Page 3 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

“Sir?”Deena’s soft voice had me turning all the way around in my chair.

I wavedher in with both hands. “Deena, come on in.” The quiet older woman made it easy to smile. “Do you need something? Has your back been giving you trouble again?”

“No, sir.”She rubbed the small of her back and offered a tiny smile. “That chiropractor you sent did a right fine job. Why, I haven’t felt this good in years.” She hesitated, her gaze skipping to the window then back to me. “You certainly didn’t have to pay for it.”

“Nonsense.” I sipped the whiskey, letting the smooth liquid wash over my tongue. “It’s the least I could do since you work so hard keeping this place spotless.”

“Like you make that difficult.”There was the hint of banter I’d been waiting for. It wasn’t like Deena to be timid. Whatever was on her mind must have her in a real mess. “I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

The worry linesin her face caused an instant shot of concern to straighten my spine. I stood, walking around the desk to pat the chair beneath the window while I sank into the loveseat directly across from it. “Not to worry. I’m done for the day. What brings you by?”

“Well,”Deena began as she paced back and forth between the chair and the bookshelf on the far side of the room, “it’s a bit complicated, I’m afraid.”

I waitedfor her to continue, the thin-lipped look on her face worrying me more with each footstep, each silent second that ticked past. “What’s wrong? Is someone ill?”

“No.”She breathed in deeply before letting it out with a long exhale. “Not exactly.” She finally stopped pacing and stalked over to the chair, dropping into it with a plop so unlike her usualself that I barely resisted the smile tugging at my lips. “It’s my daughter, you see?”

No,I didn’t see, but I motioned for her to continue.

“She’s…well, sir, she’s pregnant.” Red splotches spread across her cheeks.

“You’ve spokenof her before. This is her first? How exciting.” I’d hoped my words would ease some of her anxiety but it had the opposite effect.

Deena straightenedin the chair and placed her hands in her lap. “It is. It’s been a complicated pregnancy, however, and her doctor has put her on bedrest for the last few months before she delivers.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,”’I said, thinking how awful that must be. I tried to imagine being forced to stay in bed and shuddered.

Deena’s eyesglistened as she stood. “Her husband can’t afford to take time off work to care for her. I thought maybe…” she trailed off, her shoulders sagging, and eyed me over the rim of her glasses. “I thought I might take some time off to care for her.”

Sympathy toreits way through me. “Of course you should go. You should be with her during this time. Use my personal credit card to book your flight.” I stood, keeping myself relaxed and unimposing to Deena’s small frame. “I truly hope your daughteris all right. You must stay with her until she delivers the baby and do spend some time afterwards helping her with the newborn and getting to know your grandchild.” I arched a brow. “Though I do hope you return.”

Deena nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. Was I such a horrible employer that she thought this an impossible request?

“I will.Thank you, sir, thank you so much!” Deena flung her hands up in the air. “Of course I’ll come back! I love working here. You, Scott, and Ryland are wonderful. I couldn’t imagine working for anyone else.”

“Good.”I had no words for the way that declaration made me feel. I’d always strived to be fair in both my business dealings and in life.

Another beatof hesitation gave the room an uncertain air before Deena spoke up. “I do hope you won’t replace me while I’m gone.”

“Not a chance.”I patted her shoulder. “You’re irreplaceable. In fact, I insist on paying you while you’re away. You’re overdue for a vacation. I can’t remember the last time you even took a sick day.”

“Never.”Deena straightened, pride coming into her spine.

“That’s what I thought.”I dropped my hand to my pocket and slipped it inside. “Off with you now. Get that flight scheduled. I’ll make sure you’re paid as usual so you have nothing to worry about while you’re gone.”

“Thank you again.”Deena took a step toward me before seeming to remember my reluctance toward hugs and stopped. “I’ll be back. I promise you that.”

“You enjoyyourself as best you can. Time spent with family is precious.” I feared once she laid eyes on her grandchild, I’d receive a call that she’d changed her mind and wanted to stay in Florida with her daughter and grandbaby. And I’d let her without argument because family was a treasurable thing that too many ignored.

Deena leftthe room as quietly as she’d entered it, and I returned to my desk chair. I’d given Deena what she asked for—and needed—while putting myself and my housemates at a disadvantage.

How werewe going to find a temporary housekeeper? Deena was indeed irreplaceable. I’d meant that. She understood each of us and kept the house in perfect condition. She did more than cook and clean. Deena helped arrange parties and events that we hosted. She ensured any additional staff we hired did their jobs. And she did hundreds of small things in the background of our lives that I’d bet my billions on we took for granted and probably didn’t even know about. Like the whiskey sitting in my glass—Deena always ensured it was ordered and delivered so that I never ran out.

Meal planning,prep, shopping, it was always done to perfection. I’d need to check the kitchen and see if we had food for tomorrow.

A door opened and closed,Scott’s voice carrying in an echo down the hallway beyond my office. He shouted my name before he and Ryland burst through the door. “There you are.” He flung an arm around Ryland’s neck, almost knocking the man over with his enthusiasm. “I told you he’d still be working.”

“And I didn’t arguewith you.” Ryland threw off Scott’s arm and gathered his long blond hair up into a topknot.

---