Page 186 of Holiday Hire

"Where are we?" I question.

He glances at me, again looking nervous.

"You're making me feel like I'm in a mystery movie," I tease, but my anxiety grows.

He smiles, then it falls, his expression turning serious. He strokes my cheek. "You know how you said your mom and sister are far away?"

"Yes," I say, unsure where he's going with this, and finding it odd I'm talking about them twice in one day when I don't talk about them very often.

He studies me.

My pulse shoots through the roof. "Alexander, what's going on?"

He releases a breath. "I arranged for a tour of this facility. It's a long-term home. They have different solutions for different needs. And it's the best in the county."

I break out in goose bumps. I glance at the building again, then at him. Still confused, I cautiously say, "Okay?"

He announces, "I thought we could move your mom and sister here."

I gape at him, the blood draining from my face.

"Would you like that?"

"Are you being serious?" I manage to get out, my voice shaking with emotion, my eyes tearing up.

"Yes. I wouldn't joke about this."

"But I can't pay for this place. This looks really nice," I fret.

He grunts. "Don't worry about the money, Pheebs. We have plenty."

I look at him as if he's crazy.

He declares, "You're going to be my wife. Your family should be near us just like mine."

Tears spill down my cheeks. "Alexander, are you being serious right now? I swear to God, this is a really cruel joke if you're not being serious."

He shakes his head. "No, baby girl. This is real. As long as you approve. But let's go tour it, okay?"

I can't say anything. I'm too caught up in emotions and speechless. He gets out of the truck and comes around to open my door. He helps me out, then pulls me into him and quickly kisses me. "Are you okay?"

"I just can't believe you're serious about moving them here."

"I am."

"And we can afford this for the long term, not just for a week or something?"

Amusement lights his features. "Yes. And we haven't gone through finances yet, but we should do that soon. Why don't we do it after the holidays though? I don't like mixing business with Christmas fun."

I stare at him like he's crazy. I start adding up what a facility like this might cost for just a day, much less a month, a year, or several, and times it by two.

"Come on, baby girl," he says, tearing me out of the spreadsheet forming in my head. He slides his arm around my waist and leads me into the facility.

Shawna, the director, has me sign documentation to transfer my mother's and sister's records so we can discuss their needs in more detail. We spend several hours on a tour, then return to her office.

Her assistant hands her two folders. "Here's the information you requested on the basic medical needs."

I gape.

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