Page 38

Stone woke the next morning at nine a.

m.

, with Tamlyn lying next to him.

Contrary to what they’d said on the ride to the hospital, neither of them had been up for anything other than falling asleep when they’d arrived at Stone’s place.

Stone reached for his phone on his nightstand and immediately regretted doing so.

His shoulder, along with the rest of his body, was stiff and sore from the previous evening’s crash.

As carefully as he could, he slid off the bed and padded into the bathroom, every muscle in his body aching.

While a hot shower loosened him up and dulled much of the pain, it did nothing to rid him of the bruise that ran diagonally across his torso.

At least it would be hidden beneath a shirt, unlike the bruise on his jaw that had finally started to fade.

Tamlyn opened her eyes when he reentered the bedroom.

The smile she started to give him quickly turned into a wince.

“Why don’t you look like you’re in as much pain as I am?” she asked.

“The miraculous healing effects of a hot shower.”

“That sounds lovely. Can you start one for me, then carry me in?”

“I’d be happy to start one for you, but I fear if I tried to carry you, we’d both end up on the floor.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“I’m going to need you to explain exactly what you mean by that.”

“While I may look like I’m not in as much pain as you, my strength is still far from one hundred percent.”

“Skillfully answered.”

“Truthfully answered,” he corrected her.

“How about I get your shower started?”

“I would greatly appreciate it.”

Stone did so.

When he returned, Tamlyn was on the phone.

“Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it. See you then.” She hung up.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

“I didn’t realize it was so late. Thankfully, Dino told Viv what happened, and she’d already alerted Mike. I need to get a move on it, though. Busy day.”

She climbed off the bed and hurried past him into the bathroom, moving better than he had when he’d first woken.

He was dressed by the time she came back, wrapped in a towel.

“Breakfast before you leave?” he asked.

“Not sure I have time to eat, but coffee would be great.”

He walked over to the phone to call down to Helene, but then remembered he’d told her not to come in until Fred was out of the hospital and well enough to be left alone.

“I’ll be in the kitchen,” he said.

“Come down when you’re ready.”

Despite Tamlyn’s time concerns, Stone whipped up a pair of Denver omelets and had them plated and coffee poured by the time she arrived.

Bob greeted her at the door, his tail wagging.

“Good morning, Bob,” Tamlyn said as she scratched him behind the ears.

“Careful,” Stone said.

“He’ll never want you to stop.”

“If only I had the time.” She leaned down and kissed Bob on the forehead.

“Have a seat,” he said.

“I really should be heading—” She cut herself off as the aroma of the omelets hit her.

“I guess a bite or two wouldn’t hurt.”

She sat and sampled the omelet.

“This is delicious. I didn’t realize you knew how to cook, too.”

“I’ve been known to dabble in the kitchen now and then.”

“A man of many talents. You’re making it very hard not to keep you around for a while.”

“Had you been considering trading me in already?”

“Not yet, but a woman should always be aware of her options.”

“Then I will continue to do what I can to satisfy your every need.”

After they finished eating and cleared the dishes, Tamlyn said, “Would you mind calling me a cab?”

“Why don’t I drive you home?”

“I’m going straight to the office.”

“Then I’ll drive you to the office.”

She cupped his cheek and gave him a quick peck.

“You’re a dear, but I’m sure your morning will be as busy as mine. Besides, I’ll likely be on the phone the entire trip and not good company.”

He couldn’t argue with her logic, so he called her a cab, and then saw her off before heading down to his office.

It was quiet when he arrived.

Joan’s desk was unoccupied, her chair pushed in.

He assumed her absence had to do with Fred and Helene.

His guess was confirmed when he settled behind his own desk and found a note from Joan.

Fred is doing well, but still asleep.

Finally convinced Helene to go home and get some rest.

I’m going to catch a few hours of sleep myself and will be in by noon.

He texted her, letting her know that she could take the whole day if she needed it.

He was in the process of picking up the office phone to call the hospital and get the latest on Fred, when Ash entered, reading something in a folder he was carrying.

“Good morning, Ash,” Stone said.

