Page 36 of His Secret Gift

“Good morning.”

He has his hands behind his back at first, but then he reveals a Thermos similar to the one Kayla had last night.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Kayla, one of the stewards—”

I interrupt him. “I know who she is.”

He pauses before saying, “Right. Well, she asked me to bring this for you. A special sleep elixir, I believe.”

I smile. “Thank you.”

“Shall I just put it on the nightstand?”

I glance over. “Yes, please.”

When he sets it down, I see her handwritten instructions to keep it chilled at approximately thirty-four degrees and then reheat for two minutes right before bedtime.

“About all of that,” Denver says nervously, swinging his body from one side to the other.

I’m confused. “About what?”

He looks around like what I’d just said is crazy. “Well—that she came into your room at all.”

My eyebrows furrow. “What on earth do you mean?” I didn’t have any issue with it. If anything, I enjoyed it. And the nasty stuff she had me drink worked well.

“It was pretty bold of her to come in and start a conversation with you.”

“Bold?”

“Yes, sir. We’re told not to engage in such talk with you.”

“By whom?”

“… Captain Bryant.”

After that, I know I have to get up. I flip the covers off, get a clean shirt from my dresser, and I go into the bridge.

“Wesley.” I rarely call him by his first name, so he definitely takes notice.

“Jack?”

He releases the steering wheel and lets one of his assistants to take over.

I lead him over to the corner of the room.

“It has come to my attention that you are telling employees that they are not allowed to talk to me.”

“Well—yes, sir.” He readjusts his hat. “You told me…”

Granted, it isn’t completely crazy that he’d think I would desire such a warning. But when it comes to Kayla, I don’t want her to have reason or pause to come talk to me—god help me.

I sigh and say, “Please don’t do that in the future.”

He opens his mouth to say something else, but I keep going.

“Sure, I do not want anyone bothering me for needless things. But Kayla, she brought me something to help me sleep.” I grab the bridge of my nose and squeeze. “Although I have no idea how she knew I needed such help in the first place.”

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