“Actually, I haven’t. The people who work forme have a clear understanding of my professional expectations. Idon’t mix business with my personal life…EVER. My suggestion to youis whatever ‘confusion’ there might be between you and Ms.Catchings, clean it up. CkR International won’t tolerate even ahint of impropriety.”
“Of course Mr. Roth, of course.” Joshuaturned three different shades of red from embarrassment. “I’llschedule that meeting with Verna and see you next week.” BeforeJoshua could say anything else Franklin turned around and went intohis office to gather his things.
Franklin and Sandy had been in the air forabout two and half hours. They’d barely spoken to each other theentire flight. Her head was down as she read a magazine. Franklincouldn’t help but notice Sandra. She was stunning. She was wearinga form fitting sun dress and sandals. Her legs were crossed and itseemed like they went on forever before disappearing underneath herdress. When he’d seen her at the office she had her strawberryblonde hair pulled back into some type of up do but now it was putup into a sculpted ponytail. Sandra oozed sexy from thoseincredible blue eyes to the red nail polish on her perfectlymanicured toes. Franklin’s eyes followed those hands as she turnedthe pages of the magazine. He couldn’t help but think how theywould feel roaming free over his body.
Sandra looked up from the magazine and caughtFranklin staring at her. She smiled at him. He did not return thesmile.
But, she knew that look. She’d seen it timeand time again. Maybe that was why he was acting so strangelytowards her. He was angry that he’d allowed himself to be attractedto her. His jaws clenched seemingly after being caught red-handedoogling her. His eyes suddenly went from heat to hard.
Franklin had had enough of women using theirbeauty to get what they wanted from men. It was sickening. Afterall, his ex, April had taught him well not to trust them. As amatter of fact she was the poster child of using men and Ms.Catchings seemed to have quite a bit more experience than April ifMr. Jones was to be believed. Jason was one lucky bastard. It waswild how it all happened but he was able to know for sure thatVicky loved him not for his name, money, cars, or homes that hecould buy for her but truly for him.
Sandra returned to reading her magazine. Shedidn’t look up from the glossy “Maybe if you had a drink you couldrelax a little.” Franklin didn’t seem like one of those men who letpower go to his head. Who knows maybe he was just the type. AllSandra had to go on was that Vicky said he was a nice guy. As sweetas Vicky was she wasn’t very experienced when it came to men andsometimes she could be very naïve. But to Sandy, Franklin seemedlike a pompous ass.
“Excuse me?”
“You seem pretty tense more so since we spokethis morning. Did something happen since then?”
“Ms. Catchings there is a little girlwho is holding on to her life by a thread. Of course, I’m tense. Iwould think you would be a little more concerned yourself for thehealth of your ‘friends’daughter.”
Sandra looked up from her magazine andlifted one of her perfectly sculpted eyebrows then focused herpiercing blue eyes directly at him. “Mr. Roth one thing you willlearn about me very quickly is that I am very direct. I say what Imean and I mean what I say. Since this morning you seem to have aproblem with me. I cannot fathom what it could be and I won’t wastemy energy trying to guess. However, I will not tolerate you oranyone else for that matter questioning my motives forANYTHING that I do.”
Franklin wasn’t expecting Sandra to talk tohim that way and in a weird way he was impressed. Most people wouldhave been intimidated by him. She obviously was not. “I wasn’tquestioning your motives just merely making an observation that youdon’t seem the least bit worried. No need for you to get soemotional.”
Sandra was seething on the inside. Whatwas it with men that if you challenged them on their bullshit thenwomen were being emotional?“Emotional? I’m a lot of things Mr. Franklin, but I can assureyou emotional is not one ofthem. And, let’s get this strait YOU most definitely were trying toquestion my motives. You don’t know me well enough to make anyinformed opinion about me whatsoever.”
As they stared each other down neither waswilling to be the first to turn away. However, when the pilot cameon the intercom to inform them to prepare for landing, Sandra wasthe first to look away. But, only because she realized Franklinwasn’t worth her energy. Men like him were a dime a dozen.
She was tired of dealing with arrogant,self-absorbed men. Joshua Jones immediately came to mind. He hadtexted her at least ten times since they left for Atlanta. Shedecided not to answer any of them. For the next several days sheneeded to put all of her energy into helping Vicky and Jason getthrough this nightmare.
Franklin couldn’t understand what Vicky andSandra could possibly have in common. Vicky was sweet and giving.Sandra seemed like a calculating cold-hearted ice queen.
Chapter 15
The hospital staff finally moved Angel to herroom in the pediatrics intensive care unit. Jason and Vicky hadbeen sitting with her for the last several hours. There had been nochange in her condition. If anything, Vicky could tell by thenursing activity surrounding Angel that things weren’t gettingbetter.
Jason leaned over and put his lips on Vicky’stemple. “Shirley should be here soon. Her plane is scheduled toland in the next 10 minutes or so. ”
“I don’t know how to thank you for everythingyou’ve done for us.”
“I know I’m not her real dad but I feel likeit. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you or Angel.”
Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford silently walked intothe room. Jason looked up and it seemed like they had bought theentire gift shop. They brought balloons, teddy bears, and toysgalore.
“When she wakes up we want this room to befilled with happiness and love. So we just bought everything wecould think of
