A Matter of the Heart - Patricia Davids Mills & Boon Love Inspired

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Nora jumped in. “As you know from my messages, Quentin, my charity, Children of the Day, is in desperate need of antibiotics. Our doctors in one of our refugee camps have reported a severe outbreak of staphylococcus, and we are asking for your help. We need four thousand vials of penicillin, and I’m not going to take no for an answer.”

      Rob stood beside Carmen’s desk and listened through Nora’s partially open door to her side of the conversation. He might be guilty of eavesdropping, but she was talking about Children of the Day and that was his story. He smiled at the secretary and took a seat in one of the chairs just outside Nora’s door as if he were waiting for her to finish.

      “No,” Nora said emphatically. “Five hundred vials isn’t enough. We need four thousand. Your company’s tax break on such a donation will more than offset the cost of sending us the drugs. We both know the drugs are sitting in your warehouse taking up space. Your newer generation antibiotics are in much more demand.”

      In the silence that followed as she listened to the person on the other end of the line, Rob caught Carmen’s eye. “Does she do this often?”

      “All the time. She knows a lot of drug people. I think that’s what her husband did before he died.”

      Nora’s voice cut in again. “You must be joking. I’m willing to take products with less than one year’s shelf life but not something that is going to expire in two months. Six months is as low as I will go, and only because I know exactly where the drugs are going and that there won’t be a delay in using them. I’m sure your company wants to be seen as ethical as well as charitable.” Nora’s tone was cool as ice. Rob didn’t envy the person on the other end of the line.

      He pulled out his notebook and began to jot down some notes.

      “I have a reporter here from the paper Liberty and Justice. You may have heard of them,” Nora continued. “I’m sure you don’t want them doing a story about how Tarkott Pharmaceuticals is giving away drugs that are worthless in exchange for a hefty tax break.”

      Rob’s eyebrows rose in surprise. So she wasn’t above using the power of the press when it suited her. He admired her nerve.

      “Good. Send the drugs directly to me. I’ll take care of the international shipping costs and the needed forms. I thank you, and Children of the Day thanks you. We’ll make sure that your company is given the recognition it deserves for your kind gesture. Please give Merilee my best. Goodbye.”

      The sound of her receiver hitting the cradle signaled Rob that she was free. He rose to his feet, then stepped inside her office. At the sight of him, her expression hardened in a way that would have made most people turn tail. “I thought we were through for today.”

      “I have a couple more questions, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation just now. Do you often solicit drugs for Children of the Day?” He flipped open his notepad and began writing.

      “I help when I can.”

      “It must make it easier for you than for some since your husband was in the pharmaceutical business.” He waited to jot down her comments, but when she didn’t speak he glanced at her.

      During his years in the army he had seen fear in the eyes of many people, but he certainly wasn’t expecting to see that emotion on Nora’s face at this moment. Her eyes were wide with alarm, her skin drained of color.

      He lowered his pen and took a step toward her. “What’s wrong?”

      She recoiled and looked away. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong except that you are keeping me from getting my work done. I really have to insist that you leave now.” Her voice trembled ever so slightly. She pulled a folder from the stack at the side of her desk and opened it.

      He stood rooted to the spot, uncertain of what to do. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

      “I’m not upset. I’m simply busy.”

      Her tone was stronger, but he didn’t believe her. Part of him wanted to know what had caused her distress, and another part of him wanted only to reassure and comfort her.

      “Good day, Mr. Dale!” This time the command was unmistakable. She didn’t even glance in his direction.

      “Good day, Nora.” He walked out of her office with a dozen unanswered questions whirling though his mind.

      Calling herself every kind of fool, Nora closed the file she was holding and rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. The tension headache building behind her eyes didn’t ease.

      She had overreacted to Rob’s comment about Bernard’s business. She had seen the look of speculation in the reporter’s eyes when he left the room. Her hopes that he wouldn’t look too closely into her past might have just flown out the window and she had thrown up the sash. What could she do? How could she fix this?

      By giving him what he wanted.

      The answer that occurred to her was surprisingly simple. Rob wanted an in-depth look at her work for Children of the Day. The more she resisted his attempts to do that, the more likely he was to wonder why she wouldn’t cooperate.

      If she decided to help him, would he think it was strange? Would it make him more suspicious?

      She glanced at Pamela’s picture. What choice did she have?

      Rising, she hurried to her door and pulled it open. To her relief, he hadn’t left yet.

      “Rob, I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

      She didn’t know who looked more surprised by her apology, Rob or Carmen.

      He shook his head. “Don’t give it another thought. Are you sure you’re okay?”

      She took a step toward him. “I’m stressed, that’s all. With baby Dempsey’s condition on my mind and then hearing a pharmaceutical company tell me they don’t want to help sick children…I just lost it. You were a handy target. I’m sorry.”

      “I can see how you might feel stressed.”

      “That’s no excuse for my behavior. I do understand what you are trying to do with your article. If you can raise the awareness of what Children of the Day does, then I’ll try not to hinder you.” She smiled broadly. “You said you had a few more questions. I’ll try to answer them.”

      He waved one hand. “It can wait.”

      “Are you sure?”

      “Absolutely. I’ll get out of your hair and let you get back to work.”

      “All right then. Good day.” Nora walked back into her office and sank into her chair. She hoped that Rob had accepted her explanation and would be satisfied with that.

      He watched as Nora went back inside her office and wondered why she had undergone such a change of heart. Her explanation was reasonable, but it didn’t feel quite right.

      He nodded to Carmen. “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. I’m going into surgery with the good doctor.”

      “You won’t see me. Delia will be back tomorrow.”

      “Then I look forward to meeting Delia.”

      “I’m not so sure you should look forward to it. Delia is a bit of a dragon. She runs a very tight ship.”

      “Then I look forward to taming the dragon.”

      Carmen tilted her head to one side. “If anyone can do it, I think you’re the man for the job.”

      He touched his brow with one finger and gave Carmen a wink before heading out the door. In the hallway, he glanced at his notes. He had written the words husband, company name and background check.

      After pulling his cell phone from his pocket, Rob scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he was looking for. He placed the call, and on the

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