Page 20 of Reaching His Heart (The Sartoris 3)

“Man, huh? Whatever. Come on.”

She led the way out into the hall, smoothing the dress she wore down over her legs. When they reached the dining room on the first floor, where Joseph said they would find Cason, she drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Voices reached her from beyond the door, one feminine one raised above the deeper male voice. All of a sudden, Solette began to wonder if this lunch date wasn’t about her at all or the influence she may or may not have had on Cason.

The woman seated next to Cason with a slender pale hand lying over his was beautiful beyond reason. Her long blonde hair lay in soft waves as it framed a beautiful face with big green eyes and pouty collagen-filled pouty lips. The woman released a laugh that was so smooth it was almost musical.

“Oh, Cason, you’ve gotten so mean,” she teased, and poked a pink lower lip out. “But I’m glad you let me come over today. I’ve been calling you for months, and today is the first time you actually got on the phone.”

Cason turned from the woman and watched as Solette entered the room. She could read nothing from his expression. “That’s because I was dealing with a little problem like almost dying.”

“Cason!” The blonde’s cheeks reddened.

“Oh, you have a guest,” Solette said. “We’ll just—”

“Bambi, this is my nurse Solette and her son Joseph. Come and sit down,” he ordered. “You’re late.”

Solette almost choked and patted her chest. Bambi? Is she serious? Solette

had another look at the woman. The nickname fit—it couldn’t possibly be her real name, could it? “I wouldn’t want to get in the way. Joseph keeps talking about some ridiculous secret level in the mansion.”

At the moment, her son was checking behind every curtain and going so far as to knock on parts of the wall. She glared at him and signaled for him to get back to the table.

“It’s true. Tell her, Mr. Cason. My mom never takes me seriously. Wait until I’m president. Then she’ll want me to pass laws for her and use the secret service to go to the corner store.”

Solette pressed a finger to her temple and shut her eyes.

Bambi burst out laughing. “Oh, he is precious. I just love kids, don’t you, Cason?”

“Joseph is interesting.”

His emphasis on her son’s name made Solette open her eyes. He was still watching her. She had no choice but to settle down at the table and shake out the cloth napkin provided. The table had already been set, but the place settings were only for four people. Apparently, the rest of the family were either having lunch in the usual dining room or weren’t available. That surprised her given Ezio had ordered that one of her responsibilities was to get Cason out of his room and into attendance at family meals. Of course, the family usually only ate all together at dinner and sometimes during breakfast, from what she’d been told.

Solette’s spot had been set across the table from Cason with Joseph at her side. Bambi continued to lean in close to Cason as if they were the only ones at the table. A maid entered the room and began offering a choice between Tortellini Salad with bacon and broccoli, and broiled strip steak sandwiches on French bread. Solette went with the salad, figuring it was healthier despite the bacon.

They began eating, and Solette squirmed a little in her seat, feeling Cason’s gaze on her. He tapped a finger on the table in a slow cadence. “You should be over here in case I need help.”

She focused on her salad. “I’m sure Bambi can help if you have trouble.”

“You were helpful last night. I thought you wouldn’t have a problem doing the same today.”

She froze and then pulled herself together. He wouldn’t goad her into giving their secret away. Pinning him with a pleasant half-smile, she said, “I’m your nurse. Of course, I’m always happy to help you, Mr. Cason, but I wouldn’t be a very good nurse if I didn’t encourage you to take every opportunity to strengthen your hand and do things on your own.”

“Mr. Cason?”

She pressed her lips together. Bambi didn’t appear to like being left out of the conversation, especially because of the hired help no doubt. “You look good to me, Cason. I bet you’re able to do everything we used to. Why don’t we forget lunch and go see for ourselves?”

Solette dropped her fork on the floor. Joseph’s eyes grew round. “Mom, do you think—”

She pointed at her son. “Not one word, Joe. Mr. Cason, having lunch with your and your guest doesn’t seem like a great idea at the moment—certainly not for my son.”

She scraped her chair back, but Cason interrupted. “You stay. Bambi, watch your mouth or go home.”

The blonde gasped. “I can’t believe you’re defending rude staff, Cason. Before your accident, you never would have done such a thing.”

“I find it interesting,” he said with a chill rolling off his words, “that you use every opportunity to bring up the subject of my accident. Are you here to remind me how I should have married you when I had the chance?”

She let out a small squeak. “Of course not. I care for you. You know that, Cason, and I’m surprised you would ever question my affection.”

Solette was still standing. Cason gave her a look that said she’d be better off sitting down than dealing with the drama he would raise if she went against his wishes. She looked at Joseph and found he had grabbed the excuse to go back to looking for the secret passage. She didn’t have the energy or the will to get onto him. At least he was out of direct earshot of Bambi.

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