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Chapter 1

Present Day

The cursor blinked steadily on the laptop screen in front of ainst the stark whiteness I couldn't focus on writing the round My thoughts weren't even organized or even actual thoughts; I was just letting nothingness sit in hts were a pleasant respite froh the house

A hand settling on hts Jack Saunders, ave me a small smile

"How's that , Rachel?" he asked

I sighed "It's not What did the doctor say?"

Jack's face fell a little He sat down at the kitchen table next towooden table I could have worked anywhere in the Saunders' mansion, but I preferred the kitchen's war country-style table was comfortable and I could hear the sounds of the house without being disturbed Big bay s let in theto turn orange and rust I loved being in upstate New York in the fall

"It's not looking good He says it's probably only a matter of days at this point" His voice stayed even, but the sharp lines of his tightened jaw betrayed his anguish I reached over and puthis pain His hazel eyes stared out the , but I kneasn't looking at the trees Jack and his father had played football under those trees I could al his eldest son around, the two of theht

"Does Robbie know?" In er brother joined Jack and his father The two boys tackled the bigger man and all three of theh the years Although I was Jack's senior by sixteen years, they had occasionally let ainst Daniel and I Soed to win

"He knows it's bad," Jack said "I tried to call hiain Probably out on his boat" Jack tried to keep the anger out of his voice Even though the two brothers looked si features, they couldn't be more different Jack's devotion to the company his father had started was in sharp contract to Robbie, anted nothing to do with being responsible for anything more than his boat

"Don't be mad at him, Jack," I said "This is hard for him, too," I said

Jack row up I sighed This was a common source of tension between the two brothers Jack had been groomed for responsibility from the day he was born, whereas Robbie had beenthat Mr and Mrs Saunders just never knehat to do with Robbie Now the owner and CEO of DS Oil and Gas, Jack ran it with a sure hand, while the tabloids portrayed Robbie as a drunken playboy who spent all his ti I knew the two brothers loved one another, but their different priorities

"Jack?" Ehtened in his seat and turned as his beautiful wife entered the kitchen "Jack, you left your phone in the study It rang, so I answered for you You're needed at the office"

Jack's shoulders sagged I knew the last place he wanted to be was at the office, but the company was his responsibility Emma caently kissing his cheek Her long, dark hair spilled across his shoulder as she loved on him His lip twitched into a s in his ear I honestly enjoyed watching theht her to New York afterher on vacation

Emma and Jack had met on a tropical beach vacation a little over a year and a half before Unknown to everyone in the Saunders' faet married on a beach just for fun It was out of character forme it was an act of rebellion that wasn't supposed to have consequences Since it wasn't a legal cereiven pictures I had been up to htmare

I hadn't been sure of E her to New York for daenuinely warrity It was easy to love E, and fell in love with Jack for Jack She loved him for him, and not for his money I couldn't have asked for someone better to be with the man I considered a little brother I had cried tears of joy at their wedding, knowing their love story was one for the ages

"Do you need s I would need to get together for a trip into the city I was Jack's personal assistant His right handdone, I was the one he turned to I had been looking after his interests since he was a boy

He shook his head "No, we've been waiting on the new contracts fron them and make sure they are correct I would rather have you here, with Dad If anything happens"

"Then Rachel and I will take care of things," Emma said She kissed the top of his head, and he seeth from her

"I'll make sure Raoul keeps the helicopter on standby for you," I said, pulling out es that would alert his helicopter pilot and Jack's secretary to be readily available If he needed to co in place

"Thanks Rach" Jack took a deep breath and Eled him from her arms as he stood The world seemed to rest on Jack's shoulders as he looked out theDaniel Saunders' health had been failing for a long tiht us all by surprise, and had caused the business to go into Jack's keeping earlier than expected Despite having al death, none of the Saunders fa with it well

Jack gave his shoulders a shake, settling the weight across them even

ly and standing taller He kissed E to the helicopter pad on the far side of the house Eether as he rounded the corner and disappeared froht