Page 95 of The Rented Bride

Trent refolded the paper. “I’m really sorry, Cassie. I can’t begin to imagine how this complicates things for you.”

She snorted. “My mother is a devout Catholic—never mind Grandma Rosa who’s from the old country.”

Trent hadn’t forgotten the suspicion in her brother’s eyes. He released a breath. “I’ll take the blame for this right down the line. You can tell your family I cheated on you with Lindsey.”

Her head whipped in his direction and he started at the shock written on her face.

“It’s not true. I wouldn’t do that to you. But adultery would give you grounds for divorce.”

She turned her head and stared out the window.

“Cassie?”

She nodded. “Yes, adultery will do the trick.”

She acted as if he had cheated on her. Maybe, in a way, she felt he had. After all, he’d asked her to marry him the very day he’d broken up with Lindsey, placed the ring he’d purchased for Lindsey on Cassie’s finger. Their relationship was supposed to be business. The ring, the proposal, the timing shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. And he couldn’t stand the hurt in Cassie’s eyes.

“Cassie, I never meant for this to happen.”

She didn’t look at him.

“I don’t want you to—”

“We don’t have to talk about this.” She shifted and met his gaze. “How is James?”

Pain sawed through his heart like a dull knife. “Not good. Annie called an hour ago.”

Her expression softened. “I’m so sorry. Had I known.…” She sighed.

“You would have accepted my call.” He gave her a wistful smile. “I know. I’d already been to your house and your mother’s house. This was my last stop before I headed for the airport.”

“How long will it take us to get there?”

“We’ll be at Brettonwood before dinner.”

Her brow furrowed and he knew she was thinking the same thing he was: Will it be soon enough?

***

Cassie did everything she could think of to keep from crying on the flight to Vail, including praying. She begged God to allow them to get to Brettonwood before James died. Every minute the phone didn’t ring only increased her anxiety. Until they walked into his room and saw him smile, she wouldn’t be able to relax. And things would only get worse after that. Maybe James’ health wasn’t as bad as she and Trent thought. Maybe they would arrive to find him sitting up in bed, revived after a bad episode, as had happened the night of his party. Annie would be furious, for James would surely have brought on the episode by overexertion. Maybe he would be around for another week, another month….

Trent said little during the four-hour flight. She could see the pain in his eyes, but had little comfort to offer. She couldn’t imagine being on the way home to watch her mother or father die or, worse, worrying that she wouldn’t make it in time to say goodbye. Dammit, if Trent had stayed in Colorado, he would be at his grandfather’s side now. If he hadn’t come to Miami, he wouldn’t have been at the hotel, wouldn’t have come to her room, wouldn’t have been in her bed. But he had, and they would have to get past the fact they’d slept together. But she wouldn’t so easily get over the fact that she’d fallen in love with him. And she knew him well enough to know he would never forgive himself if he didn’t reach his grandfather’s side in time.

At last, they landed and rushed to the limo with Henry at the wheel.

“James was holding steady when I left, sir,” Henry said.

Trent nodded, but Cassie could see that the worry lines around his mouth had deepened. The closer they got to Brettonwood, the tighter Cassie’s stomach knotted. She would be able to do nothing to help as Trent stood by and watched his grandfather die.

They reached Brettonwood. Trent shoved open his door and jumped from the limo. Cassie didn’t wait, but opened her door and fell in alongside him as he hurried up the walkway. They reached the door and he opened it, allowing her to precede him.

“Go,” she whispered, stepping aside once they were inside the foyer. Trent rushed ahead, taking the stairs two at a time. He paused half way and glanced back to her.

“I’m right behind,” she said.

Gratitude flashed in his eyes, then he turned and raced up the stairs. Cassie reached James’ room a moment later and found Trent sitting on the mattress beside his grandfather. She halted. God, they were too late! James lay motionless and Trent grasped his hand, his head bowed. Annie stood at the foot of the bed with another woman, who had a stethoscope hanging around her neck.

James stirred and turned his head on the pillow. Their gazes met. Cassie’s heart broke. Physical, crushing pain ripped through her and weakened her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He smiled gently and his lips moved, but she couldn’t hear him.