Page 14 of Obsessed Heir

“You’ll need to keep it elevated and use an ice pack every two hours until the swelling goes down,” he continues in the familiar cadence.

“Yes, Doctor,” she repeats obediently.

“All right.” He flashes her one of his well-practiced smiles meant to set patients at ease. “If you do as I say, you should be much better by the time we hit the first port.”

“I plan to follow your instructions to the letter,” she assures him with conviction.

“I have no doubt you’ll be able to do so, with such a lovely assistant at your side.” Stein’s gaze slides over to Abigail, who’s sitting dutifully beside my mother.

Acid rises to burn the back of my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

“She does a wonderful job of keeping me in line.” Mother chuckles, patting Abigail’s hand affectionately.

“I don’t know about that,” Abigail says quietly, as she runs her free hand across her thigh, creating creases in the dark slacks.

It’s damn convenient that thelovely assistantneeded to join her on an all-expense-paid Alaskan cruise. Even after we’d come to the understanding we wouldn’t cross paths again.

Stein folds his hands across his midsection. “Well, if she gives you trouble, you come find me.” Then the bastard has the audacity to wink at her.

I bite back the urge to call him out on his shit. The only reason he wants her to come find him is to see how far he’ll get with her.

“I will,” Abigail replies, her expression the picture of innocence.

At last, Stein remembers I’m in the damn office I paid a premium price for. “I’ll be by to check on your mother the next few days,” he says, sounding more businesslike. “If the swelling hasn’t gone down, we’ll have to keep her restricted another day or two.”

“I’ll have James make arrangements to bring everything to the suite. That way she won’t need to leave unless she wants to.”

“A turn around the deck wouldn’t do any harm,” Stein suggests.

“Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t plan with us in mind,” I say dryly. “The weather’s predicted to be crap until we’re in Ketchikan, maybe even after.”

“I see,” he acknowledges, his expression pensive. “Well, they can still make their way through the lower decks.” He turns to Mother. “But that will need to be done in that chair.”

She sighs in acceptance. “I’ll find something to keep myself entertained,” she assures him.

“The ship has a wonderful spa,” Stein says, offering an alternative.

Yes, and he could give a firsthand account of some of the attendants, given he’s already sampled several of them.

I have to admit, a visit to the spa for a massage or other treatment actually sounds like a good idea. I can arrange for a masseuse to spend extra time working on Mother’s ankle and calf to help get her on her feet sooner.

“Oh.” Her eyes widen with the first flicker of genuine excitement I’ve seen since Abigail agreed to come along. “We haven’t had a nice, relaxing day at the spa in months.”

We… Of course, the assumption is that she’d have Abigail with her. An expense I’m sure Mother will insist on covering herself.

“It’s settled, then,” Stein announces, clasping his hands together.

“Isn’t that marvelous, Abby?” She sits up straighter in the wheelchair, adjusting in the seat.

Abbymanufactures a smile. No doubt she would have vastly preferred to have the day to herself rather than playing nursemaid. Well, if she’s tagging along on this little pleasure cruise, she’s damn well going to earn her keep.

“James,” Stein calls out as the steward enters the office.

James immediately straightens his shoulders. “Yes, Doctor?”

“I need you to find a cushion to make the chair more comfortable for Mrs. McClelland.” He points to the flat, unpadded seat.

James gives the request some thought. “The lounge chairs in the pool area have removable cushions. Would that do?”

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