Faye gave her a puzzled look.
"Just something I wanted to ask him."
"Well, you'll find him in his office. You sure you're all right, though?"
"I'm great. I really am feeling a little better every day." She hesitated only a second before going to the older woman and kissing her cheek. "And you've played a huge part in it."
Faye shooed her away with a big smile. "All I've been doing is feeding you. Henry set you on the right track, but I think the best thing for you has been staying here." She smiled. "Reaves might not be mine, but I can't help thinking of him that way. And I know I've got no claim on you, either. But I'm looking forward to the day that I can think of you as officially mine, too."
Alara couldn't find words. She just smiled and nodded, and Faye shooed her away again.
"Go on. I've got work to do, and I'm sure you do as well. You'd better go find Charles."
When she reached the study, Alara took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in."
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The sight of Charles at his desk, sunlight pouring through the window, was an image she wished she could paint. More than that, she wished she could bottle it and keep it. She'd never sell it. But if people could experience this one moment, they'd understand everything about House of St. James.
He looked up with a smile. "Alara. I thought you were over at the house this morning."
"I am. I mean—I was. I hope I'm not interrupting. I came back because I wanted to talk to you."
His smile faded a little. "Of course. Come and sit down."
She went to sit across the desk from him and folded her hands in her lap. She'd rehearsed this moment, even while she'd dreaded it. She wasn't looking forward to it, but it was something she just had to do.
He raised his eyebrows. "Is everything all right?"
She smiled. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to worry you. Everything's wonderful. Honestly—everything's better than it's ever been in my life. I can never thank you enough."
He nodded, starting to look wary. "Please tell me there's not abutcoming."
"No. Oh, goodness. No. I'm sorry—I didn't mean to come across that way. I'm hesitant because there's something I want to ask you. And I'm afraid it'll embarrass us both."
He leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the arms and steepling his fingers in front of his face as he waited. "I find, with things like that, it's better to just say it and get it over with."
"I know. I just don't know where to begin."
"Mind if I help out, then?"
"You can try," she said, doubting he'd ever guess what she'd come to say.
"Forgive me if I'm mistaken. " He chuckled. "That would prove embarrassing for us both, I'm sure, but I'd guess that…" He paused. "I'm somewhat embarrassed to say it myself. But here goes. When you and Zia first came here, I told Reaves that he was no longer welcome to spend the night under my roof." He looked away, then back, to meet her gaze. "Unless and until you wanted to invite him."
Alara swallowed. "Yeah. That's it." She cleared her throat. "And Charles—you've been so good to me. Even with this. Even putting my needs before those of your own son. And yes. That's what I'm here to ask. Would it be all right if I invite Reaves to stay over sometimes?"
He smiled and nodded. "Of course. And you never needed to ask, Alara. My intention was only to set a boundary that I wasn't sure you'd feel able to set for yourself here."
"I know. Thank you. But… no matter how much it embarrassed us both, I had to be open with you about it."
"And that's just one of the many things I admire about you, young lady. I'm so grateful you came into our lives."
"I'm the one who's grateful, Charles."
The phone on his desk rang, and he frowned at it. She got to her feet. "I should go. I don't need to take up any more of your time."
He reached out and lifted the receiver, then set it back down again with a chuckle. "Whoever it is can wait. It's probably Henry—in fact, I'll call him right back. You see, we were talking about getting together for dinner one night soon. I'll invite myself over to his place on Saturday." He winked. "And when I go there, I sometimes stay the night."
