For Nick (27 page)

But she had.

And it spoke volumes as to her character.

-22-

Andie slowly opened her eyes, the bright lights causing her to squint. Her head pounded with a throbbing pain and her vision was slightly out of focus. She longed to drift back into a deep sleep, to ignore her racing thoughts, and just let it all go. But her mind had taken over, seemingly awake long before her body. She didn’t want to face her life. It was a miserable existence, filled with despair, aching and longing, wishing and hoping. Zach sat in a chair next to her bed, his eyes intense. The very sight of him caused pain in her soul as memories flooded her mind. A tear slipped down her cheek.

She’d lost their baby.

Zach squeezed her hand tightly, trying to reassure her.

It didn’t help. The sobs started somewhere in her gut and then burst forth, painful in their intensity. “I want my baby, I want my baby,” she mumbled over and over as her chest shuddered from the force of her gasps

Zach leaned forward and took her in his arms in an effort to comfort her, hugging her tightly till she quieted. When he pulled away, his eyes were wet with tears also, taking Andie aback. Their eyes searched each other’s for several moments. He took her uninjured hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it several times, then clutched it to his heart.

“I’m sorry, Zach. I should have told you,” she whispered.

“No…don’t apologize. You tried to tell me, I know that now. I opened the presents, Andie…and I love them. It’s me who owes you an apology. I’m so sorry for all of the heartache I’ve put you through. I didn’t mean for things to turn out this way.”

Tears were her only response. For her baby. For Zach. It was over between them. Too much had transpired. She was positive that their relationship could never recover from the damage.

“I wish things would’ve turned out differently,” he added, softly kissing her hand again. “Charles was here earlier. He said he’d be back later. I don’t know where he went.”

“You met?” Zach and Charles in the same room could only mean one thing: they’d spoken about her. How much did Zach know? If he didn’t know where Charles was, then he obviously didn’t know much.

He nodded in response. “You’re going to be fine. Just a broken arm, a few bruises, and a bump on the head with a few stitches, that’s all,” he said optimistically, clearly trying to be positive and downplay her injuries.

“That’s not all,” Andie objected.
My baby.
“Our baby.” Tears poured down her face at her loss and her chest burned with pain. Zach closed his eyes, pressing his lips to her hand, and waited till she regained control of her emotions.

“I know,” he capitulated sadly. “I know. I’m so sorry.” He paused, seeming to think carefully about his words. “I wanted our child, Andie. Please know that.”

His words felt like a dagger to her heart. It was too late. Much too late. “I’m sorry I ran. It was a stupid thing to do.”

“I’m sorry I let you go. I knew how upset you were.”

Andie remembered their fight, that huge blow-up of emotions neither one of them had expected. What a mess they’d made of their lives. She was done with the whole sorry affair. She had Nick to think of. Zach obviously loved Camille and wanted her as his wife. In the end, things were back where they were meant to be. Fate had stepped in and made things right. It was odd how that happened sometimes. She didn’t have it in her to fight for him any longer. It was a losing battle anyway. She belonged with Nick. She’d simply dabbled in Zach’s life for awhile, wishing it could be so. In the end, she was left with memories.

And nothing more.

Robert surprised them with a visit, standing at the edge of Andie’s bed, holding a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands.

“Hi sweetheart,” he said with a smile. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to drop these by and wish you well.”

Andie smiled at him. “Thank you, Robert.”

It was the first smile Zach had seen on Andie’s face in quite awhile. He was amazed. He’d never once seen Robert act so…kind. Andie had Robert wrapped around her little finger. Since when did that happen?

Robert only stayed a few minutes. He was filled with sweet platitudes that he bestowed upon Andie in a tone of voice he’d never heard him use previous to this occasion. Before he left, he asked to speak with Zach.

“I’ll be right back,” he told Andie.

Robert faced him gravely. “Most of us got word of what had happened just today. I wish you would’ve called me.”

“Sorry. I’ve had other things on my mind.”

“As well you should. Are…are you okay?”

“Yeah, I guess so. We lost our baby,” Zach blurted, knowing his eyes were haunted.

“What?”

“Andie was pregnant. She lost the baby after the accident.”

Robert was stunned. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“No wonder you look so pale.”

Robert didn’t know about Zach’s phobia and he wasn’t about to enlighten him. He was enduring the hospital only for Andie’s sake.

“I’ll let you get back to Andie. Call me if you need me. For anything.”

“Thanks, Robert.” Robert had a heart after all. Who knew?

Zach returned to Andie, but a smile for him was not to be seen. As she slept that afternoon, he made some tough decisions. He loved her, of that he had no doubt. The question was…how could he repair their relationship? She was blatantly wary of him, with good reason. He didn’t want to scare her away. He would have to take it slow. He’d stay with her every second of her recovery; he’d pamper her and lavish her with love. He’d keep his distance physically and let her learn to trust him again. It was the only way back to what they’d shared in the beginning and he knew it. He was more than willing to wait it out and allow them to fall in love all over again. It would be worth every second of his time. He wanted her as his real wife and mother of his children. No more ridiculous contracts.

I want heeerrr
.

Cami was the second visitor of the day. She also arrived with a handful of flowers.

“I just heard. I hope you’re feeling better, Andie,” she offered quietly.

