Page 36 of The Billionaire's Angel

“Aiden has a magnificent sense of humor,” Amelia said, “and you know it. Besides, he lets me get away withanything.”

“Seventy-eight and still a brat,” Gage said, shaking hishead.

“You know you love me,” Amelia said, smiling fondly at her great-nephew.

“I do,” Gage agreed, “but I'm trying to get some work donehere.”

“If you want to work, use the office,” Amelia said. “The library is forrelaxing.”

“The office is Aiden's. I can go work at my desk upstairs,” heoffered.

“What are you doing, anyway?” Ameliaasked.

Finally. I wanted to know, but I wasn't going to ask. Not only was it none of my business, asking Gage what he was doing might make Amelia wonder why Icared.

“I'm trying to get up to speed on the company,” he said. “I've been gone a long time. If I want to go back to work, I have a lot tolearn.”

“Aiden's coming around then?” Amelia asked, soundingsatisfied.

Gage's eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “No. Aiden's being an ass. Charlie agreed to helpme.”

Amelia worried her lower lip in her teeth. “I'll talk to him. You children have lost too much to be at odds with each other, and he's held a grudge longenough.”

“No,” Gage interrupted. “We'll work it out in our own time. I don't want you to talk to him. That'll just make itworse.”

“Stubborn,” Amelia said. Iagreed.

Aiden and Gage were both stubborn, though I had to admit I didn't really understand what was wrong between them in the first place.Not my business, I remindedmyself.

Amelia spoke up again, “I won’t talk to Aiden if you put that work away for a little while and play cards withus.”

Gage closed his laptop. “Fine,” hesaid.

Amelia popped up from her spot on the couch, saying, “I'll go get us a snacktray.”

“We just had breakfast,” I protested. At least Mrs. W or Abel would make sure whatever was on the snack tray was allowed on Amelia'sdiet.

Gage arranged his papers, stacked them on the laptop and set his work on a table near the door. Turning around, he gave me a long look, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, bringing the blush back to mycheeks.

Amelia would be back any second. It was bad enough that there was something going on between Gage and myself. If Amelia found out—I didn’t want to think aboutit.

Gage crossed his arms over his chest and said laughingly, “Spitballs? You can't control her at all, canyou?”

Relief speared through me. Eventually, we would have to face what had happened the night before, and two days before that in the kitchen. But not now. Not in the middle of the day when Amelia would come strolling through the door anysecond.

I shrugged. “It's not my job to control her,” I clarified. “My job is to keep her healthy and keep her company. And sometimes keeping her company involves spitballs. At least today, it did. Believe me, if you knew some of the ideas I managed to stop…” I shook myhead.

Amelia strode in, interrupting me. “Sophie is no fun,” she said, sending me an affectionate smile to soften hercriticism.

Gage raised one eyebrow at her. “Sophie is an angel for putting up with you,” hesaid.

“That's true,” Amelia agreed. “Aside from just being with my family again, Sophie has been the best part of movinghome.”

My heart ached at her words. Amelia was a handful, no question, but I loved her. Knowing she felt the same way warmed myheart.

This was why I hadn't moved on to a job more suited to my skills. Amelia was the closest thing to family I'd had in a long time. I wanted to savor it for as long as it lasted. My heart brimming with affection, I watched as Amelia crossed the room and made herself comfortable in an armchair, neatly arranging things so Gage and I would have to sit together on thecouch.

Affection turned to exasperation. At the twinkle in her light blue eyes as she observed Gage and I standing awkwardly beside the coffee table, I realized Amelia hadn’t missed athing.