"What did you forget on our way to the cellar?" Emily knew he'd blow it.
"Water. I was going to go back for it but then I spotted the tornado in the field. I covered us up with a blanket and helped you lie down. The batteries were dead on the radio but--"
"Stop!" Emily's voice quivered.
"Throw me another one. You were NEVER with Russell. But I knew you hated Parker, so I became him to try and right all my wrongs."
"Where was I staying? Was that Russell's place? Did you make his wife and kids leave too just so you could play this game?!"
"Emily, the penthouse is mine. Russell put some of his mail there to help convince you I was him. Trust me, even though we're identical twins, he's a much better man than I am. He's happily married and has never strayed from Rhonda."
"The night we--"
"You were wearing a pink sundress. I helped slip it off of you. You were worried about your cast getting wet so I had you prop it on my shoulder. That was me, Parker..."
"What happened inside the restaurant the morning after the tornado?" Emily was breathing hard, trying not to lose it.
"I couldn't take it anymore. You drove me nuts all night long. I sat on your side of the booth and kissed you. Once outside I pressed you up against the wall--"
"Why did you rip off my grandfather?"
"Russell purchased the property. I didn't know anything about it until we owned it. He buys land, I do the property development. The more I learned, the harder I tried to give the land back to you."
"He shut the power off? Had my truck towed?"
"No, that was me. I'm the one who acted so ruthless. I can't apologize for that enough. When I found you at the bottom of the stairs--"
"Get out. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I have to take care of the shepherd. Thanks for causing me so much pain. Leave."
Parker watched her walk out of the room. He lowered his head and went to the receptionist's desk. Connie began to add up the cost, which would only partially cover the amount of care the animal would need.
"It's okay, I don't need a bill. When the dog is better, I'd like to adopt him." Parker pulled out a checkbook and began to write. He handed the check to the young woman and then quickly left the lobby.
Emily heard the front door buzz, so she knew that Parker had left. With his responses, she knew it was possible he was telling the truth. Connie's shocked face made her go behind the desk.
"Here, Em, you should look at this." Emily took the check and stared at the twenty million dollar donation. "Is this guy for real? He didn't even ask for a receipt. This has to be a bogus check--"
"Nope, it's real." Emily put the check in the safe, not knowing what to think. "Twenty million wouldn't put a dent in that man's wealth." Why would he do it? The only thing she could think of was he did it to get back in her good graces. Fat chance of that happening...
Parker thought it would be safe to drive the big RV to Emily's property so he could rest. He was too exhausted and still stressed over the events of the night. Guilt soared through him, and he couldn't get the images out of his head of the dog just lying there and crying out in pain. The sounds replayed over and over. Once on the land, he fixed the bed and then tried to fall asleep. But sleep wasn't on the menu. Not only did the dog weigh heavily on his mind, but memories of Emily and how cruel he'd been to her were hitting him like a sledge hammer. He wished more than anything for a do-over.
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.