Page 77 of Craig

"Oh, for crying out loud!" she muttered with a laugh. Her clothes were hung and packed neatly, ruthlessly organized.

She dropped her bags and was about to start to unload when Nadine, one of the maids, came in.

"Miss, I'll do it."

"Thank you. It looks good."

The girl beamed.

"We enjoyed organizing it. Under Ms. Millie's watchful eyes, of course."

"Of course," Regina rejoined with a laugh. "Well, if you've got this, I'll head downstairs."

"Miss, can I say that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," the girl continued shyly.

Turning around, Regina looked at her in surprise.

"Just wanted to say."

"Thank you, Nadine." With a smile, she strolled from the room.

Craig found the old man propped up in bed and looking sallow and pale. Determined not to show his concern, he walked in and took a seat.

"You're back." He was greeted roughly.

He looked happy, Cecil thought, feeling the pleasure swamping him. Careful not to show it, he waved a hand to his glass of water.

"Make yourself useful and hand me that, would you?"

"It's near enough for you to reach it yourself," Craig told him coolly.

"What the hell were you thinking, walking around, and supervising the closet renovation? I told you I'd take care of it when I returned."

"I was bored, and a simple thank you would do."

"Thank you. I love it."

They both turned to look towards the doorway at the sound of her voice.

Cecil wondered if the boy knew how much his face reflected his heart.

"Half dressed as usual," he grumbled as Regina made her way towards the bed. To his delight, she sat on the edge of it and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"If you have it, why not flaunt it? I see you're still in the land of the living."

"Were you hoping I'd croak while you were gone?"

"One can but hope," she said drolly, causing him to snort out a laugh.

"I brought you this." She lifted the gift bag and rummaged through it to take out the beautifully handcrafted pipe.

His eyes lit up before his expression of carefully cultivated disdain and ill humor showed on his face.

"You know damn well I'm not allowed to smoke."

"And we know damn well you disobey that order."

Cecil swiveled his glance to his grandson. "Go do something useful while I spend time with the girl."