A Merger...or Marriage? by Raeanne Thayne

Author:Raeanne Thayne
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, General
ISBN: 9781426818028
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2008-06-01T14:47:21.468000+00:00

Five minutes later, Richard sat back in his chair, reeling from the information in the letter, from James Wilder’s confession that Anna was truly his daughter, conceived during a brief affair with a nurse years ago.

“You have to tell her,” he said into the long silence. “You can’t keep this from her. She has a right to know.”

“You know her, Richard, at least better than I do. How do you think she’ll react?”

He thought of Anna and the vulnerability she worked so hard to conceal from the world. “I can’t answer that. Stunned, certainly. Overwhelmed. Perhaps angry. Wouldn’t you be?”

“Yes. It’s a shocker, all right. I’ve known for six months and I still can’t believe it.” Peter paused. “I know I probably sound like a cold-hearted bastard here but I have to consider the timing and the possible fallout. In light of the bid to take over the hospital and the vote next week, how do you think this information might impact Anna’s role in that bid?”

“I have no idea!”

“What’s your best guess? I see things happening one of two ways. Either she might lean more toward our side or, being Anna, she might be more determined than ever to win in some kind of twisted payback against our father for not telling her.”

Richard thought of the woman he was coming to know—a woman who could read bedtime stories to a five-year-old with sweetness and affection and then turn shrewdly determined about her career.

She was complex and intriguing, which was a big part of her appeal, he realized.

“I honestly can’t answer that, Peter. Why would you think I would have any idea what Anna will do? I told you I barely know her.”

“You’ve got an uncanny knack for gauging people’s behavior. I’ve seen you in action as you’ve helped Phil with hospital legal issues. I figured since you and Anna were friends before, you might have a guess.”

“Our friendship was over a long time ago. We’re both different people now.”

“But taking history into account and judging by what you’ve observed since she’s been back, what’s your gut telling you?”

“I think none of that matters. It’s irrelevant. You need to tell her what’s in that letter, regardless of how it might impact the merger. This isn’t about the hospital. It’s a family matter.”

Peter gazed at Richard for a moment then sighed. “I was afraid you would say something like that.”

“She deserves to know, Peter. You know she does.”

“You’re right. I need to tell her as soon as possible. I’ve put it off too long.”

He sighed again, looking not at all thrilled by the prospect. “I don’t look forward to it. A hell of a mess my father left, isn’t it?”

“Yes. He should have told her himself. This shouldn’t be your responsibility.”

Peter’s laugh was gruff. “An understatement. He took the coward’s way out. The only time in his life, I think, that he didn’t step up and do what had to be done. I guess my biggest mistake the last six months has been following in his footsteps, at least where Anna is concerned.

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