Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
“I mean it,” Christie said, wiping her eyes. “My favorite client. Why can’t they all be like you?”
And by that I was sure she mostly meant, why couldn’t all of her clients write her a check for one point six million dollars? I was also sure that’s why she kept tearing up. I would too if I cleared seven figures on one job.
“Elin, would you mind handing me my cellphone? I need Court to help me to Omma’s room. I want to check on her and say goodnight before she goes to bed.”
“We can help you with that.” Elin and Freya had their hands on my wrists and elbows before I could politely decline.
Giving in, I let them help me out of the room and down the hall. Davis was behind me in a blink.
“Good evening, Mrs. Kim, you’re a vision.”
“As compared to the mess I was when you peeled me off the steering wheel?” I floated over my shoulder. “I’m still working on my come-hither smile, Officer, but don’t worry. I promise to have it ready the next time I almost die.”
“Mrs. Kim, please,” he hissed. I could practically hear the blood filling his cheeks. “I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding, but I’ve explained to you that wasn’t what I meant.”
I smothered a laugh. If I believed in hell, I had a feeling that’s where I’d be going for constantly flustering the poor man for my own enjoyment. “Thank you for being here tonight,” I said in a more serious tone. “I realize it’s way below your pay grade to follow me and a bunch of sparkling rocks around when you could be catching criminals, or spending time with your own family, but I appreciate it all the same.”
“It’s... This certainly is an unusual assignment. To be honest, I don’t approve of law enforcement being used as personal bodyguards. We serve the entire community—not any one individual or family. But,” he grudged. “I was told every officer who signed up for the assignment would be sent home with the chef’s prepared meal and a guest gift bag that includes an MT tablet, so... it’s fine.”
I hummed. “So, what you’re saying is, you took the assignment... for a bribe.”
“What! Bribe?! No,” he blared at my back. “That isn’t— That’s not—!”
I bit hard on my lip, penning in a laugh. Oh yeah, I was definitely on my way to a fiery pit.
Omma’s door loomed in front of us. Christie broke free from the pack, scurrying ahead to open the door and ease me inside.
Reynard glanced up from his charting. Decked out in tight, expensive jeans and a formfitting tee, I tried not to ask myself what this man was doing as a hospice nurse when he was clearly meant for the runway.
Okay, I asked the question in my head, but sense kept it from leaving my mouth. Being handsome didn’t mean a man couldn’t be caring, nurturing, or have other interests and pursuits that didn’t involve flexing his muscles.
Reynard took one look at me and dropped the clipboard. “Wow,” he breathed. “You look... wow.” He jerked, panic seizing his expression. He meant to keep that in his head too. “I mean— I didn’t mean—! Shit, Mrs. Kim, I’m so sorry. That was completely inappropriate of me. Please, forgive—”
Giggling, I interrupted him. “Reynard, it’s okay. Trust me, you never have to apologize for making a lady feel beautiful.”
He flushed. Spinning away, he turned his back to me, reaching down to pick up the chart. “Your timing is good,” he told the wall. “I just gave Mrs. Kim her nighttime meds, including her sleeping pill. You can say goodnight before she retires.”
I closed the distance to the bed. Crouching down as much as the dress would let me, I took Omma’s hand—gently murmuring to her.
Her left eye fluttered open.
“Hey, Omma.” I wished I could have some privacy, but I really did need help staying upright in the dress, and the insurance company needed an officer on my tail at all times. “I don’t want to disturb you. I just wanted to say goodnight.”
“Sa...rang,” she whispered. “Is that... you?”
“Yes, it’s me.” I squeezed her fingers with both hands, rubbing warmth into them. “Of course, it’s me. I’m not going anywhere, Omma. I’ll be here until... I’ll be here.”
“Beautiful,” she murmured, her eye drifting closed. “My baby... an angel.”
My throat tightened, squeezing around the lump forming in my throat. Why? Why after all the horrible things this cold and withholding woman had done to me over the years, did a rare kind word from her still reduce me to that little girl who wanted nothing more than her mommy’s love?
“Goodnight.” I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then I let my entourage pick me back up and practically carry me out.
Reynard joined us, shutting the door behind him. The live-in part of the live-in-nurse description meant that he never really clocked off and went home. He had the adjoining bedroom right next to her, and an alarm set during the night to wake him every three hours to go in and check on my mother.