I’ll Be There Read Free

under him?” she asked William.
    â€œGabriella, we’ve talked to Zach until we’ve exhausted ourselves. He’s not interested. He needs help. More help than any of us can give him, and he’s refusing outside help as well. Until he can get his head back in the game, our hands are tied.”
    â€œWhat if…” She cleared her throat. “What if I went and worked with him? Like you just said, he needs someone who can keep him up to speed with the day-to-day operations of the company.”
    William’s eyebrows rose at the offer. “Really? You’d do that?”
    She nodded. “I’m not saying I’ll make any more of a difference than the rest of you have, but I can try.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know,” William said and nearly had to bite his tongue to keep from smirking. “Robert and I talked about asking you, but I don’t think it would be a very good idea.”
    â€œWhy not? Robert and I were talking about it when you came in.”
    â€œYou were?”
    She nodded again. “I didn’t think it was the best idea either, but now that I know what you’re planning to do to Zach, I have to at least try.”
    â€œWell, that’s very commendable of you.” He squeezed her hand. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s the right thing for you.”
    â€œBut…but Robert just said…”
    â€œI know, I know. Like I said, we discussed it, but the more I think about it, the more I think it wouldn’t be beneficial to anyone.”
    Her spine stiffened. “I’ve worked with Zach for many years. I know how to handle him where work is concerned better than anyone. I’ve been dealing with his moods and his frustrations, and I’ve broken up my share of fights between him and Ethan. I think I would be the perfect candidate to go in there and help out.”
    â€œIt’s really sweet of you to offer, but I think I know what’s best for my nephew,” William said as he patted her hand and stood. He cringed at his own intentionally condescending tone, but knew it would galvanize Gabriella’s decision. “Tough love. It’s time to stop coddling him. If we take his title away from him and let him stew for a while, he’ll eventually break out of his pity party and get his head back in the game.”
    Gabriella stood and faced the man who she had always thought had a soft spot for his family. “That is the coldest thing I have ever heard!” she said with disgust. “You may be willing to throw in the towel but I’m not. Give me a chance to help him.”
    â€œWe don’t have the time…”
    â€œJust a couple of weeks,” she begged. “A month, tops. If I haven’t made any kind of impact or if Zach hasn’t shown any signs of getting better, then I’ll step aside.” Her eyes pleaded with him just as much as her words. “Please, William. Let me try to help him.”
    William shrugged, feigning indifference. “I don’t see why you’d even want to bother. From what I saw back in Alaska, Zach didn’t seem too thrilled with your being there. How do you think he’ll react to you practically moving into his house?”
    â€œI…I’m not moving in,” she clarified, taking a step back. “I’m going to be there just as I would on a normal workday and try to establish some sort of routine to help Zach get reacquainted with what’s going on in the company.”
    â€œIt may not be that easy, my dear. You may have to take your cues from Zach.”
    â€œMeaning?”
    â€œMeaning you may not end up working an eight-to-five shift. He’s supposed to have physical therapy twice a day and you’ll have to work around their schedule. His physical recovery is first and foremost.”
    â€œOf course,” she agreed.
    â€œAre you willing to essentially put your life on hold to work around a