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“Good. Now stop brooding. Daddy will calm down soon.”
He wasn’t so sure. At least not without a major concession on his part. Maybe he should ask Joss tonight? Get it out of the way?
There you go again. That’s nice and romantic.
“How is Darcy?” Joss asked, matter-of-fact. “Daddy said she went into labor again.”
He’d bet that wasn’t all Harry had said. “From the stress.”
“Poor thing. Be honest, was Daddy involved?”
He blamed himself for upsetting Darcy, but Harry certainly hadn’t helped. “Some. Anyway, she’s stuck in town until the baby’s born now. Ordered not to travel. If she can handle it, she’ll be able to work. Nick’s hired her on at the gym.”
“That’s great.”
It was. If he didn’t think too much about Darcy putting her hands on other men.Whythe thought of that bothered him was a question he couldn’t answer.
“Garret, if you want to check on Darcy, don’t let Daddy’s temper stop you. Go right ahead.”
He cleared his throat. “That’s very understanding of you.”
“She’s pregnant and alone in a strange town. I can’t imagine being that way and having no one. It’s…sad. I understand why you feel the need to watch out for her—you’re the one who found her that night. Now, I’ve got to go make myself presentable before you get here. See you in a little bit.” Murmuring goodbye, she hung up.
Garret set the receiver on the base, his thoughts focusing on what Joss had said about Darcy. He was concerned about her, worried. Responsible. Maybethatwas the source of his interest in her?
He grabbed his briefcase from the floor behind his desk and started to fill it only to pause. Harry had come in that morning with nothing in his hands, gone home the same way. Right or wrong, Garret had been performing Harry’s job in a lot of ways of late. Anger surfaced. Harry had no right to terrorize the hospital with his tantrums, and he needed to learn the consequences of his bullying.
Garret mentally quelled the rising tide of guilt and self-imposed responsibility, and determinedly returned the briefcase to the floor. Nodding to himself, he grabbed his keys and coat and headed toward the door, feeling very much like a kid playing hooky from school.
Maybe it was time to not be so ready to step in. Time to back off and let Harry appreciate him a little more. Time to make some changes.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER Garret sat across the table from Joss at his uncle’s bar and grille and thought of all the reasons she was perfect for him. Joss could play the socialite when expected, be charming and poised. She could also laugh at herself on occasion, and she was a smart, astute businesswoman. So why didn’t he ask?
She looked up, her fork raised halfway to her lips. “Something wrong?”
“I’m proud of you. You’ve done an amazing job on the gallery.” Her lashes lowered, but Garret thought he saw a flash of resentment.
“Thank you.”
“What?”
Joss stared at him blankly. “Pardon?”
“Don’t give me that. You’re angry. Why?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Obviously it’s something.”
She lowered her fork to her plate and gave him a benevolent stare. “How do you know I’ve done an amazing job? You’ve barely set foot inside the gallery. I didn’t say anything because I don’t want to fight.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“I know.”
“Your father’s my boss and not an easy man to take.”
“I know that, too. How about we talk about something else? Your mother said the cake recipe for Rosetta’s birthday party is divine.”
