Chapter 73

He could feel a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He nodded to the blooms resting beside her where she knelt on the path. “Picking flowers?”

“I hope you don’t mind. I think the gardener was giving me the evil eye earlier.”

“Why the hell should I mind? This is your house too, Anna. Besides, Someone should enjoy them.” He offered his hand and helped her to her feet. Her hand was small, warm and soft in his and he resisted the urge to keep holding it.

To keep his hands safely to himself, he slipped them into the pockets of his slacks.

“Will you walk with me?” she asked, and when he looked back toward the house she said, “Just for a few minutes.”

When she gave him that sweet, hopeful look, how could he say no? “Just for a few.” He agreed.

They walked side by side down the winding cobblestone path bordered on either side by lush perennial gardens, chatting about what he was considering working on, and her already completed online course. He cl