Page 41 of Waiting for Devon
Devon grinned. “You’re kidding. You have a date with Inez’s brother?”
“Yes. He demanded I have dinner with him.”
“Demanded?”
“That’s what I said. I’m so scared I can hardly concentrate on my work.”
“Good luck,” Devon replied with a smirk. “You’re certainly going to need it.”
Devon treated herlast patient at seven-thirty and sat down at her desk with a stack of charts that needed updates. As she finished the last one, she heard heavy footsteps approaching her. Glancing up, her eyes widened in shock. “You!” she gasped.
“So, it’s true.” Jack’s face furrowed into a frown. “You’re working in this clinic for free.”
“How did you find me?”
“It wasn’t hard when the media touted you as ‘Dallas’ Angel of Mercy.’ Have you totally lost your mind, Devon? Your rich playboy must be a fool for allowing you to do this.”
“I don’t like your tone or your choice of words, Dr. Taylor,” a voice drawled from behind Jack. “Apologize to the lady.”
“Jack, this is…” Devon began with haste.
“I know who he is.” He glared at the man who had joined them. “Do you realize what you’ve done to Devon? You dragged her away from a promising career with exciting possibilities and brought her to this.” His arm swept in an arc. “She is one of the most brilliant pediatricians in our field. Her work at San Francisco General Hospital was in the process of being modeled at other hospitals across the States. Now she’s lost it all because of you and your selfishness.”
Reed’s eyes flashed blue fire and his jaw grew taut. Not knowing what else to do, Devon slipped an arm around his waist and addressed her ex. “No, Jack, that’s not true. I lost it all when our baby died and you neglected me. I had nothing until this wonderful man came into my life. He…he has taught me how to love again, something far more important than a promising career.”
Devon took a deep breath as Reed’s body stiffened beside her. What he might be thinking caused her stomach to tighten with grief. “As far as the clinic is concerned, it was my idea and my future father-in-law financed it. Everything I want and need is right here. The man I love is… standing by my side, and I am helping people who are desperate for good medical care. What more could I ask?”
As she spoke, she radiated peace and contentment. Gazing at her, Jack’s bluster dissipated, and he relaxed his defensive stance. “I came here, Devon, fully intending to bring you back to San Francisco where I thought you belonged. I’m still not sure about this sudden engagement, but if you’re happy, so be it.” He held out his hand toward Reed, who accepted the gesture. “Cherish this incredible woman, Barrington. Don’t let her slip through your fingers the way I did. I’m sorry for intruding. I wish you all the happiness you deserve.” His eyes met Devon’s for a moment. “If you ever need me, don’t hesitate to call. I mean it.”
When Jack left, Devon turned to Reed with misery shining in her eyes. “Reed, I…”
He held up a hand. “I’m not a fool, Devon. I wish Shane could have heard what you said. Maybe it would have reminded him why he fell in love with you.”
Devon’s heart ached. For one moment, for one brief, wonderful moment, she sensed he knew the truth. “Why do you keep coming here? Still trying to seduce me?” She regretted the hasty words as soon as they left her lips. But what choice did she have? Pushing Reed away seemed to be the wisest course of action.
Reed turned cold and his eyes darkened into hard sapphires. “You won’t see me walk through that door again, Doc, and as far as seducing you is concerned, don’t flatter yourself.” He disappeared into the darkness outside the clinic, leaving Devon shattered.
Lost in her desolation, she didn’t notice the old pickup following her until she turned into the long driveway leading to the Barrington estate. It continued down the road at a slow speed, but it barely made an impression on her. A heavy weight pressed on her heart.
When Devon stepped into her bedroom, she found Blair waiting for her. “How was your date with Antonio Gennaro?” Weary from the confrontation with Jack and grief-stricken by Reed’s declaration, she threw herself onto the bed.
“Wonderful.” Blair plopped down next to her. “Antonio is brilliant and sophisticated and full of passion and pride. Honestly, Devon, I’ve never met anyone like him nor have I ever been so affected by a man. Look, I’m still shaking.” She held out her hands. Noting the unusual dullness of her friend’s eyes, she continued, “What’s wrong? You’re not yourself.”
“Blair, please help me find a way to extricate myself from this situation. I can’t take any more. It’s killing me.”
“Have you discussed your feelings with Shane?”
“Of course. He keeps telling me to wait a little longer because it’s only a matter of time before Jasper is ready to turn BI over to him. It’s never going to happen, and in the meantime, I’m losing the brother I want more than life itself.”
“Your only recourse is to tell Reed the truth,” Blair advised.
Devon shook her head. “He won’t react with your understanding. Reed sees the world in terms of right and wrong. His approval was hard won in the first place, and if I tell him I’ve been part of Shane’s scheme to influence his father, he’ll never forgive me.”
“Maybe you’re underestimating him.”
“No, I’m not. You don’t really believe that, either.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
