Page 57 of His Billion-Dollar Takeover Temptation

“Everleigh, I’m getting better.”

His pronouncement hung in the air for a moment, too good to be true.

“But... Dad, how?”

“Adrian Cabrera.”

Just hearing his name was like having someone reach into her chest and squeeze her heart with a vicious twist.

“Adrian?” she repeated.

“He met a hematologist—Dr. Nathaniel Pratt—at a fundraiser in London two months ago. Dr. Pratt started a clinical trial last year, for late-stage leukemia patients. Out of the nine patients, eight are now in remission and one has seen a marked reduction in leukemia cells.” Her dad’s grin broadened. “I started the second round of his trial the week after you left and, Everleigh... Everleigh, my cancer cells are shrinking.” He squeezed her hands. “I won’t know for another two or three months if I’m going into remission, but it looks good. I have more time—more time with you.”

She wrapped her arms around her father’s neck. Relief zapped the strength from her limbs, rendered her speechless. He returned her hug with such strength it brought on even more tears. Tears, and a horrible, selfish sadness.

Adrian had once again proved himself to be more than he thought he was. How could he not see what an incredible man he was? To give her father this incredible gift...

She buried her face deeper against her father’s shoulder. This was not a time for sadness. Only joy.

She didn’t know how long they stood like that in the foyer. But, whether her dad lived another year or another ten, she knew she would always remember this moment.

At last she pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I can’t believe it.”

“I can’t either.”

He reached out and smoothed the hair back from her head just like he had when she was a little girl.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am about Fox, Everleigh. I know it was your dream, and I screwed up.”

She shook her head. “I learned a lot about myself in Spain, Dad. You were right. I wanted Fox for the wrong reasons.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t like admitting this, but I think it would have turned into an obsession instead of a passion. Being director and having the support of Cabrera Wine will make it enjoyable, instead of a stressor.”

He smiled. “So, Mr. Cabrera turned out to be not as big or bad of a wolf as you thought?”

Her cheeks heated as memories of just how big and bad Adrian Cabrera could be flared in her mind.

She swallowed hard. “Cabrera Wine is more than I gave it credit for,” she said finally.

“Then tonight will be even more of a celebration.”

He pecked her on the cheek and then, like a little kid, spun around and grabbed a large purple box tied with a satin ribbon off the chair by the front door.

“And to commemorate my incredible news and your new job, I brought you something special.”

Everleigh bit down on her lower lip to keep yet another wave of tears at bay as she read the elegant white script across the top of the lid. “‘Annabelle’s Boutique,’” she said out loud. “Dad...”

He nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “I remember your mother was going to take you shopping at this store in New York to pick out an evening gown for your trip to Paris. If it fits, I hope you’ll wear it tonight.”

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’d be honored.”

Everleigh stood in front of the mirror later that afternoon. Normally she didn’t think of herself as attractive, but here, in this moment, she felt truly beautiful.

The gown her father had picked out for her made her feel like a princess. Violet silk crossed over one shoulder and wrapped around her waist, before flowing down past her hips and along her legs to the floor. The bodice and the skirt, which kissed the top of her silver heels, were dressed in violet lace and sparkled with tiny crystals sewn into the delicate fabric.

Some of the girls from the winery had coaxed her into traveling into Fox Creek and having her hair and make-up done at the local spa. The stylist had teased her hair into golden curls, gathered them at the back of her neck in a loose chignon and pulled several tendrils down to frame her face. But the one thing Everleigh had insisted on was a natural look for her make-up. She loved dressing up, but she still wanted to look in the mirror and see herself looking back at her.

Her hand drifted once more to her stomach, as it had at least a dozen times throughout the day. She’d tell her dad this weekend about the gift that would grace both their lives just after Christmas. Between Dad’s incredible prognosis, her new job and being able to raise her child in the family farmhouse, she had been richly blessed.

Which made her feel even more ungrateful every time thoughts of Adrian intruded and triggered heartache. How could she possibly be so unthankful as to want even more?

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