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My staff and I tried very hard to make sure that there were plenty of opportunities to lift the kids’ spirits. One of our regular visitors had been a concert pianist, but she’d recently been invited to tour with a prestigious symphony, and no one blamed her for taking it. Then our storyteller’s first novel was picked up by a publisher, who wanted an entire series, so she quit to write full time.
“Yes. We’ve been bringing in people for a day at a time, but you know we like consistency.”
“Faith was having breakfast with Samantha’s sister, Eva. She mentioned to Faith that Bianca—who is fourteen, I think—does storytelling at the local library for the kids.”
“Doesn’t that happen during school hours?” I was only mildly curious because, so far, nothing he’d said had much interest to me. And watching Samantha cuddle a little toddler who’d tripped and scraped her knee was fucking riveting.
“From what I’ve heard, she’s wicked smart and already attending college. So she’s free from classes in the middle of the day, a few times a week.”
“You think I should hire her to read for the kids at the hospital and rehab?” It wasn’t a bad idea, and perhaps Samantha would visit her sister on occasion.
“I would, but that’s not really the point of this conversation.”
“Then get to it, would you?” I muttered. “I’ve got shit to do.”
“How are you so dumb that you didn’t think of this? I can’t believe I actually have to spell it out for you.”
“Rush, I swear to all that is holy, if you don’t fucking spit out whatever it is you are trying not to say, I’ll reach through this damn phone and shut your mouth for you.”
My friend laughed, making me scowl, even though there was no one there to be the recipient of my blistering glare.
“You just lost a musician. Bianca’s sister, and the woman you are hopelessly in love with, is a world-class violinist.”
He was right. I was a fucking idiot. It had been right in front of my face. “She loves kids and has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met,” I mused. “I bet she wouldn’t hesitate to fill the spot.”
“Exactly.”
“Fine,” I conceded. “You’re a fucking genius. I’m assuming that’s what you wanted to hear?”
“You know it,” Rush replied with a snicker. “Now just accept that my dick is bigger than yours, and we can live in harmony.”
“I wouldn’t want to make you feel inferior,” I drawled. “And I certainly haven’t had any complaints.”
“Or compliments,” he volleyed back. “When’s the last time anyone but you even saw it?”
“You first.”
Rush’s sex life wasn’t any more active than mine. Which is to say, not active at all.
Before he could respond, the bell rang in the background. “I gotta go. Good luck.”
“I think that’s my line. Stay safe out there.”
After we hung up, I checked the clock on my phone. I needed to be at the hospital in fifteen minutes, so I shut down my computer and tapped an app on my phone. After entering a password, those same camera feeds popped up on the screen. Another thing I owed my brother and Jamison for.
One of my drivers was waiting outside. Garrett held the door as I slid into the back seat of the car. He traded off with Nieson since one of them had to be on call at all times. They even stayed at my apartment in guest quarters when on shift because I’d had too many close calls when I’d been paged to the hospital, and there was an issue with public transit. There was almost always a chance I could catch a cab, but I didn’t want to chance “almost.” Besides, I knew my guys would get me there in the fastest possible time. They understood the urgency. A few extra minutes waiting on a train platform could mean the difference between life and death.
The drive wouldn’t take long, but I opened my cell and stared at Samantha as I mulled over my conversation with Rush. I needed to find the best way to approach this.
2
Noah
The perfect opportunity fell in my lap a few days later. One of the babies in the day care suddenly broke out in a nasty rash and was having trouble breathing. While calling for an ambulance, Blair had sent Samantha running to my door in hopes that I was there. Luckily, I’d arrived an hour before. I was in a meeting, but out of the corner of my eyes, I saw my girl dashing through the lobby toward my office.
“Carlos! Let her through!” I shouted to my other assistant, who also played the role of gatekeeper. “Excuse me,” I muttered to the man sitting on the couch by the window. He was there to discuss a possible research grant, but nothing was more important than my baby doll.
