He glares at me, then questions, "So you didn't put her up to it?"

"Put her up to it? She won't even talk to me. I've tried everything, and she refuses."

He shakes his head. "You brought that on yourself, son."

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I snap. I don't need his guilt trip. I have to live with myself and my decisions every day.

His nostrils flare. He inquires, "Do you still want to be CEO?"

I freeze. I never would've thought about whether I wanted to be CEO or not a few weeks ago. Now, I feel like my life's upside down and everything's changed.

"What else did Georgia say?" I inquire.

He grinds his molars, then replies, "She said that you're the most capable CEO I could have and that I'd be a fool to name anyone else but you to the position."

"She did?"

"Not in those words but close enough," he claims.

I stare at him.

He huffs. "So I asked you, do you still want to be CEO?"

"Yeah, of course I do," I admit.

"Good. Don't screw it up," he adds.

I arch my eyebrows, then double-check I'm not hearing things. "Are you naming me CEO? You're actually going to step down?"

"Don't make me say it twice," he threatens.

"Is it the same deal as before? January 2nd, I'll be named CEO?" I quiz.

He nods. "Yeah. But you better not screw it up this time."

"I won't," I assure him.

"Good."

Why would Georgia call my dad and go to bat for me?

Does she still care about me?

Is not all lost?

He warns, "You better make it right with Georgia. A woman like that doesn't come around twice."

Mom steps into the room, informing me, "Yeah, she was a mess. She looks like she's lost a lot of weight."

I spin toward her. "You've seen Georgia?"

"Well, of course. Evelyn and I dropped the girls off for their field trip to the zoo in Dallas. Isabella and Emma needed to see her first. Then we took her to breakfast. She barely ate… I don't think she's eating," Mom frets.

My stomach turns. "I have to go."

"Where are you going now? You just got here," Mom accuses.

"I haven't given Georgia her Christmas gift, and I need to."

My mom doesn't hesitate. She points to the door. "Then get your booty moving."

I leave, ignoring everyone, and get into my truck. I barrel out of the ranch and return to Dallas. I shower, then go back to Melanie's and see that Georgia's car is still outside. I wait and wait. Finally, around eight o'clock, long after dark, she steps out of the house.

My heart squeezes as Greg helps her carry gifts to her car. He hugs her, and she drives off.