Page 254 of The Maxwell Brothers

“Okay. But we have an unfinished conversation. We’ll continue it when you return?”

I nodded.Oh boy.I was fighting the impulse to fan myself.

As I walked out, I felt all eyes on me, and I was certain I’d feel my ears burning moments after I closed the door.

CHAPTER 7

LIZ

Once outside,I grabbed the box of donuts and got on my bike. I put the box in the basket and headed to Helen’s. Her assisted living facility was at the edge of the neighborhood, and I reached it only twenty minutes later. I loved my bike, and I especially loved that winter was over, because I hadn't been able to use it as much then.

Helen's care home honestly looked like a luxurious villa. It wasn’t huge—it only had thirty residents—but for some reason, it made me think of luxury boarding schools. The facade was all cream-colored brick, and the entryway was under a magnificent arch. They took very good care of her here. She'd made friends already and told me the food was excellent. But Helen always said their baked goods didn't hold a candle to mine, so I made a point to bring her some treats when I stopped by.

I went straight to the reception desk. “Hi there. I called earlier. I'm here to see Helen.”

“Yes, she's been waiting for you. Are those donuts?" Nadia asked, zeroing in on the white box.

“Yes, they are. Want one?”

“Oh, I can never resist them.”

Chuckling, I opened the box, and she took one.

“Oh, and they're fresh.”

I grinned. “Only the best for Helen. Is she in her room?”

“No, she's outside in the backyard.”

“Great. How is she?"

“She’s doing well,” she replied, then frowned. “She’s a bit lonely, because you’re her only visitor.”

“I’ll come more often.” My heart clenched. Until I moved from Sunnyvale, I’d gone to dinner at my parents’ house once a week. Being here in Chicago, away from them, was almost physically painful sometimes.

I went into the backyard, looking around with a smile. The trees on the property were old and grand. It made this place look so peaceful. Helen was sitting on the nearest bench on the sidewalk snaking between the trees. I went straight to her.

"Darling, you brought donuts," Helen exclaimed.

"I wouldn't dare show my face here without them," I said, sitting next to her and opening the box. She took one and immediately bit into it.

“Mmm, they’re divine, as usual. I'm so glad you could stop by today.” She glanced down at my bandage. “What happened to your arm?”

“Mishap at work. It’s healing, but the boss decided they didn’t need me today. I was too slow.”

She patted my thigh. “Girl, you need to relax a bit. You'll burn yourself out.”

“I promise I will, Helen. I just need to hold on for a little longer.”

“There will always be time for more. At least you went to the doctor.”

“I didn’t. Guess who bandaged this? My new landlord.”

“Declan Maxwell?”

“Indeed.”

Oddly, Helen didn’t look surprised, though she’d only said nice things about him and his family from the beginning.