sigh of relief. Only then do I wonder if she sees something that I don’t, between me and Landry.
I’m attracted to him, we’ve kissed, but nothing else has happened. I don’t expect him to sweep me into his arms and carry me away to make me his new bride. I don’t expect anything at all. Nothing.
Chapter Eleven
TENNESSEE
Saturday morning. My first morning off, my first weekend alone in the city, just me and Holden. He crawls into bed with me, like he did every Saturday and Sunday morning when we lived in Tulsa.
Reaching for the remote, I flip on the television, searching for PBS, knowing they’ll have some kind of kid-friendly program on this early, since I don’t have cable, this will have to do.
He lifts his thumb to his mouth as he watches the cartoon. I’m exhausted, but not too tired to cuddle with him. I go through a mental list of things that I need to do today. I have to go to the grocery store, stop by Target, and then make an afternoon trip to a park that I saw close by. I know without a doubt that after shopping, Holden will want to play.
I don’t lie in bed too much longer, wanting to get the day started so that I can clean in the afternoon during Holden’s naptime. I get up, make some breakfast and then quickly get dressed. I’m gathering my things, including my purse, diaper bag, and stroller when my phone rings from my bedroom.
“Phone,” Holden yells at the top of his lungs.
Smiling at him, I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, Holden. Phone.”
Rushing into the bedroom, I find the device and blink at the name on the screen. It shouldn’t surprise me, seeing as he’s the only person with this number, but it does. I don’t think he’s ever actually called me on it.
“Hello?” I ask after I’ve swiped my thumb across the screen.
“Tennessee, I have those meetings set up with the realtor, but I can’t make it. A few of those houses already have people looking and possibly putting in offers, can you go and look at them this afternoon for me?”
Licking my lips, I look over at Holden. “I um…”
“I’m sending a car to you. The driver has all of the addresses and times of the appointments for each place.”
I think about telling him no, that I can’t do it, but this is my job. This is my duty and I promised that I would be available to him on the weekends. I have tomorrow to get my shopping done. I need to just be flexible with the change of plans.
“Okay. What would you like me to do once I’ve seen a place, is there anything specific I need to look for?” I ask.
There’s a moment of silence. Then I hear him clear his throat. “Look at them as if you were going to live there. What would you want, what would you like, what do you not like? They all tick my mandatory boxes of what I need in a home.”
“Landry, I can’t. Maybe one of your children should…”
He grunts. “Lucinda will ask for something that is not in the price range I am currently in the market to spend. Lawrence will only think of practical things, and miss the beauty or uniqueness of a place. And Laurent will only look at the size of the master bedroom and the pool.”
Pressing my lips together, I can’t help but picture Laurent doing just that. “So, you want an overall unbiased opinion?”
“From a woman, yes.”
“Why a woman?” I ask.
There’s a moment of silence and I don’t know if it’s because he’s gathering his thoughts or what, but I don’t question it. Instead, I wait for him to speak, loving the way his deep husky voice sounds on the phone. I could listen to him talk for hours.
“I just think women have something that’s born inside of them. All women. They can pick out details that men can’t quite see.”
“That sounds pretty sexist,” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I’m sure that it does, but it’s my truth.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
“If you don’t like any of them, that’s fine. If something strikes you, then call me, but I’m in no rush. I’ve been living in the penthouse of my office for the past five years, I don’t have to leave anytime soon.”
I blink, staring at the blank wall of my bedroom. Five years. Five. Years. I can’t believe it. He’s been living away from his wife for five years?