Page 54 of Bryce

“What?”

“You’renot your mother. That woman is neurotic and greedy for fame. Andhighly dissatisfied, no matter what she has. You’re strong,sweet and beautiful. The man has good taste.”

“Speaking of mymother, if she finds out I am with Bryce…,” she coveredher face with her hands, “she will start hounding me to get himto talk to her and use his influence to get her parts. I cannot gothrough that again.”

“You don’tthink your man can handle himself?”

“He’snot…!” Shaking her head, she twisted her hands together.“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, much less thinkabout it. He’s insisting on staying and helping and says we arein a relationship.”

“So what?”Her friend demanded. “You’re just humoring him?”

She shruggedhelplessly. “I don’t know what the hell I am doing. Whycouldn’t I have fallen for someone like William?” Shestared as her friend burst out laughing.

“You would bebored within a week. That man is as dull as dirt.”

“And it wouldhave been less complicated.” With a sigh, she picked up hercooling tea and took a sip. “I want a family.” Her eyesstrayed to the cot where she could just see little Brady’shead, the hair curling at the crown. “I want what you have, andI cannot see it happening with Bryce.”

“He doesn’twant children?”

Zahra blew out abreath and ignored the longing inside her. “We have neverdiscussed anything like that. And I don’t think we will.”

“Honey…!”

“No.” Sheshook her head. “I am just taking it one day at a time and Idon’t want to talk about it anymore.”

*****

Back at the inn,Bryce’s mind was on that very subject. Looking ruefully at hisruined boots, he stepped inside the mud room and got rid of thembefore making his way upstairs.

Digging into hissuitcase, he found, to his surprise, a pair of old worn black tennisshoes he had packed for hiking and slid them on. Dragging his handsthrough his hair, he decided to start indoors first. Picking up anotepad and pen, he started jotting down where he noticed leakage.

It was not so bad, hedecided. A few spots here and there that could be easily patched. Therooms were tidy and neat, with clean linens draped over the beds.

Hesitating at thedoor he knew opened to her suite, he stood there undecided for a fulltwo minutes, before pushing it open and stepping in. A whimsicalsmile touched his lips as he looked around. It was just as heimagined it.

The queen-sized bedhad strong posts going up to the ceiling. The furnishing was tastefuland a little antiquated. Walking over to the dresser, he passed hishand over the glossy finish and discovered to his surprise that itwas maple.

There was a windowseat that overlooked the east side of the garden, with fluffy throwpillows. He could see her standing at the window with a cup of coffeein her hands, watching the sun rising. Stepping over to it, he alsodiscovered that it was in direct view of the route he often took whenjogging.

The room smelled likeher. That faint floral scent that was uniquely hers.

Moving over to thebed, he sat on the edge of it and closed his eyes. He wanted childrenwith her. He wanted that with a keenness that was searing through hisbody.

They had both comefrom dysfunctional homes and he was going to promise her that theywould be better parents. Running a hand over the patchwork quilt, hesmiled as he wondered if they would be sleeping in her room tonight.

With a sigh, he roseand taking one last look around the space, he left, closing the doorbehind him. He was making his way downstairs when Jessica camethrough the sliding glass doors at the front.

“Mr. Bryce.”

“Jessica.”

“I came to seewhat I can do to help. Is Zahra around?” If the woman wassurprised to see him, she did not mention it.

“Gone into townto see about getting some help. I offered to document what needsfixing.”

“It’sbad.” She nodded. Turning in a tight circle, she took in thewater on the floor. “Need any help?”

“I finishedupstairs but would appreciate help with down here.”

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