“Holy crap!” Ash shouted as he all but jumped out of his skin.

Several sheets of paper had fallen from the folder.

He bent down and retrieved them from the floor.

“Sorry,” he said, once he’d put the papers back in the folder.

“I thought I was the only one here.”

“You were until a few minutes ago.”

“That explains it.”

“How long have you been in?”

“Since seven. I had a few things I wanted to deal with before I met up with Sa…with Miss Hirschy to look at apartments.” He hesitated, then added, “You also mentioned wanting to meet me first thing but didn’t specify a time. So…”

“My apologies. Something came up last night that caused me to be a bit late this morning.”

“Nothing bad, I hope.”

“Not the best night, but it could have been worse.” Stone motioned to one of his guest chairs.

“Have a seat.”

Ash glanced at his watch.

“Um…I’m supposed to meet Miss Hirschy and the real estate broker soon.” He paused, then said, “I can call and see if we can move it back, if you’d like.”

“When do you have to leave?”

“In five minutes, to make it on time.”

“That should be more than enough.”

“Okay.” Ash sat at the edge of the seat, ready to jump up as soon as he was allowed.

“I’ll cut right to the chase,” Stone said.

“Is there something going on between you and Sara?”

Ash looked aghast.

“No, sir. Of course not. Being romantically involved with a client would be unethical.”

“You are correct, and I’m glad you know that. Would you care to guess as to why I might ask about the possibility?”

Ash shook his head.

“Try again.”

Ash sat rigidly for a moment before his shoulders slumped.

“Am I that obvious?”

“The fact that we’re sitting here talking about this should be answer enough.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Barrington. I really like her. But I swear I haven’t done anything about it. I don’t think she even knows.”

“Oh, she knows.”

“She does?” Ash asked, sounding surprised and a little hopeful.

“Dear boy, she is as smitten with you as you are with her. Have you not seen the way she looks at you?”

Ash grinned.

“Really?”

“Yes, but the point of this discussion is not to confirm your schoolboy crush.”

“Right.” Ash took a deep breath and suppressed his smile.

“Don’t worry, sir. I promise I will not cross the line. Miss Hirschy is our client, and my sole goal is to provide her with good service.”

Stone raised an eyebrow.

Ash’s cheeks reddened.

“Legal service, I mean. Nothing more. I swear.”

“I appreciate your dedication. I’ve been thinking, however, that it might be better if we remove you from anything having to do with Sara.”

Ash looked shocked by the suggestion.

“Is…is that really necessary?”

“I think you’re missing the point,” Stone said.

“By doing so, I’m setting you free to pursue a personal relationship with her. Is that not what you’re interested in?”

“Well, yes, but…. Why would she want to go out with me? She’s an heiress, and I’m just a normal guy.”

“That’s a question you’ll have to ask her. But my sense is you’ll like her response.”

Ash thought about it, then nodded.

“Okay. Take me off her account.” He started to smile, then stopped himself.

“Wait! Can we do that after today? I promised Sara I’d go on the home search with her.”

“I think we can make that work.”

Ash beamed.

“Thank you.”

The office phone rang.

When Stone didn’t make a move to answer it, Ash asked, “Should I get that for you?”

Stone had temporarily forgotten Joan was out.

“No. You run along. I’ll take care of it.”

Stone picked up the phone as Ash left.

“Woodman & Weld, Stone Barrington’s office,” he said, parroting Joan’s usual greeting.

“You’re answering your own phones now?” Dino asked.

“Joan was up most of the night with Helene, and Ash is out.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried for a moment that your business had taken a nosedive I wasn’t aware of.”

“If it had, I would have made you pay for dinner last night.”

“Thank you for the meal. How are you doing?”

“If you ever consider experiencing a car crash, I’d advise against it.”

“Still hurting?”

“It feels like I spent the night on a bed of river rocks.”

“That does not sound fun.”

The office door buzzer sounded.

“Someone’s here, I need to run,” Stone said.

“Running sounds ambitious in your condition. A slow walk would be the better choice.”

The buzzer went off again.

“Goodbye, Dino.” Stone hung up.