All Chapters of Bride Of The eccentric CEO: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

21RICHARDI scream from the house startled me as Katy rushed out the back door. There was no thought, no pain, and no effort in my movements. Iwas on my feet and headed to the water. In seconds, I was in the pool, grabbing Heather and lifting her to the side. Katy knelt at the edge, taking her from me.I pulled myself from the water, dripping, panicked, and terrified. Katy lifted Heather over her knee, patting her back.“We need an ambulance. Where’s my phone?” I managed to get out. “Where is my fucking phone?” I yelled.Gracie gasped from beside me. “Daddy, bad word!”I spied my phone behind Katy and reached for it as Heather began to cough and sputter, spewing water onto the pool decking. Then she started to wail loudly.It was the sweetest noise I had ever heard.“Oh fuck,” I muttered. “Thank fuck. I’ll call Mrs. Thomas, and we’ll take her to the doctor.”“She’s fine. She swallowed some water.” Katy lifted Heather to her shoulder, soothing her. Katy’s eyes were huge in her face.

That one had a picture of me holding my girls. It was my favorite.All of them made me smile.But one made me throw back my head in amusement.The memories it brought back made my body tighten.There was no doubt who was responsible. My smart-mouthed, brilliant, wonderful Katy.I looked up to see her standing on the driveway, wearing a large grin. “Care to explain?” I asked, walking toward her.“A little welcome home after your first day back.”I laughed, indicating the yard. “I’m not sure all the neighbors needed to be in on the occasion.”She waved her hand behind her. “I think I’d disagree.” I turned and gaped at the people waiting.Graham and Laura. Jenna and Adrian. Adam, Julia, and their kids. Brad and June. Colin. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Other neighbors.The entire BAM office. Bentley, Aiden, Maddox, Reid, and their spouses. Sandy was with them, smiling broadly at me.That explained the noise I heard when Maddox talked to me this morning. He was at the airport, coming here to surp

She looked excited and nervous all at the same time. Her fingers twisted and clenched on her lap. Her toes wiggled in anticipation.“Must be some present. You’re practically vibrating.” “It is.”“Not a new tie or some funky Maddox-like socks?” I teased her.She shook her head, if anything, looking more nervous now than excited.I grinned. “Okay, Mrs. VanRyan. Lay it on me.”She reached into the drawer and pulled out a small bag. It was festive and glittery, tissue paper hiding the contents. She slipped it into my waiting hands. “Merry Christmas, Richard.”I pulled on the tissue paper and opened a small package. It revealed a ball of yellow fluff. I frowned in confusion. It was too small to be a scarf, and the color was pastel. I fingered the wool, noting the softness.“Ah,” I muttered. “It’s a…?” I let my voice trail off and looked up at Katy. Her eyes were damp, and she was biting her lip in one of her nervous tells.“Look closer.”I pulled on the ball, more confused as it separated

2RICHARD“T hanks, Richard. I owe you.” Jenna’s voice was warm and affectionate. I chuckled. “You owe me more than I can count,” I responded, catching Katy’s eye across the table and winking. “You are going to be lost without me around every day.”I hung up, still grinning. Katy set aside her Kindle. “Jenna is going to miss you. She was quite vocal about it last week when we had lunch.”Katy and Jenna were good friends, and Jenna was the co-CEO of The Gavin Group. Her brother Adam was the other half of the duo that ran the organization. Until my retirement, I had been president, a role that would be filled by Jenna’s husband, Adrian.“She’ll be fine. I stayed longer than I planned. She and Adam have this under control. With Brad and the team we have assembled, The Gavin Group will be solvent for years in this industry, even without me.”“Graham must be so pleased,” she said quietly.I nodded, thinking about my mentor, the man I considered a father figure, and my friend. He had retire

4RICHARDI walked to the beach, enjoying the fresh air and breeze. Long, lazy waves lapped at the sand, the peacefulness of the area always pleasing. Theendless scope of water and sky. It was hard to believe this little piece of paradise existed so close to the bustling metropolis of Toronto. I loved it here, and I had always enjoyed the chance to recharge my batteries when we came to stay. I knew Katy wanted to come more often to be with our girls, and I had no objections to that. I turned and looked at the houses that dotted the landscape. Each one contained people I thought of as family. Having grown up in a dysfunctional house where I was ignored and cast aside, this group of people meant the world to me. This blended found family was a huge part of our life, and they meant as much to Katy and my kids as they did to me.I climbed the steps to the Hub, opening the door, grinning when I heard the voices of Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox. As I came around the corner, they looked up, sm