Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
I was silent on the car ride back, overwhelmed and tired. I carried my packages up to the condo, letting myself in with my keys. I heard music coming from down the hall. I knew Richard was busy working out, so I hung my new dress in the closet, put away the few other items I had brought back with me, then called the home to check on Penny. Her primary nurse told me she was sleeping, but it hadn’t been a good day, so I shouldn’t visit. Sadness engulfed me as I sat looking out the window. I hated days like today; however, she was right. Going would only upset me further.
Instead, I went back downstairs and rummaged around in the kitchen. It was well equipped, yet held little food except for some fruit and a few condiments in the cupboards and refrigerator.
“Looking for something?”
I straightened up, startled. Richard was slouched against the doorframe, a towel draped around his broad shoulders. His skin glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, his hair damp, and he still looked perfect.
“You don’t have much food.”
“I have no idea how to cook. I do takeout, or my housekeeper leaves me something.”
“Housekeeper?” He hadn’t mentioned having a housekeeper.
He nodded, taking a drink from the bottle of water he was holding. “I need to hire one. The last one left about two weeks ago.” He waved his hand. “They come and go.”
I hid my amusement. That news wasn’t surprising.
“I cook.”
He smirked. “So you mentioned.”
I ignored his sarcastic tone. “I can keep the place clean and do the shopping and cooking.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“Why would you want to?”
“Richard,” I started patiently, “I’m not working now. I have lots of time on my hands. Why would you want to hire someone else when I’m here anyway?”
His brow furrowed as he thought about it.
“It would seem natural to other people.” At his confused look, I explained. “That I would look after our home. That I would look after, ah, you.”
He scratched the back of his neck, obviously unsure. “Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Okay—for now. Use your card to pay for everything.”
I nodded.
“Anything you need to keep the place clean. Buy it. If you need help, get it.”
“Okay.”
I felt relieved. It would feel normal to do the shopping and make dinner. Stay busy and clean the condo.
“How did your call go with the lawyer?”
“Good.” He drained the bottle, tossing it in the recycle bin in the corner. “How was your shopping?”
I rolled my eyes. “Quite the list you gave her.”
“I told you I wanted new everything for you.”
“Well, you got it.”
He stepped closer, rubbing the sleeve of my T-shirt with his long fingers. “I like this.”
“Good. You bought it.”
“Did you spend lots of my money?”
“Tons. Pretty sure I put you in the poor house.”
To my surprise, he smiled. A real smile that lit up his eyes, making him appear boyish and younger. “Finally, you do what I tell you to do.”
I snorted.
He reached past me and picked up an envelope. “Here.”
Gingerly, I took the envelope; it felt hard and bulky under my fingers. “What is it?”
“The keys to your car.”
“My car?” I squeaked.
“I told you I’d get you one. It’s in space 709, beside my other two. Your pass is in there, as well. It gets you in and out of the garage.”
“What . . .?”
“It’s a Lexus. Safe. Reliable. It’s red—like your shirt.”
“Unnecessary.”
“No. It is needed. It’s all part of the image, Katharine. We’re selling us as a couple—the details are important. Remember that.” He shrugged. “It’s got good resale value anyway, when this is done. If you don’t want to keep it, you can sell it. Either way, it’s yours. Part of the deal.”
I shook my head. “How can you afford all this? I know you were well paid, but not that well paid.”
His face darkened. “When my parents died, I inherited a great deal of money.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, Richard. I didn’t know. Did they pass recently?”
His shoulders tightened; his stance tense. “Fourteen years ago. It wasn’t a great loss, so save your sympathy. It was the first time their actions benefitted me.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to his statement.
“So, don’t worry about the money.”
He turned and walked out of the kitchen. “I’m going for a shower, then I’ll order dinner. I left you a list on the table; you can look it over. We’ll start talking when I come back. We need to get this all down pat.”
“More image work?”
“You got it. Find a good bottle of red in the rack. I think I’m going to need it.” He threw another smirk my way. “If you know a good one when you see it, that is.”
On that pleasant note, he left me glaring after him.
RICHARD
When I returned, Katharine was perched on one of the high chairs. There was a bottle of wine opened, and she was sipping from a glass, studying the papers in front of her. I drew in a deep breath, and crossed the room. I had her list with me, so we could discuss the details. We needed to cram as much of our histories in tonight to bluff our way through tomorrow. We had to convince Graham we were the real deal. I knew it was going to be a long evening.