Angie frowned. She’d wondered why Rhys hadn’t called for her his usual dozen times that morning; she’d assumed he’d been unusually busy. “He didn’t come in this morning?”
“No. And I don’t know what to do with these papers. They need his signature.”
“But he said yesterday that he’d be here first thing to work on the London deal. I’ve been expecting him to call me in all morning.”
June shrugged. “I don’t know what to say. He’s never done this before, not in the entire six years I’ve worked for him.”
Angie had worked for him for only five months, but she was as well aware as June that it wasn’t like Rhys to simply not show up for work, without at least a telephone call. A dozen possible reasons flashed through her mind, and none of them were pleasant ones. Her stomach tightening, she reached for her phone and dialed his home number.
Listening to the ringing on the other end, she told herself she was overreacting. She was going to feel really stupid if some breathless woman answered, if it turned out that her employer was simply taking the morning off for a bit of prurient pleasure. And then she told herself that the thought greatly disturbed her only because she had too much respect for Rhys as a businessman to believe he’d be so irresponsible.
When the phone rang for the fifth time without answer, she began to worry again. What if he couldn’t answer? What if he were hurt or—
“What is it?”
The hoarse growl made her shoulders relax in relief. “Thank goodness,” she said without thinking.
There was a pause and then, “Ms. St. Clair? What time is—Oh, hell.” His voice was decidedly raw.
“Are you ill, Mr. Wakefield?” Angie asked in concern.
He coughed roughly. “Yeah, I guess I am,” he grated, sounding rather surprised that he was susceptible to the same weaknesses as everyone else. “Damn.”
“Were you sleeping?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t sleep last night and I must have—” He broke off for another spell of coughing, followed by an impatient expletive.
Fighting a smile now, as well as an utterly incomprehensible surge of tenderness at the image of her intimidating employer in bed, tousled and heavy eyed and flushed with fever, Angie clutched the receiver more tightly. “What can I do to help?” she asked simply.
The sound of movement came through the line. “Nothing,” Rhys muttered. “I’ll be there in—” His voice broke off as something crashed. “Damn.”
“Mr. Wakefield? What’s wrong?”
“Dizzy,” he answered curtly.
“Then lie back down. And don’t even think of coming to the office today. Who’s your doctor?”
“I don’t need a doctor. And I have to come in. Those papers on the London deal have to be signed today. And I—”
“I’ll bring the papers to you,” Angie interrupted firmly. “And anything else that must have your attention today. The other matters can wait until you’re feeling better.”
He sighed. “All right,” he conceded reluctantly. “Bring them to me. Get the spare key from June and just come on in. And while you’re at it, get the Perkins file. And the…”
Scribbling the list of items he deemed in need of immediate attention, Angie made a rash decision to omit several of them. He’d snarl, but it wouldn’t be the first time. The man was ill. The company wasn’t going to fold if he gave himself a day or two to recuperate. “I’ll be there in half an hour,” she promised.
“Fifteen minutes,” he argued, just before she hung up on him.
She looked at June, who still hovered nearby. “Mr. Wakefield is ill. I’m to bring him some things he needs to work at home today.”
“Mr. Wakefield is ill?” June repeated. “What’s wrong with him?”
“It sounded as if he has a bad cold—maybe flu.”
A low chuckle escaped the ever-efficient secretary. “Bet the boss hates that,” she commented, setting the stack of papers on Angie’s desk. “Bested by a common cold. Who’d have believed a cold germ would have had the courage to take him on?”
Angie couldn’t help laughing. June eyed her with surprised pleasure. Flushing a bit, Angie dropped her eyes and began to gather a few things to take to Rhys. “Thank you, June. That will be all.”
“Yes, Ms. St. Clair,” June replied immediately, but there was a new note of friendliness in her voice this time that Angie didn’t miss.