Flann grumbled and Harper elbowed her. Presley kept going—this was her ground, and she ruled it without hesitation.

“The sooner I was done here, the sooner I could get back to Phoenix and concentrate on my next battle with my brother.” She cleared her throat. “My father is retiring and gave us plenty of notice so we would be able to fight each other for his place. We’ve been doing that for the better part of the last year.” She smiled at Harper and hoped Harper could see how much she loved her. “That’s the only thing I ever wanted—I knew if I could prove that I was worthy, capable of taking his place, I’d have the respect and love I’ve been trying to get my whole life.” She reached across the table and Harper took her hand. “I was wrong, and it took falling in love for me to understand that.”

After a second, she released Harper’s hand and faced Edward at the head of the table. Edward was watching her, his deep brown eyes calm and appraising. “I’ve reviewed Harper’s proposal, and I assume you and Flannery and Carson have looked it over also. The idea is a good one, but not financially feasible as things stand.”

A muscle in Edward’s cheek twitched, but he said nothing. He was an observer, like Harper—slow to make a decision until he had all the facts.

Flann swore.

“Flannery,” Ida said in a warning tone.

“Sorry, Mama.”

“However,” Presley said, still gazing at Edward, “if the Rivers acquired a fairly large infusion of capital to underwrite Harper’s plan and set it in motion to take advantage of the coming fall semester and next round of residents, I think we could arrange for a federal subsidy to help bolster the hospital almost immediately. That would ease the burden going forward.”

Flann said, “I think we’ve already determined there’s nowhere to get the money.”

“Flann,” Harper snapped, “do you think you could shut up and let her finish?”

“Do you think you could make me?”

“Enough,” Ida said quietly, “the both of you.”

“Sorry, Mama,” they said in unison.

Presley said, “SunView plans to sell the emergency room to a group of private investors. The proceeds will support the establishment of Harper’s community medicine program. With the federal training subsidy and some hardball with the insurance carriers, I predict we will bring our bottom line into an acceptable range within five years.”

“Sell the emergency room,” Flann said. “How can you even do that?”

“Actually, it’s fairly common. St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan, for example, just reopened the emergency room as a private facility, as have a number of medical centers elsewhere. Private-sector investors are eager to put their money into acute-care facilities where reimbursement is high and patient turnover rapid. Because the Rivers is physically associated with the emergency room, our direct admissions will benefit. As part of building the acute-care network, SunView will be purchasing a number of urgent care facilities, essentially creating a wide net from which to refer patients.”

Flann frowned. “That’s a big investment on SunView’s part. How exactly did you sell this?”

“The plan will make money.”

Carson said quietly, “If it all works, but there is considerable risk.”

“Yes, but with risk comes the possibility of considerable profit.”

Harper leaned forward. “How did you do it?”

Presley shrugged. “I told Preston he could have my father’s seat with my support if he voted with me on this proposal.”

“No,” Harper said. “There must be another way.”

“Harper,” Presley said gently. “You’re a wonderful doctor, but you don’t know anything about business.”

“I might not know anything about business, but I know what it means to give up a dream.”

“It wasn’t a dream, it was an illusion.” Presley smiled. “Besides, as part of the package, Preston has guaranteed my autonomy—in writing. I’m going to control all of SunView’s interests on the Eastern Seaboard. I’ll have plenty to do to keep me busy.”

Edward said, “How will we staff the emergency room?”

“The new corporation will hire the necessary physicians. We will need an independent chief of emergency medicine.” She glanced at Flannery. “I understand that the emergency room is now part of the department of surgery, but that will have to change.”

“Do I get a say in who you hire?”

“I’ll certainly take your opinion under advisement.”

“Good enough, then.” Flann paused. “What about Carrie?”

“I’ll need her if she wants to stay.” She glanced at Harper. “We’ll also need some of the local physicians to staff the urgent care centers. That will make the transition easier for their patients and help them into the system. We’ll be bringing in other physicians as well.”

Edward said, “This gives us a chance to keep the hospital and take care of the patients. We don’t have a choice, but it’s a good solution. We’ll do our part.”

“I’m sure of it.” Presley leaned back, the tightness between her shoulder blades signaling just how nervous she’d been. “That’s all I have. Does anyone have any questions?”

