Page 40 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Oh, we’re not doing this for you,” Liam assured him. “We’re doing it for your daughter.”
“I know.” Andrew nodded. “I’m under no illusions that you’d do the same for me.” He was quiet for a few seconds before saying. “While I understand that you’ll walk away after you’ve helped Molly, I would ask that you at least meet my wife, Georgia, and Molly.”
“I thought we already covered this?” Liam’s brows raised. “Jennifer and I don’t want to know the family you replaced your old one with.”
A knock at the door distracted them. “Come in,” Liam called.
The door opened, and Liam’s assistant stuck her head in.
“Mr. Gains, a woman outside wants to see Mr. Andrew Gains,” she informed Liam.
“Okay, send her in,” Liam’s brow furrowed.
“I’m so sorry, Andrew, but if we don’t leave now, we’re not going to get back to Boston in time—“ The tall, elegant woman stopped talking as her eyes met Harley’s. Her face paled, and her eyes widened in shock. “Mr. Donovan?”
“You two know each other?” Jennifer asked with narrowed eyes.
“Yes.” Harley’s tone was clipped as he fought to control the anger that ignited when he heard that woman’s voice. “She’s the negligent doctor responsible for my son’s death.”
CHAPTER 9
“Ibeg your pardon?” Andrew Gains looked at Harley in surprise. “That’s quite an accusation to make, Harley.”
“No, it’s not!” Harley didn’t take his eyes off the tall, elegant woman who had just entered Liam’s office.
“I thought Daniel passed away from getting the flu,” Jennifer said. She frowned, looking at the woman who’d just entered.
“Georgia, I presume?” Liam addressed the woman and stood up as everyone else was now standing.
“No,” Andrew corrected him. “This is Doctor Jessica Ainsley, my sister-in-law.”
“I hopeshe’snot Molly’s oncologist,“ Harley’s voice was filled with disdain.
“While I was the one who diagnosed Molly’s condition,” Jessica’s voice was frosty, “I’m not her doctor. Doctor Mulder is.”
“Good call,” Harley said, looking at Andrew and then at Jennifer. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Jennifer’s heart went out to Harley. These past few days, like her, he’d been confronted by his painful past, and it was all her family’s fault.
“I’ll come with you,” Jennifer offered.
“No, stay and sort out an arrangement with your… with Andrew and hissister-in-law!“ Harley’s eyes narrowed as he gave Jessica a cold look.
“Liam will sort out the arrangements.” Jennifer looked at her brother. “I have to give Harley a ride home. We brought him here in my car.”
“Sure!” Liam gestured with his hand and flopped back into his chair.
“I’ll leave,” Jessica said, her eyes sliding to Harley. “I’m the one that interrupted the meeting.”
“Why did you barge in here?” Jennifer looked at her curiously.
“Andrew and I need to get back to Boston before eight tonight,” Jessica informed them, turning to Andrew. “I came to check if you’re almostfinished.”
“AsMr. Donovanand I are leaving,“ Jennifer told her haughtily, “why don’t you take a seat while Andrew and my brother sort out the last of the details.”
Before anyone could speak, Jennifer ushered Harley, who looked like he wanted to throttle Jessica, out of the room. They walked toward the front sitting room where she and Harley stood staring out at the white stretch of beach. They turned and looked to the left, where Alex’s superyacht bobbed in the late afternoon sunlight.
“It still puzzles me why, if Alex has all that luxury docked there, he stays in a suite in the hotel?” Jennifer sighed, making small talk while Harley gained control of his emotions.
