Page 53 of The Bossy Billionaire

“I think charging for coffee, doing the literacy program from the foundation, and increasing your staff to manage the store while you become more of a focus will be the turning point for Bloomers. I'm not going to lie; I think it will always be pretty tough. The book market in itself is hard, but with Harrison elevating the Rothschild name, with his campaign putting you and your store in the limelight, it is the ideal time to capitalize. I think this will increase sales, increase custom, and make you happier.” I watch her swallow as the information I just laid out sinks in a little.

I know that if her brothers had mentioned this, there would have been an argument, but now that I have spent time with her, seen all of her, her scar, her vulnerability, her fucking amazing body when it sinks on mine, she is more open to my suggestions.

“Just give it some thought. I know you don’t think you want to be, but I believe it is where you are meant to shine,” I tell her, squeezing her hand in mine.

She rests on my chest, taking a deep breath. The two of us sit quietly, letting the flames dance in front of us, hearing the soft breeze in the trees, and I start to wonder if the police don’t find something, how I am going to protect her when I don’t even know who I am protecting her from.

CHAPTER THIRTY - LUCY

“You know, it’s one of those things. You never really know until you get into surgery, but I have seen cases like yours before and a simple procedure is all it takes to lengthen the muscle a little and release some of the tightness. The muscles can then repair more normally, removing the constant pain and associated problems that you are having, or at least reduce them. So they may still be present, but will reduce in severity,” Hudson says to me from across the kitchen table.

I cup my hands around the mug of coffee before me and try to think clearly about it all. He and his son Harvey arrived earlier this week, and today, after a nice lunch and a play outside on the land, he now faces me at the dining room table.

“But it is surgery, right?” I ask, needing the clarification. He looks like Huxley, just an older version. He is extremely intelligent and well-spoken. Apparently professional business acumen runs in the family as well.

“It is, but nothing like you have experienced before. It is a simple in and out; it would take less than an hour or two, perhaps a two-night stay, and then some physio for a few weeks after. But you are already doing physio anyway, right?” he asks me, looking at my files again on his laptop. I had them sent to him this morning at Huxley’s request. His bossiness is way over the top this week as I continue to hide out on his ranch to get myself right while my brothers do God knows what to my shop.

“Yes. Already on a regular plan,” I tell him with a small nod, and the way he looks at me, he already knows that I skip sessions, which I know doesn’t help my situation.

“Well, think it all over. There is a great guy I know who can do it in New York, but he also consults in Baltimore. He can do it from the small private hospital in Baltimore,” Hudson says, smiling. Huxley has obviously already told him I don’t want to go back to the main hospital. I don’t even want to drive past that place. My body shivers unconsciously as my memories of the fire filter through my mind. I also think about who I can get to look after me during this recovery if I move forward with it. My stay in the hospital after the fire was a long one, purely because I had no help at home. In addition to living up a small flight of stairs with no real support system, it meant that I had to lean on the healthcare system a little longer than most. Thank God for insurance and a little money I had saved.

“Okay, I’ll think about it. Thank you.” I offer him a small smile as my insides curdle.

“I will email you the referral so you have it. It is totally up to you if you decide to go ahead, but there is no harm in visiting and getting the consultation. At least that way, you know more about it all and can meet the doctor who will be doing the procedure,” he says, and I nod quietly. Hudson is just as good-looking as his brother, and I am beginning to wonder what is in the water here at Whispers. Every man I have seen on this ranch is oozing testosterone and can melt underwear with just one look.

“What is my brother up to now?” I look where his eyes are focused out the window. We watch quietly as Huxley and his nephew play outside, Harvey giggling almost nonstop as Huxley picks him up by his feet and dangles him upside down.

“Your son is super cute,” I offer, my smile now more genuine.

“He is. His mom died not long ago, so it is just me and him. I work too much, don’t spend enough time with him. But he loves it here in Whispers, so I try to bring him every chance I get,” Hudson says honestly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know about his mother.” My heart breaks a little for both of them, as losing a family member is never easy. I look back out the windows and watch them both play. Huxley’s smile is wide, his face stress-free. He is purely in the moment. When I first met him, this is not what I imagined him to be like. I expected the corporate man, sitting high in his skyrise, looking at the city below like it is his playground, which I am sure he still does. But this. The quiet country sounds, the clean air, the relaxed pace. I feel like I have plugged into the electric socket and am being recharged.

“Yeah, losing a parent is never easy,” Hudson says, looking back at me. Don’t I know it. “But we are getting through it. Coming to Whispers helps us both.”

“Ever thought of moving back? This place feels kind of magical,” I ask, knowing that even though I have been here for mere days I already want to come back. It is so peaceful.

“Well, Harvey loves it here. Obviously, Mom and Dad are here, which would be a huge help. I like the idea of Harvey growing up in the same town I did. But with one small hospital, I am not sure they need my medical experience here,” he says honestly. He is obviously considering it, and I know Huxley would like to have him closer.

“Surely, there are accidents on the highway and ranch issues. I am sure the local medical community would love to have someone of your caliber here?” I say, because while it is obviously a small town, I know that medical assistance is needed everywhere.

“You sound just like Mom.” He smiles his white teeth and looks happy at the mention of it all. “So you and Huxe?” His eyebrows rise in question, changing the subject, and I can already tell he is trying to figure me out, stepping into protective older brother mode.

“He is my business coach. My brothers organized it,” I say quickly.

“The soon-to-be president?” he asks with a smile on his face.

“Yeah, that one.” My smile matches his, filled with pride.

“But you seem a little more than business associates?” he fishes, and I swallow.

“I like him a lot. But things are crazy right now, so we'll just see how things go.” I tell him the truth of our situation. Even though I have fallen hard for Huxley, I know that he is based in New York and after this week we both go back to our everyday lives. How we will fit into each other’s usual schedule is yet to be determined.

“Just whatever you do, please be honest with him. After everything with Amy, I don’t think he will survive someone he cares about leaving without a trace again.” Hudson sighs, looking slightly pained.

“We are just new,” I tell him again.

“He has fallen for you. I can tell. I guess you just need to ask yourself if you feel the same,” he offers. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say yes, so much so, my heart almost stops. But I can’t verbalize any of it yet. Everything has been perfect here, but once we get home, I know things will change. His life is in New York; my life is in Baltimore. Sure, the two cities are close but long distance is never easy. An image of Sandra filters through my mind, the words I have heard about Huxley being a playboy. This week so far has been amazing, but I don’t know what will happen when we go back to our normal lives.

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