Yet, she sensed it was more than that. On the few occasions she saw David, he seemed to look right through her without a hint of the warmth he had shown in the past. Even his messages were strictly professional. No prefacing his comments with ‘Ronnie, how are you?’ He just issued instructions like a drill sergeant. She felt hopeless, crushed, and like she’d lost her best friend.
Ronnie pushed through the emotional pain and continued to work late on evenings to ensure she successfully completed tasks for the M&A. The letter of intent and confidentiality agreement had been signed, and the process of due diligence had begun. This was a pretty intense aspect of the M&A that involved a lot of research and paperwork. Ronnie found herself working closely with the team to ensure that the review of public registers, annual reports, and financial statements was completed. Evenings, she updated her reports and scanned documents for the electronic filing system.
As Ronnie simultaneously buried herself in her work, battled her feelings for David, and mourned the demise of their relationship, something else also happened. She lost the will to eat.
She didn’t notice it immediately, but it became evident one day when Lei Randall cast her eye on her in the ladies’ room and announced jealously, “You’ve lost weight.”
“Really?” Ronnie said, thinking it was probably true since the pants she wore were fitting a little loose.
Lei rolled her eyes.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice. Are you on that new Military Diet? ‘Cause I was going to try that.”
Ronnie gave her the once over.
“What for? You don’t need to lose weight. You look fine.”
“You can never be too skinny. Look at you. Model slim. Does David Jones like his women super skinny? Is that why you went on a diet?”
Ronnie ran the lipstick tube over her lips and wondered if she should even dignify that comment with an answer. Then she decided she would.
“No. Actually, he likes them on the heavy side. So I would suggest that instead of going on a diet, you put some meat on those bones, girl. Grow a backside for Christmas.”
Lei Randall was rendered speechless as Ronnie left the ladies room.
Do not render evil for evil.
Ronnie bit her lip as the Holy Spirit convicted her.
“Sorry, Lord,” she mumbled.
In the next instant she heard a voice call out, “Ronnie!”
She glanced around. It was Bob Gershon. She waited for him to catch up.
“I haven’t seen you for a while. When I call you’re always too busy to talk, and on the few occasions I’ve visited David at the office, it’s the same thing. I can’t even get a smile.”
With great effort, she smiled. It didn’t stay on her face long, however. She really was not in the mood for conversation. She felt a little tired and wanted to get back to the office and have a seat and perhaps a cup of coffee. She felt as though she needed a shot of caffeine.
“Well, you know. The pace here is pretty hectic,” she said.
As she began to move away, Bob fell into step beside her.
“Don’t let Jones overwork you. He’s loaded. I’m sure he can afford to bring on more help if you need it.”
When they had reached the elevator, Ronnie pressed the button.
“I’m fine. It’s not more than I can handle. Now that he has won the election, I guess the real work is just beginning. Will you continue to play a role?”
Bob answered, “No, I’m just wrapping up things, helping him transition to state representative, and then I’ll be moving on to the next assignment. I’m going to Wyoming.”
“You did a great job. You must be so proud.”
Gershon nodded. “I am.”
She and Bob got into the empty elevator together.
“In the next eight to ten years I can see him running for President. I’d like to be on that train with him.”
Gershon’s words made Ronnie suddenly queasy. Was David really destined for the White House? It wasn’t that farfetched. He seemed to have overwhelming support as a state representative. He had received almost eighty percent of the votes. But if that was really his future, where did that put her? She had no desire whatsoever to be the first lady.
Ronnie blinked rapidly at her train of thought and was now more convinced than ever that she was ill. First lady? What was she thinking? How had that become a concern? The man didn’t even want her for a girlfriend, far less a wife, and here she was worried about becoming the first lady?
“You seem to do that often.”
“What?”
“Daydream. What are you thinking about now?”
“Nothing,” she replied as the elevator stopped and they disembarked. “What were you saying?”
“I was saying that the only thing standing in his way is that he seems intent on remaining a bachelor. He won the seat but do you know that he’s the only representative in Illinois without a spouse?”
Ronnie felt on edge. Why was Bob saying these things to her?
“I’d say that was his business,” she said.
“Not really. He’s not his own man anymore. He belongs to the public. He’s seeing Linette Laney. Hopefully, good sense will prevail, and he’ll make it official sometime soon.”
“Linette Laney?”
“Sure. She’d make a great political wife. I’ve met her. She’s quite charming.”
Ronnie rubbed the back of her neck.
They were now at Ronnie’s desk. She was very annoyed with Bob but didn’t know why.
She said testily, “Was there something you wanted or did you just want to say hi, because I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. I know you like basketball. I’ve got two tickets to a game on Saturday night, and I’m inviting you to accompany me.”
“As in a date?” she asked tentatively.
“Yes, of course. What else would it be?”
“Bob…” she hesitated. Things were getting a little more serious than she had thought. She had hoped that always being busy when he called would have turned him off. It seemed to have had the opposite effect.
