The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1) (43 page)

“
You brought me this spread. Who would
n’
t want you around
?
”

He groaned.

“
And yo
u’
re an exceptional view
.”
She said, and dug into the waffles.

Lines creased his brow.

“
It makes me realize something
.
”

“
What? Yo
u’
d like me to program an automaton to bring you breakfast each morning
?
”

“
No, but yo
u’
d do that for me, would
n’
t you
?”
She  took a generous bite and made a happy hum
.“
I realized I could get used to this
.
”

“
Which part
?”
he asked, suspicious.

“
The you-and-me part. The waking-up-to-you part. To you slipping me health food disguised as waffles
.”
She dipped her next bite in syrup, and stopped
.“
Not that
I’
d object to the breakfast-in-bed part
.”
She chewed with a sated smile.

“
Yes, w
e’
re figuring this out, are
n’
t we
?”
He smiled at her.

She took in his appearance
.“I’
m not going to ask how you got those fancy duds to my apartment. But do
n’
t let me keep you. Yo
u’
ve spent much more time at my office than yours lately. Go be a global tycoon, whatever that involves.
I’
m fine, Milo. I have a busy day ahead, too
.”
She scooted out from under her tray and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing him back to the door as she gave him an enthusiastic kiss
.“
Thanks for breakfast
,”
she said when she broke the contact. She opened the door and gave him a playful swat
.“
Now scoot
.
”

He scanned her face. Color bloomed in her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled
.“
Very well.
I’
ve done all I can here. Unless . .
.
”

She laughed
.“
Later, Milo
.
”

He left, satisfied h
e’
d distracted her from her hard day ahead.

She sang her way into her shower in an off-key soprano.

✧

Ruby parked in front of a rambling house. The porch engulfed the exterior as far as the eye could see. An old chair rocked itself in the breeze. The seasons had given it character.

She got out and leaned against her car, eyes closed to enhance her other senses. As the sun warmed her face, her smile bloomed and she gave into the urge to reach up in a luxurious stretch. Bringing her arms down, she inhaled the familiar mix of scent
s—
wildflowers, hay, and summer. When she eased open her eyes, she laughed.

A stream of chestnut and bright yellow dashed to embrace her.

“
Hey, Ari
.
”

“
Hey yourself. You look pretty damn good for having been through the ringer. A certain Spaniard did
n’
t have anything to do with it, did he
?
”

“
I
t’
s not over yet, Ari. And yeah, I may have had waffles in bed
.
”

“
Is that code
?
”

“
No
.
”

“
He knows the way to your heart. Come in, le
t’
s get you coffee. I made it strong, knowing yo
u’
d turn up at some point
.
”

“
Ho
w’
s she doing
?
”

“
Sh
e’
s in rough shape, but
I’
ve seen worse. We began yesterday afternoon. Sh
e’
s as skittish as a foal. Trenton did
n’
t know what to make of her, at first, and neither did she
.
”

“
I
t’
s a start
.
”

“
Yes, i
t’
s a start. A good one. He ended by giving her a horse hug, and prancing around for her
.
”

“
Ever the showoff
.
”

Arianna held her by the shoulders, and took a good look at her. Satisfied by what she saw, she said
,“I’
m so happy yo
u’
re here. You missed a delicious breakfast. Justin has been spoiling us rotten
.
”

“
Is
n’
t he supposed to be on protection duty
?
”

Arianna beamed.

“
You look happy
.
”

“
I am happy
.
”

“
I see you, and have hope for Susan
.
”

“
You should. Sh
e’
s a survivor, and stronger than she knows
.
”

“
Yo
u’
re the expert. Any chance there are leftovers
?
”

“
Did
n’
t you say Emilio fed you
?
”

“
Yes
.
”

“
Yo
u’
re a bottomless pit. Ask Justin
.
”

“
I think
I’
d have better luck if you asked him
.
”

“
Ruby, stop
.
”

“
Are you blushing? What went on with you two last night? Did you two have waffles in bed
?
”

“
Stop it
!”
She nudged Ruby with her shoulder
.“
Your turn. What about the e-hunk
?”
She bent to pick a daisy, and held it to her nose.

“
I ca
n’
t get enough of his waffles
.
”

Arianna swatted her with the flower
.“
You know what I mean
.
”

“
I ca
n’
t figure him out
.
”

“
I bet that drives you crazy
.
”

“
H
e’
s full of surprises
.”
She caught Ariann
a’
s look, and asked
,“
What
?
”

“
Yo
u’
ve fallen for him
.”
She grabbed Ruby, and squeezed.

“
Stop bouncing me around.
I’
m not happy about this
.
”

“
Oh, but I am. Yo
u’
re a walking contradiction, Roo
.
”

“
Real supportive, Ari. Ho
w’
s that helpful
?
”

“
In your professional life, you relish investigatin
g—
brainstorming the novel, testing the uncertain. Ther
e’
s no guarantee of success, and it does
n’
t stop you from committing to a path. You go with your gut, because i
t’
s worth the attempt, even if yo
u’
re wrong
.
”

“
And you think h
e’
s Mr. Right
?
”

“
Le
t’
s see, brilliant, handsome, ric
h—
h
e’
s the most eligible bachelor for good reasons. But tha
t’
s not why he could be right for you.
I’
m saying i
t’
s worth finding out. Go for it in your personal life
.
”

“
Those must have been damn good espresso beans. He really won you over, did
n’
t he?

“
I really like him, Roo
.
”

“
What i
f
—”

“
Get out of your own head. I know how to distract you
.
”

“
How
?
”

“
Cinnamon rolls. Gooey frosting
.
”

“
Lead the way
.
”

She linked arms with Ruby, and led her up the steps and into the kitchen.

“
Look what I found, wasting away in the front yard
.”
Arianna walked over to Kottke, and gave him a long kiss.

“
Okay, this is too weird without nourishment. Maybe even with. Do
n’
t get me wrong,
I’
m happy for you guys, but hold off for a minute. Set me up with the goods, and
I’
ll be on my way
.
”

Justin pulled rolls from the oven
.“
I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up
.”
He filled a plate, and poured coffee
.“
Now scram
.”
He served her, and waved her away, grinning.

“
You do
n’
t have to tell me twice. Wher
e’
s Susan
?
”

“
In the stables or out for a walk. She has
n’
t been going far
.
”

Ruby sat in the mudroom, a safe distance from whatever sounds might come from the kitchen. She devoured her rolls, and washed them down with coffee. Fortified, she rose and went out the back door empty-handed, feeling lighter than she had in days. The ranch had spun its magic around and through her.

She walked down the path, and waved when Susan sighted her.

Susan ran to wrap Ruby in an embrace
.“
Thank you, thank you. I ca
n’
t say it enough. I do
n’
t know what else to say
.
”

Ruby patted her back, fingers sticking to fabric
.“
Yo
u’
re very welcome, Susan. How are you doing here
?
”

“
I love it. Ther
e’
s so much space. And Justin and Arianna have been wonderful
.
”

“
Yo
u’
re welcome to stay here longer.
I’
m sure Arianna has told you about her program. I
t’
s your choice to enter it, or you can go back home
.
”

Susa
n’
s eyes flashed with fear.

“
Susan, i
t’
s safe there now. We swept it. Nobody is watching you. Nobody is there to tell you what to do or how to do it. Jerry is locked up. H
e’
s not getting out. I
t’
s a process. I
t’
ll take a while to feel like home. But i
t’
s yours
.
”