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“Yes, something is wrong. You listen to me and listen good. You know I’m not a patient man, and I’ve had enough of this Darcy person and the talk that’s going around. Whatever it is that has you going over there nearly every night to see that woman won’t last.”
“Darcy is on her own and doesn’t know anyone in town. You can’t sympathize with that?”
“Don’t give me that bull. That may have been true when she first arrived, but she knows plenty of people now. I know about her working for Nick, and isn’t that supposedlywhyshe’s staying with Rosetta? As her companion?” he demanded pointedly. “She doesn’t need you babysitting her. Joss is—”
“Joss and I have discussed this, Harry, and she’s okay with it.” He couldn’t say thattheywere okay because they weren’t, but the last thing he’d do was discuss his suspicions with Harry. He wasn’t sure whom to confront first. Joss, Tobe. Or himself. Had too many hours working and his friendship with Darcy pushed Joss into Toby’s arms?
People cheat because they want to, no one makes them.
And before he could throw stones he had to take a hard look at what he’d done with Darcy last night. That factored in, too. Complicated things more.
“I don’t want you seeing that woman.”
“I’ll see whomever I damn well please.”
“Then you’re a fool. She’s taking advantage of you and you’re blind to it. Just like you’ve always been to Richardson hanging on to your family’s coattails.”
He left the subject of Toby alone. “Darcy hasn’t asked for a thing from me. If anything I have to make her accept my help because she doesn’t like charity.”
Harry growled. “I’ll prove to you what kind of person she is. All I have to do is offer her some money and you’ll see how fast she runs with it.”
He stood but didn’t move from behind the desk, knowing it gave him the position of power in the room. Two could play Harry’s hard ball. “Stay away from her. Darcy isn’t like that, and if you upset her, you’ll answer for it.”
“To who? You?”
He smirked. “I won’t have to say a word. Think my grandmother will let you get by with tormenting a pregnant woman in her care?”
“She needs to go.”
“Gowhere?Darcy can’t travel.”
“There are ways. I’llhiresomeone to drive her out of here if I have to.”
“Harry, I mean it. You keep your foul moods away from her. Upsetting Darcy could send her into labor.”
“If it means she’d leave sooner, that would be a good thing. Garret, fix this. You end it now or else.”
“What are you saying?”
“Do you really think your job will survive, treating my daughter this way? Think your brother will get that promotion if this continues?”
“Now you’re resorting tothreats?”
“Take it however you like,” the man drawled. “The gallery opening is in three weeks. The place will be crawling with reporters and people ready for a party, and I expect you to help give them one. Propose to Jocelyn beforehand and let the damn opening night of that nightmare be for something meaningful. After dragging her along for years, she deserves a special evening. In the meantime, stay away from that pregnant tramp or I’ll see to it you aren’t left standing.”
Garret watched Harry leave, all the anger and frustration inside him reaching critical mass. He was sick of this. Sick of the drama, the godlike haul-ass-and-get-it-done-now-or-else behavior Harry had displayed for the past couple years. Sick of it all.
He sat and stared out the window, not giving a flying leap about the supply lists or contracts on his desk, not even the one he’d worked so hard to get. He’d crashed and burned a long time ago, he just hadn’t wanted to face it.
“Deep thoughts for such a beautiful day.” Gram regarded him from the doorway, concern in her eyes. “I take it Harry is on another rampage?”
Normally he would’ve brushed her off with a smile, laugh and firm no comment, but he didn’t. He shoved himself upright, deciding Harry could review the contract if he wanted nurses working the hospital in the near future. “Want to go get some coffee?”
A smile lit her features. “I’d love to.”
Fifteen minutes later they were in a coffee shop off main street, the place mostly empty because of the time of day.
“Harry’s applying pressure, is he?” Gram murmured.
