Page 23 of Wolf's Whistle
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By the time they got back to the townhouse, Richard said, “I hate to ask, but when is dinner? I’m ashamed to say I’m ravenous.”
Heat crept up Julien’s face.
Isabel was at the door. “Shame on you, Julien. Richard must be hungry. Come down to the kitchen, I have a snack for you before dinner.”
Julien bowed his head shamefaced. “I forgot.”
Isabel wiped her hands on the towel hanging off her apron.
“Well you better not forget again, or this boy is going to be all skin and bones.” She reached up and patted Richard on the back. “Now come. I prepared hot turkey sandwiches with stuffing and gravy for you. I knew he would forget. I’ve been with him since he was a little boy, and he’s great with moving parts and numbers, but he forgets to eat. You have to remind him, or he’ll fade away to nothing along with you.”
“Isabel, can I have a sandwich, too?” Richard smiled at Julien’s tone.
“Of course, I made you a sandwich. I’ve been doing it for one—”
“Isabel…” Julien’s voice rose.
“One very long time.” He frowned at her.
“How long before we eat? Do you think I have time to put away the clothes? I dread going through all those bags.”
“Marcel will get upset if you put away the clothes. Let him do his job. I gather we’ll have the suits and the tux by Saturday?” She herded them down to the kitchen.
“Yes, I put a rush on them.”
“Good. The family will be ready when you are. I called your mother and told her to tell your father to expect you sometime in the next couple of weeks. She’s overjoyed. Now sit.”
First, they ate the sandwiches, then, an hour later, dinner. When they finally got up from the table, Richard sighed. “Julien you’re going to have to roll me upstairs. Would you mind if I go upstairs to my room and read? For some reason, Julio wants me to read Colin’s last series.”
“Eh…I would like to spend some time getting to know one another. Perhaps tomorrow we could go to the office, and I could show you around. Maybe watch some movies or television tonight.”
“I did promise Julio that I would read Colin’s series.”
“Surely, he didn’t mean to read it all tonight. You need to relax and rest. He’ll understand. You have the rest of your lifetime to read Colin’s books, one night won’t make a big difference.” Julien pressed his lips into an imploring smile.
“I guess you’re right.”
“Do you like science fiction?” Julien raised his brow.
Richard scoffed. “I’m an engineer, of course, I like science fiction.”
“There was an excellent sci-fi television show,Babylon 5produced in 1994. I have five years’ worth of discs. Would you like to watch with me?”
“That sounds nice. I can always read Colin’s books tomorrow.”
They watched the first two episodes of season one before Richard started to yawn. By the end of episode three, he was dozing on Julien’s shoulder, waking every few minutes to shake his head.
“Mon ange, I think it’s time for you to sleep.”
“I think you’re right.” Richard got up and stumbled. Julien picked him up and into his arms. “You don’t have to carry me.”
“It is nothing. You are in a strange house and half asleep. You might hurt yourself trying to get to the bedroom, mon ange, and I can’t let that happen while you’re under my care.”
“Okay,” Richard agreed. He was very sleepy. And hungry. “Do you think Isabel has any cookies? I’ll go and get them myself and eat in the kitchen, so I won’t get crumbs in the bed and bring in pests.”
“I’ll take you down to the kitchen, and we can share some cookies and milk. The milk will help you sleep better.”
