Page 27 of His

“I don’t know. I’m just trying to think of anything I can do to make you more comfortable. I just . . .” his expression falls, “I don’t want you to leave again.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” I chew on my lip. “So. Are you going to tell her? About us?”

“Not until she’s more stable.”

I nod. After seeing Valerie rocking back and forth in the dirt last night, I understand.

“Oh,” he says, “and, before I forget, there’s a new nurse coming today. She’s going to stay overnight to help with Valerie, and Jackie will come by daily.”

“I just met Jackie.”

Astor smiles warmly. “Thoughts?”

“I’m not sure yet?”

“She can seem abrasive at first, but she’s competent and knows Valerie’s situation well.”

“Then it sounds like she’s a good woman to have on your side.” I look around the gardens. “I was thinking. Since I’m technically the housekeeper,” I roll my eyes with a smirk, “I wouldn’t mind pulling my weight and doing things outside the house, like working in the garden. I don’t like being inside.”

“Hell, me either. I’ve spent many hours working from the back patio. I think that’s a great idea.” He glances at his watch. “I have meetings this morning and this afternoon, then I thought we could take a drive down the shore, have early drinks and dinner on a patio somewhere.”

It takes everything I have not to jump up and down with delight.

“Like a date?” I smile.

“Yes.” He runs his fingers through my hair.

“As long as this one doesn’t end with you beating a man to a bloody pulp because he flirted with me, I accept.”

Astor winces. “I promise that won’t happen again. I’m working on myself so that I can be the man you need me to be. I’m determined to be better, and also determined to never lose you again.”

Leo appears in our peripheral vision. He strides down the side of the house, then disappears down the stairs that lead to the shoreline.

“He’s so serious.”

“He’s focused. Exactly what you want in a security detail.”

“Okay, go manage your billions, Daddy Warbucks. I’m going to go play make-believe.”

“Make-believe housekeeper?”

“Exactly.”

He leans, a spark of heat in his eye. “You know, I was thinking we could get you a uniform and one of those feather dusters?—”

“It’s already in my Amazon cart—have you met me?”

He throws his head back with a laugh. “I love you.”

“Me too. Go.”

An hour later, I’m on my hands and knees in the garden, pulling weeds and clipping dead leaves. I’ve been enjoying the sunshine and fresh air so much that I’ve almost forgotten where I was. Until suddenly, I get the feeling someone’s watching me.

I sit back on my haunches and look over my shoulder.

Valerie, in her white nightgown, ghostly pale skin, and ice-white hair, is standing in front of the window. Though her silhouette is blurred from the reflection of the sun, there’s no question it’s her, and she’s looking right at me.

My gaze flickers toward the direction of Astor’s office. When I look back at the window, she’s gone.

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