Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“Don’t be mad at him. I’m sure he’ll soon see that you can handle the situation.”
I definitely wasn’t mad at Samuel for trying to help. I was angry because of his second phone. I nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not. We don’t know each other very well yet. He’ll soon realize that I’m more than capable of handling myself and more.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it!” Ines chuckled. “Which is why I asked the priest in our community if you can help. We have a sort of self-help group for Made Men and their families with disabilities that our priest leads.”
“Thank you. If you give me his contact information, I’ll try to be useful as soon as possible.”
After breakfast, Ines and I moved on to the bedroom. I realized I still hadn’t seen my bodyguard. Because Samuel had left so abruptly in the morning, he didn’t introduce me to him.
“My shoes and most of my bags are still down in the lobby in boxes,” I said when we entered the bedroom together.
“I could ask Leo, your bodyguard, if you want. Have you met him yet?”
“No,” I said, sparing Ines the details of my morning.
“Let me give him a call.” She picked up her phone and gave him instructions on where to find the boxes. She ended the call. “He was Sofia’s bodyguard before she married your brother. Samuel thought it was a good idea to have him become your personal bodyguard, and I agree. He’s very discreet, professional, and vigilant. Let me give you his number. Samuel’s head is always at work. It might be a while before he remembers to give you the details you need to really thrive here.”
He had his head with a certain F. too. I tried to push the thought aside because it was ruining my day. There wasn’t anything I could do about it now.
Ines put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m just a little tired. I didn’t sleep all that well.”
A knock on the door interrupted our conversation.
“Come in,” Ines and I said at the same time. She gave me an apologetic smile and stepped into the background. “This is your home. I’m sorry.”
I sent her a smile to show her it was okay.
A tall, very bulky man with a neck like a bull came in carrying two boxes. “Where should I put them?”
“In front of the walk-in closet, please,” I said, motioning in that direction. He put them down where I pointed, then turned to me. He wasn’t as young as I’d suspected. Maybe in his late forties, but he would definitely scare away many people. He had a buzz cut, and his T-shirt strained over his muscles. Tattoos of a woman and five children graced his right arm. I had to admit I never understood why someone got a detailed portrait of their loved ones tattooed into their skin. They rarely resembled the real person. They creeped me out like Madame Tussauds wax figures.
He gave me a broad smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Mione.” He glanced at Ines. “And to see you again, Mrs., uh, Mione.”
I laughed. “How about you call me Emma? It’s less confusing.”
“And I’ve told you before that I’m Ines.”
He shrugged.
“How are your children?” Ines asked.
“The boy’s going to give me a heart attack. I should have been happy with my four girls and not tried for a fifth.”
I burst out laughing. I could tell he loved his son very much and wasn’t serious. “How old is he?”
“Seven.” He made a suffering face. “My wife wants another one, but I told her only if she wants to kill me. I’m too old.”
“You’re not old! You’re my age,” Ines said.
“I can’t argue with that.”
I grinned, relieved that I had such a nice bodyguard. It could get awkward if someone sour or moody guarded you all day.
“Do you need help with unpacking?” he asked, nodding toward the boxes.
“No, thank you.” I preferred to sort my clothes into the wardrobe without a male presence.
He tipped an invisible hat and moved outside. “You know where to find me.”
I turned to Ines once he was gone. “He’s really nice.”
“He was Sofia’s favorite. She had another bodyguard who shared the job with Leo, but he’s a bit broodier to say it nicely.” Ines gestured to the boxes. “Should we get started?”
I nodded. I really wanted all of my clothes within reach.
We began with the shoes, then quickly moved on to my suitcases. When I removed a few dresses that I had packed for nostalgic reasons, even if I hadn’t worn them in more than a year, a few photos fell out. Photos of myself before the accident. Photos of me dancing on stage, photos of me doing a grand jete, my favorite ballet jump. I swallowed hard. I had forgotten I’d hidden them beneath my clothes. In the past, I’d often taken them out and looked at them, feeling wistful, and a part of me still did. It would probably never change, but another part longed to dance again. I had always suppressed any thought of dancing, but since my wedding, a new desire to dance had formed, and I was determined to finally give in to it.