I’ll Be There Read Free Page A

man who might not appreciate the effort?” William hated wording it quite so harshly but he had to know with great certainty that Gabriella knew what she was getting into and was committed to it.
    Straightening to her full height, she nodded. “I am. I believe Zach deserves a chance.”
    William couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as he held out a hand to Gabriella. “Then it looks like we have a deal.”
    * * *
    â€œ What?! ”
    â€œYou heard me. I know you banged your head pretty hard when you fell off that mountain, but your hearing is just fine.”
    Zach Montgomery looked at his father and felt nothing but rage. With everything he had been through, this was what he got? “So you’re firing me?”
    Robert shrugged, trying to seem indifferent to his son and the situation at hand. “I’m not saying fired, it’s an ugly word. I’m just saying with everything you have going on, maybe it’s best for you to have one fewer responsibility.”
    â€œI made this office what it is!” Zach yelled. “You and Uncle William didn’t want to branch out to the West Coast. You were more than happy with things as they were. I took the chance and started things out here, and I’ve made millions for the company! How can you just forget that?”
    â€œI’m not forgetting anything, Zach,” Robert said wearily. “We all know what you did and how hard you’ve worked. But with things the way they are right now, we need someone at the helm and that’s not you. We need a full executive staff. I need to get back home and so does William. Ethan can’t handle everything by himself, and you’re not willing to pitch in and help out.”
    â€œSo I’m out and Ethan’s in?” he sneered. “Who’s going to take Ethan’s position?”
    â€œWe’ve approached Summer about it.”
    That felt like a slap in the face. A couple of months ago, Zach had found the idea of his sister working in his office to be laughable. She was more like a damn camp counselor than a business executive and now—after one massive deal—everyone saw her as vice president material? Maybe he had hit his head harder than he thought. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Summer isn’t ready to take on that kind of responsibility. Besides, doesn’t she have a wedding to plan or something?”
    â€œShe did,” Robert said, rising to get himself something to drink. There was no way he could look at his son with a straight face right now. The look of sheer shock on Zach’s face at the mention of Summer stepping up into his league had been comical. He almost felt bad about it.
    â€œWhat do you mean, did ? Has something happened? Is Summer all right?”
    â€œYes. But you had an accident, Ethan’s been running the company, and Summer has really stepped up. They haven’t had time to talk about wedding plans or see how their house back east is coming along. You are their main concern right now. Their lives are on hold right now for you . I know Summer was hoping to have her engagement party back home, but she won’t plan anything until you’re better. She wants you there. We all do.”
    It didn’t sound like it to Zach. It sounded like everyone was gearing up to wash their hands of him. “That’s not fair, Dad,” he said. “There’s no timeline for when I’ll be better, or even if I’ll be better.”
    â€œThere would be if you’d do the therapy your doctor prescribed and make an attempt to help yourself.”
    â€œYou don’t think I’ve tried?” he snapped. “Do you have any idea how freaking much I’ve been through already? They tell me I’ll walk again and be just like I was before, but I don’t see it happening. I still have spells where I can’t feel a damn thing, and when I can