Griffen's smile wasn't quite as sunny as we shook on our new partnership, but he exuded a satisfied air. As he rose to walk me out, he said, "Stop at the gatehouse before you leave. Hawk, our head of security, will brief you on the rules."
"Rules?" I had an idea what he was getting at. I wasn't far off.
"Griffen's father was killed in the Manor, and we've had a few attempts on Griffen and Royal," Hope explained. "Security is tight."
"No visitors that haven't been screened," Royal filled in. "Hawk's team opens any packages–things like that. It's not that hard to get used to."
"Is the security going to be a problem?" Griffen asked.
"No, it seems sensible." It might have been a problem if I hadn't already known what I was getting in to. Parker had told me the precautions they were taking. I was happy to put up with them if they'd keep her safe. I'd been relieved to know Tyler couldn't take her by surprise. Without that, I wouldn't put it past him to ambush her.
I came around the corner into the entrance hall of the Manor to find Parker standing there, her mouth hanging open, eyes fixed on me.
"Nash?" she asked in confused wonder, her polished shell nowhere in sight. A hand raised to her hair in reflex and I saw her. Really saw her. This was a Parker I'd never imagined, and it took everything I had not to toss her over my shoulder and take off with her.
Her pale hair was pulled back in a messy bun, strands falling out to stick to her sweaty face. A pair of dusty, smeared overalls dwarfed her slight frame, the tight grey tank top beneath displaying toned shoulders and lean, strong arms. She was a mess from head to toe and the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
Her golden-green eyes narrowed on her sister-in-law. "You didn't tell me he was coming today," she hissed, color staining her cheeks.
Hope grinned at her and shrugged a shoulder. "Griffen asked me not to."
Parker transferred her ire to her brother, who gave a shrug identical to his wife's and grinned. "I wanted to meet him on my own. You're too nice."
I imagined I could hear her teeth grinding together. For a second, I wondered if she was going to stomp her foot or throw something at him. From one breath to the next, she pulled herself together and aimed a blinding smile my way. Without looking at her family, she ordered, "You can go. I'll walk Nash out."
I didn't hear what they had to say about that. I only had room for Parker. She crossed the wide hall and stopped in front of me, shifting her weight, suddenly uneasy now that we appeared to be alone. I wouldn't have been surprised to find Parker's family lurking around the corner, eavesdropping.
Her hand went to her hair again. She pulled it back, waving at her overalls. "Sorry I'm–"
"You don't have to apologize." I tucked a strand of hair behind one ear, my fingertip tingling at the brief contact. "You look gorgeous."
"You need your eyes checked," she said, tartly. "I'm managing the renovation of the old groundskeeper's cottage for Savannah and Nicky–our housekeeper and her son–and for the moment, the bulk of the work consists of cleaning decades of grime."
"And you're doing the cleaning?" I asked, as Parker opened the front door and led me outside. She shut the door firmly behind us, smirking through its solid weight at the eavesdroppers she'd just cut off.
"I am. Easier than trying to get temporary help cleared through security. And easier on the budget."
"Budget?" I wanted to hear every detail of her life.
Her eyes gleamed. "I have plans for Savannah's kitchen, but the counters I want are pricey. I moved most of the cleaning budget to the kitchen. It's going to be fabulous."
"I didn't know you knew how to handle a renovation," I said.
Parker gave a sheepish shrug, her eyes still bright. "I didn't. I don't. I'm learning as I go. Billy Bob are doing most of the work." At my confused look, she explained, "Savannah's cousins. They're joined at the hip, and everyone has been calling them Billy Bob practically since birth. They've been talking me through what I don't know."
She looked away, then back as I took her hand, tangling her fingers with mine. A flush hit her cheeks. "I had to look up how to clean tile on the internet. Kind of embarrassing."
"Not embarrassing," I said, squeezing her fingers in mine. "Resourceful."
"It's not running a company or inventing new technology." Her eyes were on the courtyard, avoiding mine.
Did she feel insecure? Like she wasn't good enough because she didn't have an impressive job? "Are you having fun?"
Her eyes swung to mine, uncertainty chased out by surprise. "I am. Is that enough?"
I couldn't resist dropping her hand and sliding my arms around her, pulling her close. I didn't care who was watching. "I don't know, sweetheart. Is it enough?"
Her body melted into my side, a smile curving her lips. "You know, I think it is enough. For now."
