Page 111 of Blindly Yours

Thankfully, no one has cried, but his brother did seem a little perturbed when he found out he wouldn’t be receiving the same inheritance sum as Mr. Bettencourt’s children. I was surprised Hugh even wanted to pass any of his assets to his brother—that’s usually reserved for descendants—but apparently, they were very close, and a portion was promised to him.

After I answer their last few questions and pack up my files, Mrs. Bettencourt escorts me out to the covered front porch.

“Do you have a ride, dear?” She peers out at the circular drive, where her children and brother-in-law are already pulling away. “I didn’t see you come with a car.”

“Oh, my mother is picking me up. My car is being detailed.” I smile at her. “The salt and snow really got to it this year.”

She nods. “I begged Hugh for years to move us south. I grew up in Georgia, and I can’t stand the cold.” She purses her lips and grins. “I think maybe I’ll finally make the move.”

I offer her a heartfelt expression. “I think this is the perfect time to focus on yourself. Go bask in those warm rays.”

She pats me on the back and chuckles. “Thank you for your time, Rose. I’m afraid I have a meeting with the funeral director next. We’re trying to figure out who to hire to cater the funeral reception. Hugh was such a fan of bar food, he begged me to provide burgers and beers for our guests instead of finger sandwiches and sweet tea.” She rolls her eyes. “I tried to protest, but he wouldn’t budge. I can’t let him down now.”

She starts to descend the porch steps, but I bite my lip and speak up. I know who serves the best burgers. “How far are you from Silver Creek out here?”

She stops and raises her fingers to her chin. “Silver Creek…I think less than thirty minutes.”

I step forward. “There’s an amazing burger place right there in town. Really, like the best burgers I’veeverhad. And I know the owner. I bet he would be absolutely thrilled to cater the reception.”

She tilts her head. “There will be at least two hundred there. Can he handle that volume?”

“He’s got an army of helpers,” I reply confidently. Honestly, I have no idea if Rod can handle so many, but I know for a fact that he has a community of people who want him to succeed, and I’m pretty sure I’ve just signed myself up.

She lifts her chin and studies me. “Thebestburgers?”

I grin. “Greasy and delicious and right up your husband’s alley I’m sure.”

She nods and pulls out her phone. “What’s the place called?”

“Nelson’s Bar and Grill.”

“Got it.” She taps her screen. “I’ll give them a call.” Then she continues down the steps. “Ok, I really have to get going, but feel free to wait on the porch for your mother.”

I take a seat on an oversized porch swing and wave. “Thank you, Mrs. Bettencourt.”

She reaches the ground and makes her way to the final car in the driveway, and then she pulls away, leaving me alone. The swing creaks slightly beneath me and a soft breeze tousles the few strands of my hair that have escaped the tight bun I’ve pulled it into. There are some dark clouds in the distance, but the sky above is perfectly blue. This house is set on at least ten acres, and the lot is surrounded by mature trees so thick you can’t see any neighbors. It feels like an expansive cocoon. Cozy and spacious all at once. Other than the sound of the swing, it’s completely silent, and I close my eyes for a moment, lost in a peace I rarely experience.

Except, I do when I’m with Nate. Neither his house nor his cabin sits on this much land, but there’s a similar calm when I’m there with him. The constant hum of city cars and whir of sirens is absent. When I look out my window at home, I see the façade of another building just directly across the street. It never felt claustrophobic before. But now that I’ve spent so many nights with Nate, I’ve begun to hate the ones I stay at home. My apartment feels stale, cold, and soulless, like a box with a bed. Nate’s place feels like ahome.

This morning, Nate is with Kara at a follow-up appointment for her concussion last month. She’s been having some ringing in her ears, so they’re making sure there isn’t additional damage they missed.

Nate wouldn’t admit it, but I can tell he’s been really anxious about this appointment all week. He loves Kara so much, I don’t think he could bear the thought of a permanent injury. He offered to drop me off for my meeting on his way to her appointment, but I stayed at my place last night, and I wasn’t going to have him drive all the way into the city to pick me up, only to drive me back out here. My mom was more than willing to help.

And I think I know why. She pestered me with questions about Nate the whole drive. I told her about his marriage, but not about Kara. She quieted down a little once I told her his wife died, but she reacted positively to everything else. I have a feeling it was probably because she doesn’t think we’ll last anyway.

I look at my phone. It’s fifteen minutes past when she said she’d be here to get me, and I’m about to text her when a black BMW emerges from the trees and pulls up the driveway. It’s a vehicle I am unfortunately familiar with.

I furrow my brow.

What is he doing here?

The car comes to a stop, Malcolm steps out and slides his sunglasses onto his head, and then he pushes the cuffs of his tailored shirt up his forearms.

“Need a ride, gorgeous?” He winks at me like he thinks I’ll find it enticing.

I don’t even stand up. “What are you doing here?”

He climbs the steps and comes to a stop next to a large, white column. He leans against it casually and crosses his arms. “Your mom got caught up in a meeting. I was on my way back from St. Cloud, so she asked me to grab you on my way.”

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