“Corrupt assholes,” Jericho says, and I hold my breath.
“You sure you don’t want me to go?”
“No, I want to see him with my own eyes. Hear him tell the story with my own ears.”
“Flights will get you there and back the same day, so you won’t be missed.”
Jericho walks to the mantle where he picks up one of Angelique’s discarded toys. I make the slightest movement and the book on my lap drops to the floor, catching his attention.
Our eyes meet.
Heat flushes through me instantly. I’m caught. He stands still taking me in. A moment later Zeke comes into view. The two of them together like this, on the same side, watching me like they are, it’s unnerving.
I yawn and uncurl my legs to pick the book up off the floor.
“Were you reading?” Jericho asks, getting to the book before I do. He holds it out to me and I look up at him.
“I was,” I say, taking it from him. “But I must have dozed off.”
“You should go upstairs and nap properly when you’re tired.”
“I’m fine,” I say. “Catherine made a big lunch.” I’ve been eating more, my appetite furious some days. And the nausea has subsided. “And I guess this wasn’t the most exciting book.” I hold up the book for him to see, talking too fast. I’m sure he can hear it. I’m sure he knows I was eavesdropping even if it wasn’t intentional, so I get to my feet.
He smiles. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I’ll see you later,” Zeke says. “I need to head to the office for a few hours.”
Jericho turns to him and nods.
“Goodbye, Isabelle,” he says.
“Bye.” I wait until he leaves before turning to my husband. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I thought you were dozing.”
I shrug a shoulder.
“Thought so.” He smiles. “Come with me. I have more of the vitamins from Dr. Barnes. They were delivered this morning.”
“Are you?” I ask as we head to his study.
“A day trip,” he says as he opens the door and gestures for me to enter ahead of him. I do and watch as he closes the door, walking around the desk. He takes the cellar key out of his pocket and drops it into a drawer, then holds two bottles out to me. “Here. Same as what you have upstairs. Two a day.”
I take them. “Thanks. Where are you going?”
He checks his cell phone, types out a response to a message then tucks it into his pocket and turns to me. “Atlanta. Business.” He tucks my hair behind my ear and cups my cheek. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He kisses me, just a peck. “You look beautiful, Isabelle. Dare I say happy?”
I smile and shrug a shoulder trying to be casual. I drop my gaze as emotion raises goosebumps up and down my arms. I remember that night in the chapel. What he said. What he asked of me. What I chose.
Someone knocks on the door then and he clears his throat to answer. “Yes?” He doesn’t move away or take his hand from my face.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Catherine says, peering her head inside. “But you have a visitor,” she says to me.
“Me?” I ask.
“What visitor?” Jericho asks.
She turns to Jericho. “Mrs. De La Rosa and her children. They’re waiting in the library.”
“Ivy?” I smile.
“I thought that would be all right, sir?” Catherine asks, unsure suddenly.
“Of course. I’ll say hello too.”
Catherine’s smile is one of relief as she holds the door open for me and Jericho to pass. His hand is on the small of my back as he leads me toward the study. I can already hear the sound of a little girl’s voice and it instantly makes me smile.
Jericho opens the door, where we find Ivy and her children standing at a bookshelf. The little girl on tip-toe is trying to reach for a book, while Ivy is trying to hold her wriggling baby and get the book at the same time.
“Let me,” Jericho says and hurries to them.
They all turn to us, Ivy smiling, a little flushed. The little girl has a look on her face that belongs to an older, more cynical person. And the sweetest little baby with the biggest green eyes I’ve ever seen, has his mouth open in a tiny O showing one small tooth.
“Oh my gosh!” I say, hurrying to them myself. I hug Ivy and the baby at once and she smiles when I pull back. “You came!”
“I thought it may be easier than getting you to my house and I really needed to get this one out,” she says, gesturing to the little girl.
“Your family is beautiful,” I say, taking them all in.
“Thank you. Elena, say hello,” she says, putting a hand to the little girl’s head.
Elena glances up at me, flashes a smile showing a perfect row of tiny, straight teeth. She turns back to Jericho who is crouched down beside her balancing about five books for her to choose from.
It’s so funny seeing him like this. He’s so different with kids. Like the pressure is off because they’re not so scared of him. Even though I’d think they would be given his size and gruff manner.
“That one used to be my little girl’s favorite,” he says when Elena chooses her book.
“I like the horses,” Elena says then holds the book back out to him when he straightens to put the others back. “Read it to me.”
“Elena,” Ivy says, putting a hand on the little girl’s shoulder. “I’m sure Mr. St. James is busy.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jericho says, clearly taken aback. “I have a few minutes.”
Elena smiles at her mom then turns to Jericho. She slips her hand into his and leads the way to the seat beneath the large window.
“Well, she’s always been a very confident little girl,” Ivy says with a proud smile.
“I think it’s great,” I say as I watch Jericho settle into the seat with the little girl tucking herself almost under his arm as he opens the book. “It’s so weird to see this side of him,” I tell Ivy just loud enough for her ears.
“Santiago is the same. It’s kind of amazing to see men like that with kids. They become big teddy bears.”
I chuckle and turn back to her. “And who are you?” I ask the little one in her arms.
He makes a gurgling sound and nudges his face against his mom’s neck.
“This is Santi, short of Santiago.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Santi,” I say as Ivy hands him over to me. I take the warm bundle into my arms and sniff the baby smell of his head when I cuddle him to me. “He’s so sweet.”
“Santi is a flirt,” Ivy says as the little boy reaches up to take a handful of my hair, that smile irresistible.
“He is.”
The study door opens then, and Catherine walks in with a tray of refreshments.
“Cookies!” Elena jumps up from her seat and rushes toward Catherine who smiles lovingly.
“I just baked these this morning. They’re Angelique’s favorite.”
“Who’s Angelique?” Elena asks as she chomps on a cookie.
“Please wait until you’re offered, Elena,” Ivy tells her.
Jericho comes over to us and hands Ivy the book. “She can have this if she likes. Angelique has outgrown it.”