She couldn’t tell him what she’d told Giorgio about her being in love with another man, though. She couldn’t risk him putting two and two together like Giorgio eventually had. Instead, she said something she reflected a minute later was completely irrational.
“There’s a pretty strict policy in this firm about personal relationships between colleagues.”
“What’s that got to do with me? I’m not your colleague. I’m David’s consultant.”
“I’m told it also applies to those types of relationships. It means between colleagues, consultants, clients. That type of thing…”
“I don’t even work for Jones Law!” he sputtered. “I’m not a client of this firm. In fact, my work for David Jones is, for all intents and purposes, over.”
Suddenly his eyes narrowed.
“Hey, is he the one who told you this? I bet he doesn’t want you to date me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you…”
Hope sprang in Ronnie’s chest. She straightened.
“You have?”
She saw a sinister glint reflected in Bob’s green eyes.
“Are you interested in him?”
“Of course not!” she denied vehemently. “He’s my boss. That would be inappropriate.”
She took a deep breath, battling fatigue.
“Bob, you’re a nice guy. I just have to be careful. I value my job.”
Bob visibly relaxed.
“Okay. That’s fine. But it won’t be a problem. I’ll clear it with David.”
Ronnie realized she was digging herself deeper into a pit by being dishonest. She was about to clear up things when David’s office door opened and out walked none other than Linette Laney.
Ronnie felt as though someone had literally pulled the rug out from under her.
David said, “So, I’ll pick you up at eight?”
“That’ll be
just fine, David. See you then.”
That accent was classic southern belle. How come she had missed it that night at the church concert? She had probably been too distracted by the woman’s blinding good looks.
Linette Laney smiled, nodded at Ronnie and greeted Bob by name.
Ronnie forced a smile to her lips and willed it to stay put at least until the woman was out of sight.
David glanced at her, and then he looked past her to Bob and frowned.
“Bob, I don’t remember us having a meeting.”
“We don’t. I came to see Ronnie.”
Ronnie was surprised. She thought Bob had been there for a meeting with David. She didn’t know he had specifically come to see her.
David quirked an eyebrow.
“That so?”
“Yes. I came to ask her out. She was concerned, though, that it might be against company policy. I told her I didn’t see how. I was hoping you would allay her fears.”
Ronnie saw David’s jaw tighten. He didn’t look too pleased. She felt very embarrassed. Suppose he thought she had brought Bob up there to ask for his approval? She wanted to tell off Bob for putting her on the spot like that. But, no, it was her fault for not being straight with him. She began to feel dizzy.
David opened his mouth, seemed to think better about whatever he was about to say and then took a deep breath.
He looked at her and said in clipped tones, “Bob’s not an employee of this company. You’re quite free to go out with him.”
He turned to Bob.
“Hope that helps.”
Bob broke out in a grin and Ronnie wanted to send all forty of his teeth down his throat.
“See. I told you,” he said.
“Anyway, Bob. There are some work-related matters I need to discuss with Ronnie. So, if there’s nothing else…”
“No. No. Ronnie, I’ll call you later about Saturday night,” he said, throwing her a wink as he backed away.
Ronnie shook her head and looked back at David. She now felt weaker than ever. She pushed Bob to the back of her mind and focused on a more pressing issue: the southern belle.
She followed him into his office. Much to her horror, the words poured out of her mouth before she could stop them.
“Was that your girlfriend?”
“Linette is just a friend. She attends my church,” he said watching her carefully.
Ronnie folded her arms over her chest. She suddenly felt a little chilly.
“That’s all? She was here to discuss church business?” she drawled.
David gave her a funny look.
“Are you alright?”
With great effort, she straightened her back and cleared her throat.
“I’m just fine, Sir.”
“Good to know. There are a few things I need to discuss with you before I leave for the evening.”
“Of course. Can’t be late for the date to discuss the church business.”
Uh oh. Had she said that out loud too? His expression remained unchanged. Ronnie sagged in relief. Seemed she’d only said it in her head. She collapsed into a chair. She was probably slowly losing her mind. She chalked it up to the combination of long office hours and her pitiful diet.
“I’m leaving on time this evening. I’m not feeling so well,” she said. Why did her words sound slurred?
A look of concern covered David’s face. Suddenly the room seemed to dance around her.
“Hey,” David exclaimed as he leaped up from behind his desk and gently grasped her upper arms. “You don’t look too good.”
She did feel feverish suddenly.
She closed her eyes for a second, willing the room to stop spinning. She heard him say, “I’ll be right back.”
Shortly after, he reappeared with a glass of water.
“Drink this.”
Ronnie took a few sips, grateful for the cool liquid on her tongue.
David took a seat beside her and peered into her face.
“What’s going on? You’re not working too hard are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
“Feel cold though.”
She really was feeling odd. She wrapped her arms around herself.
“Ronnie! What did you eat?”
“Didn’t really eat…wasn’t hungry…drank a shake.”
“For lunch?”
