“Great. Picnic for later, would that be possible?”
“Of course,” she says, with a look that tells me I shouldn’t dare doubt her culinary abilities. “Oh, and Martin would like a word with you,” she continues. “He’s somewhere in the yard.”
“I’ll go find him.”
Martin Bentley is weeding what Mrs. Bentley calls the kitchen garden. We exchange pleasantries and he takes me on a tour of the grounds. He’s a thoughtful, introspective man with some ideas on how to improve the yard. Not only does he maintain my property, but also a couple of the other properties in the near vicinity, and he’s a volunteer for the fire department.
While we walk, we discuss putting in a hot tub, and maybe a pool. I notice a bamboo cane that’s been discarded, and I pick it up as we continue to talk. It’s been a while since I held a cane. It’s a little heavy, and not very flexible. Absentmindedly, I swipe it through the air.
“It’ll be expensive,” Martin says, referring to the notional pool, “and, to be honest, how often would you use it?”
“Good point. Perhaps we could go for a tennis court instead.”
“Or you could leave it all be and let the meadow flowers bloom.” His grin is infectious.
I survey the yard: pool, or tennis court, or meadow flowers? I wonder which Ana would prefer. I swipe the cane through the air once more as Mr. Bentley opens the door into the basement. I don’t know what it is that makes me glance up, but I do, to discover Ana is watching me from the kitchen window. She waves, but looks guilty for some reason—why? I don’t know. She turns away, and I hand the cane to Martin and head back into the house. I’m hungry for waffles.
The flight home is smooth. Ana slumbers beside me while I go through the draft deal terms for the acquisition of Geolumara. I think everyone is tired after the forced-march hike up the Red Mountain Road trail that Elliot led us on. But it was worth it for the view. The late night, the altitude, and the alcohol are catching up with all of us: Elliot and Ana are sleeping, Kate and Ethan are dozing, Mia is reading. She and Ethan appear to have had an argument. I suspect Ethan’s “we’re just friends” has finally registered in Mia’s stubborn mind.
Stephan announces that we’re beginning our descent into Seattle. “Hey, sleepyhead.” I wake Ana. “We’re about to land. Buckle up.”
She stirs and fumbles for her belt, but I fasten it for her and kiss her forehead. She snuggles against me and I drop a kiss in her hair.
This trip has been a success, I think. But for me, it’s also been disturbing. I’m sensing a growing feeling of…contentment. It’s a strange and frightening sentiment. One that could disappear in a heartbeat. I glance down at Ana, trying to dismiss the worrisome feeling. It’s too new. And too fragile. Turning my attention back to the paperwork in front of me, I continue to read, making notes in the margins with my queries.
Don’t dwell on your happiness, Grey.
It will only lead to pain.
Flynn’s recent advice echoes in my mind. Nurture and treasure it.
Shit. How?
Hell.
Elliot wakes and teases Ana while First Officer Beighley announces our final approach. I take Ana’s hand.
“Christian, Ana. Thank you for a fantastic weekend,” Kate says, threading her fingers through Elliot’s.
“You’re welcome,” I answer. And there it is again, that contentment.
“How was your weekend, Mrs. Grey?” I ask once we’re en route to Escala.
Ryan is driving, with Taylor in the passenger seat. Even he looks relaxed.
“Good, thank you.”
“We can go anytime. Take anyone you wish to take.”
“We should take Ray. He’d like the fishing.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“How was it for you?” she asks.
I glance at her.
Fantastic. Scarily so…
“Good,” I say, eventually. “Real good.”
“You seemed to relax.”
“I knew you were safe.”
She frowns. “Christian, I’m safe most of the time. I’ve told you before, you’ll keel over at forty if you keep up this level of anxiety. And I want to grow old and gray with you.” Ana reaches out taking my hand. I raise it to my lips and kiss her fingers.
I will always worry about you, baby.
You are my life.
“How’s your hand?” I ask, to change the subject.
“It’s better, thank you.”
“Very good, Mrs. Grey. You ready to face Gia again?”
Ana rolls her eyes. “I might want to keep you out of the way, keep you safe.”
“Protecting me?” Well, how the tables have turned. I want to laugh.
“As ever, Mr. Grey. From all sexual predators,” she teases, keeping her voice low, so Ryan and Taylor don’t overhear her.
I brush my teeth, glad that we’ve approved Gia’s plans. Elliot’s team will start on the build Monday. I tick through a mental checklist. I have much to do over the coming week, but chiefly I want to make sure we nail Hyde’s ass to the wall and keep him incarcerated. Welch will need to keep digging to see if the asshole’s been working with anyone.
I hope not.
I hope this is over.
“Everything okay?” Ana asks, when I join her in the bedroom. She’s wearing one of her satin nightdresses and looks every inch a goddess.
I nod as I climb into bed beside her, putting aside my thoughts about next week.
“I’m not looking forward to going back to reality,” she says.
“No?”
She shakes her head and caresses my face. “I had a wonderful weekend. Thank you.”
“You’re my reality, Ana.” I kiss her.
“Do you miss it?”
“Miss what?”
“You know. The caning, and stuff,” she whispers.
Why is she asking me this? I rack my brain. The bamboo cane. This morning?
“No, Anastasia, I don’t.” I stroke her cheek with the back of my knuckles. “Dr. Flynn said something to me when you left, something that’s stayed with me. He said I couldn’t be that way if you weren’t so inclined. It was a revelation.” John encouraged me to try our relationship her way.
And look where we are…
“I didn’t know any other way, Ana. Now I do. It’s been educational.”