Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
She blinked. “Oh, you’re a lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“Of course not. No hidden fees.”
He smiled at her, all charm and Irishness. “Maybe a spot of tea while we do business? I’m parched. A biscuit would be grand too.”
“Yes.” She nodded like a bobblehead on the dash of a car. “Yes, I will arrange tea.”
He indicated the door with a sweep of his arm. “Shall we?”
She giggled like a schoolgirl as she went ahead of him. He winked at me. “Take your time, love. You know where the office is.”
And he left me—half fuming, half amused.
Uppity, domineering, I’ve-got-this Irish bastard.
I shook my head. God, I loved him.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
AUTUMN
After the meeting at The Haven, Sully took me back to the hospital. I visited for a while, then spoke with Carrie, the caregiver he had hired temporarily. She was young, bubbly, and obviously fond of Lynn. I recalled how often Lynn had mentioned her, so I knew the fondness was returned.
Carrie was grateful for the extra hours. “Saving up for my wedding,” she informed me. “This is great.”
“I appreciate it,” I replied, looking over to where Sully sat by Lynn, the two of them talking quietly. They were both grinning, and I wondered what they were plotting. They were like two old women gossiping and matchmaking. Already fast friends.
“Mr. Black says he plans on giving me extra hours as a companion for Lynn. I am so lucky. We all love her at The Haven. Always smiling and cheerful. I’m glad she is staying with us.”
I tilted my head in confusion. “Extra hours?”
“After you leave, so she isn’t so lonely. I can take her shopping and to lunch. I can drive since she can’t anymore.”
“I see. And Georgia is all right with this extra job?”
“Mr. Black spoke to her and made it all okay. And laid it all out in a contract. He was very generous. I only get three days a week with them, so I have hours I can offer.”
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at him. Charming Lynn. Employing her favorite person to be a companion. Getting a fancy suite so she would be happy. Smoothing it all over with Georgia. I knew if I had tried that, it never would have been agreed on. I would have been charged extra for a companion through the billing office. But once again, Sully got his way.
The independent part of me wanted to tell him to stop. I would handle it all. But the other part of me, the worried, not-sure-how-to-take-care-of-everything side was grateful. Overwhelmed with the generosity. Wondering how I got so lucky to meet him. Have him love me.
He looked up and winked, as if knowing what I was thinking. He stood, pressing a kiss to Lynn’s cheek. “We’ll be back in the morning and fill you in on everything,” he promised.
She smiled and waved him off. “Carrie and I are watching Manslaughter and Mayhem tonight. It’s about passion killings.”
He chuckled. “You’ll have to tell me all about it tomorrow.”
I kissed her goodnight, then left her in Carrie’s capable hands.
I was quiet in the car. When we got to the hotel, I walked over to the windows, staring out at the vast city.
Sully came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “All right there, love?”
“Yes. A bit tired, still. A lot to take in today.”
“It’ll be an early night. Just dinner.”
“Do I have to dress up?”
“No, it’s in Finn’s suite. Casual.”
“Good. I don’t think I have anything dressy in my bags.”
He spun me so I was facing him. I pressed my hands to his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. His eyes were intense as he looked down at me. “You took everything.”
“What?”
“When you left. You took everything. I came home, and your suitcases were gone. Your robe. All that was left was a hair band I found on the counter.” He swallowed. “And your keys were on the table. I thought you’d decided to leave me.”
The pain was evident in his voice, the torment in his eyes. I cupped his face.
“I was upset and not thinking clearly. I hadn’t unpacked yet. It was easier just to throw everything back in the case that was open on the floor. And I left the keys so I didn’t lose them. I didn’t know what I was facing here. How long I’d be gone for. If, perhaps, you’d change your mind while I was gone and realize you’d jumped the gun and didn’t want me back.”
“I love you. That is not going to change.”
“I know that.” I pressed my hand over his heart. “You came when I needed you, even though you thought I’d left you.”
“I will always come to you.” He drew a deep breath. “Are you coming home to me, Autumn?”
“I have to settle things here. Make sure Lynn is okay. Sort my things—”