“I’m thrilled for you, Bjørn.” Lena bit her lip, ready to finish with this call so she could get back to work, but also hating not keeping this reminder of home on the phone a little longer. “I’ll be praying for your trip. Let me know when you make it, okay?”
“Will do, but only if you promise to answer the phone with a smile. You’ve been cranky as a bear lately.” He grunted like a grizzly at a bait stand, then laughed. “Love you, Lena. Stay safe.”
“Love you too.” She stared at the phone as the call ended and the screen turned black.
Yeah, well, he’d be cranky, too, if he was doing this job. She shoved the phone in her pocket at the lie she was trying to sell herself. The job, though not as dangerous as some of her others, wasn’t so bad. That was, when she didn’t want to strangle her boss. She’d miss Carter more than she cared to admit when this assignment was over.
She scanned the scenery one last time, cocking her head when she spied Tony at the edge of the yard. He had his wrist up to his mouth, his lips moving. Oh, to be able to go outside and patrol the grounds like Tony and the other guards did. She’d even take the night shift. It’d feel more normal than the nanny business.
She stepped toward Mr. Rand’s office with a huff. She might not feel like a glorified babysitter if she had a clue what was going on. Her boss’s evasion was over.
As she approached the open doorway with determination, her hand poised to knock on the frame, she saw him and froze. Marshall Rand stood at the window, his strong shoulders drooped and eyes glassy as he stared across the lake. Grief and regret filled the room, almost pushing her back. He rubbed his hand across his chest like it ached.
She knew that feeling and clenched her fingers so she wouldn’t touch her own. How could her chest still hurt even though it was empty? It had been two years since Ethan had died. Shouldn’t the pain fade, or was she doomed to live with it forever?
“Oh, Amara.” Mr. Rand dropped his chin to his chest with a heavy sigh. “What am I going to do?”
The heaviness in his voice twinged something in her she didn’t understand. Was it empathy? Maybe guilt for being such a jerk to him since she got here. She shook her head and took a step back. She had every reason to not like Mr. Rand. He’d ruined her life, after all. She’d do her job and protect Carter, but that didn’t mean she had to like his father.
Stepping backward, she planned a retreat. She’d let him sulk in whatever misery he probably deserved. Her stomach soured at the merciless thought. When had her heart turned so black? No one deserved that.
She inched back another step, hoping Mr. Rand wouldn’t notice her. She had to get out of there. Her skin turned clammy as her pulse picked up. She’d just call Zeke, tell him to find someone else to take this position ASAP.
Her watch beeped and vibrated, jerking her to a stop. Carter rolled over in his bed, clutching his teddy to his chest and releasing Lena’s breath that had bottled up in her chest. She glanced up, and her gaze collided with the dark blue of Mr. Rand’s. She should have snuck away when she could.