Page 142 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

“No.” She frowned.

I padded towards the door and looked through the keyhole, glimpsing a woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform.

I opened the door a crack and returned her cheerful smile. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Miss Valentine?” she asked.

“Uh… yeah?”

“My name is Emma Charles. I’m here to be your nurse.” She said it in a way that I’m sure sounded perfectly reasonable, but I just stared at her in confusion.

“Excuse me?”

“Do you mind if I come in?” she gestured towards the apartment. “Mr. Bennett sent me.”

“Okay, sure. Sorry.”

She came in with a medical bag and took a seat as she started to explain. Matt and Nicole joined me in the kitchen and listened in.

“Mr. Bennett has hired me to be your round the clock nurse and baby consultant. I’m here to help you with whatever you need, whether it’s assisting with meal preparation, cleaning, or any medical emergencies that should arise.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I protested.

“I’m really not.” She frowned. “I’m highly qualified for this job, Miss Valentine. If you’d like me to provide credentials…”

“I’m sure that you are,” I said apologetically. “But the thing is, I don’t need a nurse or a consultant.”

“But I’ve already been paid,” she argued. “A lot of money. Mr. Bennett wants to ensure you and his baby have the very best care. I’m here to help you.”

She said it as though I didn’t understand what her role was, but it was perfectly clear. Ryland had hired someone to wait on me hand and foot. Again, another gesture that I’m sure seemed perfectly logical to him.

I decided to try for another tactic, one that wouldn’t hurt her feelings.

“Look, I really appreciate your offer of services. But as you can see, the apartment is already quite full, and there’s really not room…”

“I can sleep anywhere,” she volunteered. “A sofa will do. And once Mr. Bennett has finished up the arrangements for the new apartment, I’ll have my own room…”

New apartment? I glanced at Nicole, and she shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe it’s not such a bad idea,” she said. “You could use a little help, Brighton. You’ve been really busy with the charity stuff lately, and you look tired all the time.”

“Really, Nicole?” I squeaked.

Matt chuckled and pulled her to his side. “If you aren’t happy with the arrangement, Brighton, maybe you should take it up with Ryland?”

“Oh he’d like that, wouldn’t he?” I grumbled.

The poor nurse looked like she had no idea what she’d gotten herself into.

“Why don’t you relax and dish yourself up a plate of food,” I told her. “I’m going to speak to Mr. Bennett myself.”

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