Chapter Four

Robert walked into the family room to see them both watching a Disney movie. He studied Grace’s rapt attention and guessed she didn’t get a chance to watch TV at her house. He didn’t want to scare her, so he walked farther into the room and several feet away from them so she could see him.

“Hey, girls. Dinner is ready.”

Hannah immediately jumped up and raced past him. Grace turned off the TV, tucked her chin down, and walked around him.

“Grace.”

She stopped and turned to him.

“Sweetheart, you never have to be afraid of me. I would rather cut off my arm than hurt you.”

Her eyes widened before she nodded. He was glad to see her shoulders relax. In the hallway, he walked past her and knew she had followed him. They went to the dining room, and she walked past the table and toward the kitchen.

“Grace, where are you going, Sweetheart?”

“I … um … into the kitchen.”

“Why?” he asked.

“To eat.”

“I want you to eat with us.”

Her eyes widened dramatically. “But…”

“No buts.” He pulled out a chair next to Hannah. “Come and sit.”

Grace hesitantly walked over to him and sat in the chair he held for her.

He sat at the head of the table and draped the napkin over his lap. One of the maids came in and set salads down in front of them.

He watched Grace out of the corner of his eye as she helped Hannah. When she started eating from her own plate, she took tiny bites. Robert and Hannah talked most of the time during the meal. Grace would answer if someone asked her a direct question, but otherwise, she just sat and listened.

When they finished, he stood and helped pull Grace’s chair back so she could stand. Then, he went to his daughter.

“How about you two finish the movie, and then we’ll go up and get Hannah in the bathtub and maybe read a story?”

Both girls nodded. Hannah took Grace’s hand and pulled her toward the family room.

Robert went back to work. He had no idea how much time had passed when Hannah raced into the office.

“Is the movie done?” he asked and set down his pen.

“Yes, Daddy. Grace really liked it,” Hannah said.

He looked toward the door to see Grace standing. When she saw him looking at her, her head tipped down. He smiled at the blush that covered her face. She really was beautiful.

Robert stood. “Let’s get you upstairs and into the bath.”

Grace followed them into Hannah’s bathroom, which was off the little girl’s bedroom. He helped Hannah get undressed and started the water. He dumped a capful of bath bubbles into it and watched them grow. He grinned when Hannah squealed.

“I want more bubbles,” Hannah said as he lifted her into the tub.

“Honey, I’ve put so many in already that I think I’m going to lose you.”

Hannah giggled. “Oh, Daddy.”

Grace laughed, and it was a sound he wanted to hear more of.

“Daddy, can Grace get into the bathtub with me?”

Robert grinned and looked over his shoulder to see the woman’s face redden. “Not tonight, Honey.”

“Is she going to get a bath with you?” Hannah asked.

Robert couldn’t help but laugh at the embarrassment on Grace’s face. “Maybe some other time.”

He watched Grace’s eyes widen, and then her hands covered her face. He was enjoying himself way too much and needed to stop.

After several minutes, he pulled the plug on the bathtub and reached for her. “Let’s get you out, Gremlin.”

“Daadddy,” Hannah shouted.

Robert smiled as he dried off his daughter. “Let’s get your teeth brushed and then a nightgown.”

He glanced at Grace a few times as she stood back and watched. When he got Hannah tucked into bed, he sat next to her. “Do you want to finish the book we started last night?”

“Yes.” Hannah looked at Grace and then patted the other side of the bed. “Come on, Grace. You’ll like this story.”

Grace’s eyes shot to his. When he didn’t say anything and just smiled, she moved over to the bed and carefully sat next to Hannah.

Robert opened the book and started reading. At some point, he noticed Hannah’s hand reaching for Grace’s. For the rest of the story, they held hands and stared intently at the book as he read.

“The end,” Robert said.

“Oh, Daddy, can we…”

He stood and shook his head. “Not tonight.” He gripped her feet and yanked her down until her head rested on the pillow, making her giggle.

He tucked the blanket around her and kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Honey.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

He smoothed the hair off her face. “I love you, too.”

Robert turned off the light, walked out of the room, and quietly shut the door. Something inside him tightened when he first glanced at Grace standing still, waiting for him.

The picture of him taking her hand and pulling her into the master bedroom popped into his mind. She’d only been there a short time, less than a day, and he was already fantasizing about her.

“Do you need anything before you go to bed?”

She shook her head. “Maybe her schedule. I need to know when she wakes up so I’m ready for her.”

“I’ll make one out tonight before bed. She’s usually up around seven every morning. She knows to go to the kitchen and eat breakfast. After breakfast, you’ll take her back to her room and get her dressed.”

Grace nodded her head. “All right. I’ll meet her in the kitchen.”

Robert nodded. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

He bit the inside of his cheek when she blushed again. Now, what naughty things were going through her mind? Hopefully, the things he was thinking about.

“Good night,” he said.

“Good night.”

He watched her walk away and was surprised by the urge to call her back. He needed to let her settle in before he made any move. Hell, she might not want anything to do with him.