She nodded.
“Breakfast. What did you have?”
“Fruit. Apple.”
“Apple and a shake. That’s all you had?”
She nodded. She didn’t feel as though she could speak without chattering.
“What did you have yesterday?”
“Fr…fruit.”
“And what else?”
“Sh…shake.”
“A nutritional shake?”
She nodded.
“What are you trying to do to yourself?”
David stood. Ronnie drew up her knees to her chest, idly grateful she was wearing pants. She felt awful, suddenly, like she was going to die. She didn’t want to die this way. Not like this. Lord, help me. Please, help me.
She heard David speaking in urgent tones to someone on the phone.
He came back to her.
“I’m taking you to the ER. Can you stand?”
Ronnie nodded. She stood and her knees buckled under her. David snatched her up, and she found herself pulled into his strong arms. Under other circumstances, she would have wept with joy. On this occasion though, she was just grateful to feel the warmth of his arms around her. She wasn’t sure where he was taking her until the elevator doors slid opened. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest.
A short while later she could feel herself being seated in a vehicle. She opened her eyes and saw him pull the seatbelt of his SUV around her and race around to the left side.
They had driven for a while when she began to feel worse. She couldn’t stop shaking no matter how hard she tried and on top of the dizziness, she now felt nausea. She was sure she was going to die. Lord, if I’m going to die I need to at least tell him how I feel.
She opened her eyes and turned her head against the headrest to look at him.
He seemed focused on maneuvering through the traffic. She was sure they were traveling way past the speed limit. Irrationally, she felt happy to know he was willing to break the law if it meant saving her life. He beeped the horn several times, supposedly at an errant driver, and hit the steering wheel.
“Come on, come on,” he muttered under his breath.
He cast furtive glances at her, to check to see if she was still alive perhaps. She tried to be brave, to assure him she was fine, but she wasn’t sure she would be.
“D…David?” he didn’t look at her this time. She realized she had probably whispered his name. She cleared her throat and spoke louder. “D...David.”
He looked at her immediately.
“Yes, Ronnie?”
“I…I need to tell you…something…b…before I die.”
She couldn’t tell, but it looked as though the blood drained from his face. He shook his head vehemently.
“No. No, Ronnie. Stop it! Stop it right now! You are not going to die. You’re going to be fine. I called my doctor, and they are waiting to receive you. You are going to be fine. You’re going to be just fine.”
“B…but listen. Y…you’ve got to listen. I…I love you.”
He didn’t respond. Hadn’t she said it loud enough? The vehicle suddenly stopped, and hands rushed to take her out of the vehicle. She was placed in a wheelchair and taken into the cold ER and into a room. She heard someone ask David to wait outside. A nurse took her blood pressure, weighed her and then before she knew it she was being hooked up to an IV drip. After several minutes, David was allowed into the room.
“I feel cold,” she said to the nurse. “Can I have a blanket?”
The nurse, a kind looking older woman, shook her head.
“I can g
ive you a thin sheet. That’s all. You feel cold, but you’ve got a fever. We can’t allow you to get too warm.”
David asked, “What’s in the drip?”
The nurse replied, “Pain reliever and glucose.”
After the nurse had left them, Ronnie turned her head to look at David. He sat in the corner of the room not too far away from her bed with one ankle resting on the opposing leg. He smiled at her wearily.
“I still feel cold. Wrap me up,” she begged.
He shook his head sympathetically.
“I’m sorry. I can’t. You should start to feel better soon. The nurse told me your temperature has already begun to drop.”
Sure enough, several minutes later the shakes subsided and Ronnie began to improve. She felt more relaxed. David dragged the chair closer to the bed. He took her hand.
“How are you feeling now?”
She turned her head and smiled at him.
“Better. I think I’ll live after all.”
He released a deep breath like he had been holding it the whole time.
“Don’t even joke about that. You scared me big time. Don’t ever do that again.”
The doctor came in just then. He introduced himself as Dr. Graham.
Ronnie smiled weakly at him. “Hi.”
“I understand you’ve not been eating properly, young lady,” he said sternly.
“Who told you that lie?” she asked.
“Nutritional shakes and fruit do not make for a balanced diet.”
Ronnie looked down at the hands on her sheet.
“Is that why I got sick?” she mumbled.
“Your blood sugar levels were very low. The clinical term for your condition is hypoglycemia.”
She pursed her lips. How irresponsible of her. As a former athlete, she should have known better.
“David has promised me that he will ensure you eat properly every day from now on.”
“Yes, sir.”
She now felt fairly foolish. How ironic that the one who was the cause of her appetite loss was now the one tasked with ensuring that she ate.
After the doctor had left, David closed his eyes. He looked really tired. Ronnie looked at the clock on the wall. It was 10:10 p.m. Suddenly, she remembered something.
“David,” she whispered.
He opened his eyes as a look of concern crossed his face.
“Hmm?”
A Case For Love (Royals Series Book 3) Page 19