Page 4 of Her Heart's Desire

No, I can't do that. And with that reminder, chugging my drink, I head to the bar.

Because it's time to forget this day.

And him.

Chapter 3

Silas

Leaning back in my chair, I take a sip of my scotch going over the events of the day. It was a long fucking day. Even if it's only five in the afternoon, it feels as if it's ten at night. Randall kept going on and on the whole time he took me around the building. We spent hours going to every department, meeting every single employee, whether they were a doctor, a nurse or a member of the administration team. It was exhausting and so mundane.

Well, until I saw her. Placing my glass back down on the desk and rubbing my temples, I try to stop the headache that is forming. Tomorrow is going to be even worse, even more work.

Closing my eyes, I see the image of the second woman that has ever caught my attention. Kimberly's long, dark blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail, showing off her heart-shaped face. Still a small thing, only coming up to my chest. Even in her purple scrubs, a color that complimented her dark brown eyes, I could tell that she had an athletic body I wouldn't mind exploring. She was the best part of the day. Seeing her again was like a breath of fresh air, almost as if I could finally take a deep breath. When my wife died, I never thought I would want anyone else ever again, but then Smith brought her to dinner one night. Like an angel sent to earth just for me.

When I had bought the hospital, I didn't know she worked there. For the last seven years, I've tried to keep my thoughts away from her. When Randall came to me and told me how the town of Rose Valley couldn't afford to keep the hospital going if they didn't figure out how to privatize it. I jumped right away. My businesses basically run themselves now. It was time for me to find a new challenge. Everything has been about survival since I became a widow, but last year I knew it was time to get out of my rut. I thought that would be the hospital, but now I'm wondering if fate had other ideas.

When Smith brought her to our home seven years ago, I instantly felt the attraction to her. But it had only been a year since my wife passed. I wasn't ready to move on. Still drowning in grief, Kimberly would've ended up being a fling, and she isn't fling material. No, she's forever. So I made sure I kept my distance.

Besides, she was dating my son. I couldn't be the reason something else was taken from him. Not only was I not prepared to date, but I didn't want to jeopardize my relationship with him it's always hung by a thread. His mother was the one who kept us together as a family. He would have severed that thread if I had acted on my attraction then. And even though I know he would've eventually gotten over it, pulled his big boy britches up and dealt with it, she would've felt guilty, and I didn't want her to feel that burden. Watching them, I knew it wouldn't last long. He never treated her the way she deserved, only keeping her around for show. If he wasn't ignoring her and putting hockey first, he was yelling at her about something that she'd done.

Seeing her again after all these years felt as if I had been struck by lightning. When she saw me standing there, a smile came to my face. It was priceless, like a little doe caught in the headlights.

When Randall asked how we knew each other, it'd pulled me from the fog enough to answer. When she ran away from me, I couldn't keep my gaze from her ass as it bounced and jiggled down the hall. But that will be the last time. My little doe will never need to run from me again.

Once she was out of my sight, it was hard to focus again. Randall had many questions, most of them about Kimberly, but thankfully I was able to distract him. No one needs to know anything. Though he did drone on for ten minutes about how upper management and employees couldn't be together. A conflict of interest, blah, blah. But what he doesn't realize is that I don't care.

Downing the rest of my scotch, I start to form a plan. How I can make my little doe mine.

Only Mine.

Before I make any type of move, I need to let my son know that it's time for me to start dating again. He knows I've been with other women, but they've only ever been flings.

This is something we'll need to talk about in person. Grabbing my phone, I dial Smith. Thankfully, he picks up after the first ring, "Hey, Dad. What's up?"

"Hey, Son. I have something I would like to discuss with you. Are you available for dinner tonight?"

"Uh yeah. I have practice until seven but can meet after that."

"Perfect. I'll have Luna place an order for us, from that Thai place you like."

"Awesome. See you then."

With that, I feel as if my future is looking up. Returning to the paperwork, I pull up the budgets for each department within the hospital. The first thing we need to do is see where we can trim the fat, so to speak. When I first started working in the corporate world, my first job was at an accounting firm. At a younger age, I was known as "The Slasher," and as ridiculous as that nickname was, it's what I did. I came in and slashed down the company's budgets with no remorse. And even though the hospital has a lot of things they could work on to improve their profitability, this is where I'll start.

"Sir, Smith is here, and I've left the takeout in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Luna." Glancing up at the clock, I'm surprised it's already seven thirty. Shit, I got lost in the budgets and what I could erase. An uncomfortable conversation with the board is coming and I'm not looking forward to it.

It's been a long day and I'm thinking this conversation with Smith is going to be even more draining. Walking out of my office, I hear Luna and Smith talking in the kitchen and I make my way to them. They both look at me as I enter. Luna gives me an encouraging smile. She knows more than anyone how volatile my relationship with my son can be.

"Sir. I'm going to head home. I'll see you tomorrow at the office. Goodnight. Nice to see you, Smith." Luna excuses herself and quickly exits the kitchen, leaving an awkward silence behind.

Not wanting to dwell on the tension between us, I decide to break the ice. "Smith, how was practice today?"

"It was good. Coach says that if we keep practicing the way we've been, the team should make the playoffs," he says as he unloads the food.

Smith is a professional hockey player. He plays on the Black Diamonds a few hours away, but they've been training at a facility outside of Rose Valley until the season starts. I love it because I get to see him a little more than during the season. Even though we don't always get along, we both promised his mother that we would always be there for each other.

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