Page 87 of The Chase
“My friend Clara does.”
“You trust her?”
“Of course.”
He kissed the top of my head and I sensed that was his way of gentle encouragement. “Would you like them for The Wilder Museum?” I asked, my toes curling with the realization I was letting them go,finally.
He let out a long rush of air. “That would be something.”
“I have the paperwork. The provenance goes all the way back. It’s quite impressive. Dad had it in a box in his office safe.”
“It survived the fire?”
“Thank God. The only photos of my mom were in there. I can help arrange to have these shipped to America if you like? Get the paperwork started.”
“That’s incredibly generous of you, but I think the best home for them is The Otillie. That way you can visit as much as you like. And know they’re safe.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Let’s take them over tonight?”
I gazed at them lovingly. “Tomorrow. That way I get to enjoy them one final evening. When are you flying out?”
“I’m pushing my travel plans for now.”
I cupped my face with my hands as a thrill of happiness washed over me.
He laughed brightly. “Miles Tenant is going to flip out when he sees what you have.”
“Don’t tell him where I’ve had them hidden.”
“It’ll be our secret.”
“Hungry?”
“I should probably go.” He took my hands and gave them a comforting squeeze. “I have an early meeting with a team of techies who flew in from Japan. Otherwise you couldn’t drag me away.”
“Were you planning on flying out afterward?”
“My schedule allows for versatility.”
“Come on.” I pushed myself to my feet and reached for his hand. “I’ll make you some toast.”
“How about a coffee?”
“I can do that.”
Tobias waited in the living room as I poured freshly brewed beans into the filter and turned on the coffeemaker.
Staring out of the window, I tried to fathom this array of emotions sweeping over me. An overwhelming excitement that he felt the same way.
This gorgeous, incredible man wanted to be with me...me?
I searched my cupboards for that travel mug I rarely used. Within a few minutes I rejoined him.
He was standing by my hallway table—
Tobias was fully dressed now in that black bespoke well-fitting suit. I’d been too distracted to truly notice it yesterday, to see how gorgeous he looked during my crisis at Christie’s. He moved with a masculine refinement as he turned to look at me.
