Overall, Colin was overwhelmed by Rina’s brother and sister-in-law. Her family’s presence reminded him he hadn’t visited Joe in the last day or so, and guilt compounded any fun he might have had. “Listen, since you have company, I’m going to head on over to the hospital to see Joe.”
“His…father,” Rina said by way of explanation.
“Hospital at Christmas? I’m sorry,” Brianne said.
“Thanks.”
Brianne smiled. “Do you plan to come back? I was hoping we’d have more time getting to know you this weekend.”
“Colin?” Rina turned pleading eyes his way.
Knowing he couldn’t deny her a thing, even if it involved more family time, he nodded. “How about I go for a quick visit and come back after? That’ll give you all some time alone.”
While he visited Joe in a hospital bed and Corinne in Dior’s finest. He groaned, wishing not for the first time since Joe’s remarriage, that Nell was still alive and he had the family he’d grown up with. Instead of some awkward situation where Colin felt like a third wheel.
“Can you make it back by dinner?” Rina asked.
“You should try,” Jake said. “Otherwise you’re leaving me alone with these two women and one wuss of a dog.” He grinned, making his joke obvious before Rina could smack him.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“That would be great. I really want the three of us to celebrate. Jake, did you get the faxes of my columns?” Rina asked, shamelessly seeking praise.
Something Jake obviously realized because he laughed and pulled her into a brotherly embrace. “You know I’m proud of you, Ri.”
So was Colin. Pride and admiration filled him, feelings at odds with promises already made. During halftime, he’d checked his answering machine to discover a call from Ron Gold. The lender had wanted to know what progress Colin had made with Corinne, and he’d asked how soon the paper would begin its turnaround. Damn.
It was time he cornered Corinne again.
“I’ll walk Colin out and be back in a few minutes.” Rina followed him, stepping outside and shutting the door behind them. “I know you need to see Joe, but I hope you don’t feel like we’re pushing you out.”
He cradled her cheek in his palm. “Of course not. It’s just that being around your family reminded me I need to be more attentive to mine.”
“You’ll come back?” she asked.
She stepped closer, her body heat obvious despite the cold, attracting him, beckoning to him, offering him warmth that went beyond skin deep. “I’ll come back,” he promised.
Differences aside, he meant to keep his word.
COLIN PACED the hallway. He couldn’t bring himself to go back into Joe’s room and watch Corinne fawn over his father, waving her perfumed hand around and issuing orders to Colin to get more water and help her take care of Joe. He didn’t need Corinne telling him what to do for the man he’d known most of his life.
He paused in the doorway of Joe’s room, realizing the couple was having a hushed conversation. Joe was weak and hadn’t done more than open his eyes. As a result of the stroke, he had slurred speech and Colin hadn’t pressed him. But there he was with Corinne, her head bent, and soft whispers passing between them.
As he’d come to believe by watching Corinne over the last week, there was more to this relationship than he’d originally believed. Hell, there’d have to be more to Joe and Corinne’s marriage than sex or convenience or even money, for Joe to give her power of attorney and control of the paper. Instead of giving that control to his son.
Logan had been right all along. The adoption papers called Colin Joe’s son, but more and more, Colin was coming to feel shut out. Belonging nowhere and to no one. A tight knot constricted his chest, making breathing difficult. He wished he could blame the antiseptic hospital smells, but something else was at work and Colin didn’t like it worth a damn.
He also didn’t like the waiting. Unfortunately, the time of year and the circumstances with Joe left him without a choice. There’d be no talking to Corinne now.
Colin slipped back into the hall, nearly colliding with a nurse and her lunch cart on the way out. “Sorry,” he muttered.
Making his way to the elevators, he only wanted to get the hell out of here.
Away from the family he didn’t really have, the place he didn’t belong. He needed to be with Rina. She made him feel accepted, whole in a way he’d never been. But the last thing he wanted to deal with was another family situation where he was the outsider.
He promised her he’d come back, but he wasn’t ready now. In fact, he was one step away from jumping on a plane and saying to hell with them all. His love for Joe wouldn’t allow it, of course, not until things with the paper were settled. But the stronger pull came not from his father figure, but from Rina, or more accurately, the feelings she inspired in him. Feelings that were growing beyond anything he’d anticipated or knew how to deal with.
SINCE BRIANNE AND JAKE insisted they wanted to spend the night in a hotel and not put her out, Rina had the evening to herself. Of course, she wouldn’t be alone if Colin had shown up, as he’d promised. But she was coming to realize Colin didn’t keep promises. He didn’t know how, she thought sadly.