Page 66 of At His Beck & Call

It’s a nice sentiment, even though she doesn’t know Henry at all, and I appreciate her lack of follow-up questions.

We sit in relative silence for the time it takes us to finish our drinks. Anne seems really nice. She doesn’t force the conversation, occasionally mentioning a nice nurse who’s looked after her, or an incompetent doctor who treats her like she’s losing her mind.

She makes me laugh, I even make her laugh a bit, and by the time I clear the table and come back to help her up, I’m grateful to have met her. I look at her more carefully as I walk back to the table. She looks small and vulnerable, struggling to get up, even with both hands resting on the table.

“Would you like to come and sit with me for a while in my son’s room?” I ask impulsively. “If you’re tired and need to rest, then that’s no problem, but?—”

“Oh, I’d love to!” she says immediately. “I’m so bored I coulddie, and then my son really would be irritated.”

I laugh and help her with her walker, letting her make her own, slow progress back to the elevators.

“When’s the surgery?” she asks, as we go down a floor to the children’s ward.

“Monday. I’m off work until Tuesday, and then I’ll have to go back. But… his father will be here for a bit. I’m just so worried about him being alone in between times.”

Anne looks over at me, brightening.

“Well, would you like me to sit with him? I used to love reading stories to my boy when he was little, and I’m an old lady, but I can keep an eye on him.”

I stare at her as we make our way to Henry’s room, unsure what to say. Without another word, she hobbles inside, lowering into the chair next to the bed and watching him with a quiet awe on her face.

“But won’t you need to be resting too, during your stay?” I ask her.

“Oh, yes. They’ll fuss and tell me to go back to bed, I’m sure, but I would prefer sitting up to lying down. My muscles will atrophy if I don’t move about, and you’re right, he should have somebody with him. You don’t know me from Adam, of course, but I’d really love to help.”

I stare at my son, his little chest rising and falling peacefully, a warmth moving through me at the thought of him being with someone during the day.

I glance at Anne, unsure about her offer, but something in my bones tells me I can trust her. She reminds me a little of me. I can’t explain it, but I instantly feel at ease with her.

“I would love that. But make sure you look after yourself, too. Don’t feel obligated.”

She pats my knee. “I have never felt obligated a day in my life to care for others, my dear. I’m happy to do it.”

Sinking back in my chair, I smile at her, a little of the burden I’ve been carrying over the last few days lifting from my shoulders.

Chapter 23

Oliver

Ifeel a spring in my step as I get off the elevator on Wednesday morning.

I had no idea how much I’d miss Lissa until I arrived on Monday and she wasn’t there.

I had told myself that it didn’t matter, that she is just a woman I’d hired, and that her absence wouldn’t change my day. But that lie only made me feel worse as the day progressed.

My skin was crawling with tension. I snapped at several of my staff, broke the nib off one of my favorite fountain pens, and missed a meeting in the afternoon because I was imagining all the things Icouldn’tdo to Lissa at five o’clock.

Her absence didn’t just affect me either. Adelaide seemed more on edge, more stressed than she had been since Lissa began working with us. The only positive was that Noah was noticeably quieter.

As Wednesday got closer, I was on one hand eager to hear how Henry was doing, and on the other shamefully eager to get my hands on Lissa’s body again.

Running my palm over my tie and straightening my shirt sleeve, I remind myself that Lissa has been in the hospital with her son for several days. Adelaide told me what Henry washaving done, and my heart aches at the thought of any mother going through that. Especially alone.

Or at least I hope she was alone—and not, instead, having to deal with her husband.

It never occurred to me that Lissa was married. The thought of it makes my stomach clench up in knots. But then, as she pointed out, they are actually separated, and for good reason it appeared. He’s not a good person. That was apparent the second I laid eyes on him.

I considered visiting and bringing Henry a gift, but decided it would overstep the boundaries I’d enforced.