Million-Dollar Amnesia Scandal Read Online Free PDF Page B

introduction.”
    Oscar beamed. “Certainly not. We’re honored to have you, Ms. Fairchild.”
    â€œOscar…” Seth’s voice dropped, became more serious. “I need to apprise you of two sensitive issues. Perhaps we could go into your office.”
    Keen to accommodate, Oscar led the way. Seth again offered her his arm but she was feeling fine so she shook her head. Besides, since the day he’d carried her in his arms, she’d played over the feeling of being close to him, touching him, in her mind too many times. She didn’t want to create more memories to infiltrate her subconscious.
    Seth followed her—a pace behind, again as if prepared to be there if she needed him—as they walked to an office not far from the entrance. Although his shadowing of her jutted up against her desire for independence, there was something… nice about having Seth walking close. She was too aware of him for it to be comfortable, but she liked the feel of him beside her.
    Oscar showed them to high-backed seats before taking his place behind a massive oak desk.
    Seth held her elbow as she sat down then took his own seat and faced his employee. “We’ll be here three nights.”
    Oscar nodded. “I’ve had the two connecting presidential suites prepared.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. He’d booked connecting suites? Had she misread the situation and his intentions, his meaning during the conversation in the car about attraction? His words from the hospital replayed—I won’t be among the first to know you’ve remembered. I’ll be the first.” She relaxed a fraction. He wanted his hotel back, and for that he needed her memory so he could negotiate with her. Of course he’d want to be nearby during their stay. It was reasonable.
    â€œGiven the media coverage,” Seth said, “you would have heard about Ms. Fairchild’s recent accident.”
    Oscar looked at April with somber features. “My wife and I were very sorry to see the news reports. She’s a huge fan of your work, as am I.”
    â€œThank you,” April said.
    Oscar turned back to Seth, genuine sympathy creating creases around his eyes. “And I was devastated to hear of your brother’s passing. He may not have been a regular here, but he was held in high esteem.”
    â€œI appreciate that.” Seth gave a quick, tense smile then cleared his throat. “The first matter is that Ms. Fairchild’s memory was affected by the accident.”
    â€œAffected?” Oscar asked.
    April nodded. “I’m afraid I can’t remember anything much.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
    Seth crossed one ankle to rest on the opposite knee,bringing the focus back to him. “We’d rather it didn’t become public knowledge at this stage, so I’d appreciate it if you put some special rules in place with your staff.”
    â€œCertainly.” He pulled a yellow legal pad to the center of his desk and picked up a pen.
    â€œTell them Ms. Fairchild is having some recuperation time after her accident and needs to be left alone. No polite questions, no conversations, no autographs. They speak only when spoken to, and only on matters regarding her stay.”
    A warm glow filled her chest. She knew she should feel piqued that Seth was arranging things for her, but she couldn’t. Instead, she was relieved he’d protected her from polite inquiries that she wouldn’t necessarily be able to field. And grateful he’d thought to do it for her.
    The manager made a note on the legal pad. “I’ll do so immediately.”
    â€œSecond, it seems that Jesse and Ms. Fairchild signed a contract on the day of their accident regarding the Lighthouse Hotel. The validity of the contract is still in question, but in the meantime, Ms. Fairchild is to be treated with the respect she’d be given if she owned the property and