Page 47 of His Christmas Wife

“Yes.” Evidently her enthusiasm must have spilled over because he grinned.

The first floor also featured a bathroom and a workout space. No doubt that was how he was able to indulge in occasional sweets.

Then he showed her his study. “Nothing interesting.”

Maybe to him, but to her the room was revealing. At work, he’d inherited Sylvia’s former office, and he’d made no changes—his version of austerity measures, no doubt. But here, his personality was more present.

A Bonds computer sat in the middle of a large, masculine desk. The leather chair was massive and much older than she expected.

“It belonged to my grandfather,” he explained with a shrug. “Gran wanted me to have it.”

“Fills you with a sense of duty? Obligation?”

“Both. And it’s a form of continuity. I remember him sitting in it, smoking a cigar, making decisions.”

“The past connects us to the future.”

He studied her. “Insightful. And yes. It does indeed.”

A credenza had a couple of photos on top. One of them seemed recent, of him with an older lady. His grandmother, she guessed. A second showed a much younger, more carefree Frost along with a smiling woman, his arm slung over her shoulder. “Your mom?”

Shoulder propped against the doorjamb, he nodded. “Before the downfall.”

Small glimpses into what mattered to him.

On a shelf sat a statue of an owl—reminding her of the one she’d seen on his bag at the Quarter. “What’s the meaning of that?”

“Of?”

She pointed. “Athena’s owl?”

“It symbolizes an organization I belong to.”

His vague answer sparked her curiosity. She didn’t know of any that had an owl as its logo. “What’s the name of it?”

“Something you likely haven’t heard of.”

“A college fraternity? Or something volunteer?”

“We do participate in charitable works around the world, yes.”

Which didn’t answer her question but told her plenty regardless.

“Let’s continue the tour.”

Which meant he was finished with the conversation.

Numerous questions swimming through her mind, she followed him to the top of the spiral staircase where he showed her a luxurious guest bathroom, two bedrooms, and then his suite.

From his king-size bed, he had stunning views on two sides. Once again, she was drawn to the vista.

Below them was a large pool deck and beyond that, a red streetcar. “I’d never want to leave this room.” The surroundings even included a sitting area with two wingback chairs angled toward each other.

“There’s more.”

“Oh?”

“This way.”

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