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Holly
What just happened? I can’t believe he left. Almost as soon as the name left my lips, he was gone. Was it all an act that I fell for like a gullible fool? Have I just endangered Colton’s life in one moment of greed because, as bargains go, he offered me one I’d be a fool to refuse, but at what cost?
Alone with my thoughts, I am now having second ones because what if he was lying to get what he wants? I wouldn’t put that past him and the tears build when I think about how easily I was played.
Reaching for the wine, I fill my glass because oblivion seems the best place for me now because what the hell have I just agreed to?
It must have only been ten minutes before he returns and I’m relieved to see him, which surprises me more than anything.
It’s like a force of nature enters the room because now he’s all business, reminding me who the man is and what a fool I was to think I could play him at his own game.
“Dessert’s on its way.”
He takes his seat and smiles, disarming me once again.
“Thank you.”
Two words that mean a lot more than anything else right now and I nod, awash with shame for what I’ve done.
“Thanks.”
I almost can’t look at him because I feel so angry at myself. I’ve let my stepbrother down and sacrificed him for personal gain. How can I live with that?
To my surprise, a warm hand tilts my face upward and I’m shocked to see Dexter crouching before me. Then I’m even more surprised when he pulls me against him and wraps his hand around the back of my head and comforts me like he would a child.
“You did the right thing, Holly, don’t ever doubt that. If your stepbrother is innocent, he will be fine too. We need to find him to protect him. You did the right thing.”
It’s too much. The whole situation is like a pile of bricks burying me one by one. I’m battered, bruised, sore and broken. The whole experience has created so much pressure it’s just surprising I haven’t buckled already and his kindness undoes me in a way I never saw coming. Then, to my surprise, I break down, sobbing like a baby in his arms as he comforts me by whispered words and light kisses on the top of my head.
I don’t even register the door opening and look up in surprise when a sweet voice with a southern drawl says kindly, “Maybe you should eat something, honey, you’re exhausted.”
I look up and see the pretty woman looking down at me with concern and shaking her head with disapproval as she looks at her boss.
She smiles sympathetically as I sniff, “I’m sorry, it’s embarrassing really.”
Dexter stands and says almost kindly, “It’s fine, cry all you want, you should be proud of yourself, not many women could cope with what I’ve put you through.”
He looks at his housekeeper almost apologetically. “I’ll leave you to it, see that she’s ok and let me know if she needs anything.”
I look at him in surprise. “You’re leaving me.”
“Yes.”
His tone is devoid of emotion, curt even, and he says abruptly, “I have work to do. Enjoy your evening, Holly and grab some sleep because the hard work begins tomorrow. 7 am sharp and that’s starting off lightly. Your job starts then.”
I just stare in confusion as, without another word, he leaves the room and Maisy sighs as the door closes.
“Don’t try to understand that man, Miss. Bryant, he’s a closed book that lost its key years ago. Just know he means well, most of the time, anyway.”
I watch in a trance as she heaps apple pie on a plate and drowns it in cream and says warmly, “I’ll fetch you some coffee and then help you find your room. Dexter’s right, you need sleep now and everything will seem better in the morning.”
“Then why do I feel as if I just sold my soul to the devil?”
She laughs. “Haven’t we all, honey, welcome to the club.”
* * *
Despite everything,I sleep well, probably because I’m exhausted. The comfortable bed in the pretty room is just what I needed, and I fell into it after a luxurious shower and clean pajamas. I just assumed the clothes were loaned to me by Maisy and never really thought much about it and it’s only when I wake and stretch out feeling a lot better, that I note the familiar fabric.
