Page 194 of Taken Away

"She liked it."

Anne's expression softened for the briefest second.

"Of course she did. Mabel always had terrible taste in lamps."

The silence that followed felt strangely full.

As if Mabel herself still occupied every room.

Anne broke the silence first.

"So," she said briskly, dropping her purse onto the foyer table. "Which room is Aubrey's?"

Anne's attention drifted to Bennett.

One eyebrow lifted.

"Oh."

Aubrey felt her face heat.

"No."

Anne pointed.

"That face means yes."

"It does not."

"It absolutely does."

"Aubrey's staying at my house," Bennett said calmly.

Anne blinked.

Then slowly shifted toward Aubrey.

"You’ve been staying at his house?”

"It's temporary. Just until it was safe to come back here."

"Mm-hmm."

"Anne."

"I'm not judging."

"You are absolutely judging."

"I'm evaluating."

Aubrey groaned.

Anne ignored her.

Instead, she studied Bennett. Really studied him.

The rugged face. The calm eyes. The body of a man who'd never missed a day's work.