“Thank you, Camille,” Andie answered, glancing at Zach guardedly.

Camille’s eyes settled upon Zach and Andie’s tightly clasped hands. “So, a broken arm, but other than that, nothing major?” she asked, the question directed at Zach.

Andie slowly unclasped their hands and pulled the covers up to her chin, the action seeming defensive.

“Can I speak with you outside, Cami?” Once outside of Andie’s room and out of earshot, he said, “Thank you for the flowers. That was sweet of you.”

“You’re welcome. Are you okay, Zach? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” he lied. Besides the fact that he felt as though he was going to pass out during every single minute he spent in this barbaric medical facility.

“I take it things didn’t go well after you left the social.”

“Not exactly, but at least we’re talking. That’s improvement.”

“Can I be blunt?”

Zach swallowed. “Sure.”

“I know you have feelings for Andie, but there’s something I need to know. Is there a chance for me? Or am I wasting my time? I mean, after Emily passed I thought for sure it would only be a matter of time before we hooked up. I was so sure you felt the same as I did. Was I wrong?”

Zach knew he had to be straight with Cami. It was the kind thing to do. He’d been a little dense when it came to her feelings. Andie had been right about that. “Cami, you were Emily’s dearest friend and I’ll always love you because of that, but…”

“Don’t say it, please. I already know the answer. Thanks for your honesty.”

“I really am sorry.”

“If it doesn’t work out between you two, you know where I am. Running away together is always an option,” she said with a mischievous smile.

Zach didn’t smile back. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression or create any false hope. Evidently he’d already done that without even realizing it. Zach knew that news of the baby would dash Cami’s expectations. The fact that he and Andie wanted to begin a family together bespoke commitment and would speak for him.

“Cami…after the accident, Andie lost her baby…
our
baby.”

Camille couldn’t hide a gasp of surprise. “Oh. I see. I guess that changes things, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, it certainly does.”

“The two of you are in this for the long haul?”

“Yes,” Zach answered.
If Andie will have me.

Her cheeks flushed red. “I remember Em telling me how much you wanted children. She always knew it was important to you.”

Zach was quiet for several moments. “Can I ask you something?”

To his surprise, Camille anticipated his question. “The answer is no, Zach. She didn’t want to have children, not for at least five years…maybe never. Probably never. I’m sorry. She was scared to tell you. Em loved you and she didn’t want to lose you.”

Although Zach had suspected as much, it still hurt to hear the truth uttered aloud. “I think I knew it, deep down in my heart. In the end, it would’ve destroyed us. I’m glad we never had to face it.”

Cami nodded. “She was a lucky girl. So is Andie. I wish you the best, but for now, I think it’s best if I keep my distance for awhile. You understand?”

“Yeah, I do.” Cami had actively pursued him for the last several weeks and he’d allowed her to. He’d been hiding behind Cami, using her as a shield against Andie. He saw that now. It had been cruel to Cami, as well as to Andie. He wasn’t happy with his actions and he had every intention of redeeming himself in Andie’s eyes.

Cami turned to leave and then stopped. “Zach?”

“Yes.”

“Em didn’t know what she had in you.”

Zach simply nodded, not knowing what else to say to that. He watched Cami leave, feeling he owed her more than just an apology. The elevator door swished closed, and he knew a chapter of his life had just ended. It was, perhaps, the closure he’d needed.

“Mr. Drake?”

Zach turned to see Chambers approaching with a slow, steady gait. Great. The last thing he needed right now was to deal with his watchdog.

“Is everything all right? How is Andrea?”

“She’s going to be fine. Thank you for asking.”

“And the baby?”

Zach quickly hid his shock. How is it that Chambers knew about the pregnancy, and Zach had not? Evidently, he’d been doing his job. What else did he know?

“Unfortunately, we lost the baby.” Zach didn’t elaborate.

“I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you.”

A few moments of uncomfortable silence ensued.

“Your grandfather would be proud. It looks as though his crazy plan worked. You’ve found someone and you’re ready to start a family. He’d be pleased. So am I.”

This time Zach couldn’t hide his surprise. “Thank you, Mr. Chambers. Thank you very much.”

Zach’s loophole had succeeded. The law was satisfied. Everyone was happy—except for himself and Andie. Their lives had been shattered by his scheme.

As Zach watched him depart, he wondered if he would soon be disappointing Eric Chambers…and his grandfather as well.

Zach took Andie home the next day. She rested in bed for the next few days and he solicitously took care of her. She was visibly wary of him, understandably so. He was sticking to his plan to shower her with love until she trusted him again.

He hoped his next actions would help. Robert said Andie was the best thing that ever happened to him and Zach agreed. He no longer wanted her to be bound to him through contracts. If they stayed together, he wanted it to be because she wanted to be with him and for no other reason. If necessary, he’d figure out some other way to save Drake Enterprises—some loophole. The emotional angst he’d caused Andie just wasn’t worth it. Zach regretted his actions deeply.

“Andie…”

“Hmmmm…”

She was lightly dozing and looked adorable in her rumpled state.

“Can I talk with you?” Her eyes fluttered open as he held up the two contracts. “Do you know what these are?”

She pored over the documents for a few seconds. “Yes.” Her eyes skittered away, not looking at him directly. He tore the papers into little pieces, placing the shreds in the garbage can.