After the issues with Janie, his last secretary, he wasn't taking any chances on having another clingy, romance-wanting secretary who scheduled his life. Becky was happily married and, as an aside, not interested in men at all. That meant that combined with her amazing organization skills and multitasking ability, she was the best secretary in the world.
“How many years is it this year?” he asked.
Becky blushed like a schoolgirl. “It'll be seven years with Katie.”
“Congratulations,” he replied. She grinned like it was her very first anniversary and Ethan couldn't help but be happy for her. Love like that was meant to be celebrated.
“Thank you. Do you need anything else for your trip?” she asked.
Ethan glanced around the room. He still didn't know where the rest of his pens were, but he could manage without those. He looked back over at Becky.
“No, I think I'll be able to survive the flight,” he replied with a smile. “And if I can’t go the whole flight without ordering another phone charger, I'll just bill Carter for it.”
Becky chuckled as she headed back to her desk. He closed his bag and followed behind her, shutting the door to his corner office as he went.
“And Becky, have a wonderful anniversary,” he said as she sat at her desk. “Dinner's on me. Use the company card and go someplace really nice.”
“Thank you, Ethan.” Becky grinned. “I appreciate it.”
He shrugged. “Make sure you drop my name, so you get the best table,” he advised. “And seriously, go all out. Seven's a lucky year.”
“Thank you, sir. Katie will be so surprised,” Becky replied, the smile growing on her face. “Have a good flight. And tell Mr. Williamson congratulations on the new baby for me.”
“I will. Thank you again, Becky.” Ethan raised his hand and headed off toward the big elevators leading down to the main floor. He stopped halfway there and turned around. “Oh, who is security for me this trip since Bruce is out for his shoulder?”
Becky looked up from the desk. “Craig. Craig Daily,” she replied. “He volunteered for the trip.”
“He's the one from New York, right?” Ethan asked, trying to pull up an image of the guard.
“That's David,” Becky corrected him. “Craig is from San Francisco.”
Ethan thought for a moment. “Tall, dark hair, very quiet?”
“That's every security guard Bruce hires,” Becky replied with a chuckle.
“Good point,” Ethan agreed. They all seemed to fit the tall, dark, and brooding stereotype. “He's the one who helped with the Janie situation last year, right?”
Becky nodded. “That's him. He's been very loyal. One of Bruce's best.”
“Alright,” Ethan said with a nod. He could place Craig in his mind now. “I like him. It'll be a good trip.
“You'd better hurry,” Becky advised, tapping her watch. “You don't want to miss your fight.”
He thanked her and hurried off to the elevators. It was time to head to Colorado.
Chapter 3
Ethan
Ethan was breathing hard at the top of the stairs to the maternity floor. He was in good shape, but the Colorado altitude was a deal breaker. He almost regretted not taking the elevator, but he didn't feel too badly since Craig was just as out of breath behind him and probably in better shape. His security couldn't have been more than twenty-five with short cropped dark hair and serious brown eyes.
Craig was certainly taking his job as bodyguard seriously. The man barely let him out of his sight for more than a moment. Ethan didn't mind though. Good protection was important for a billionaire. Ethan hurried up the last two steps and opened the heavy door to the second floor.
The hospital was probably the smallest one Ethan had ever seen. He was fairly sure that Mia might be the only patient in the entire building, other than the person they saw walking into the ER for stitches.
It was a short walk from the stairs to the main desk of the maternity ward. A nurse sat there like a guard, making sure that no one got past her. She looked up as she heard the two men coming and smiled.
“You must be Mr. White and company,” she said as they came closer. Ethan reached for a pen to sign in, but she waved him off. “You were already logged in by the security team downstairs.”