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Nervous about the likely subject of Fordham’s “other matter,” Carly chatted about her idea as they navigated the hallways toward her room.
“All I’m saying is that Bran has a big heart for people with disabilities. I think if you could find a PA with a disability of some sort, or even if they had a family member with a disability, he wouldn’t be so harsh with them.”
Fordham gave a slow nod. “I’ve brought him candidates with disabilities in the past. But he’s always circumvented my plan by referring them to an alternate position with Phantom Enterprises or Limited. There’s a program in place for potential employees with disabilities, so that even those who don’t have the right experience or qualifications can get the training they need to succeed. But the family-member angle never occurred to me.”
“You think that might work?”
“It might.” Fordham rubbed his chin. “Especially if the family member was a child. One would never guess it, but he has quite a soft spot for children.”
“And if you hired a mom, that would be good for him,” Carly said. “He could use a little mothering.”
“Indeed, he could,” Fordham said, “though he might not put up with it.”
Fordham discussed the weather and the logistics of clearing their private road with snowplows until they reached Carly’s room. Without an invitation, he followed her inside.
Resigned to the inevitable, Carly stopped in the apartment foyer. “You might as well ask me about thatother matteryou mentioned, although I’m afraid I won’t like this matter.”
“Though your guacamole was excellent, Branson and I feel you have put us in an awkward position,” said Fordham. “We cannot, in good conscience, continue to support your subterfuge.”
Her pulse sped up, like it did every time she thought about revealing her identity.
“I promise I’ll tell him the truth before I leave.”
She planned to use it as a nail in their relationship coffin. She was confident he would back off once he learned her identity. If he didn’t, she would have to tell him about her alopecia. Perhaps even show him.
Every guy who’d pursued her in the past had lost interest when they’d discovered she was bald. Though Nora was right; Carly hadn’t informed her suitors in a gentle way. It hadn’t bothered her because she had never cared about any of them.
But Liam was different.
She’d spent sixteen years of her life comparing every man she met to the fantasy Liam of her memories—forever an exuberant young football quarterback with sparkling green eyes and swoonworthy dimples, as attractive on the inside as the outside. But this current-day Liam had only improved with age, despite the disability he was forced to live with. And their incredible, toe-curling kiss had only teased her with a taste of what might have been.
If she had to see his face, repulsed by the reality of her appearance, something inside her would die forever... and that something was hope. Already, it was hanging by a thread.
“If I may be so bold,” Fordham said, “the young man appears to be quite taken with you. Perhaps your revelation won’t have the earth-shattering effect you seem to fear.”
“You’re so sweet, Fordham.” She patted his arm. “Bran is lucky to have you.”
“My disposition is one of many attributes Branson finds useful.” Fordham tucked his chin down, his brows lifting. “But if the desired talent werechanging the subject, you would have my job in an instant.”
* * *
“I’mglad you’re here, Carly.” Bran deftly shuffled the slick playing cards, which appeared completely normal, except for the raised braille identifications on the card faces. “I’ve been wanting to play Euchre, and thankfully, Fordham volunteered to be our fourth.”
“Volunteering seemed the prudent choice when the alternative was being fired.” Fordham took a sip of his herbal tea.
“Stop trying to make me look bad, Fordham.” Bran chuckled as he dealt the cards in groups of twos and threes. “Might as well admit you love playing cards.”
“I’ll admit Carly and I will enjoy beating you and Liam at a round of Euchre.” Fordham sent Carly a wink across the round game table. She’d chosen him as a partner, thinking he would be the least likely to be upset if she messed up and made them lose the game. But it sounded like Fordham was more competitive than she’d thought.
“I don’t know why I ever invite you to play,” Bran shook his head, dealing the rest of the cards and flipping one face-up on the leftover stack. “Every time you win—”
“Which is every time we play,” Fordham interjected.
“You don’t win every game. It only feels like you win every time because you lord it over me for months afterward.”
“With me as your partner, you shouldn’t be bragging, Fordham.” Carly picked up her hand and stared at her cards, straining to remember the rules of this strange new game, where the jack of the trump suit was higher than the ace. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’ll catch on fast,” Liam said, “since you know how to play spades. I’m sure you’ll be great at it.”
