romantic day you'll ever spend.'
She wagged her wrinkled finger at Rina. 'That's where you're wrong. It's the person you are with, not your surroundings that matters. Now get inside. Your brother wants to make a toast.'
And then he'd head over to the hospital, Colin thought, uncertain of whether to dread or look forward to the meeting. As they stepped inside, Jake tapped a knife against a glass and the talking dwindled. 'I'd just like to say a few words. First, I don't know most of you, but thanks for taking care of my sister since she's moved here.'
Colin squeezed Rina's hand tight.
'Second, I want to toast her determination to make a new life and her success in going after what she's always wanted. My sister is now a newspaper columnist and happier than I've ever seen her. Here's to health and happiness, Ri.'
Rina blushed, an adorable shade of pink. But with every one of Jake's words, Colin's gut twisted tighter. Because he knew he was heading over to the hospital to finally discuss the paper's financial situation and future with Joe. A future that might not include Rina.
She wanted to continue her column and live life on her own terms the way her ex-husband had never allowed her to do. Could Colin destroy her dreams just so he could achieve his own goals? January 1 was around the corner, and even if Colin managed an extension, it would only delay the inevitable. Unless he came up with another solution or performed magic. Neither seemed likely.
'And lastly,' Jake said, bringing Colin back to the other man's toast, 'I want to let all of you in on the fact that my beautiful wife and I are officially expecting a baby, something I just discovered myself. So cheers, everyone, and Merry Christmas.' He raised his glass and everyone toasted, clicking glasses and murmuring good wishes.
Colin glanced at Rina's wide smile. 'You don't seem surprised by this news. You weren't fishing when you sent your brother out of the room earlier?'
She shrugged, looking like the proverbial cat who ate the canary. 'I had a
'You like kids, huh?' Now, where the hell had
'Is this a trick question?' She met his gaze, a wry smile on her lips. 'I say no, you think I'm a witch? I say yes, you run for cover before I can con you into having one? It
He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. 'Until he meets the right woman.' And then before things could get too serious, he said, 'I have to get going.'
She nodded. 'I know talking to Joe won't be easy, but you need to do what I said. You need to be true to yourself.'
His heart constricted at her serious words and earnest gaze. She cared so much and gave even more. But she had no idea just what her advice would cost her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RINA LOVED the holidays. The music, the festive cheer, the people surrounding her. She just wished she'd been able to help Colin more, but maybe meeting with Joe would do the trick.
Emma tapped her foot impatiently against the floor and Rina realized she was being chastised. She also knew what for. 'What would you like me to do?' she asked, meeting the older woman's annoyed gaze. 'I can't just take off after Colin.'
Much as she'd like to. She didn't want him to be alone when dealing with Joe, in case the older man's explanation provided more hurt than solution.
'Why can't you leave? It's not like someone here can't hold down the fort while you're gone.' Emma shot her a pointed glare.
'You of all people understand etiquette. I can't walk out on my own party. It's rude.'
'I beg to differ. Catherine's a caterer and she'd be happy to keep the hors d'oeuvres hot until you get back. Wouldn't you?' Emma grasped Catherine's sleeve as she walked by.
'Wouldn't I what?' the pretty blonde asked.
'Hold down the food, I mean fort, while Rina goes to the hospital to be by Colin's side.'
'Of course.' Cat waved a hand in dismissal. 'You go on and don't worry about a thing here.'
'But…'
'And while Catherine handles the food, Francesca doesn't mind serving as hostess, do you, dear?' The older woman had to hustle, but she managed to poke Frankie in the back as she passed. 'I'd play hostess myself but I'm being paged,' Emma said.
To Rina's shock, Emma turned and blew a kiss Stan's way.
'I'll be right there,' she called to the man who sat in the corner, patting the arm of the chair as if he wanted Emma to join him.
Frankie chuckled. 'I can handle things here,' she assured Emma and Rina.
Rina glanced around. She had to admit, she could probably sneak off for an hour and they'd survive.
But Colin was facing an emotional minefield. Would he welcome her presence? Or would showing up give him a reason to push her away?
Half an hour later, Rina walked into the hospital, and after meeting up with Corinne on Joe's floor, was directed to his room. She strode into the doorway and paused. Colin sat in the chair beside the bed, his back to the door and his head bent close to the man he called his father.
The intensity in the room was fierce and a lump rose to her throat. Her pulse began to pound and her heart raced, anticipation and anxiety feuding inside her. She didn't know what Colin was facing. But as much as she wanted to go to him, to hold his hand, she remained in the shadows, knowing he deserved his time alone.
Knowing, too, she'd be here when it was through.
CORINNE HAD LEFT Colin alone with Joe, destroying any lingering notions Colin might have had about her exerting undue influence on Joe. Not that he had many left anyway. After a solid week of watching her at Joe's bedside, he was convinced of her sincerity, not that it was an easy thing to admit.
'Did you ever have a dream?' Joe asked.
'Of course I've dreamed.' Colin forced a laugh as the older man stared without speaking, an old tactic he'd used on Colin as a teenager. One that to this day never failed to elicit a response. 'I've dreamed of running the paper.'
'Bullshit.' Joe spoke loud, clear and less slurred than before. The effort obviously cost him, because he leaned back against the white pillow. 'You don't know your dreams and until you stop running, you never will.'
A punch in the stomach would have been more gentle, but then, gentle had never been Joe's style. Directness had, which was why Corinne's power of attorney had taken Colin off guard. Joe hadn't prepared him up front.
Seconds passed in which Joe just met Colin's gaze and stared, while Colin tried to formulate a response when he had none. Because as usual, the older man was right.
Joe gestured to the water pitcher. Grateful for a minute to think, Colin poured the cold liquid into a disposable cup, waiting for Joe to take a few sips before taking the cup back and placing it on the tray.
'If I'd have asked you to run the paper when I got sick, months before I had the stroke, I'd have been forcing you to come home, for who knows how long. And you need to find your way without my influence.' He cleared his throat. 'I've always considered you a son. Even when you couldn't return the sentiment.'
Colin swallowed hard. 'I returned it. I just couldn't show it. I thought I'd be betraying my parents.'
Hard as Joe and Nell tried, Colin realized now they'd never completely filled the parental role, probably because he'd been old enough to maintain love and loyalty. And fear. Fear if he gave himself over to Joe and Nell's love, he'd lose his parents for good. Never mind that he'd already lost them.
Joe's laugh sounded more like a rasping wheeze, scaring Colin. 'I knew that. Hell, Nell knew it, too. We never
