Free Here Comes Trouble by Anna J. Stewart Page A

your son-of-a-bitch of a father pontificate about imaginary investment numbers, you’re going to pick a fight?”
    “Maybe.”
    “Men. You know I should answer the next time she calls, get the test results myself, and then hold them over your head like a water balloon. Kablam!” Her fingers shot out like maniacal jazz hands. “I have your power of attorney you know. I could do it.”
    “Yes, you could.” Malcolm nodded and tapped his papers into a neat stack before pushing them toward her. “But before you take my medical destiny into your hands and I take my grandmother to dinner, would you please look this over?”
    “What is it?” Veronica grumbled. “I was hoping to avoid any more paperwork in favor of a large bottle of Merlot and a pizza from that Italian market you’ve been banging on about.”
    “A new draft of my will.”
    A good ten seconds passed with her staring at him. “Well, shit.” She tossed back the last of her Scotch, set her glass down, and picked up the papers. He could see her fighting to keep the sympathy he knew she was feeling out of her eyes. And he loved her for it. “I guess you’re ordering my pizza.”

Chapter Six
    “Liza, any luck?” Sheila scrambled on all fours across the coffee-colored office carpet, peering under chairs, her desk, beside the brocade sofa against the far wall. Nothing. She sat on her heels and tried not to panic. “Karma, you need to stop paying me so much attention.”
    “No sign of it?” Liza crouched down to scan the same area that had proved fruitless for Sheila, blond hair skimming the carpet before she stood up, her navy blue maxidress brushing against the straps of her black sandals. “When was the last time you saw your bracelet?”
    She pressed fingers into her temples and closed her eyes. Chadwick’s office. Dammit. She couldn’t very well have Liza call and ask if someone had found it.
That
wouldn’t be awkward to explain. “Don’t worry about it.” Sheila sighed as she got up and brushed at the belted navy dress. “Did you confirm my reservations for dinner?” She retrieved her bag from behind her desk.
    “Sure did. Six thirty. I also might have suggested your guest be paid some extra attention since he’s so well followed on social media. Can’t hurt to get his name connected with the center and the opening gala, especially since he’s going to be helping get out the word about that and the art auction.”
    “Excellent.” No wonder she and Liza got on so well. Their thoughts ran on the same track. “Caprianos is already on the short list for the catering for both events, but it can’t hurt to give them a boost since I have to decide this week. Any messages?”
    “Yeah. A Joseph Delaware called from Valley Wireless, something about the pending contract they have with the center.”
    “Finally.” Sheila reached for the note Liza held out. “They were supposed to start wiring up the Internet feed for the activity facility last week.”
    “Gina’s waiting on the final list of sponsors before she puts together the media package for the gala.”
    “How many sponsors are we waiting to hear from?” Sheila picked up the phone, shouldered the receiver until Liza was finished.
    “Three, and I already called and left messages giving them a deadline of Friday.”
    “And?” Sheila recognized that self-satisfied glimmer in the soon-to-be senior’s baby blues.
    “I might have said something about a long waiting list given the additional promotional opportunities.”
    Sheila chuckled. Knowing Liza, they’d have the last of the sponsors locked in well before the deadline. “We want to get that media kit printed and online—”
    “By the fifteenth. Don’t worry. We’re on it.”
    “What would Morgan and I do without you two?”
    “Fall apart obviously.” Liza beamed. “Thanks again for giving us each our own office.”
    “Both of you do enough work. You deserve it.” One of the bonuses of Morgan’s impending marital