Page 16 of Wedding Contract
“Intriguing. There’s a bowl in the cabinet to your left. Fill it with cold water and put the potato slices in it. You can wash the lettuce next.” Belle keeps me busy. “What about his family?”
“Just his mom. His dad died when he was young. What about you?”
“Two older sisters. My parents are both alive. They all live in this small town in Nebraska. My sister actually won a beauty pageant and went to compete in a national contest. Didn’t win anything, but it’s a big deal.”
There’s a tone in her voice that I can’t quite make out. A hint of sadness and resignation. Did she compete too and lose to her sister? I can’t see how that’s possible. “Good thing you didn’t enter. You’d have beat her.”
“Not really.”
“Belle, you’re one of the most beautiful women in the world. Anyone with eyes can see it. That’s why those ladies today chased you out of the luncheon. They were intimidated by your beauty and charm.”
She bursts out laughing. I stare at her in confusion, unsure of what I said that set her off. She notices that I’m not joining her merriment, and her chuckles die off. “Wait, you’re serious? That’s not why they didn’t want me there. They thought I was poor and ugly and didn’t want to be around me because of that.”
“I doubt it. They would have taken Wick in, and he’s supposedly a small troll with warts. Ugly doesn’t bother them.”
“Money then. I lack it.”
“So? You’re still beautiful.”
She sets her knife down and reaches up to pat my cheek. “You’re sweet, Charlie.”
I freeze at her touch. Sweet isn’t how I feel right now. All the want and need I pushed down and tried to forget roars to thesurface. I grab her wrist and turn my face so my lips are pressed against her palm. “Nothing sweet about me, Belle,” I growl.
Chapter Thirteen
ANNABELLE
Atingle on the palm of my hand where he’d kissed lingers. All through our meal we talked, and I learned more about him. Charles is easy to talk to, and I can’t help but be rather smitten when he gives me compliments, and I believe him. I can see the sincerity in his eyes, the way the softness is at the edges.
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him as he starts to clean up the kitchen. “Leave it in the sink. I’ll get it later.”
“It’s fine. You cooked, I’ll clean.”
“You helped,” I remind him. “And a cleaner comes in.”
“And you clean before they get here.” I do. “Don’t you? Admit it.”
“You got me.” I laugh. It’s strange having my husband send people to clean. Not because there is anything wrong with that. People need to make a living; hell, I’ve cleaned buildings before. The pay isn’t terrible, and you can listen to audiobooks while you do it. It’s strange because I’m one of the staff. I’m being paid to be here. Plus, there’s really not much to clean up with it only being me.
“It will only take a few seconds. I’ll pop them in the dishwasher.”
“There isn’t—” I cut off when a magical door next to the sink opens. I run around to see it for myself. “Has that really been here the whole time?” I laugh at myself. This place is way too high-tech for me.
“You didn’t know?”
“It blends in so well. How did you open it?” I’m laughing, but Charles doesn’t appear amused. “I promise I’m not that obtuse. I’m just new around here.”
“Mr. Rise should have told you.”
“I’m not asking him that. Then I’ll really feel stupid.” Again, he is not amused by this. “Charlie.” I smack his arm. “It’s kind of funny.”
“It is a little cute that you couldn’t find it.” His face grows soft for me again. I could get used to the way he looks at me.Stop it, Annabelle.You’re married. And he works for your husband,I remind myself for the umpteenth time.
“Are there any other things in this kitchen I should know about?” I joke while he finishes loading the dishwasher, and it dawns on me that when he’s done, he’ll be leaving. A sadness fills me that I’ll once again be all alone in this big space. It’s been nice having someone to talk to and share things with.
“You know about the ice maker, right?” I nod. Charlie closes the dishwasher and starts it. “The button to flip it open is under here.” He shows me.
“Thanks.” I shift on my feet.
