Page 34 of Just One More Temptation

“Okay,” she said, aware of how important this topic was to Clara. “What about your will?”

“Darling, should something happen to me, I am leaving you the gallery.”

She gasped, shock rendering her mute.

“Don’t look so surprised. Nobody loves the place like I do… except you. I want it to go to someone who loves art, knows how to stock it, and sell beautiful things to people who will enjoy them. Nobody does that as well as you. Not even me.”

A tear fell from her eye and she wiped it with the back of her hand. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll give the place all the love you do now and I’ll be happy.”

Still at a loss for words, she nodded and managed to whisper, “I promise. Now please put the oxygen back?”

Clara smiled and did as she asked, reseating the oxygen, allowing Fallon to relax that she could breathe easier.

“Mother!” Oliver came barging into the room, rushing to his mother’s side, and all but pushing Fallon out of the way. “I was tied up in a meeting and just got your message. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“Oliver! Apologize for shoving Fallon aside,” Clara said.

He turned to face her with cold eyes. “My apologies.” He pivoted to face his mother. “I told you to try not to think about things. You probably have indigestion. What do the doctors say?”

“They’re testing for a heart attack,” Fallon told him through gritted teeth. “Clara, do whatever tests they want you to do.”

Aware Oliver had taken over and she was no longer needed here, Fallon stepped across the room to the other side of the bed.

“I’m going to leave you two alone.” Leaning down, she kissed the other woman’s cheek. “Feel better. I’ll call and check on you tonight. Maybe you’ll have news from the doctors.” She glanced around the room, her gaze landing on Clara’s cell. Do you have your phone charger?”

Clara shook her head.

“Well, I happen to carry an extra.” Fallon retrieved it from her bag and plugged it into the wall, aware of Oliver’s calculating stare as she hooked up Clara’s cell. “Talk to you later.”

She walked out in a state of shock from Clara’s pronouncement, heading out through the waiting room of the ER.

“Fallon!”

She turned at the sound of Noah’s voice, surprised he was still waiting. “Noah! You stayed.”

“You rushed off before I could let you know I was waiting until you were through.”

She leapt forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you.” She wasn’t ashamed to admit she needed him. “I have a lot to tell you.”

He slid a hand into hers. “Then let’s go back to my place, which you’ve never seen, and we can talk.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Iintend totake you on a real date one of these days,” Noah said, as they settled onto his large sofa. They’d cleaned up from an ordered-in Italian dinner which they’d eaten while also enjoying a bold, red wine.

She smiled. “I’d love that,” she murmured.

But she seemed subdued and preoccupied, and though he assumed she was worried about Clara, he wondered if there wasn’t something more going on. Not wanting to push right away, he steered the conversation to his mom’s birthday, the twins’ love of cake, and he complimented Fallon on the gift she’d bought for his mother. It definitely topped the robe he’d bought as his present.

He waited until Fallon had eaten and consumed enough wine to relax her before turning to more serious topics. “How is Clara?” he asked.

Fallon raised one shoulder and lowered it again. “I’m not sure. She looks pale and tired, and they’re running tests. I left because her son was there, but frankly he’s useless. He doesn’t care about his mother unless she’s lending him money.” Little worry lines creased between her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know how much you care about her.” He leaned against the sofa cushion and pulled Fallon with him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

With a sigh, she leaned her head against him. “Today was hard. Clara started talking about revising her will.” Her voice grew shaky and he understood how difficult the subject was for her.

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