Highness (The Lonely Heart Series) by Latrivia S. Nelson Read Free Book Online Page B

Pritchard.”
    “Can you just stop saying my name like that?” he huffed.  He looked up at the ceiling. “Geez, you say it like it’s a damned curse word.”
    Hope was silent. It was a curse word to her. 
    “I accept your apology,” Hope said with finality.  “Now, go.”
    “That’s not what I came here for?”
    “Then why are you here?” she snapped.
    “Bree doesn’t live here.  You don’t have any family.  Your artsy friends are in New York, Miami and LA, but none of them are here.  Your agent is in New York.  All you have is Mr. Jernigan, an 85-year old, half-deaf senior citizen who can’t run up here every single time that you fall or you get scared or…” he couldn’t bear to finish the sentence.
    Hope shifted in her seat, feeling helpless at the moment, but refusing to show it.
    “I called a lady I know, a real nurse.  Her name is LouAnn Hartfield.  She helped my grandmother when she was on her way out.  She’s professional. She’s hard working and trustworthy. I’ve already contacted her and she’s got plenty of time on her hands.”
    Hope stiffened.
    “This will all be on my dime, considering it’s my fault.  And I want to do this for you.  Just let her come here and stay with you.  I mean, this is a big ass plantation house for God’s sake.  When you get your sight back, then she can leave.”
    “I don’t need your handouts,” Hope answered politely. 
    “This isn’t a hand out.  Let’s face it. The only reason that you’re fucking blind right now is because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants or look you in the eye and tell you the truth about what I could and could not handle in my life.”  Strangely, it felt good to finally say it.  He bit his lip in desperation, but lowered his voice as he heard Bree’s footsteps making their way back toward the bedroom.  “Take this from me, Hope.  You need it.  Now, you are not poor. No. But you and I both know that not even Obamacare is going to cover all the bills associated with this accident.”
    Hope rolled her eyes despite not being able to see him.  One thing they had never agreed upon was the fact that she was a liberal democrat and he a conservative republican.  It was only fitting that he’d find a way to push his agenda down her throat even while blind.
    “That’s what the trucker’s insurance is for,” she answered.
    “I’ve been doing research on your behalf.  He’s spent.  He doesn’t have a dime more.  He went to sleep while driving his truck. He’s a small business owner.  Your bills and some other expenses have basically run him out of business, won’t be long before he’s run out of town.”
    Moving in front of her, he bent down and looked her in her eyes.  “Damn you, Hope.  You’re breaking my heart into little bitty pieces. If you have any mercy at all, do this for me.  I need to know that someone is over here taking care of you.  If you don’t like LouAnn, I’ll do it myself.”
    “No,” Hope said quickly.  She huffed.
    Bree leaned into the door and cleared her throat.  “Take it, Hope.  He owes you.”
    Sean shook his head.  What was it with that woman? 
    Hope ducked her head and pulled her fists tight to her.  “Send her over tomorrow. If I like her and if Bree likes her, then she can stay.”
    Sean broke into a bright smile.  Dipping into her, he kissed her forehead. “Thank you for this.”
    “Don’t ever put your lips on me again.”
    He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”  Walking to the door, he looked back at her one last time.  “I really am sorry, Hope.”
     

 
    Chapter 5
    Southaven, Mississippi
     
    In Michael’s very privileged life, he had had the opportunity to visit every continent in the world, travel every ocean; he had sat with royalty from over fifty countries and dined at their personal tables; he had stood on battle fields and observed destruction and victory; he had drunk champagne 8,850 meters above sea level atop Mount Everest; he had