***
Emily walked out of the clinic after Mick arrived and received her report. The shepherd made it through the night but would need extensive care. I'm not giving this dog to him. He treats people like garbage. How could I trust him with an animal? She would make it a point to find the owners. Maybe the dog was lost because of the tornado. Maybe he had a loving family that wanted him back. Upon arriving home, she called the Baldwin Tribunal and placed an ad, hoping someone would respond.
She took off her clothes and climbed in a nice, much needed, hot shower. Treating the dog was very intense, but seeing Parker caused a whole different kind of turmoil. When Emily saw his face while he carried in the dog, her heart wanted to sink, but her mind protected her. He even admitted to taking his eyes off the road and hitting him. Emily pushed the thoughts from her head. It was definitely much safer to hate that man.
***
Parker got frustrated enough to just get out of bed. He sat in the dark and watched the sunrise, hoping the day would be better. He'd need to go to the clinic and check on the dog, but driving in the big RV wasn't going to cut it. He called the rental agency and had a Ford Escape delivered. It would be easier to transport the dog in when he got released.
He stopped at the restaurant where he first kissed Emily. He didn't sit in the same booth, but his eyes constantly stared in that direction. Parker drank his coffee and ate his eggs as quickly as he could. Her sweet taste, soft lips...her scent...I have to get the hell out of here. He tossed money on the table and walked out, only to see the place where he'd pressed Emily against the wall with his body. This is going to be another long damn day.
***
Mick was impressed at how well the shepherd was doing. He slowly administered more pain medication through the dog's intravenous line and hung more antibiotics. Emily was the best surgeon he'd ever known, and if the dog was going to make it, it was due to her prompt action and skill. The fact that the person who hit the dog had gotten him medical attention so quickly played a big role. When he saw the check for twenty million, his eyes lit up. The clinic could use the money for better equipment and to get the plans for a wildlife location underway. Getting Emily to agree to use that money was going to be a whole different story.
***
Caroline didn't know what was going on between the gorgeous, rich guy she was staring at and Emily, but something clearly was. She hadn't seen the angry, hurt look on her face since the death of her grandfather and the problems over the land. Caroline had been careful about not letting any phone calls through from anyone named Davis, but she didn't know why.
"Hi, can I help you?" Caroline gave the man a big smile.
"Yes, I'm the guy who brought the shepherd in last night and wanted to speak with the doctor." She probably hates me too.
Caroline picked up the phone and called the back office. She asked Mick to come talk to the man. She was shocked by his response.
"Oh, I would love to come and talk to that man. But it might get loud, so it's probably best for you to walk him back here."
Chapter 14
Parker followed Caroline to the back room. He spotted the shepherd and sadness overtook him. He nonchalantly tried to rub the water from his eyes. Mick was standing behind a desk, and Parker was grateful it wasn't Emily. Seeing the disgust and hatred on her face ate him alive.
"Are you Parker or Russell?" Mick asked with a mean smirk on his face.
"Mick, I don't want to fight with anyone. I'm Parker, and it's always been me. You never met Russell. I'm not proud about deceiving anyone, but I had to right some wrongs, and it was the only way I could think of to do it."
"You didn't even consider what that would cause."
"It wasn't supposed to go on for this long, but--"
"You devastated her. Do you know that?" Mick's voice began to rise.
"No one knows that better than me. Instead of following my heart and being honest--"
"Your heart?! You actually have one?" Mick let out a laugh.
"I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't. I fell in love with her, which was something I totally didn't plan on. I knew it would really destroy her if a serious relationship started to form, and then she found out the truth. We were getting close, and I didn't have the heart to hurt her. I'm not proud of how I handled this entire thing. I take full blame for all of it."
"How do I know you're not just blowing smoke up my ass? I'm not too sure that you're not lying about your identity again." Mick shook his head in disgust.
"Okay, go to the phone and call this number. It's the operator, so ask for any department you'd like. Food Services if you want, I don't care. Say that you're from any company you dream up. As a matter of fact, you can call any phone at Davis Enterprises and ask for me or my brother Russell. You should have your confirmation then."
Mick thought he'd call him on his bluff and walked to the phone. "Food Services, please."
"Food Services, Cameron speaking, may I help you?"
"Could I speak with Russell or Parker Davis?"
"Parker Davis isn't in the office, but I can connect you with Russell."
"That'd be great, I'll hold."
"Davis Enterprises, may I help you?" Rhonda was still sick and tired of phone calls.
"May I speak with Russell or Parker Davis?"
"Can I ask who's calling?"
"It's personal."
"Parker Davis is out of the office, but please hold for Russell Davis." Great, another looney. Rhonda was still ticked off at her husband, so without any heads up, she transferred the call.
"Russell Davis speaking." Russell wished that Rhonda would forgive him. She wasn't even fielding solicitors.
Mick hung up the phone. "Are you and your brother really identical twins? Or was that something else you dreamed up?"
Parker took out his phone and sent a text to Russell. A minute later his phone rang.
"You want me to send you a photo? Are you serious?"
"Yes, just send it, Russell."
"Okay, do you want me smiling or not? Maybe you want a little chest or bicep?"
"Russell, send the damn picture."
A couple of minutes later, Parker was holding up a photo of his brother. "As you can see, he's starting to grow a mustache again. But we're identical twins."
"I'll be damned. He sounds exactly like you also."
"Mick, let me just explain a few things to you. My brother and I worked hard to make it to the top. We were really determined, especially since we came from the bottom. Life wasn't easy for us, and we learned about survival the hard way and carried those lessons into our business. Typically, Russell buys the property and I develop it. We both work with investors and it's not always easy to keep them happy. The way the economy has been, it's even more difficult. This isn't an excuse. I'm just telling you some background."