. No words needed to be said.

  Holly locked eyes with Andrew as he stood off to the side. They’d always had a close relationship, and they shared a special smile. Her heart warmed at the concern mingled with relief on his face. He mouthed the words “I love you,” and she did the same.

  Andrew had been the one to find her. He’d managed to keep his cool and get her help, even though the sight of finding her on the floor had sent him into near panic. At least that’s what Hailey had told her as she waited with Holly outside one of the exam rooms earlier. The love she felt for her family grew tenfold. They would still drive her crazy, but a good kind of crazy.

  Grams pushed her way through the crowd and patted Holly’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay, girlie. I’m glad that baby is okay.”

  “Thanks, Grams.” Holly followed her grandmother with her eyes as the older woman moved to the chair in the corner of the room and plopped down, sighing loudly as she got herself settled.

  “You gave us such a scare, young lady. Thank goodness we sent Andrew up with a plate for you.” MaryAnn stood close to Holly’s bedside, biting her lip and then waving her hand in front of her face to dry the tears threatening. “I can’t even think what would’ve happened if you’d lain there all night.”

  “She’s fine, Ann.” Her father pulled his wife against his side for a hug and kissed her temple gently. Their closeness always comforted Holly, and she loved that her dad was the only one her mom allowed to call her Ann. Over the years she’d recognized it as his way of using an endearment, just like others used honey or sweetheart.

  “Stop it, Mom. You’re going to make me cry again. My emotions are a roller coaster already with this pregnancy.” Hailey dabbed at her eyes as she plopped onto the edge of Holly’s bed. Blake came up beside her, resting his hands on her shoulders.

  “Both of you stop.” Holly swiped the back of her hand across her cheek as a few tears escaped.

  “You people need to get a grip. The girl’s okay. Leave her be before you suffocate her.” Grams grunted and shook her head. “Now that the commotion is over, I’m going to rest my eyes. This is too much for an old gal like me.”

  Everyone laughed, and MaryAnn rolled her eyes. “You need a nap.”

  “That’s what I said, isn’t it?” Grams snorted.

  MaryAnn turned her attention back to Holly. She ran a shaky hand over her kempt hair, and instantly her face sobered and her chin quivered. “I still can’t stop thinking about—”

  “Stop, Ann. She’s okay.” Holly’s dad drew his wife into the circle of his arms and held her tight, murmuring something into her ear. The tears that Holly controlled a moment ago resurfaced, and she swiped the back of her hand across her cheek. Someday she wanted a love like that.

  Yes. The girl that didn’t want commitment now did.

  But only if her other half were—

  The door swung open so hard it hit the wall. Roth burst into the room and skidded to a halt as all eyes landed on him.

  Holly gasped, and she wasn’t the only one.

  Under one arm he held the biggest stuffed animal on the planet, and the moment his frantic gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on Holly the teddy bear fell to the floor. Mia grabbed it and hugged it, rocking as her eyes darted back and forth between them with a satisfied sparkle.

  Roth’s blue eyes softened, and that amazing smile spread across his face. Complete with dimples.

  The hope that Holly hadn’t allowed to grow spread through her and warmed her from the inside. Had he finally come to terms with the changes in their lives? Would he be in her life? Their baby’s?

  He must’ve, or why would he be here? And why would that look of panic, pain, and love be written so intensely on his face?

  She pressed her hand to her chest, and the room went still. The full throb that had pounded against her temple all day evaporated.

  Their eyes clung to each other, and then Andrew cleared his throat, causing a slight rumble among the others. “I think these two need a little privacy.” From there the shuffling of feet and fading grumbles filled the air as everyone filed out.

  Before she could speak, Roth gathered her in his arms. “I know I told you before, but damn it, H
oll. I love you. I love you with all my heart. So much I can’t imagine a life without you. Without our baby. I was an ass. I promise—”

  She pushed at his chest until she could see his face. “You’re rambling, Roth.”

  He grinned. “See. We’re so close I’m even adopting your habits.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as he squeezed her tight. His smell calmed her, and she sagged against him, wrapping her arms around his middle.

  “Tell me you love me, Holl. Don’t torture me,” he whispered in her ear.

  “What about the other woman?” she mumbled against his chest.

  “What other woman?”

  The door creaked, and she heard Suze, Hailey, and her mom talking in hushed tones. Then Alex’s voice boomed across the room telling them to quit being so nosy.

  “Get out of here.” Holly shooed them away as she peeked around Roth’s shoulder. The concern on their faces tugged at her heart, but she’d missed Roth. The fact he was here spoke volumes. She needed to hear what he had to say. They needed to have that talk they’d never finished.

  The door slowly closed, and Holly turned to Roth.

  His brows drew tight. “There’s no woman.”

  “The beautiful dark-haired woman. She was at your house and…” Her voice faded away as his brow cleared, and he smiled.

  “You must be talking about Devi.” The look in his eyes melted her heart. They were bright, soft. He’d never looked at her like that before. Like he worshipped her. Adored her. Missed her. Loved her.

  “Omar’s Devi?” The tightness binding her chest fell away.

  He nodded, and from behind him several fluttery “awws” and “oohs” came from the peanut gallery as Mia almost fell through the door from the weight of the crowd pressing in behind her.

  Roth kissed Holly on the forehead. “I’ll be right back.” With purposeful strides he made his way toward the door. Suze quickly pulled it shut, and he shoved a heavy chair up against it.

  Holly grinned. “Remember, there’s strength in numbers.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed and held her hands. “Let them try.”