Page 15 of Obsessed Heir

“Sounds like that should do the trick,” Stein agrees, his expression brightening. “Good thinking.”

“I’ll see to it right away.” James gives a deferential nod before stepping away.

“These chairs are meant to transport a patient from place to place,” Stein explains. “For daily use, we’d want to have cushions that provide more padding and support since the patient would be sitting for extended periods.”

Not something I would have given much thought to previously. “And we don’t have one on board?” I ask, anticipating the answer.

He tilts his head and gives me a shit-eating grin. “We didn’t expect to need one.”

Of course not; our cruises cater to a younger, able-bodied demographic. However, most of the women who paraded intoday were in skyscraper heels. All it takes is having a little dog race in front of them to cause a disaster. What if they end up needing a chair for the duration of the cruise?

“Have some brought in,” I instruct.

“That’s not necessary on my account,” Mother cuts in, likely appalled that someone is going to some trouble because of what happened to her.

“While you may not need it,” I say, following her train of thought. “We should be properly equipped to accommodate any other passengers who might not be as fortunate.” That should help any misplaced guilt on her part.

“True,” she concedes, reevaluating the situation.

Stein checks his watch. “We don’t have time to have some delivered before we leave port,” he points out. “Especially with the lines of traffic coming in and out with the ships.”

“Keep it in mind for when we return.” We’ll have to make do for the moment, but I’d prefer to be prepared for the next trip.

“You might also consider one of those powered chairs,” Mother suggests, changing her tune now that she’s had a minute to think about it. “Not everyone will have an able assistant available to move them around.”

And yet another thing we didn’t count on, but she has a point. I make a mental note to check with Holly about arranging to hire an extra staff member for the spa who can double as an attendant if needed.

James turns to me. “I delivered the luggage and coordinated with Miss Holly on the change.”

“Thank you,” I acknowledge with a curt nod.

“If there’s nothing else,” he says, keeping his voice low, “I can go collect the cushion from storage for your mother.”

Given how many people will be clogging the hallways and common areas, it’ll take additional time to maneuver through.Considering everything that’s already gone wrong, I’d rather have him nearby.

“Let’s have you help us get situated upstairs first.”

“Very good, sir.” James steps back.

I turn to Mother, moderating my tone. “Let’s get you up to the cabin.”

I grasp the handles on the wheelchair, determined to be the one to get her settled.

“I can take her,” James offers.

Abigail immediately gets to her feet. “I’ll take her.” She reaches out for the chair.

I don’t needherdamn help for that.

“I’ve got her,” I state flatly, putting emphasis on the words to make it clear I neither want nor need her help.

Abigail has enough sense to step back. Only now, wedged between her, the empty chair to my right, Stein’s desk directly ahead, and the narrow boundaries of the office, I’m left with a sinking feeling that I’ve effectively boxed myself in with hardly any room to maneuver.

I’m still studying the layout, contemplating how best to extract us without jostling Mother too much, when Abigail clears her throat.

“It’ll be easier if you back out,” she offers then moves toward the entrance. I hate that she was the one who offered a solution, but I have little choice in the matter.

Clenching my jaw, I check over my shoulder to make sure we have a clear path before reluctantly following her advice. I manage to clear the edge of the door, but a wheel hits the frame, jerking me to a stop.

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