Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(74)

"If you sign here, we can discharge your husband and get him ready for transport," Dr. Weston said as he looked over Joseph's chart.

Katherine sighed in relief. She was ready to leave the hospital. She knew getting her husband home would make all the difference. He needed to be where their magic had blossomed. He'd found the land, built their dream home, created their babies, and solidified their love on that property.

It was a healing place, and she knew he'd come back to her once she got him home.

"Thank you, Doctor," Katherine responded, not able to say anything more than that.

The process moved quickly and before she knew it, the ambulance drivers were there, getting Joseph ready for transport.

"We're going home, my love," Katherine whispered, a small smile on her face.




 

 

Chapter Sixteen

Day twenty-five

"I really need to speak to you for a few minutes. Let's sneak out the back before someone else hollers," George said the minute Esther walked through the front doors.

"I agree," she responded and turned the corner with him.

"Dad, there you are. Aunt Katherine needs your help," Max said, running into the two of them before they could make an escape.

George blew out a frustrated breath, ready to explode. It had been over three weeks since he'd last been alone with Esther. He was at his wits end. He'd think the kids were purposely doing it, if it didn't seem so far-fetched.

"Can't you help her," he snapped.

"What's gotten into you? I'm just the messenger. You know she's been stressed today with Joseph coming home and all," Max said as he held up his hands in defense.

George immediately felt bad for snapping at his son. It wasn't Max's fault that he was so frustrated. He just wanted a few minutes to ask Esther to marry him. Hopefully this time she'd say yes.

"I'm sorry, Max. I guess with all that's been going on, I'm just more stressed than usual," George quickly apologized. He looked longingly at Esther, who gave him a sad smile and left. One way or the other he was going to get her alone soon.



"I almost feel bad. You should see the looks the two of them have been giving each other. I think our plan is working, though," Max said as the group sat in the backyard, making sure they were away from any prying ears.

"I've had to bite my lip several times to keep from cracking up. I have to give it to dad, though. He's a stubborn man. I figured he would've broken long before now. Esther, too. She's been sending him these looks of deep longing when she thinks no one's watching," Trenton added.

"Do you think we're making the situation worse? What if they decide it's just too difficult stop seeing each other?" Bree asked with worry.

"That won't happen, Bree. Once I knew you were the one for me, nothing was going to stand in my way, not even your overprotective, chest-pounding brothers," Chad reassured her.

"I have to give it to you, there, Chad. We put you through the wringer and you still stuck around," Austin said with a laugh as he patted Chad on the shoulder hard enough to push him forward.

"You know you're all just a bunch of softies," Cassie said, looking adoringly at her husband.

"They weren't so soft until you women got your clutches in them," Austin said, puffing his chest out. 

"Oh, your time is coming, Austin, believe me," Lucas piped in with a laugh.

"Nah, I'm smarter than all of you," he returned.

"Speaking of which, how's Kinsey doing?" Mark asked with a knowing grin.

"I don't know. Dang woman is more trouble than she's worth," Austin broodingly replied.

"Hey," Cassie snapped, instantly standing up for her friend.

"I …  that's not …  oh, crap. Sorry, Cass," Austin muttered.

"I'll let that one pass because it's obvious you're all kinds of crazy about her. To ease your mind a bit, I think she's just as crazy about you," Cassie said with a reassuring smile.

Austin looked at her hopefully. He didn't want everyone to know how much he cared for Kinsey, but he also didn't want to pass up the opportunity to learn something about her. Cassie was his in.

"So, have you spoken to her lately?" he asked in what he hoped was a casual tone.

"Of course. She's my best friend. Why don't you talk to her yourself? She'll be here in an hour," Cassie said.

"I thought she wasn't going to take the job. Why didn't anyone tell me?" he demanded.

"Didn't think it mattered to you. What was it you just said? Oh yeah, that she's more trouble than she's worth," Alex said.

"Yeah, whatever, Alex. As I recall, you were crawling on your hands and knees for a certain woman in this room not too many years ago," Austin threw back at him.