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“He sure does,” she replied with a wink.
Diving into her eggs, Breanna licked hollandaise sauce from her lip. Maybe sleeping in was overrated because she definitely could get used to this. She glanced up at Derek. “Who’s Mr. Keeler?”
“Francie’s husband, Ted.” He went on to explain, “He’s the caretaker here.”
“Oh.” And she wondered what they did, who Francie cooked for, in this mountain mansion all alone. “You don’t live here, right?”
“I have a place near my office in Sacramento. Why?” His brows pulling together, he raised a glass of juice to his lips.
Breanna shrugged. “They must be lonely here, without my grandmother.”
“My partner keeps them company,” Derek said with a snicker.
“Mr. Maynard?”
“Yes, he’s been managing Valerie’s property for several years, though he’s in Sacramento at the moment. He’s supposed to return tomorrow. You’ll meet him then.”
Can’t wait.
She popped some asparagus in her mouth and smiled. “Will there be a lot of people here tomorrow?”
“That depends on the weather, but I imagine so.” Studying her, he wiped his mouth and set the napkin on the table. “Business associates…hell, the entire village has an open invitation.”
“Do you live up here on the mountain?”
“Not far.”
Her eyes went big. If Sinjin lived nearby somewhere, then it’s possible he would come.
“It’s a Dalton House tradition—always has been.” Reaching across the table, Derek patted her hand. “We all agreed your grandmother would want us to carry on.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He grinned and pulled a phone charger from the pocket of his Ralph Lauren slim-fit pants. “Got you one.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” Well, the phone was her lifeline, wasn’t it? “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Francie quietly set a tray with coffee on the table, and just as quietly slipped away. Pouring them both a cup, Derek glanced at the Movado on his wrist. “I’ve got some business to attend to—conference calls with clients. I’m afraid I’m going to be tied up for a while.”
“That’s all right. I think I can keep myself occupied.” Breanna welcomed the reprieve, to be honest. She could use some downtime to reset and explore on her own a little, maybe.
“Tell you what.” Smiling, he took her hands in his and squeezed. “Come by the study at two. We can get those documents I need you to sign out of the way and go for a walk around the grounds.”
I’ve done enough prancing through the snow, thank you very much.
“Yeah, sure.”
This whole thing was weird. Everything about it. Breanna got off that exit on 395 and drove straight into the fucking Twilight Zone. After kicking off her shoes, she connected her phone to the charger and sank into the cushy, down-filled sofa. Fingertips skimming across the soft linen fabric, she closed her heavy eyelids. Even the fact that she was lounging on a fifteen-thousand dollar couch was weird—especially that. “This can’t be a dupe. It feels too much like heaven.”
She should get up, call her mother, and get it over with, but between the lack of sleep and a food coma calling her name, Breanna sighed, dozing off instead.
Warm breath, the scent of rich, black coffee, tickled her nose and fanned her skin, while fingertips trailed through her hair. Down her chest. Across her breast. Recognizing the familiar feeling his touch provoked, she heaved a sigh.
“I’m right here, princess.”
Fabric rustled. Cool air. Kisses on her skin. Wet lips suctioned her nipple.
