Page 221 of Things Left Unsaid

“To one of our bunkhouses,” I correct. “You might have seen it. It’s over in the southwest quadrant.”

“It’s in the middle of nowhere. Right?”

“Yeah. They both are, but only one is visible from the house.”

“I wondered what was going on there.” She twists to face me. “I’m coming with you.”

“When?”

“This weekend. We can pick her up together.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“Sure I do. She might be terrified of you. Another woman’s presence might help her.”

Her tone’s somber but deadly serious so I shrug. “Fine. If you’re sure.”

“Of course I am. Holy crap, I knew you were perfect but this issoyou. Just wait until I tell Tee?—”

“Why are you telling Tee?”

“Because she was ready to canonize you before, but now you might just become her version of the pope.”

“Thanks. I think.”

“High compliment. Trust me.”

“Oh, I do. Keep it on the down low though. We function best in secrecy.”

“But you’re telling me…?”

“Of course. You’re my wife.” I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and see her coy smile at my declaration. So I snag her hand and kiss her knuckles. “We’re almost there.”

“Where’s there?”

“The Manchester.”

“I loved that hotel! This depraved date is hitting all the right notes.”

“Give me time and we’ll make music together.”

“Smooth, Colt, very smooth,” she teases.

Laughing, I drive into the underground parking lot where we have some private spaces rather than wait for valet service when we reach the hotel.

“You might not have noticed before but they’re going to be obsequious in here,” I tell her as I slot my arm along the back of the passenger seat and use it to stare out the rearview window as I reverse into the space.

“They are?”

“It’s a Korhonen property.”

“You own The Manchester?!”

“Clyde’s a moron in many ways, but he sometimes makes the right decisions. The hotel is a part of Seven Cs’ investment portfolio.”

“Or he takes good financial advice.”

“Yeah, we’ll go with that option.”

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