Page 313 of Under Her Skin
With my brother’s and sister’s help, I’ve managed to figure out how to transform my stores into something at least a little bit better than my original ideas. Maybe with Delaney’s help, I can manage to come up with a way to look past what my feelings are and think about the kids’ feelingsinstead.
As I walk into the reception area, I see Blanch getting ready to leave too. “You have any special plans for this Fridaynight?”
She looks at me with a smile. “No. But I hear youdo.”
“Huh?” I ask, as I have no idea what she could’veheard.
“Delaney told me about you two moving in together. She’s a very nice young woman, Blaine. Your mother would’ve loved her.” She takes my arm and joins me as we walk out of our offices toward theelevator.
“She talked to you?” I ask, surprised since she didn’t mention anything about that atall.
With a nod, she says, “She did. Blaine, I know you and how you are, so please don’t think I mean anything ugly by saying this. You need to put her first. You need to watch that streak of selfishness you have. Listen to the things she has to say. She seems like a compassionate and smartwoman.”
“Feisty too,” I say with a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about Delaney. She knows how to hold her own. She’s not a woman I can walk all over, by any means. She is, quite frankly, perfect for me. She won’t hesitate to call me out when I’m being selfish. Instead of making me mad, it makes me think she’s adorable. I have no idea why that is, but it is thatway.”
Blanch smiles again and pulls me in for a hug. “Blaine, I think you’ve met the one for you. I’m sohappy.”
Maybe I have met theone!
Chapter6
DELANEY
Placing my clothes in Blaine’s closet has given me just about the oddest feeling I’ve ever had. I’ve never lived with anyone before. I’ve lived alone since I left home five yearsago.
As an only child with parents who both worked at their tire shop most of my life, I stayed alone a lot too. I have no idea how well I’ll take to having limited timealone.
“You look at home already,” Blaine says as he strides into hisbedroom.
Stepping out of the massive walk-in closet, I find myself quickly taken into his strong arms, a kiss placed on top of my head, and a hand grabbing my ass, making me giggle. “I feel out ofplace.”
He holds me back and gives me a scowl. “Well, stop feeling like that. I want you to think of this place as yours. Make yourself completely athome.”
“You do realize that means I’ll have to do a lot of snooping around. It’s how I get to know myaccommodations.”
“I’ll take you on the grand tour this evening. I just talked to the staff and I’ve given them the weekend off so you can really get comfortable here. I want you to take over the management of the estate. Make any changes you want to. I’ve told them all there may be some changes come Monday.” He pulls me back close to him and rocks us back and forth. “I’m so happy you’re here. You have no idea how happy you’ve mademe.”
He does look happier than I’ve ever seenhim!
“I’m pretty happy too, Blaine. I’m excited to get to call this gorgeous place my home. It’s so big that I think I’m going to need a map.” I laugh, but henods.
“I’ll make you one. You’ll get used to things quickly. I have no doubt about that. If you can manage to get around that huge hospital, you’ll learn the layout of this house easily enough.” Taking me by the hand, he leads me out of the bedroom and down the hallway that will take us to the main living area. “I want to give yousomething.”
“Blaine, please don’t start spoiling me already.” I follow along behind him as he tugs me across the large living area to the side door that leads out to the mud room, and then into the garage filled withcars.
“I got you something,” he says as he opens thedoor.
I see a deep-green Mercedes sitting in the parking spot closest to the door and I know what he’s done. “You did not do this,Blaine!”
“I did, too.” He picks me up and twirls me around. Then carries me over to some old car that’s been refurbished. “Here you go. It’s aStudebaker.”
I bat at his arm and laugh. “You’re not fooling me! Take me back to the realcar.”
He laughs, carries me back to the Mercedes, and opens the driver’s door, then plops me down on the buttery-soft, cream-colored, leather seat. I look up and see there’s a sunroof and so many extras I think I might need to take a course on how to work them all. “So, do you likeit?”
My eyes fill up with tears. “Blaine, I love it. I absolutely love it. But I can’t take this. It wouldn’t beright.”
“You will take it, and I will hear nothing else about that. I’m sure you can find someone to give your old car to. You won’t be needing it anymore.” He walks around and gets into the passenger side. “Now take me for a spin in your new car, NurseRichards.”
