Unmasking the Heiress

hapter 26

"Hardly, Grandpa. You're tough as nails-a little sickness like this can't knock you down. Give it a month tops, and you'll be back on your feet. And when you are, I've got to get some painting and drawing tips from you.

"Your sketching skills I saw on video were killer. It's a rare find to see such talent these days." Walter knew exactly how to butter someone up, especially the older folks. Cole had taken up sketching as his golden years' hobby.

Walter's compliments had Cole grinning widely, noticeably lifting his spirits. He had been worried about Evangeline being underappreciated in the Gordon family, but it looked like her husband, despite his silver- spoon upbringing, was attentive after all. Evangeline rolled her eyes at Walter. Since when did he become an art connoisseur? With his knack for sweet talk, he might as well have been a clown.

"You've got a silver tongue, young man, but let's see some action," said Cole. "I'm getting on in years. Evie's mother left us too soon, and now, seeing everyone else with their grandkids and great-grandkids, I'd like to hold a great-grandchild of my own." Walter, cool as a cucumber with his chiseled profile, said, "Between you and me, Evie and I are on it."

Evangeline facepalmed. What a load of bull, talking as if they were actually trying. Meanwhile, they were on the fast track to a divorce.

As the conversation veered more into baby territory, Evangeline steered it elsewhere. "Grandpa, I've tracked down Dr. George's address and emailed him. We should hear back in a few days, and he'll have you fixed up in no time."

Walter reclined on the couch, giving her a measured look. "You mean Conrad George, the guy up for the World Medical Miracle Award a while back?"

The top dog in brain aneurysm surgery, boasting an impressive eighty-five percent success rate, had hung up his scrubs for

good. Evangeline had to jump through hoops to dig up his address. Ódd duck that he was, she would think the hefty paycheck dangling would have got him biting, but no.

She was giving it two more days before she would knock on his door herself. If push came to shove, she would pull out all the stops to get him on her grandfather's case.

"You know about him?" Evangeline raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Bits and pieces. His wife's gadget gig did some wheeling and dealing with our Strata King Group," said Walter, nonchalantly lifting an eyebrow.

Dr. George had gotten too comfy in his retirement shoes, barely lifting a finger to practice medicine

anymore.

Cole chuckled, running his fingers through his salt-and-pepper beard. "Ah, let it go. That stubborn mule's been out of the game too long. Don't you kids sweat it over me. Pop out a bouncing baby boy, and I'll bounce back just fine." "Grandpa, you better mean that. I'll handle the baby-making, but you've got to rally. Otherwise, our little

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bundle might be too much for you to scoop up."

"Alright, alright, I hear ya," Cole conceded.

Cole was out like a light before long.

After tucking Cole in, Evangeline and Walter stepped out of the room. However, as soon as they did, Evangeline's mood changed entirely.

"Walter, can you hook us up with Dr. George for Grandpa Cole's treatment?" She cut to the chase. She had not spilled the beans to Cole, but she knew he had already tried to get the doctor's attention, to no avail.

Pride was the least of her worries when it came to Cole. Besides, she had played the part of his missus for three years. Even if he was not over the moon about it, he owed her that much.

Walter, a towering figure, slowly forced Evangeline back until she was trapped in the corner. He braced one hand on the wall behind her and gently but firmly held her chin with the other. His intense gaze locked onto hers, his voice a deep rumble. "It's not out of the question. So tell me, Evangeline, are you pleading with me now?"