“You need to preserve the battery for her.”
“I don’t remember that being in my job description,” the young man grumbled.
“Remember—”
“Aye. Other duties as assigned.” Noah rolled his eyes.
“Well, it’s a catch-phrase for anything I need you to do while you’re working for me.” Darius tilted his head and watched the boy, one eyebrow arched, as though daring Noah to argue further.
“You’re right. My granddad said I was sure to get at least one hard taskmaster. We thought it might be you, seeing as you’ve been a teacher and all.”
“You’re doing fine.” Darius put his hand on the back of the boy’s neck and gave it a gentle squeeze. “But it shouldn’t be a surprise to you.I’mnot going to haul the chair, and Eve and Joe have other responsibilities.”
“True that,” Noah said, his tone almost fatalistic. “‘Twill be a lark to show her how to drive it.”
“Be sure to stress that to her when you do,” Eve said. “It’s going to take me a while to get these braids dry, so I better get going. I’ll see everyone at breakfast at nine.”
Darius watched for a second as she departed and then turned to join the other two men who were heading toward the suite.
* * *
Eve wastired herself by the time they were done visiting the two cafés said to be some of Jo’s favorite writing spots; Greyfriars Kirk, the churchyard with names that may have inspired some of Rowling’s characters such as McGonagle and Tom Riddle; the George Heriot School; and the colorful split-level Victoria Street and Candlemaker Row that were said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
Her prediction that Sophia would resist the chair had proved correct, but Noah had come to the rescue. His honest excitement while demonstrating how to use it had changed her attitude. When he’d started suggesting that he could drive it instead, always with a sidelong glance at Darius, Sophia had stepped in and said she’d ride it.
When they finally reached the hotel, all Eve wanted to do was go to her room and take a long soak in the tub. And not think about how standoffish Darius had been all day. The man was so confusing. What was all that talk last night about wanting to give them a second chance and then the way he’d looked at her when she got out of the pool? There was no way she’d misunderstood those. Had he backed off because he’d changed his mind?
The walls that she’d carefully built up around her heart—and that Darius had so quickly torn down—were coming up again. After all the years Eve had protected herself from more heartache, she’d begun to wonder if she’d ever get free. Then she’d seen Darius again. It’d taken her back to the time before she’d been hurt, reminded her of what it could feel like to be open to these feelings. She’d let herself wonder if she was ready to take a chance. Evidently not. After what she’d gone through, trust didn’t come easy, and she didn’t have patience with being jerked around.
She followed Sophia and her mother from the elevator.
“Tomorrow is our tour of the castle,” Eve said from behind them. “Because it’s on a hill, there will be a lot of climbing, so be sure to relax tonight.”
“Remind me again why we’re going to this castle,” Carmen said, pausing at their door.
“It’s said to have been one of the inspirations for Hogwarts. It’s also where they have the Scottish Crown Jewels.” Eve peered at Sophia more closely. “You have no obligation to go if you’re not interested or you’re too tired. We can do something else.”
Carmen looked at her daughter with concern, but the girl held up a hand. “I’d like to go. I’m just really tired right now.”
“Be sure to let me know if you need anything,” Eve said.
Sophia shot a longing look at Noah’s retreating back and followed her mother into their room.
“What are your plans for the evening?” Darius asked from behind Eve.
She didn’t turn around because she didn’t want to give away her feelings, which she knew were too close to the surface.
“I’m tired. I’m going to go to bed early.” Eve started to walk down the hallway, but he grabbed her hand.
“Are you all right?” The worry in his voice was the only thing that kept her from ripping her hand free.
“Just a headache.” At least that was true.
“Eve.” Darius gently turned her around to face him, and when she wouldn’t look at him, he placed a finger under her chin and lifted it. “I can tell I’ve done something wrong. Please tell me what it is.”
She met his gaze then and saw only concern. Maybe her fatigue was making her overly emotional, and she was making his aloofness into more than it was. But did she dare consider a relationship with a man who could be so hot and cold in the same twenty-four hours?
“Okay. I’ll be completely honest with you,” she finally said.
