“But appearance shouldn’t be important to Bran, since he’s blind. Right? So what’s the attraction?” Laurie ripped the tape off another box.
“She’s from a wealthy, well-respected family. She has lots of influence in important social circles.”
“Seems like an awful reason to choose a wife.”
“She hates children. She said Bran hates children, too.” Steph paused to open a book and flip through the pages. “This is yours, I think. Murder mystery. May I borrow it?”
“Sure.” Laurie pushed another haphazard group of books onto a shelf. “We’re never going to finish if you stop to sort and read the books, you know.”
“I know.” Steph pushed the books back onto the shelves and grabbed a pair of scissors. “I need a different job. I’ll break down the boxes.”
“How can Bran hate children? He gives away half his money to help disabled kids. Does that sound like a child-hater?”
“Not really. But he’s never asked to meet Ellie, even though I talk about her all the time.”
“Oh.” Laurie made a weird upside-down smile that showed her teeth.
“Oh? What does that mean?”
“It means oh, maybe he might like kids in principle, but not in person.”
Steph’s heart sank into her stomach. “Oh my gosh. You’re right. No wonder he was so awkward when I asked if he and Carina were going to have children. And he gives his money all the time, but he never delivers it in person or has anything to do with the kids.” She collapsed onto the leather sofa and dropped her head into her hands. Another reason Bran and I could never be together. Why can’t I get it through my thick skull?
The cushion dipped beside her, and an arm slid around her shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said anything, Steph. It doesn’t matter. He knows you have Ellie, and that didn’t stop him from insisting you move in here. You have an iron-clad contract, so it’s not like you’re going to lose your job.”
“I may have exaggerated that iron thing. It’s more like a thin, soft metal sheeting.”
“Like aluminum foil?” Laurie suggested.
Steph nodded, dread welling deep in her belly. “Truth is, Carina has all the power. She hasn’t even signed her prenup. If she convinced him to fire me, we’d be gone so fast our heads would spin, contract or not.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Laurie declared, her mop of tight dark curls bobbing. “We already let our apartment go.”
“At least Fordham likes me.” Stephanie stood up and started pacing, her boots thudding on the polished wood floor. “All I have to do is get on Carina’s good side and keep Ellie away from her and Bran.”
“How’re you going to get on Carina’s good side?” asked Laurie, as she drummed her fingers on the arm of the couch. “I hate to tell you, but I think she hates you.”
“For starters, I can’t confront her or criticize her. I’ll have to talk her up to Bran, whenever I get the chance.” She wouldn’t let petty jealousy jeopardize her job, her only means of providing Ellie the care she needed. “And I’ll swallow my pride and apologize to Carina as soon as I get the chance.”
“Ugh. I don’t know how you’re going to stomach it.”
She stopped pacing and turned to face the door, gathering her nerve before leaving to face her boss, who would undoubtedly be grumpy since she missed most of the morning during the move. “I’ll do whatever I have to do… for Ellie.”
CHAPTER 4
Bran attempted to control his impatience. After all, he was the one who insisted Stephanie move into the estate on Tuesday, rather than wait until the next weekend. He’d been awake since four a.m. Exercise, a shower, and breakfast had only passed two hours of time. He managed to reply to about fifty emails without Stephanie’s aid, though he saved them for her to proof. He checked the time… ten o’clock. How long could it possibly take to get settled? He’d sent a team of professional packers to do the work. Most of her things were going into storage, since all the rooms in the estate were furnished. He’d secretly hoped she would report in as usual and let the movers take care of everything without her supervision.
Fordham had already reported Carina’s antics, forcing Stephanie out of the preferred rooms. And Branson had blasted her for it, though it barely fazed her. Her behavior served as a warning for what might come, and he was already reconsidering his decision to marry her. If only he could find another way to procure the stocks he needed.
His ringing cell phone interrupted the sound of his fingers drumming on the table. His phone’s dulcet feminine voice announced, “Call from Finn Anderson.”
“Yeah?” Bran answered with impatience.
Finn’s laugh rang in his ear. “Good morning to you, too. How’s it going? Has Stephanie moved in yet?”
Since their surprise weekend visit, Finn had been pestering him for details, calling multiple times each day.
“I told you yesterday, she’s moving in this morning.”
“And Carina? What did she say when you told her Stephanie was moving in?”
“It doesn’t matter what Carina thinks,” he growled. “This is my house and my life and my decision.”
“Ha! That from the man whose brand new fiancée moved into his house without signing a prenup agreement.”
“She’ll sign one.” Bran’s fingers tightened into a fist. “If she doesn’t, the wedding is off.”
“Whatever you say.” Finn chuckled. “Are you feeling better about Vegas? Did you invite Carina to go with you?”
“I mentioned the possibility to her. But I may not be able to go.” He forced a cough. “My throat’s getting scratchy.”
“Oh, no you don’t! You’re going to Vegas, even if you come from the hospital with an IV pole.”
As it did every time he thought about the upcoming trip, his heart hammered in his chest. “I think I need more time to prepare.”
“We were all planning to meet you in Vegas, but I can come there and fly on your jet, if you like.”
