LITMIR.BIZ

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around the bedroom. “Dad, this is spectacular. This closet is big enough to make me dizzy, and there’s another room in here with a washer and dryer.”

       Malcolm frowned. “A washer and dryer in the bedroom? I’ve never heard of such.”

       “I guess they make bedrooms more functional out here in California. If I had a bedroom like this, I could get a whole day’s work done without ever leaving the room.”

       Ari strolled into another room. “There is a subzero freezer and fridge in here, too. This definitely works for me.”

       “And to think, all your mother and I ever dreamed of having in our bedroom is a fireplace,” Malcolm said.

       “Well, now you have two fireplaces, a wide-screen television and a waterfall in the shower built for two.” Ari walked over to his father and said, “Dad, I hope you and Mom know what to do with all this stuff.”

       Malcolm grinned. “Don’t worry about us, son. I’m sure we could figure it out.”

       “Dad, you and Mom deserve to live like this. You two have worked so hard for the family. I’m glad Robert left his estate to you. It was the right thing to do, but also he made the right decision. You will bring nothing but honor to his legacy.”

       The two men embraced.

       Malcolm stifled a yawn. “I don’t know about you, but I’m still on East Coast time. I’m beat.”

       “I am, too,” Ari said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

       He left the master suite and walked across the hall where he would be sleeping. His suite was not as opulent as the bedroom his father was in, but it was the largest guest room Ari had ever been in. His master retreat at home was a nice size but definitely not this big.

       Ari made his way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. “You can fit two people in this one, too,” he whispered. “Man, this is nice.”

       He showered, slipped into a pair of pajamas and settled down in the sitting room to watch television. A picture of April formed in Ari’s mind.

      She’s smiling. This must mean that she’s happy and at peace.

       Ari missed her dearly. He touched the wedding band on his finger as his heart grieved the loss of the only woman he had ever loved. He often wondered if he would ever feel such emotion for another person again.

       Another image formed.

       His breath caught as Natasha’s faced loomed in his mind. Ari shook his head as if trying to shake the likeness of her out of his mind. How could she control his thoughts like this? Everything about Natasha disturbed him.

       After a dinner of spaghetti and turkey meatballs, Natasha helped Joshua with his homework and then read him a story. Joshua had complained of feeling tired afterward, so he had gone straight to bed.

       Natasha settled down in her den and opened a novel. She found it hard to concentrate on reading. Ari Alexander and his father dominated her thoughts. They didn’t have the experience needed to manage luxury properties like the DePaul Hotel Group. Why can’t Ari see that?

       Harold had worked under Robert’s tutelage since college. He was more qualified, and he was Robert’s nephew. But Malcolm Alexander was Robert’s son.

       “This is such a mess,” she whispered. It was too bad they couldn’t find some way to work together. Harold had been the one balking at the very thought of joining forces with Malcolm. He wanted all of Robert’s assets retained in their family.

       Natasha wasn’t sure how this situation was going to turn out, but she prayed for a positive outcome. She liked and respected Malcolm Alexander. His son Ari was another story, however.

       Those deep, penetrating eyes of his seemed to look right through Natasha. His gaze was uncomfortable and kept her on the defensive.

      He thinks I’m trying to cheat his father out of his fortune, but I’m protecting him, Natasha kept telling herself. Besides, this really has nothing to do with Ari. It’s Malcolm’s decision. Enough about Ari, she silently chided. He’s a married man and after tomorrow, I probably won’t ever see him again.

       Natasha stifled a yawn. She was exhausted, but it was much too early for her to go to bed.

       She rose to her feet and made her way to her son’s room.

       Joshua was asleep.

       Natasha stood there, watching him. She was so proud of her little angel. Since finding out about the leukemia, Joshua had exhibited nothing but courage, even at his weakest.

       Whenever he went in to have chemo, Joshua was always the one trying to cheer up the others who were scared or sobbing. He liked to make cards for the other children in the hospital, or take them candy.

       Natasha felt something wet on her cheeks. She hadn’t realized she was crying. She wiped her face on the back of her hands and then eased the door shut. She quietly made her way to her bedroom and turned on the monitor. It gave her comfort, knowing that she could hear her son cry out if he needed her.

       The telephone rang.

       She saw her sister’s name on the caller ID and picked up the receiver.

       “Natalie,” she said into the phone. “It’s about time you called me back. Mama’s been driving me crazy about your engagement dinner. Remember how she was when Nathan got married? Well, she is even worse now.” She glanced over at a photo of the three of them. They were triplets and very close.

       Her sister laughed. “I’m sorry. My caseload is really heavy right now. I’ve been trying to clear my desk before the wedding.”

       “I understand, but our mother doesn’t. You know she wants everything to be perfect.”

       “It will be,” Natalie responded. “She just needs to relax. How’s my little sweetie?”

       “He had a good day today, sis. He was tired after dinner, so I sent him to bed.”

       “I know deep down that Joshua is going to be fine,” Natalie stated. “Just let me know if I can help you with money, doctors…anything.”

       “We are going to be fine, I think,” Natasha said. “I feel so much better having a full-time nurse caring for him when I’m not here.”

       “That has to be expensive.”

       “It is,” Natasha confirmed. “But I’ll do whatever I have to do for Joshua.”

       “Have you heard from his father?” her sister asked.

       “No, and I don’t expect to hear from him. Natalie, the man that was supposed to love me forever…he left me for a stripper. Calvin never wanted to be a father, so when I got pregnant—that was the last straw for him.”

       “I never thought he was good enough for you, Natasha. You know I never liked him.”

       “I know. Back then I couldn’t understand why, but I do now.” She ran her fingers through her hair, fingering the curls. “Let’s talk about you. My sister’s getting married.”

       “I am,” she squealed on the other end of the line.

       “I’m really happy for you, Natalie, but I have to confess that I’m a tiny bit jealous. I want a happily ever after.”

       “You’re going to get yours,” Natalie assured her. “The right man is on his way to you.”

       An image of Ari formed in her mind, but Natasha shooed it away. He’s a married man, she silently screamed.

       “Natasha, you still here?”

       She forced her thoughts back to her conversation with her sister. “Yeah, I’m here.”

       They talked for almost two hours before Natasha said, “Natalie, I can’t wait to see you this weekend.” She glanced

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