“I would love to know how you came to that conclusion, Raven,” Gabe said.
“You are not the only one with a large network of contacts, Raine.”
A tap on the door had Warwick walking toward it. He knew who stood there, had heard her approach. Anticipation surged through him. Opening it, he said, “Hello. How are you feeling, Samantha?”
“I-ah, I am well, thank you. And you?” Her eyes shot to his face and then away. Color blushed her cheeks.
“I am also well.”
They had been many things in their lifetime, but distant had never been one of them. Warwick hated the chasm between them now.
“I’m sorry you were frightened by what happened.” He said the words so only she could hear.
“’Tis not your fault.” She was now focused on his necktie.
“It’s good to see you, Samantha.”
“And you.”
She looked so sweet in a simple peppermint dress with a raspberry satin sash. Warwick wanted to touch her. Feel the satin softness of a cheek and roll a curl between his fingers. The urge to hold her had him stepping back instead of forward.
“May I come in? I understand Zach is here with Lord Raine.”
He wanted to say more, but now was not the time. Instead, he moved to one side and motioned her inside. Inhaling as she passed, he smelled her scent and smiled his first real one since he’d been shot.
It felt like forever since he’d seen her, and suddenly the weight inside him eased. The tightness in his chest loosened. Yes, there was the distance, but she was here, and he’d work on restoring their friendship as soon as he got her alone.
Friendship suddenly did not seem the right word for what he wanted with this woman, but he was not ready to give it another label yet.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
Every muscle in her body was clenched as she passed Warwick. She hadn’t known he would open the door. Buttles hadn’t told her he had arrived. But then so many of their family came and went, it was hard to keep up. He clearly knew it was her, however.
Damn his hearing.
He looked well. That much she’d seen. Perhaps there had been some smudges under his eyes, but he was still the big, handsome, and vital man she’d come to love.Alive,and for that she would be forever grateful.
She just had to close her eyes and was back in that kitchen seeing him lying lifeless on that floor with blood pouring from his chest. And then again on that bed, watching his family heal him. She’d had nightmares about that night since it happened.
Her childhood friend and the man she now loved could have been taken from her.
“Come in, Samantha.” James waved her forward. “This concerns you.”
Members of her family were here and two Deville brothers.
“Lady Samantha.” Zach got out of a chair with more haste than grace and came toward her. He looked disheveled, something he rarely was. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I am well. Thank you, Zach.” She took the hand he held out to her and squeezed it, reassuring him.
“He and Gabe were worried, Samantha. About you and me,” Warwick said, coming to her side. “They know we were all there in the Duck and Goose. Zach said he heard a shot followed by a scream and thought it was you.”
She felt the heat of Warwick’s hand on her spine. Warm and large, resting on her waist. It steadied her. Her feelings for this man were a complex mix of this new fierce love and the softer love she’d always had for him as one of her closest friends.
“Oh no. We were unhurt, I assure you.”
“And yet Warwick would not see me until today.” Zach sounded testy now.
“As I have already explained, I had been unwell.”
