Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(51)

"Do you have other plans, Dad?"

Here was the perfect opportunity for him to fess up and say, Yes, I'm taking Esther on a romantic date. His shoulders drooped seconds before he responded.

"No, of course not. I'd love to come over," he said, his voice sounding anything but pleased.

"Great. Thanks, Dad. Come on, Esther. You can walk out with us," Bree said as she put her arm in Esther's and led her from the room. Bree made sure to stand in the middle of them, so they wouldn't even have a chance for a secret touch.

When they arrived at the cars and the three of them stood around awkwardly, George finally sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get even a moment alone with Esther. He told her a polite goodbye, then climbed in with Bree.

Day Ten

"That's it. We haven't had so much as five seconds alone in over a week. I don't know what's gotten into the kids lately, but they seem to need either you or me every minute of the day," George said over the phone.

It was almost midnight and he was lying in his bed worn out because his nephew had insisted he help with the habitat house. Because Joseph was in the hospital, they were a person short. Then they'd all had a family dinner, and finally he'd managed to make it home, only to find Austin spending the night.

He couldn't even get his evenings alone with Esther. He was done with hiding their relationship. 

"It has been unusual. You don't think they're purposely trying to keep us apart, do you?" she asked with horror in her voice.

"They don't even know we're a couple. Why would they keep us apart?"

"I don't know …  It just seems odd, that's all," she said, her voice calming.

"Why don't you just agree to marry me? Then we can leave on a month long honeymoon with no kids, no distractions," he pled.

"George Anderson, we can't leave while your brother's in the hospital. That wouldn't be right," she scolded.

"I miss you, Esther. I love you, and you love me, so why do you still want to keep our relationship a secret?"

"I guess you're right … " she hedged.

George's heartbeat picked up at her words. He wanted nothing more than to tell his family what he thought of this amazing woman. He respected her decision to keep their romance private, but he was tired of hiding and sneaking around. He knew his family would be happy for the two of them. Sneaking around had been fun for a while, but now he couldn't get a second alone with her.

"Esther Lyon, I want to kiss you so badly right now," he said with frustration.

"I know how you feel, George," she sighed.

"I'm going to sneak out of here early in the morning before anyone can stop me," he vowed.

"That sounds good to me," she said with a laugh.

George reluctantly hung up the phone, then lay in bed with his hands behind his head as he looked at the ceiling. He turned over and opened the drawer where the ring he'd purchased for her months earlier was sitting.

He opened the box and looked at the exquisite diamond set in a beautiful platinum band. His heart quickened as he pictured her wearing it.

He was a lucky man. Not only had he been married once to a beautiful, wonderful woman who'd given him many years of joy and four perfect children, but he'd managed to find real love twice. Esther wasn't replacing his lost wife, she was adding a new chapter. She was giving him hope.

He counted his blessings to have met such a wonderful woman and he hoped he'd be able to give her as much joy as she already gave him.

George fell asleep with a smile on his face and the ring clutched in his hand.

Day Eleven

"Dad, I'm so glad you're up. I don't know what's wrong, but my stomach has been hurting all night. I think I better have it checked," Austin said as George crept by the living room.

He'd been so close to the front door. It was five in the morning. He felt like screaming when he saw Austin sitting in the chair.

"You probably just ate something bad. I think the best thing you can do is to try and sleep it off," George said as his eyes looked toward the front door.

Austin had to look down to hide the smile. He was supposed to be in pain. It was a good thing his friend was on shift so he knew what was going on. Otherwise, he'd end up with all kinds of tubes sticking out of him when they couldn't find out what the problem was.

Hell, his friend owed him a few paybacks and he just might end up with a few tubes anyway. He hadn't really thought that one through.

"No, Dad, I've been trying all night. You better take me in," Austin said.

"Okay," George mumbled, looking ready to explode.

"Why are you up so early, anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep so was going for a walk," George answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Austin replied as he slowly got up. It was difficult for him to pretend he was hurting. He was always going ninety-miles-an-hour, and he didn't take much time to slow down. He figured he had plenty of time in his later years to sit back and smell the roses.