Always My Babygirl A Billionaire Romance - Jane Henry Page 0,68
quietly. “It’s just the principle of the thing.”
“Of course.”
I hold her hand when we arrive back at the hospital.
“Lexi’s inside with her still?”
“Yes. Want to come up together? I’m sure there’s plenty of food left for you, your driver, and probably your entire staff combined.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Went a little overboard?”
She smiles and shrugs. “A little.” She takes my hand. “But that’s who you are. Generous to a fault, and who can really blame you for that?”
I pull her back to me just before we head back inside to go see Lexi and her mom. I kiss her cheek. “You’d be surprised.”
She giggles sheepishly as we enter the building.
My reception is at once hot and cold. Her sister’s reluctant to shake my hand, but her mom breaks into a grin.
“There he is,” she says approvingly. “The man of the hour. Look who came to pay us a visit.”
I’m thankful for one ally in this, anyway. I walk over to her, ignoring Lexi’s narrow-eyed fury. There’s a knock at the door, and a nurse comes in.
“Mr. Lord!” she says, grinning. “The nurses’ station thanks you so much for your generosity!”
Lexi rolls her eyes. “There was enough food for an army, showoff,” she mutters.
“Lexi, stop.” Her mom gives her a disproving look. “Honestly, Lexi, how could you, after all Mr. Lord has done.” She smiles at me and extends her hand to shake. “Did you talk to my husband about this? Have you seen him, Mr. Lord?”
I feel Miranda tense and Lexi sighs. I reach for her mom’s hand and shake it gently.
“I haven’t seen him, ma’am. But I’m told he’s very pleased you’re happy here.”
Miranda sighs. Even Lexi seems to soften a little.
“You have been very generous,” Lexi admits, then she rakes her gaze over Miranda.
“Girl, do you think I was born yesterday?” She looks at the clock, then at Miranda’s mussed up hair, swollen lips, and disheveled clothing. She shakes her head. “The make-up kind is the best, though, isn’t it?” She gives a wistful sigh, and Miranda flushes pink.
“You like your new home, Miss Montague? Are you ready to leave the hospital and go back?”
She nods, but her gaze wanders out the window. “It’s lovely, yes,” she says softly. “I wish my husband could see it. But he isn’t here anymore, is he?”
I look to Miranda and Lexi. They stare back at me. None of us really know how to respond. Finally, I clear my throat.
“He isn’t.”
She turns to me bravely, a sad smile on her lips. “Lexi mentioned she might like to relocate, and I think... I think I’m ready to move, too. Join you youngsters in Nevada. Are there any places like this that are nearer my girls?”
Hope blooms in my chest. Miranda squeezes my hand.
“I’ll see what I can find, I promise.”
“You don’t have to, Gabriel, really,” Miranda begins, but her mom stops her with a hand in the air.
“Girl, didn’t I teach you better? Mr. Lord’s the type that likes to look after people. Aren’t you, son?”
I love this woman.
“Of course. It’s my pleasure.”
“Good,” she says, nestling back in her bed. “Then let him, Miranda.”
Miranda’s eyes are shining at me as she smiles and nods. “I will, as long as he realizes that goes both ways.”
I give her a wink. Lexi rolls her eyes, and Miranda giggles.
We’re back. Hope fills my chest. The thought of a future with this woman is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Emmie gives us an apologetic look and tells us visiting hours are over. We leave Mrs. Montague happily chatting with the nurse, her romance novel in one hand, and a leftover breadstick in the other. The nurses said they’ve put her on some medication to help with preventing another stroke, but other than that, she’s doing better than ever.
“I swear Mom just needs some extra attention some days,” Lexi says when we’re back in the car. “She chippers right up when she has someone to talk to, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Miranda says, nodding.
Miranda and I will take Lexi back to her mom’s old house to sleep then we’ll take the jet back to Vegas.
It’s a cute house. “Lexi, are you planning on staying here?”
She shakes her head. “Only until we get Mom figured out. Then, I’m going back to Miranda’s.”
“I see.” She’s going to need to sell this place and I know just who can help her. “Do you know real estate in this area’s booming? If you wanted to sell, this is something Shane could help you with.”