Page 50 of Harry

“I understand,” she replied softly, “hand me the list and let’s see what we can do.”

*****

Michael stared at her. “He is certainly asserting his authority. He forbade you from driving your car. So, basically, you are stuck in the office.”

“Don’t remind me.” She was still steaming and even diving into the inventory from the property that was being auctioned off had not managed to get her mind off how upset she still was over the way that he had handled her. And that was exactly what he had done. He stepped in after being absent before and was taking charge.

“I am so mad; I am tempted to call a cab and go and get my vehicle. What if I wanted to go out and have lunch?”

Michael arranged himself elegantly on the chair in front of her desk and stared at her curiously. “I am thinking he figured you would order takeout. Or being the exceptionally good friend I am, I would offer to go and pick something up for you.” He nodded to the empty dishes.

“He cooked for you?”

“His chef did.”

“I would say he’s really stepping up. And considering that he wasn’t before, I think you should leave well enough alone.”

Her eyes flashed. “You think I should be so grateful that he’s finally playing his part that I should allow him to do whatever he pleases?”

Michael coughed behind his hand. “Anything I say right now is going to put me in the hot seat. So, let me just say this. He came running and stayed with you. Then he asked you to live with him. You told me that he had had a difficult time of it and now he’s trying to put it behind him and concentrate on you.

And darling, you really should not be driving at this time of year. People are crazy on the road. The Christmas season tends to bring out the mad in most of us. What I’m trying to say is that you have a man who loves you to pieces and is willing to make compromises. If he wants to play chauffeur, then let him. What is the harm in doing so?”

She eyed him balefully, even though her anger was disintegrating. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours, always.” He beamed at her and then sobered. “On another less pleasant note, you are going to have to talk to David. He has been calling.”

“Oh crap.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I have been meaning to. I don’t even know if I can offer him friendship, knowing that’s not what he wants.”

“He’ll understand that you’re with the man you love and the father of those babies you’re carrying. And if he doesn’t then…,” he rose gracefully, “he doesn’t deserve your friendship.”

*****

He allowed the silence for the duration of the journey, figuring she needed the time to simmer some more. He had called her during the day and had endured her cool tone of voice and decided that he would deal with it when they got home, and he was determined to do so.

Since she did not wait for him to open the passenger door for her, he made sure she had cleared the steps and made it onto the porch, without falling. It had rained earlier, and the temperature had dropped. Keying in the code for the alarm, he opened the door and stepped back to let her precede him.

Having taking Shep to the main house, he did not have to worry about the dog jumping all over her and causing an accident.

“Okay, let’s have it.” Leading the way into the kitchen, he put the pot on to make tea and was pleased to see that there was already a meal waiting for them inside the warmer.

“Let’s have what?”

He slid her a glance as he searched for the packet of tea. “Why you’re still sulking.”

“I’m not.” Taking a seat around the counter, she shook her head. “Really. It is just that…”

“What?” He turned to face her when she paused.

“I spoke to David today and he wants to be friends,” she watched as his expression changed.

“Is that the asshole who proposed to you?”

“He’s an asshole, because he proposed?” She asked in exasperation.

“He’s an asshole because he wanted to be with another man’s woman.” He searched for a cup and slammed it onto the counter. “A woman who is pregnant with another man’s babies.”

“You weren’t there!”

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