Page 136 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Sure. Right.” Her blue eyes lightened when she smiled.
A few minutes later, Victoria was about to leave when he grabbed her by the elbow. “So the caroling? You’re on? I’ll email you the time and place.”
“Sure. Whatever.” Her confused expression was cute.
This strange feeling in his stomach felt new. Unnerving.
Betsy had left and they were alone. Victoria’s chin tipped up and how he wanted to kiss her.
But he didn’t. After Victoria left, the halls were very quiet. He went back to his computer to get the clinic’s operational figures together. Maybe Victoria’s dad would have more of a heart than his own father. Wasn’t this the season of hope?
CHAPTER 11
When Dr. D. handed Victoria the information Daddy wanted, of course she was curious. “Do you mind if I look?” They were sitting in his office.
“Be my guest.” He raised his brows as if to say,you won’t like this.
She scanned the two sheets. “Wow, this clinic is expensive. If Victoria’s Pantry ran at a loss like this, I’d have to close the doors.” How did he manage to keep the doors open?
Derek flinched. “This isn’t a for-profit enterprise, Victoria. I hope your father realizes that.”
“You are an eternal optimist.” She tucked the sheets back into the envelope.
“Yep, that's me. Always looking on the sunny side.” He seemed to enjoy teasing her and she didn’t mind a bit. They’d fallen into an easy working relationship that had an edge to it...at least for her. Was she just another one of the help? Sometimes she felt as if he were going to kiss her. Her entire body went on overload at the thought. But he didn’t. Maybe she had this all wrong.
The following day, she took the envelope to Daddy at his office. Surrounded by the elegant gray and black decor, shecouldn’t help comparing her father’s office to Derek’s. She wasn’t sure that Dr. D. would ever feel comfortable in a place like this. What was his own father’s office like?
Marion, Daddy’s assistant, smiled as Victoria breezed through. Her father was just ending a call and waved her in. Two seconds later, he hung up. “How’s my girl?”
“Just fine. Getting in the Christmas spirit of giving.” Was that too direct? With Derek’s numbers in her hands, she wished her father would get in that mood too. But he wouldn’t see much return on this investment. That’s for sure. “Here you go, Daddy. The figures you wanted from the Open Hearth Clinic. I'm hoping you can help them out.”
There. She couldn’t be more blunt. Giving her a searching glance, he took the envelope from her hands. She settled into one of the gray leather wing chairs facing his desk. Her hands gripped the cushy arms as nerves churned in her stomach. The office of Pomeroy Enterprises sat on the top floor of a five-story high-rise not far from Sweetwater Creek’s historical area. As a little girl, she’d pretended this glassed-in room was her tree house.
“When’s your article going to appear in the newspaper? Reginald was pretty impressed.” Setting the folder on his desk, Daddy leaned back in his plush leather chair.
“It might run this coming Sunday. But I’m not counting on it. You know how it goes.” Her stomach flipped like one of Maribelle’s flapjacks. What if it didn't appear? What if Mr. Osborne had a change of heart? She didn’t want Daddy––or Derek, for that matter––counting on it. “Articles get bumped all the time.”
“Can’t wait to read it. Have you changed your mind about Palm Beach?” Daddy’s voice and eyes coaxed her to say yes. How she hated to disappoint him.
Victoria knotted her hands together in her lap. “Sorry, but I really can't. You know, my business and everything.”
“But, Bitsy, what will you do without us?” Daddy scratched his wrinkled forehead. His skin was beginning to show the effects of doing business on the golf course. “What about dinner and everything?”
“I’ll be fine, Daddy. Really.”
His sigh told her he’d given up. “Have you settled things with your mother about your Christmas gift? I hope we’re giving you something nice this year.”
“But I don't need anything.” Was she really saying this? Then a light went on. “There is one thing I’d like, though.”
“Name it, sweetheart.” His face brightened. Daddy loved to spoil her.
“Whatever you were going to spend on my gift? Donate that money to the Open Hearth Clinic. I would love that. Really.”
Amazement flickered across his face. Shrugging, he held up both hands. “All right. If that’s what you want. And the address is here?” He tapped the folder.
“Yes.” Wouldn’t the clinic and all the people she’d met there have the best Christmas ever?
Flipping the folder open, he gave it a quick glance. “This project looks vaguely familiar. I’m asked to consider a lot of start-ups.”
