"No. Stop. Nash, I'm okay. Let's just—"
Nutmeg yipped and planted his front two paws on Lena's legs. She slipped her hands from Nash's. "Nutmeg needs to go out."
Why did it suddenly feel like they had a twelve-pound teddy-bear chaperone? Nash cleared his throat. "I'll take him. Go ahead and get your things together, and we'll head over to The Mandeville."
She nodded. "I just need five minutes." She walked out, leaving him alone with his thoughts. And an impatient, vanilla-lavender scented Maltipoo.
God? Did I just make a mistake? That was so unprofessional. Why did it feel so right?
It would be easy to explain away the kiss with the adrenaline of the moment. She'd just been attacked. Emotionswere running high for both of them. He could play it off that way later if he felt she wanted him to.
But deep in his bones, he knew, for his part, that the kiss was more than an emotional rush or physical attraction. He admired Lena Ashworth. He respected her. And he hoped to get to know her better after all of this was over.
In the meantime, God, please help me focus on keeping her safe.
Chapter 17
On the way to The Mandeville, Lena called Delphine, and she answered on the first ring. Lena explained the trouble with the air conditioner, and that she had decided to take Nutmeg to The Mandeville to keep him cool for the night.
"You made the right decision," Delphine said. "Victoria would have lost her mind if she thought Nutmeg had gotten overheated. Victoria will reimburse all your expenses. Going with the handsome driver?"
Lena felt her face flush. "Yes, I am," she answered, trying to sound all dignified about it for some reason.
Delphine's assumption was helpful. Nothing to be embarrassed about. But the house manager's tone and muffled giggle from the other end of the line made her want to end the call as soon as possible. "Okay, well. I will see you later. Goodbye."
She could have sworn she saw a hint of a smile on Nash's face. But it disappeared so quickly, she couldn't be sure.
She steadied Nutmeg so he could prop his paws on her windowsill and watch the tropical scenery whisking by. "I know Delphine lied about the kids starting the fire on the pier. And there has to be a reason for that—"
"Yes," Nash said. "But she didn't lie to help Emil. I think she's working with Ed Chester. And/or the guy who set the fire."
"I agree," she said. "But she still . . ."
"What's wrong?"
"She's still nice to me. I'm not saying I trust her, but she can be nice. It's sad that she's on the wrong side of all this."
"A lot of people who do bad things are still nice part of the time."
"Like my family," Lena said.
"Oh Lena, I wasn't trying—I wasn't referring to them."
"I know. But I want you to know they're nice sometimes. We have our moments, but . . . That's what's made this so hard. I know they're doing illegal things in the business. And I've decided when I get back I'm going to do something about it. But . . ."
She gazed at him until he glanced at her. "For what it's worth, I just—I want you to know they're not always like that. They can be kind and funny. It's just at work, for whatever reason, they find it easy to lie, cheat, and steal. It breaks my heart." Her voice cracked on the last word.
Nash took his right hand off the wheel and laced his fingers through hers. "I'm so sorry, Lena. I'm sorry they've put you in this position."
"It's not your fault." She sat a little straighter. "And as difficult as it will be, in a way it feels good to have made a decision about finding the evidence. It'll be painful, but at least I'll have a clear conscience about it."
He squeezed her hand. "If you need any help, just ask."
"Thanks."
The kiss flashed through her mind again. She wondered if he would bring it up. She wondered if he regretted it. Her mind sifted through a few nonchalant ways to raise the topic. They all sounded awkward.
They arrived at The Mandeville before she could think of any suave way to ask about their intimate moment in Emil's kitchen. Maybe it was best not to think about it. If it mattered to him, he'd let her know. If not . . . she could focus on Cassidy, and all her family drama.
