“You’re not helping the situation. If you can’t control yourself, you won’t be allowed in the room.” She forced herself to speak almost harshly, breaking through the flood of emotions.
Her mother straightened, wiping her eyes and taking a deep calming breath. “Of course you’re right. I need to be strong for Seamus, like he was for me all those years.”
She walked to the bed and picked up his hand, cradling it in hers. Lightly stroking it, she whispered his name.
Seamus opened his eyes and took in the two people by the bed. “Why the sad faces? I’m not dying. Where’s that vulture, Wainright? Thought he would wangle his way in here to see if I was dead or something. It’s his fault I’m in this boat.”
Miranda leaned forward. “Your bad eating habits, lack of exercise, and insane desire to control everyone and everything got you in this situation. The work stress didn’t help.”
“Where’s Cole? I need Cole in here.”
“Father.” Miranda leaned forward and spoke soothingly. “Only family is allowed in here. You know that.”
“Bah, he’s my right hand. I need to give him instructions before Opening Day. The team can’t run without me.”
“And whose fault is that?” Miranda asked, frustration in her voice. “If you had let go of some of the day to day operations, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Yeah, yeah. Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Maybe it’s true, Seamus.” Gwen brushed the thinning red hair liberally sprinkled with white back from his forehead. “I’ve been telling you for years now to slow down, let other people do their job. Look where it got you. If you die, I swear I’ll follow you and kill you all over again.”
The affection in her tone did nothing to hide the thread of steel in her voice, or the thread of fear.
He patted her hand. “Easy Gwennie. I’m going nowhere. I’m too crabby to die. The devil doesn’t want me and heaven is no place for me. I’ll be around a long, long time.”
Gwen kissed the back of his hand and held it. “We should go and let you rest now.”
“Not yet.” He barked, his voice capturing some of the vigor that had been lost. “Wainright and the damn league are trying to take over the team. He doesn’t think I know, but he’s been making deals behind my back. But he can’t take me out, not as long as we stay firm. That’s why I need you.”
Miranda stroked his hand, willing him to calm down. “We’ve got it under control, Daddy. You have good people in command at the stadium.”
Her father gripped her hand in a surprisingly strong grasp. He tugged her close until she was leaning over him face-to-face. “I never expected this. You’re not prepared. That’s my fault. But all you need to do is keep things going and block Wainright. If you could hang on until the All-Star break, I’ll be back and everything will be okay. I’m sure I’ll be back long before then, able to take care of this little upstart.”
“He’s not a little upstart, Daddy. He’s from the league and we have to work with him. He’s not trying to take over.”
Her father growled and pushed her away. “He’s gotten to you already, didn’t he? That little bastard. You watch out for him. He’s a snake in the grass and he’ll try to steal everything from you. This team is your birthright, your inheritance. If he takes ownership, you’ve got nothing. All those nice clothes you like, that hot little sports car you drive? He’ll have it all and you’ll have nothing. Make sure you watch out for him. He’s not your friend.”
She tugged her hand out of his grasp, and straightened up. “I know that, Daddy. I’ll be careful.”
He fell back against the pillows, his eyes closing with weariness. “See that you do. I’m trusting you with everything. Don’t disappoint me.”
Miranda resisted the urge to scream. She’d been installed as president for the past year after working her way up the ranks in all aspects of the team. The only area her father refused to relinquish the reins was in player development and management. He preferred to remain in the forefront in that aspect, wheeling and dealing his way to a championship, yet always falling short. Now, when they needed players and solid direction the most, he was out of commission and leaving her in charge. No matter what she did, even if she deferred completely to Cole, she would never be right.
“Seamus, this can certainly wait until tomorrow.” Gwen gently rebuked him.
Seamus turned his stare on his wife, suddenly appearing weak. “You’re going to lecture me while I lay on my death bed?”
Gwen rushed to fluff his pillows and reassure him. Miranda took a few steps away, mind whirling.
Her father fixed a stern glare on her. “It’s your chance to show me that you have what it takes. You’ve been asking for more responsibility. Here it is. Don’t screw it up.”
The doctor walked in at moment and shooed her out of the room. Her mother remained sitting next with Seamus, soothing him. Miranda slipped out of the room and weaved her way through ICU and out to the family waiting room. Lucas stood at her approach.
She sank down into a seat, legs no longer able to hold her, blood pounding in her ears, drowning out all other sounds. The season was only a couple of weeks away and they had so much to do, players to sign, press releases about Seamus’s illness, not to mention the challenge they faced from the league. Her brain hurt just thinking about everything. Lucas stood next to her, patiently waiting.
Miranda stood up, squared her shoulders and looked Lucas squarely in the eye. “My father will be here for a while. I’m in charge in his absence.”
“I can help out more; take some of the burden off of you.” Lucas grasped her elbow, pulling her close.
Her mind flashed back to her father’s warning not to trust Lucas. Barely out of the first surgery and Lucas was already homing in on the team. She had to be careful, not be swayed by his seemingly helpful ways.
“I’ve got this, Lucas. You can report to the commissioner than we’ll be fine.”
Lucas cocked an eyebrow. “I can’t lie to him. You’re stuck with me. You can’t do anything without my approval.”
She pulled her arm out of his grasp with as much dignity as she could muster. Straightening her jacket, she tossed her hair and met his gaze firmly. “We’ll see about that. It’s still my team.” She glided away like the beauty queen she once was.
She had work to do.