He sat down, frowning. “I hoped that after you had a chance to think about it, you’d change your mind.”
She shook her head. “I think you’ll find that I very rarely change my mind.”
A sudden smile curved his lips, and she caught her breath as she realized this was the first time she’d ever seen him do so. “I find that a very admirable trait, Mrs. Bohannan.”
She blinked, suddenly off-balance and uncertain. “Do you?”
He sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. I don’t know why I’ve become so angry and obsessed with the thought of finding out who is impersonating Prometheus.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, and she suddenly realized that he, too, looked tired. He probably hadn’t slept any more than she had last night. “I suppose I just needed to take an interest insomething, anything other than my own grief.”
All of her ire fled at this reminder of what he’d suffered last year. He’d lost his wife, for goodness’ sake. She supposed she really couldn’t blame him for trying to get his mind off it.
“I’m sorry for my behavior as well,” she managed stiffly. “I’m just trying to protect the children.”
He leaned forward, hand outstretched. “Truce?”
She stared at his hand suspiciously for half a second, then sighed and reached out and took it. He squeezed briefly, and a tingling feeling unlike anything she’d ever known raced up her arm. She snatched her hand back, stunned. Was this what desire felt like?
He cleared his throat, also seeming a bit stunned. “Well... I just wanted you to know that you gave me quite a lot to think about last night. I suppose I may have jumped to conclusions when I assumed that this new Prometheus meant my family harm. If he truly is doing this for altruistic reasons, I have no desire to stop him.”
“That makes me very glad.” Relief pulsed through her, but she still wasn’t completely sure she could trust him. In all her life, she’d only truly trusted Adrian, and she had to caution herself against trusting Morgan simply because he looked so much like her friend.
He glanced around the office, and she suddenly realized that she’d left a small corner of Prometheus’s cape hanging out of the drawer she’d put it in. Her heart stopped for a moment, but his gaze passed on, and she told herself that a scrap of crimson fabric was not too incriminating in and of itself. She’d have to be more careful in the future though, now that he seemed to be making a habit of dropping by unannounced.
His gaze returned to her. “Adrian tells me you are the hardest worker he’s ever known, that this place could not exist without you.”
Heat crept up her cheeks, and she found she couldn’t hold his eyes. “I’m very passionate about what I do here. It’s my whole life.”
“Well, it so happens that I’m looking for something to feel passionately about as well.” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Is there anything I could do to help you?”
“Of course,” she said immediately. “Brookhaven could always use more donations.” Though the Strathmores already provided nearly all of the funds she used to run the orphanage, most of that came from Adrian and his brothers. While Morgan did donate a small amount each month, she was sure he could afford more.
He waved a deprecating hand. “I’ll triple my monthly donation. But that isn’t what I meant. I’d like to actually volunteer here. Interact with these children in a meaningful way.”
She stared at him in surprise. “The children are always happy to have visitors. Adrian drops by often to read to the boys. But I’m sure that a man like you has better things to do with his time. And what about your own children?”
He winced a bit, and she wished she could call those words back. She’d been less than kind to him when Felicity was here. She’d judged Morgan harshly for allowing his brother to make arrangements for the little girl while he grieved, but she’d never been through what he had. Perhaps she should have been more understanding.
“I can bring my children with me, if it’s all right with you,” he said at last. “They will enjoy playing with the others.”
She sighed and nodded. “If you truly wish to help out, I’ll find something for you to do.”
He smiled that dazzling smile again, then got to his feet. “Excellent. I’ll see you soon then.”
She couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I look forward to it.”
***
WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, Morgan shut the door to the nursery and leaned against it, taking a moment to watch his children play. Little Felicity sat in the center of the soft pink rug, holding a rattle in her chubby hand as she laughed uproariously at her older sister Hannah, who was doing somersaults in a circle around her. His son, Samuel, was completely focused on his toy soldiers, waging an elaborate two-front campaign.
Peace filled him, washing away the sorrow and confusion that ruled his days. Despite everything that had gone wrong between him and Anne, they’d at least done this right. Their children were healthy, happy, and beautiful. They were his reason for living.
Meggie, the Irish nanny, hurried over to greet him. He sighed, wishing she hadn’t seen him standing there. He’d wanted a few more moments to watch them unobserved.
“Good evening,” Meggie said, her blue eyes sparkling. “Have you come to read to the children?”
She undoubtedly needed a break from his little angels, whom he knew were not always as angelic as they currently appeared.
He smiled and pushed away from the door. “Take the rest of the day off, Meggie. I’ll see that the children get to bed.”
