Chapter Nine
Blake drove her backto the ranch and waited for her to pick which bag she wanted to bring in.He grabbed it from her, wrapped an arm around her, and took her inside.
He took her up some stairs and down the hallway.
He pointed to a door farther down.“That’s my room.”He opened a door.“This will be yours for as long as you want.”
He watched her look around the room.
“This is beautiful,” she said.
He looked around like he was seeing it for the first time.He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in the room.It was mostly done in pastels.The floor was hardwood, except for an enormous multicolored rug beneath the bed.The room had its own bathroom and huge closet.There was one chair in the room he could see her cuddled up in with a book.
“Thank you, Blake.”
Although it was still early, he could see she was exhausted.
“Can I get you anything to eat before you crash?”
She shook her head.“I haven’t felt like eating.”
“If you get up in the middle of the night, go down the stairs, to the left, and follow the hallway.It will take you to the kitchen.Eat whatever you can find.Dottie, my housekeeper, usually has some sandwich meat and cheese.Just help yourself.”
“Oh, I don’t think I can do that.”
He walked over to her and cupped her cheek.
“It would please me greatly if you made yourself at home.If you get up and want to talk, come get me.I don’t care what time it is.”
“I don’t know why you feel so guilty after this long?”
He sighed and rubbed his thumbs over her cheekbones.“Part of it is guilt.But most of it is that I’ve dreamed of caring for you.I’ve often imagined you in the kitchen, back patio, office, and bedroom.You can’t comprehend what it does to me to see you here.I wish you were happy, and I want to make sure you stay that way and safe.”
She stared at him for a long moment and then nodded.“Okay.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead.“Good night, honey.”
“Good night.”
Blake went to his office, poured himself a scotch, and sat behind his desk.He took several sips and rested his head against the chair.
He went through a list of things he could do for her.He’d bring cleaners in to clean up the house, and then they could assess the damage.