“Are you and Harper an item?” Margie asked.

Harper groaned. “Margie, for crying out loud.”

Presley gave Margie’s shoulders a quick squeeze. “We most certainly are.”

Ida rose. “Everyone has work to do. I expect you all back here for dinner so we can celebrate properly.”

Edward, Flannery, and Carson headed for the door. Harper slid her arm around Presley’s waist and kissed her. “You’re sure?”

“Totally,” Presley murmured. “I have you. And I’ll have plenty of work to do.”

“I love you,” Harper said.

Ida folded her arms across her middle. “I take it you two have finally sorted yourselves out?”

“We have,” Harper said. “And we’ll be getting married sometime soon.”

“When were you planning on telling us that?” Ida said.

Harper laughed. “Dinner?”

“I suppose that’s soon enough.” Ida filled a coffee mug, handed it to Presley, and kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.” Presley took the mug and leaned her head on Harper’s shoulder. “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”

About the Author

Radclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters.

She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance (Distant Shores, Silent Thunder) and erotica (Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen Moments edited with Stacia Seaman and In Deep Waters 2: Cruising the Strip written with Karin Kallmaker). A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA/FF&P Prism Award winner for Secrets in the Stone, an RWA FTHRW Lories and RWA HODRW winner for Firestorm, an RWA Bean Pot winner for Crossroads, and an RWA Laurel Wreath winner for Blood Hunt. In 2014 she was awarded the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Award by the Lambda Literary Foundation.

She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books, one of the world’s largest independent LGBTQ publishing companies.

Find her at facebook.com/Radclyffe.BSB, follow her on Twitter @RadclyffeBSB, and visit her website at Radfic.com.

Books Available From Bold Strokes Books

Courtship by Carsen Taite. Love and Justice—a lethal mix or a perfect match? (978-1-62639-210-6)

Against Doctor’s Orders by Radclyffe. Corporate financier Presley Worth wants to shut down Argyle Community Hospital, but Dr. Harper Rivers will fight her every step of the way, if she can also fight their growing attraction. (978-1-62639-211-3)

A Spark of Heavenly Fire by Kathleen Knowles. Kerry and Beth are building their life together, but unexpected circumstances could destroy their happiness. (978-1-62639-212-0)

Never Too Late by Julie Blair. When Dr. Jamie Hammond is forced to hire a new office manager, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Carla Grant and memories from her past. (978-1-62639-213-7)

Widow by Martha Miller. Judge Bertha Brannon must solve the murder of her lover, a policewoman she thought she’d grow old with. As more bodies pile up, the murdered start coming for her. (978-1-62639-214-4)

Twisted Echoes by Sheri Lewis Wohl. What’s a woman to do when she realizes the voices in her head are real? (978-1-62639-215-1)

Criminal Gold by Ann Aptaker. Through a dangerous night in New York in 1949, Cantor Gold, dapper dyke-about-town, smuggler of fine art, is forced by a crime lord to be his instrument of vengeance. (978-1-62639-216-8)

Because of You by Julie Cannon. What would you do for the woman you were forced to leave behind? (978-1-62639-199-4)

The Job by Jove Belle. Sera always dreamed that she would one day reunite with Tor. She just didn’t think it would involve terrorists, firearms, and hostages. (978-1-62639-200-7)

Making Time by C.J. Harte. Two women going in different directions meet after fifteen years and struggle to reconnect in spite of the past that separated them. (978-1-62639-201-4)

Once The Clouds Have Gone by KE Payne. Overwhelmed by the dark clouds of her past, Tag Grainger is lost until the intriguing and spirited Freddie Metcalfe unexpectedly forces her to reevaluate her life. (978-1-62639-202-1)

The Acquittal by Anne Laughlin. Chicago private investigator Josie Harper searches for the real killer of a woman whose lover has been acquitted of the crime. (978-1-62639-203-8)

An American Queer: The Amazon Trail by Lee Lynch. Lee Lynch’s heartening and heart-rending history of gay life from the turbulence of the late 1900s to the triumphs of the early 2000s are recorded in this selection of her columns. (978-1-62639-204-5)