The Skipper & the Billionaire Playboy

It seemed to take the last bit of energy they possessed to undress to underwear and fall into the huge bed. Nadia reached for Sawyer, and his arms wrapped around her. She clung to him, and he held her just as tightly as they drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Twelve

The phone in the hotel room rang around three a.m., and both Sawyer and Nadia were instantly alert. Trading a concerned glance, she held his hand as he reached for the phone. Sawyer hit the speaker button instead of lifting the handset, and Caitlin’s voice came through a second later. It was thick with tears, and she squeezed Sawyer’s hand again as she braced herself for bad news and to offer comfort.

“It’s about Father.”

“What’s going on? Do we need to get to the hospital?” Sawyer’s tone was filled with dread, and a slight sheen of sweat dotted his brow.

“Yes, but he isn’t worse.” The more she spoke, the more the hope bled through her voice. “He’s awake and demanding to see us. You know how he gets when he wants something.”

Nadia sagged with relief at the news Herald hadn’t passed away. She dared cling to a hint of hope as she and Sawyer prepared to leave the room. They joined Kiersten and Caitlin in the lobby a few minutes later and walked across the dark, quiet parking lot to the crosswalk. There were still a few cars on the road, but it was quiet for San Francisco.

Once in the hospital, the night nurse directed them to Harold’s room, and Nadia hung back when they reached the critical care unit. She wasn’t technically family, but Sawyer’s hand clung to hers. She hesitated, and he turned to look at her with a frown. “I’m not supposed to go in,” she whispered.

He made a scoffing sound. “I suspect my grandfather likes you more than he likes me, so come on.”

Allowing herself to be persuaded, since she wanted to join them anyway, she clung to his hand and walked in beside him.

For a man who’d had a serious stroke, verging on being in a coma state, and a serious brain bleed, Harold looked pretty good. He was pale and obviously weak, but he was awake and shooting daggers with his eyes at the nurse, who was trying to pry the remote from his hand. “I’m old enough to know if I want to watch television or stay up all night, nurse. Get the hell out of my room.”

“Father,” chastised Caitlin, looking slightly embarrassed, but

mostly amused. She shot the nurse an apologetic look as the young woman sped out of the room, clearly relieved to be away from Harold. Apparently, he wasn’t the best patient.

He grumped for a few moments about the service at the hospital, complaining about how they had refused to contact Caitlin for the first hour or so. “I wore them down, don’t you just bet.” He seemed rather proud of himself, even though he clearly didn’t feel his best.

“Oh, Father, I was so worried about you.” Caitlin had rushed to his bed, taking the only chair as she sat down to grasp his hand in hers.

Nadia watched with a hint of amusement as Harold endured the fussing for a moment before finally pulling his hand from his daughter’s and waving it. “Okay, okay. I’m going to be all right, but the doctor—who I insisted on seeing as soon as I was awake, though they told me I couldn’t. Ha! Anyway, that young man, who seems to have recently graduated from high school rather than medical school, tells me I’ll be a guest here for a few days, and then I’ll have to go to a rehabilitation facility for a few weeks.”

“Nonsense,” said Kiersten. “You can convalesce as well at home as you can in one of those places.”

Harold nodded, looking satisfied. “Precisely what I said, my dear, and I won’t do anything less. I won’t be going to one of those places for old people.” It was clear, even in light of his recent stroke, that Harold didn’t consider himself an old person or in need of a rehabilitation home.

Abruptly, the older man’s eyes focused on Sawyer, and he wore a stern expression. “That doctor also told me I have to stop working. I’m fine with that.” He sounded relieved actually. “It means you need to step up and take over, Sawyer.”

Sawyer stiffened, his reluctance clear. “How long?”

Harold shook his head before wincing slightly. He must have still had a headache from the stroke. “That’s up to you. I’m done with the whole thing, my boy. You can sell it, run it, or donate it to charity. Whatever you do, it’s time you stepped up and made a decision. Took on some responsibility like an adult.”

Sawyer’s posture revealed annoyance and anger, but he didn’t retort. Either he was holding himself in check out of respect for Harold’s current physical condition, or perhaps he recognized the truth of the words. Either way, he nodded tightly. “I’ll see to it then.”

Harold’s sighed and relaxed against the pillow, which was only a few shades lighter than his skin at the moment. He was clearly exhausted, but trying to hide it. “That’s good to hear, Sawyer. I’m happy to return to retirement. I might take a cruise, or perhaps I’ll learn to paint. Maybe take up growing grapes and make wine…” He was still listing his plans as he drifted off to sleep in mid-word.

They stayed a few minutes longer to ensure he wouldn’t wake again before they tiptoed from the room. Outside, Caitlin sagged against Kiersten, looking frail and worn, but stronger than she had earlier. “He’s going to be all right, I believe.”

Kiersten nodded as she hugged her mother around the waist. “Of course he will. Grandfather is a tough old bird, and he’s not going to let this defeat him. Now that Sawyer is here to take over the company, he can focus on convalescing and enjoying his golden years.”

Sawyer still hadn’t spoken since the brief exchange with his grandfather, and Nadia took his hand in hers again, frowning slightly when he didn’t respond with more than a feeble squeeze before pulling away. He must be unhappy about the prospect of taking over for his grandfather. It would be an adjustment for him, to go from a carefree lifestyle to CEO of a company, even if he only held the position for a brief time.

“Does your grandfather have everything in place that allows you to step in for him, Sawyer? Isn’t there a Board of Directors or something you have to go through first?”

Sawyer shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ll ask one of the attorneys tomorrow.” He glanced at the clock on the wall with a half-grimace. “Later today, I guess.”

It was only a little past four, but Nadia knew she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again. Apparently, the others felt the same way, and they drifted to the cafeteria by unspoken agreement. As she sat with them at the table, feeling included in the discussion and at home in the family circle, she was relieved for Harold, even as she worried for Sawyer. Responsibility wouldn’t kill him, but she knew he was unprepared. It was always more difficult to face a task you didn’t want to handle if you hadn’t prepared for it properly first.

Sawyer signed off on the latest expense report Paige placed before him. He gave it little more than a cursory read-through, deciding to trust her numbers. If they were wrong, he didn’t really care. He’d soon be shedding this albatross around his neck, and it would be someone else’s problem.