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“How can you possibly think that, Charlotte? It won’t be the case at all. In fact…” Kate gave her a hug, while whispering, “I’ll leave you with a secret, if you can keep it…”
32
“It’s something we will definitely talk about later,” Kate told Charlotte.
Who anxiously, if not somewhat greedily, encouraged, “Do tell!”
Though there was no one in earshot, Kate kept her tone low and conspiratorial. “Jude and I got married. It’s a secret for now.”
Kate released her and backed away.
“Oh, my God!” Charlotte gasped and pressed her hands to her chest. “You lie!”
“True fact.”
Charlotte’s cornflower-blue eyes lit with excitement—and genuine delight. “That is too, too perfect, Kate!”
Kate held a finger to her lips. “Our secret, remember?”
“Of course. But…ohh, do I want to hear the details!”
And Kate found she looked forward to divulging them.
Yet there were more dire matters on her mind. “We’ll talk soon.”
She and Jude left Charlotte in the foyer, knowing she’d need a few minutes to collect herself before she returned to the group—and didn’t spill the beans.
“You couldn’t resist shocking her, could you?” Jude asked as they crossed the deep porch.
“I trust her to hold this close to the vest. She’ll be thrilled for days to know something no one else does. That ought to more than make up for us having to cut out early on her, don’t you think?”
He chuckled. “Hell, I think Charlotte, herself, would cut out early, if she could. I don’t see her playing the demure housewife in this new marital scenario. Denny might be in over his head.”
“I love a spirited Stockman,” Kate said, happy to finally have some family camaraderie. Though…her brothers—Denny included—had not demonstrated their typical disapproval of Kate going against the grain. And that was a fascinating tidbit she’d mull over on the flight back to Mexico City.
She and Jude reached the awaiting Town car in the circular drive and the chauffeur opened the door. Their bags were already stowed in the trunk.
Before the car even pulled away from the grand entrance to the Kensington mansion, Kate turned to her new husband and said, “My ring, please.”
Kate was dying for him to slip it back on her finger.
“Katie!” The tiny voice came from down the hallway.
Sophie was in her arms moments later. Kate held her tight as the little girl cried. Tears burned Kate’s own eyes, but she murmured in Spanish, “It’s okay. Jude and I are back. I told you we’d only be gone one night.”
She comforted Sophie for a long spell, until the child merely sniffled. Then Kate stood. Nikki had joined them. As Sophie wrapped her arms around Kate’s leg as though she never intended to let go, Nikki told them, “There’s not a trace of Nico in this hospital. Literally. No electronic health record, no order to take him for a CT scan, no—”
“What about the doctors and nurses who’ve treated him?” Kate asked.
“That’s what I’m telling you, Kate. They’re nowhere in sight, not on the floor, in the OR or the pit, not answering pages…they’re not even on schedules. Past, present or future.”
“That’s impossible.” Kate’s gaze narrowed on her friend. “What the hell…?”
Jude gently took Nikki by the arm. “Let’s talk privately.”
Kate collected Sophie, lifting her up and carrying her down the hallway to a vacant conference room where Jude closed the door behind them.
“It’s insane,” Nikki blurted.
