Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Listen,” she began, ignoring my comment on her appearance. “I didn’t think you’d be here. You said on the phone you were too busy to come, but if you want to just grab Dad’s things, we can get this over with quickly.”
I stepped out onto the front stoop, standing closer to her and examining her appearance under the porch light. “Tell me what happened to you first.”
Unexplainable concern for her had me needing to know.
“Nothing happened to me. I have an old leg injury that kicks up sometimes, and I have to rely on my cane.”
An old injury? “How were you injured?”
Her features crinkled in annoyance. “That’s none of your business. Now, please, if you aren’t going to give me the items I came to collect, then I’ll just go.”
I studied her. There was something different about her. The other times I’d met her, she’d been proud, unapologetic. Now it almost seemed like she was embarrassed or ashamed. Did she not like people seeing her use the cane?
I took another step towards her and saw her flinch. “Look, I only ask out of concern—”
“Ha! Sure,” she replied with derision.
“Okay, I deserve that after the way I behaved the last time we were both in this house, but I don’t want to fight with you, Miss Rose. Please come inside. I’ll … I’ll make tea.”
Her features softened ever so slightly as she dipped her head tiredly and muttered, “Fine.” She really did look exhausted. I wanted to assist her up the step that led inside so badly, but I refrained. With how tense she seemed, I didn’t think my help would be well received.
I walked into the living room, and she followed, the clip of her cane on the wood floor making my chest constrict for some reason.
“Please sit.” I motioned to the couch. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ada lowered onto the plush couch, and it was unexpectedly relieving to see her take the weight off her leg. She rested her cane against the arm of the couch then blew out a small, exhausted sigh. Frowning, I walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on for tea. As I waited for it to boil, I thought back on that first time she’d come to my office to tell me about what had happened to our parents. As she’d stood to leave, I’d noticed something odd in her expression. There had been strain around her eyes and mouth, like she’d been in pain. It wasn’t dissimilar from how she seemed now. And as she’d walked away, there had been a slight hitch in her step.
I’d refused to see her that day, and she’d had to sneak up and demand an audience. Not only that, but I’d also known Conor Rose’s daughter was waiting in reception, and because of my resentment towards her father, I’d spitefully had her wait around for over an hour before informing the receptionist I wasn’t available.
On top of that, our elevator had been broken that day, which meant Ada had had to climb five flights of stairs to my floor. The physical exertion had obviously exacerbated her leg injury.
Fucking hell, I was a piece of shit.
I should apologise for that day.
With the tea ready and having remembered that she preferred it with milk and no sugar, I carried two mugs back into the living room. I paused when I stepped past the threshold and found Ada fast asleep where she sat.
6.
Jonathan
Her breathing was deep and even, her features soft in slumber. Again, I felt that unusual tightness in my chest. The woman was obviously going through it, because I had a feeling she was typically far more put together. Or at least that was how she’d come across the first time we met. Her grief at our parents’ death was clearly taking its toll. I felt kindred to her in that sense because it was taking its toll on me, too.
Today at the office, I’d been so off my game I’d overlooked a detail in one of our larger clients’ portfolios, resulting in a loss of a significant sum of money. I could make it back, but still, I never made careless mistakes like that.
My attention returned to Ada, and not for the first time, I was struck by her beauty. She had a striking face, her features somehow intense and delicately feminine at the same time.
“Ada,” I spoke her name quietly after placing the mugs down on the coffee table. She jolted awake with a start, and I immediately regretted waking her. She looked like she needed the rest.
“Uh,” she breathed, her cheeks colouring as she scrambled to sit up straight. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s no problem. Long day at work?”
She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “Something like that.”
“Where do you work?”
“At Pinebrook Lodge, the care home in town. I’m the manager there.”