Summer Escape with the Tycoon

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MOLLY HAD BOOKED a surprise for the morning. Eric had been so wonderful, paying for romantic dinners, and last night, at the gardens...it had been the most perfect evening. After the carousel, they’d wandered through the gardens, lit up especially for the evening, making it a magical fairyland. They’d put up the privacy screen and necked in the limousine on the way back to the hotel, and the night afterward...well, the perfect evening had definitely turned into the perfect night. The least she could do was surprise him with something amazing.

He’d gone back to his room for a shower and clean clothes when her phone rang. She rushed to pick it up; only her family and Ryan had her current number.

“Hey, gorgeous. You rang?”

She laughed at the teasing note in his voice. “You got my message about the charity?”

“Sure did, and they’d be glad of the help. I spoke to the executive director this morning. But I have another idea for you. There’s a company here that could use some expertise. It’s not quite up your alley, but I thought of you because it’s something I’ve been really aware of as a doctor. There’s a company here in Massachusetts that’s being bought out by some conglomerate. The thing is, they’re a leading research and manufacturer of prosthetics. The R-and-D side is in great shape, but some mismanagement has put them in the red. They’re working to fight the bid, but this guy has put forward a compelling offer. I’d hate to see that company bought and sold off piece by piece, you know?”

Hope slammed into her chest. “I know someone with a lot of expertise in this area! Can you email me the details? I’ll see what I can do.”

“Does this mean you’re getting out of the divorce market?”

“Unofficially? Yes. But I haven’t talked to my dad yet, so please keep it quiet, okay?”

“Of course. I’m just glad that I had you for my divorce. Once you get something in your teeth, you’re like a pit bull. You don’t let go.”

“I think I’ll take that as a compliment?”

“The highest kind. I’ll send through that info right away. Have a look and see what you think. Again, it’s not exactly in your wheelhouse, but sometimes an outside perspective is a great thing.”

They hung up and Molly sat down on the edge of the bed, wondering what to do with all her energy. First she needed the info from Ryan before she could ask Eric for advice. But she had that elusive purpose now. Something to take her attention while she figured so many other things out. Battling for an underdog sounded perfect.

But now she had to check out of her room. Her heart grew heavy as she packed all her things in her cases. The bathing suit from the hot tub and the beach. Yoga pants and long-sleeved shirts from the kayaking trip. The red dress that had knocked his socks off...and the black one that was her particular favorite. All these clothes now had specific memories associated with them, ones that she’d cherish. But it wouldn’t be the same as having Eric with her, making her laugh, taking her breath away.

Before leaving to check out, she glanced at her phone. Ryan had sent her links to articles surrounding the health of the company and the struggles it would face to recover. She spent twenty minutes going over the material—if she talked to Eric, she wanted to at least brush up on the particulars. According to one source, two companies had been interested in taking over Atlantic Bionics. Now it was down to one. He also left a parting note that if she came on board, she’d have access to more detailed material.

Tonight she’d be leaving Eric. The idea that she might have something to go home to was a lifeline she latched on to.

They met in the lobby, both of them leaving their luggage with the concierge before heading to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. It was there, over blissfully strong coffee and eggs Benedict, that Molly told Eric of the morning’s plans.

“So, I have a surprise for you. I’ve booked us on an aerial tour. I took a chance that your fear of heights doesn’t extend to flying, since you travel so much.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “An hour above the island, looking at the coast the way the eagles do.” She reached over and took his hand. “You’ll come?”

“Of course I will. I just wish...”

He hesitated and she met his gaze. “You wish what?”

“I wish we hadn’t had to check out. These are our last hours together. At least...for a while.”

She thought of Ryan’s phone call and smiled a little. “I might have an idea about that, but it’ll keep. Meanwhile, it looks like I’m going to be doing some work for the rehab place, so I’ve put the wheels in motion. How about you?”

He reached into his pocket and took out a new phone. “I picked up a new one this morning and got about three hundred emails and at least two dozen voice messages. Which is less than I expected, but the moment I get on the plane this afternoon, it’s back to the real world.”

The thought put a damper on their earlier fun vibe. “This isn’t going to be easy, is it?”

He shook his head. “No. So let’s enjoy the morning. What time’s the flight?”

She grinned, happy again for one last adventure. “In an hour. Let’s wander the harbor first, shall we?”

They ambled hand in hand along the streets near the harbor, taking in the shops and late-summer flowers. It really was a pretty city, and it was wonderful to wander on their own, without being part of a bigger group. Their own little trip to enjoy and cherish.

Cherish. That was the second time she’d thought of that word today and it gave her a pang of sadness. It was unfair they had to say goodbye. There were no guarantees it would work out. No matter what happened, after today everything would change. Their little bubble of existence would be popped.