Page 2 of Hearts of Wealth

“Maybe not. What countries don’t have extradition policies with the United States?”

“We’ll find a way, Timothy,” I murmured, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand. “We won’t give up until Paisley is back where she belongs. And it won’t require you to commit any crimes. I don’t want you rotting in a cell.”

He offered me a grateful smile. “Thanks for sticking with me.”

We had been so consumed by Paisley’s ordeal that we hadn’t had the chance to address our own relationship, to discuss where we stood amidst the chaos. But I knew deep down that we both wanted to be together. I wasn’t about to dump on him with a bunch of relationship talk.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “All we do is talk about Paisley. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “And Paisley is pretty important.”

“Do you think I should drop this?” he asked. “Am I just making it worse by refusing to accept the inevitable?”

“No,” I answered firmly. “You are doing what you have to as her father. Yes, you are her father. Paisley has to know there is someone out there looking out for her. Even if you don’t get her right away, she’ll always know she has a place to come back to.”

“Thank you. You may not know this about me, but I tend to be a man that gets what he wants. I don’t know how to take no for an answer.”

“Don’t I know it,” I laughed. “It’s one of the things that drives me crazy about you.”

“In a good or bad way?”

“Both,” I laughed.

“So what are you doing today?”

“I have a meeting with a new client later today,” I told him, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “It’s a referral from the Historical Society.”

“That’s great, Catherine,” he murmured, forcing a smile onto his face. “I’m sorry I’ve been too wrapped up in my own issues to ask about your work.”

“It’s okay,” I reassured him, though deep down, I felt a hint of disappointment. Timothy’s troubles with Paisley and Regina were consuming all his time and mental energy, leaving our relationship on the backburner. But that was something we could address later. For now, I had to be there for him.

“I hope the meeting goes well,” he said after a moment of silence, pulling me into his arms. He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, the familiar warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine. It was moments like these that reminded me why I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I could wait until things got better.

“Me too,” I said. “It’s an old house, built around the same time as this one.”

“Really?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “Doing your house has put me on the map.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad I was your jumping-off point.”

“Me too. I still think your house is the best, though.”

He smiled at that, the corners of his eyes crinkling endearingly. “Of course you do. You poured your whole heart into it.”

Our lips met in a languid kiss, the kind shared between lovers comfortable in each other’s presence. It was a distraction we both needed, an escape from the harsh realities we were dealing with.

Pulling away reluctantly, I murmured against his lips, “I should get going. The meeting is in an hour. I don’t want to be late.”

“Will I see you later?” he asked, his voice laced with hope.

I returned his smile. “Of course,” I replied. “I’ll come up for dinner.”

A hint of mischief danced in his eyes as he spoke again. “And will you stay the night?” he asked, his tone playful.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his question, shaking my head in mock disbelief. “You know I have to sleep in my own house sometimes,” I teased, unable to resist a playful jab. “Otherwise, why have it?”

Timothy chuckled, pulling me into a warm embrace once again. I loved that he couldn’t let me go. “Fair enough,” he conceded, pressing another kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight. Stay if you want. But fair warning, I plan on doing everything I can to convince you to stay.”

I laughed. “Then I’d better pack an overnight bag, because I’m helpless against your charms.”

He swatted my ass. “I know.”

“Mean,” I joked. “So mean.”

“I promise, you will not be disappointed.”

Rolling my eyes playfully at his overconfidence, I pulled away from his embrace and started gathering my things. “All right, lover boy, it’s time for me to go now.”

“Catherine...thank you.”

I gave him a warm smile, touched by his sincerity. “Of course, Timothy. I’m always here for you.”

Our gazes locked for a moment, and I was once again sucked in by those captivating eyes of his, the ones that had drawn me in when we first met at the beginning of the summer. That felt like a lifetime ago. My whole life had changed from the very moment I fell over that wall.