Page 77 of Halstead House

After lunch I went back to my room and did my best to go over the plans for an upcoming bridal shower, but I couldn’t focus. I was at a loss of what to do. Nothing sounded quite right. Eventually I decided to visit the mansion library and see what might catch my fancy. I’d passed the room many times but had never stopped to peruse the shelves.

While crossing the great hall toward the library I finally saw Lucas. He was passing from the conservatory through the ballroom, heading my way. He didn’t see me at first, which gave me a moment to study him. He was on the phone, eyes down, watching where he was walking, brows furrowed, and tone tense. He looked every inch the powerful businessman I knew him to be. I wasn’t sure if I should wait and hope for a minute of his time or continue on to the library. In the end I decided to keep going and not interrupt whatever he was dealing with. I wondered, of course, how he was and what he was thinking, but I also had enough pride to not grovel and beg at his feet for a few scraps of his time. Well, at least on day one. If another few days passed I’d probably be singing a different tune.

The library of Halstead House screamed wealth and splendor. The room was done in cherry wood bookshelves, with red and gold carpeting and gold and cream swirling wallpaper. Its position was off the great hall, just next door to the formal parlor. While there were many older, priceless books on the shelves, there was a shelf near the back corner with more contemporary books that I knew the household shared with staff.

I ran my fingers lightly over the bindings as I read the titles and authors’ names. The smell of furniture polish and leather tickled my nose. I tried hard to focus, but I could still hear the deep tones of Lucas’s voice just outside the doorway, and it had me on high alert. I loved the sound of his voice. Something about it was comforting and solid. He sounded in control and capable, a guy you wanted on your side during the hard times, a guy who got stuff done. Hopefully a guy who didn’t dilly-dally with women’s hearts...

After another moment or so I pulled my attention back to the shelves and picked a book that looked interesting. I wasn’t a huge reader, which made it likely that I could pick any book and it would be new to me.

“Hey there,” Lucas called to me from behind as he entered the room.

His greeting caught me off guard—I hadn’t known he’d seen me—and I turned almost too fast, anxious to see him and speak to him. He came closer, still holding his phone in one hand, a tired look on his face.

“Hi to you,” I said. “I hate to state the obvious, but you look tired.”

“It’s not called ‘work’ for nothing,” he remarked.

“I suppose not.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking to me again. It seemed like he’d mentally shifted gears, leaving the phone call behind him and truly seeing me. His eyes landed lightly on my face, and the first semblance of a smile I’d seen from him appeared.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m good,” I replied. “How are you?”

“I’m good too.” He tucked his phone into his pocket and stepped closer. “Can we dispense with the small talk for a minute?” I nodded. “Good.”

He reached out a hand and took the book I’d been holding. Not even bothering to look at it, he tossed it lightly to a chair nearby before tugging on my arm and pulling me close. His strong arms wrapped me in a hug, and his cheek came to rest on the top of my head. I was tucked in, safe and sound, and any tension I’d been feeling drained away in the comfort and confirmation of his embrace. I wasn’t playing a one-sided game. Probably.

“You really doing okay?” he asked.

I snaked my arms around his waist and hugged him back. “I’m really doing okay.”

“I’m glad.”

We were silent for a few minutes, both lost in our own thoughts. I couldn’t speak for him, but I was thinking that I would love nothing more than to crawl up in his lap and live there forever.

I broke the silence by saying, “Ana, Marshall, and I are going to the Warehouse tonight to go dancing. Do you want to come?”

His arms tightened around me for a moment, and I felt him sigh before answering. “You have no idea how much I want to say yes to that invitation.”

“Don’t feel bad. I’m sure you have other commitments, and it’s very last minute,” I hurried to reply, unwilling to cause him any guilt.

“I’m sorry, Grace. I wish my job was a regular nine-to-five.”

I shook my head and pulled away to look him in the eye. His arms fell from around me, and I regretted the distance. “Truly, it’s okay. I understand that your job and your life are intertwined. I shouldn’t have asked. I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”

“No, please don’t feel bad for asking. It’s so much better to be asked than forgotten about.”

“Don’t feel bad for having to say no.”

“Are we about to get caught in a guilt cycle?” His tone lightened and his eyes looked amused.

My face relaxed as I returned his look of amusement. “It looks that way.”

“Well, the guilt stops here. We are not going to be people who guilt ourselves to death.”

“Sounds good to me.”

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