As she did, he stretched his arm on the back of the bench behind her. His attention never wavered as he listened to the entire story. “I thought maybe I was overreacting, but at the end, I was sure that man said, ‘See you soon.’”
Luke wrapped his hand around her shoulder. “Thank God you had the presence of mind to react the way you did.”
She savored the coffee, pleased that he’d remembered that she took cream and no sugar. “Maybe I didn’t read his lips right. Maybe he meant no harm.”
“It would have been an unacceptable risk to stay and find out.”
“Unacceptable to you?”
“Yes. To me.”
The warmth from his hand radiated through her. He smelled of sawdust and clean, sun-dried cotton. It would be so easy for her to lean into him. It surprised her how much she wanted to. “You seem to be taking all of this very seriously.”
“I take you seriously.”
“So I noticed.”
Hiding a rising blush, she finished the rest of her coffee, and they continued on their journey.
The closer they got to Tarrytown, the more the conversation centered on the Petrovics’ plight.
“Danielle is vulnerable,” she told Luke. “I have a feeling that if someone doesn’t intervene, Mr. Spalding could do something terrible. He could separate her from Tatiana or worse.”
Luke nodded. “When we deliver that box you brought, I’d like to hear if Tatiana has any updates. I can talk to her about moving that cottage off the grounds, too, if that’s what she decides to do. But I’ll need to inspect it first to see if it will hold together.”
“I hadn’t even considered that possibility. Thank you for thinking of it!” A measure of relief stole through her.
His lips tilted at one corner. “Don’t thank me yet. I have noidea where she could park it, and that’s if it doesn’t fall apart on the way.”
“I understand. But just knowing you care means a lot to me.”
“I do care.” Luke met her gaze for a moment before turning back to the road.
Elsa wondered if he’d meant those three small words for her. With a start, she realized she hoped he had.
———
Luke whistled low as they approached the mansion. “Haven’t seen a Rolls here before. Looks like another relative has come to pick over what’s left.”
From the long drive up to the house, Elsa recognized Wesley’s yellow Packard, along with a white convertible.
“That’s no relative of the Van Tessels,” she said, recognizing the license plate. “That auto belongs to Archer.”
Luke tensed. “Why is he here?”
“Excellent question. Let’s ask him.”
As they reached the veranda, Archer exited the house. At least he was empty-handed.
“What are you doing here?” she asked without preamble.
Archer jumped back when he saw her, shock splayed across his face. “What areyoudoing here? You said, ‘See you Monday.’ Didn’t that mean you were planning to stay at the museum today?”
“Hi, I’m Luke, and you’re not supposed to be here. Allow me to see you off the property.” Luke grabbed his arm and escorted Archer off the veranda and all the way to his Rolls.
Elsa followed them. “Change of plans. I decided to come here today instead of staying in Manhattan. You still haven’t told us why you’re here. Clearly it isn’t to see me.”
Archer jerked his arm out of Luke’s grasp and rubbed the spot where he’d been gripped. “Gee, what happened to you? Cut yourself shaving?”
