Page 55 of Landen

His tone turnedsober. “I need you.”

“Landen-”

“I know it’snot fair to be saying this to you, but I need you so damn much.”

“You are goingto make me start bawling down the place. I am giving you time to dowhat you have to do.”

“Tell me youwill be there for me.”

“I am here foryou. If you meet someone or if you decide that it’s prudent foryou to marry that- that person-”

“Don’t!”He said sharply. “I can never be with anyone else, and I thinkyou should know that.”

“I would not beable to bear it.”

“Do you think Iwould hurt you like that? Hurt us that way?”

“The distancemight change the way you feel.”

“Please don’tbelittle my love for you. It pains me when you do.”

“I am sorry. Iam trying to pick a fight with you so that I can convince myself thatyou are not worth this pain that I am feeling.”

“Is itworking?”

“No. I stilllove you.”

“And I loveyou. Tell me about work.”

Chapter 11

No matter how much hetried to put a positive spin on the matter, it was not working. Hehad gone into the corporate office and met with the board.

Profits were up, andthe morale of the staff members had taken a beating because of thenews about their CEO’s condition, but after the meeting, theyhad been assured that nothing had changed and that it was business asusual.

There had been awrong moment during the board meeting when the questions had beenthrown at him.

“Is it yourplan to leave again?” A longtime member had asked during alull.

“No.”Landen had clipped.

“We askedbecause you have been known to take off suddenly.”

“I am here now,am I not?” He had asked coolly, hating that these old men weresitting there casting judgment on him. He was more than competent torun the company and was not some idle wealthy heir who sat on his assand spent a fortune jet-setting around the world. He made hiscontribution.

But the questionabout him leaving was bothering him. He had not discussed the futurewith Tessa. He had half-heartedly suggested she accompanied him here,but nothing more than that. He had not factored in his father’sillness or the fact that he would be thrown into the position as headof the company and the family this suddenly.

He had no idea whathe was going to do. He spoke to her daily to keep the relationshipalive, but he did not know what else to do. And now he was at themanor for dinner.

“I have invitedthe Pendleton’s.”

He had been standingby the window with a drink one of the maids had poured, hisexpression pensive. His mother’s remark made him rigid, and heturned slowly to face her.

Margaret Chapman haddressed for dinner, wearing a chic lime green skirt suit with a greenand white scarf around her neck. Her thick dark hair was piled on herhead, and pearls glistened at her throat and lobes.

Landen was notwearing a suit. Ever since his travels to the States and his informaldinner with Tessa, the idea of dressing up just to sit down for ameal had become ludicrous. He had seen the disapproving look on hiskhaki trousers, casual blue cotton shirt, and sports jacket. He wasnot even wearing socks.

“Why wasn’tI warned?” He looked at his sister and her husband accusingly,but they gave him blank stares, indicating they were unaware of theextra company.

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