Chapter Three
Aaron
“Is that the case, Mr. Townsend?”
I ran my thumb across my lower lip, absently staring out of my office window, taking in the Williamsport skyline. I wonder what she’s doing right now.
“Mr. Townsend?”
I blinked.
“Jerry, why don’t we give my brother a break. We’ll reconvene later this afternoon.”
I stuffed my hand into my pants pocket, sighing heavily. I waited until I heard the door to my office shut to finally turn around and glare at my second youngest brother.
“Why the hell did you send them out?”
Joshua didn’t even flinch in the face of my harsh tone. He pushed out a full breath and went to sit in one of the chairs across from my large wooden desk, propping one leg over the other.
“You’re out of it today.”
My ever-present frown deepened a smidgen. “I’m right fucking here.”
“You’ve been out of it for days now, come to think of it. I haven’t seen you like this… in quite some time.” He angled his head, staring at me as if waiting for an explanation. Well, he damn sure could keep on waiting.
“I don’t have time for pow-wows in the middle of the day. We need to complete things with Oiltec and get our team together to go up there again. Then, I need to prepare my R&D guys for their international trip.” I moved to my desk to rifle through some papers. Unable to find what I was looking for, I told him, “Since you’re just sitting there, go out and ask Darcy or Marcy, whatever the hell her name is, to bring me the Downes report.”
“You mean Marsha?”
“Whatever.”
“Can’t do it.”
I lifted my head, pinning Joshua with my gaze.
“You fired Marsha last week.”
I wrinkled my brows trying to recall.
“You said she was too slow in prepping the paperwork you needed.”
I nodded, remembering. “She was. Now I need a new junior assistant.”
“That’ll be your third within the last year and a half.”
“What’s your point?”
“Just making an observation.”
“Do me a favor.”
Joshua hesitated. “What?”
“Observe how to get me my damn report.”
Much to my chagrin Joshua chuckled, before pressing his palms to the arm of the chair and standing.
“How about the report be left right where it is for now and you tell me what has you so wound up? I mean, even more than usual.”
“I’m not wound up.”
My brother made a disbelieving sound with his mouth. “Something’s getting to you and it’s not just business. I’ve seen you get wound up about business. Hell, it’s one of the only things that actually gets your attention. But you’ve been distracted and extra irritable ever since you came back from Chicago last week. I know it wasn’t the deal. That went smoothly and we came in under budget as far as the acquisition. It’s something else.”
I twisted my hand in my pants pocket and tightened my jaw, remaining silent.
Joshua watched me, silently observing, but I refused to flinch. Finally, he shrugged. “Whatever it is, you’ll either get over it or it’ll be revealed.”
I sighed. “Now you sound like Mother.”
“I am my mother’s son.” He grinned. “Let’s have lunch.”
“I need the re–”
Josh held up his hand. “It’s after two o’clock and we haven’t eaten lunch. The Downes report will be here when we get back. Thirty minutes away won’t fucking kill you.”
“As long as it’s close.” I stepped around my desk, pulling my arms into my suit Armani jacket.
“Those pin stripes look good on you, bro.”
“Fuck off,” I grunted. Before Joshua could respond, the cell in my pocket began ringing. Removing my phone, I glanced at the number and jerked my head back in surprise at the caller. “Thiers?” I answered after the second ring.
“H-hi, is this Aaron Townsend?”
I frowned at the female voice I heard on the other end. It wasn’t a familiar one.
“Who is this?” I questioned, sharply.
“M-my name is Wilhelmina.”
“And how did you get my personal cell number?”
“It’s Thiers. He’s had a heart attack.”
I paused from following Joshua, right before we stepped into the elevator. “Is he still alive?” In my peripheral, I saw Joshua glance over at me.
“Yes, thank God. He is alive. The doctors say he may need surgery. He asked that I call you. He wanted you to come see him at your earliest convenience.”
“What hospital is he in and what is his room number?”
“He’s in Williamsport General. Room four-twelve.”
“Is his situation dire?”
“Not at the moment. The doctors believe his prognosis is good.”
“I will make arrangements to see him as soon as possible.” I ended the call without waiting for her response and began texting my senior assistant instructions.
“Thiers?”
“Making arrangements to visit tomorrow.”
Josh nodded and proceeded to the elevator.
I explained everything the woman, Wilhelmina, had just told me over the phone to Josh as we got in the awaiting car to head to lunch. Throughout our meal I did my best to keep my mind off Thiers… and who else I might run into at the hospital.
****
Patience
“Kyle, stop jumping on the couch please!” I admonished my son who was shrieking and laughing while he watched one of his favorite cartoons.
“Mommy, I’m hungry!” he whined, plopping down on his butt on the couch.
“I’m making breakfast now. Do me a favor and go wake your sister, and the both of you go brush your teeth.”
He blew out a breath. “Okay.”
It was a busy Thursday morning, and as usual Kennedy was the last in the house to wake up. Kennedy was like me when it came to sleep. Until I had kids, I hated getting up early in the morning. Now, the only time I could get a little quiet time was early mornings, so I made due.
I whipped the pancake mixture some more before dumping a packet of fresh blueberries into the batter and folding them in. Next, I ladled a couple of spoonfuls of the batter onto the griddle, and waited for the bubbles to appear before flipping them. By the time the children came running up the hall after brushing their teeth, I had two pancakes for each of them on their plates.
“Kyle, slow down. The food isn’t going to run away.”
That caused Kennedy to giggle.
“Thank you, Mommy!” Kyle said through a mouthful of pancakes.
“You’re welcome, baby.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“How’d you sleep, baby girl?” I asked Kennedy while sitting down with my own plate. I tried to make it a point to slow down and eat with the kids whenever possible. Mornings could be busy but I wanted to savor the time I had with them first and foremost.
“Good!” Kennedy nodded in response to my inquiry.
“Sweet dreams?”
“I dreamt of ponies. Can I have one, Mommy?”
I began shaking my head, ready to let her down gently, when my phone rang. My eyes darted to the clock on the wall. It was barely seven-thirty in the morning. I wondered who was calling so early.
“Hello?”
“Is this Patience?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Hi. My name is Wilhelmina. I’m a…friend of your father’s.”
I frowned. What the heck was this woman calling me about?
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but your father had a heart attack.”
I pressed my hand to my chest, gasping. I glanced up and saw Kyle shoot me a concerned look. I turned my back.
“Is… is he…”
“No. No. He’s actually doing well. The doctors may have to perform surgery later this week. But he’s asked to see you.” That shouldn’t have been a surprise to hear, but it was. My father requesting anything of me came as a shock.
“Wh-what hospital is he in?” I grabbed a pen and pad from one of my kitchen drawers and wrote down the information Wilhelmina gave me.
“All done!” Kennedy yelled from the table, holding up her plate to show me.
I gave her a small smile. “Good job. Put your plate in the sink and go wash your hands to get ready to get dressed,” I told both her and Kyle, who was staring at me worriedly. I bent down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Go on.” Kyle was definitely the most intuitive of my two children.
“Hi, Ms. Sheryl, I’m sorry to call so early but I have a family emergency.” I explained to her what happened and we came up with a plan for her to watch the kids while I saw to my father. Next, I had to call my job and request at least a week off, before moving on to make flight and hotel reservations. This morning certainly had not turned out how I’d expected it to.