It pissed him off that he could not tell her or anyone else that he was in a relationship. Pressing on the horn, he whipped around a slow-moving SUV with unusual impatience. And he realized that at the rate the anger was churning inside him, it was going to take a hell of a lot of deep breathing to get it under control.
"Call David," he said tersely. When his assistant came on the line, he instructed him to push back his one PM appointment.
"Is something wrong?"
"Just do as you're goddamned told."
The silence that followed his explosion had him swearing silently. "Look, I don't want to get into it right now, but I'm in a lousy mood."
"Enough said. See you soon."
Heaving out a breath, he turned off the road and went straight to the park. It was one of theirs. At least, it had been a part of the renovation project they had taken on a few years ago, and the result was breathtaking. Even the chilly air could not take away from the brilliance of the flowers that surrounded the various winding paths. The rides had been reconstructed. At this time of the day, there were just a few people loitering. The sounds of children's laughter were missing. A few ambitious joggers were using the trails.
Pushing the door open, he got out and stretched himself. He needed the frigid air, needed the time to get himself settled. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his outer coat, he started walking.
He wanted to call her, but the mood he was in, it would not be a good idea.
Taking the trail to the left, he avoided the joggers and could feel his anger settling to a simmer. He wanted to shout it to the world that he was married to the most beautiful woman in it. But his hands were tied. He had told his sister that he wanted to start a family, and he meant it. The yearning inside him was getting stronger.
Stopping beneath a towering oak tree, he leaned against the thick trunk and lifted his eyes to the sky. Filtering through the leaves, he saw the slate gray, with patches of clouds trailing by. It was going to rain, he mused absently. Which was going to drop the temperature even lower. As if his thoughts had made it happen, he felt the few drops sliding through the leaves and splashing on him. The wind whipped up, slicing through his protective clothing.
Wrapping his jacket around him, he hurried to his vehicle and got in just before the sky opened.
*****
Good old David did not pout or ask for an apology. As soon as he stepped in, the man took a discreet look at his face as if to gauge his mood and went straight to the coffee pot where he had a fresh brew going and poured a large cup of it.
"Notes on the meeting. I was able to hold the board off for the past few minutes." He handed Leon the coffee and the folder. "McGregor is requesting a meeting. And a reporter from the local newspaper wants to sit down with you. I already told him I would have to consult you on that. It's about the clinic. I was thinking that since your darling sister is equally involved and she happens to be a doctor, she could take the meeting."
His boss's nod of approval had him beaming. "The old man wants to see you as soon as you're free."
"Did he say why?" A sip of the excellent coffee had him feeling much better.
In response, David merely rolled his eyes. Shaking his head, Leon laughed. "I get it. He wouldn't lower himself to give you a reason. Thanks. I really mean that."
"I'm expecting the usual hefty Christmas bonus."
"Already done. Anything else?"
David bent his head to his device and did not answer for a few seconds.
"David?"
"Constance Merrick has been calling for the last few minutes. I think she believes I am hiding you somewhere. She wants you to call her back ASAP." He stared at his boss in that steady way of his. "You had lunch with her."
The anger came again and with it the damn guilt.
"It was not planned. She just happened to be in the same restaurant." He put his cup down. "Lisa had to leave for an emergency, and she sat down. I couldn't very well tell her to leave. Besides, what the hell is wrong with that? She's an old friend."
"And an old lover. One that meant a great deal to you at one time." David gave him a speculative stare. "Or still does."
"She's a friend," he repeated tightly. "So the hell what?"
"You're getting angry for no reason. In my opinion—"
"Which you will keep to yourself." Shoving from the desk, he grabbed the folders. "And know your bloody place."
Chapter 9
