“Or Rachel’s been told.”
Justin narrowed his eyes. “Well, that wouldn’t surprise me in the least, knowing our Gary’s ability to…ah…make friends and influence people,” he muttered sarcastically. “But what then? Does this Greene guy have some kind of bone to pick with Gary or something?”
Terri shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time, would it?”
“But didn’t he say earlier that he’d never actually met him?”
“You’re right.” She thought hard. “But something is going on nonetheless. Greene is here for some reason other than to inquire after Gary’s health, that much is obvious.”
At that moment, Rachel rushed into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry,” she began, flustered. “Go ahead and take your break. I’ll get cracking here.” She grimaced apologetically. “I didn’t think he’d just arrive announced like that, and since Gary isn’t around…”
“It’s not a problem,” Terri assured her. “Anyway, I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to chat longer. He’s gorgeous.”
“Isn’t he? And such a lovely guy too. I’m so glad all three of us will get a chance to chat properly tonight, after all that’s happened.” Rachel looked at Justin. “Will I start on the pastry for the eggplant tarts?”
“Good idea.”
“What did happen?” Terri asked, fishing. “I know you said Greene gave Gary first aid on the street and all, but for a complete stranger, he seems very interested in Gary’s well-being, doesn’t he? I mean, to come all the way over from London just to check on him…”
Rachel opened a fresh bag of flour. “Well, it wasn’t just that. He was going to be here anyway and… Ah hell.” She grasped at the ring. “I keep forgetting to take this off while I’m working.”
Justin gasped dramatically. “Yeah. Knuckle-dusters can besucha drag.”
***
“So how’s everything going?” Vanessa asked when, later, Ethan called to say hello from the comfort of his hotel room.
If he was being honest, he was still rattled from seeing his ring on Rachel’s finger earlier, and he hoped that a well-timed call home would ground him and bring him back to reality.
He smiled into the mouthpiece, hoping to sound enthusiastic and hoping that Vanessa wouldn’t detect the strain in his voice. “It’s going well. I’d forgotten how charming Dublin is actually. We really should visit your parents more often.”
“I’m sure we will,” she said, sounding uncommonly enthusiastic, given that she was usually rather lukewarm about the idea. “So how’s the…ah…research coming along? Has the muse struck yet?”
There was something about the way she said this that put Ethan on alert. Then he realized he was probably just being paranoid. Seemed like the day for it. “Well, I’ve only just gotten here, but I’m feeling lots of inspiration all the same,” he muttered quickly. “How’s Daisy?”
“She’s great, reading in her room just now. I’ll put her on to you in a sec.” She sighed. “Did her best to pretend earlier that she wasn’t worried about you flying, but I know she couldn’t really relax until you sent a text.”
Ethan had suspected as much, which was why he’d messaged as soon as the plane had landed to reassure his little worrywart.
“Again, I’m not entirely sure you should entertain this type of behavior from her,” she continued, and she’d already made it clear that by trying to counter Daisy’s fears, Vanessa felt he was only validating them.
The truth was that he didn’t know the best way to approach this kind of thing long term, but how could he not want to set his daughter’s mind at ease?
Nevertheless, it was a relief to be able to discuss Daisy’s emotional well-being with someone else. As she grew older, things would undoubtedly get trickier, and it could only be good for his daughter to have a strong woman in her life. And Vanessa was certainly that. With her determined, no-nonsense approach and especially given her sharp rise to the top in business, she was a force to be reckoned with.
“I know, but I still don’t like to have her worrying.”
“No need to be concerned. She really was fine. This afternoon, we had a good girly time watching movies and eating junk food.”
He had to smile. Daisy—eating junk food? “That’s great. Thanks again for staying with her. You know I really appreciate that.”
“Don’t be silly. You know I see her as practically my own daughter—the closest thing I’ll get to it anyway,” she joked in a thinly veiled reference to her inability to have children of her own.
Once again, Ethan had to admire the way she’d come to terms with that too. Apparently it was because of some gynecological problem she’d had in her teens, and it was strange, but the knowledge merely made him even more eager for her to be part of their family. Silly too, when Vanessa was so easygoing about it all, but if felt to him almost as if they could complete each other’s missing parts.
“Well, I’m happy you both had a nice day.”
“So, speaking of work,” Vanessa said, “have you heard any more from Rachel?”
