Page 55 of The Rented Bride

He straightened from the desk. “I’ve got to get some work done. Why don’t you join me in my office? This desk is comfortable writing a letter or two but that chair will have your back aching inside of an hour.”

She’d noticed. “I don’t want to disturb you.”

“You won’t.”

Cassie nodded. “Okay.” She closed her laptop and unplugged it, then reached for the coffee.

“Leave the coffee,” he said. “I’ll have Doris bring up a fresh pot.”

She rose and followed him from the room.

Once in the office, Trent nodded to a small desk located in front of the window that overlooked the mountain. ‘Will this do?” he asked

“You can’t go wrong with any of the views here,” she said.

“Give me a minute and I’ll get office chair.”

He left and Cassie meandered to the bookcase located on the left wall. She lifted a small antique frame from the middle shelf. Because of the age of the picture, the black and white patina and the fashion of the man and woman in the picture, she guessed these must be Trent’s grandparents when they were married. The woman’s dress, traditional and very conservative, had a high lace neckline. Cassie set the picture back on the shelf and picked up the frame next to it. The little boy propped on the man’s shoulders had to be Trent. The familiar amber eyes, the full mouth.

Trent appeared, pushing an office chair. “I was four in that picture,” he said as he parked the chair in front of the small desk.

Cassie replaced the frame. “I didn’t mean to snoop.”

He crossed to her. “It’s okay. That was the last picture taken of my parents. We were on holiday in Morocco. The following morning, they were killed in a car accident.”

Cassie started. She had no idea what to say. “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Sadly, most of my memories of them are in photographs. I remember my mother singing Gaelic lullabies to me. I only remember the melody. Grandfather knows the songs, but I think it hurts too much to remember.” Trent sighed. “He’s given me all he has over the years.”

She nodded. “You’re lucky. You might not have a big family, but what you have is special.”

“Tell me about your family.” He snorted a laugh. “It’s a little late to be asking such a fundamental question, isn’t it?” His smile went lopsided and, to her horror, her heart did a flip.

“They are a very large, Italian, Catholic—and highly opinionated—family,” she said. “You’re lucky you only have one grandfather to please. Try keeping mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even cousins all thinking they know best. You can’t even pee in my parent’s house without someone noticing.”

She expected him to laugh, but his expression turned serious. “They must be proud of you. Daley Enterprises has a prestigious name.”

Her treacherous pulse skipped another beat. “My mother says if I want to be a cook, I should get married, have children, then I could spend all the time I want in the kitchen.”

He held her gaze. “You are married.”

“Bite your tongue. Should those words reach my mother’s ears—” Cassie shook her head.

“Here you are.” Henry entered the office carrying a tray of pastries.

Meg followed, a yellow legal pad in hand. “Cassie, I’ve written down phone numbers, names and extensions of all the staff. I know you have a few of us in your phone but I wanted you to have a more comprehensive list. You should have everything you need, but if you don’t, just buzz me.” She tore off the paper and handed it to Cassie.

“I’m here, as well, if you need anything,” Doris said entering the office with coffee service on a sterling tray.

Cassie wanted to laugh. She had a sneaking suspicion the staff wanted to see how the newlyweds were fairing as a couple.

Doris set the coffee on the sideboard near the bookshelves beside the pastries, and started to pour.

“Thank you, Doris, but we’ll serve ourselves,” Trent said.

The room quickly emptied, with a covert glance in Cassie’s direction from Henry, who closed the door behind them.

Cassie walked to the chair at the small desk and sat down. “Are you sure I won’t bother you?” She opened her laptop.