Page 64 of Passion and Privilege

But amid the hustle, something crucial was missing—Catherine. She was the one that saw my dream and made it come to life. I hated that she wasn’t here to see it all come to fruition. I wandered into the library and couldn’t help but think about her. The moment I caught her when she fell off the ladder was the first time I got to hold her.

Catherine had spent countless hours working on the shelving units. The library was one of my favorite rooms. Amber had brought in a new couch that cradled you when you sank into it.

The fireplace was now cleaned and restored, casting a warm, welcoming glow on the rich, mahogany bookshelves. The updated paint brightened the place up just enough to keep it from looking like a cave.

Her absence was palpable, a physical ache that had settled in my chest. I missed hearing her laughter echo in these walls, missed seeing her eyes light when she hung a piece of trim or finished polishing a floor.

I left the library and continued my hunt for Bennet. That was a downside to a house this size. I felt like I needed to pack a lunch when I needed to go in search of someone. I felt stupid having to call Bennet or Paisley when we were under the same roof.

I found him in the office I had set up for him. He was going to be living at the manor with me. It just made things easier. He had a suite at the opposite end of the hallway.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked.

“Did you schedule that meeting?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, nodding. “I updated your calendar.”

“Oh.”

He smiled. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I said, shrugging. “Why?”

“Because you have found your way to my office, which is not exactly in your usual path to the kitchen.”

“I was just walking around to check on the progress,” I said, shrugging.

“You’re bored.”

I scoffed. “Can’t a man stretch his legs?”

“Of course.”

“Since you’re here, I’ve been meaning to ask you if we are still planning to return to New York City this fall?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “Do you want to go back?

Bennet leaned back in his chair with a silly grin. “I’ve been enjoying my time here, actually.”

“Bennet is enjoying small-town living?” I joked.

“I’ve been seeing a woman here,” he said, shrugging. “I don’t mind sticking around a while.”

“You’ve been seeing a woman?” I asked, surprised. Bennet was not typically one for relationships. His work was usually the sole focus of his attention.

“Indeed,” he said, nodding, the smile never leaving his face. “She’s beautiful. Fun. We get along great.”

I chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. “Well, well. So the big city man has been charmed by a small-town girl?”

He rolled his eyes at me but didn’t deny it. “Don’t forget, you fell for a small-town girl, too.”

His words hit me like a punch in the gut. Catherine’s image flashed in my mind and I found myself at a loss for words. “Yeah, anyway, I’ll be in my office.”

“Tim, stop,” he said, switching to friend mode instead of the assistant mode. “What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing.”

“I’ve known you for how long? I know when there’s something on your mind.”