Page 16 of Before the Bond
I heard a knock on my door. I got up from bed and found Maureen in the doorway.
She regarded me with a polite expression while carrying a small tray with coffee.
“Morning, Miss Cruz,” she greeted. “I trust your first night was… adequate.”
“I slept fine,” I said.
Total lie.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “Caleb mentioned he saw you up late.”
Maureen seemed to catch my embarrassment, and followed it up. “If it has anything to do with the cold or the beddings, we can make adjustments if needed.”
“I was up late because I wanted to,” I explained. “I was trying to familiarize myself with the layout, and Caleb saw me take a wrong turn.”
“I see,” she said. “Well, I’m glad to hear that your accommodations are suitable then. And I’m certain you’ll get used to the house eventually.”
Maureen then apologized as she had to go fetch Jake’s breakfast for him. “Breakfast is in the kitchen if you want any,” she said. “There’s a nice assortment of things, so do help yourself to it.”
I told Maureen I would.
I sat with my coffee for a minute. I reminded myself of one of my more pressing issues: Jake. I needed a way to better provide him care. For someone with a “documented hereditary condition,” his charts weren’t doing anything for me.
I needed a real medical history and I needed it from someone who would actually give it to me. Donovan made his position clear, so I wasn’t going to force that. However, Caleb was different.
Maybe he’d talk.
It was a longshot, but, as a nurse, it was my job to get the answers. I would just have to swallow the awkward encounter last night and be straightforward about it.
Work was easier.
I didn’t have to look far to find Caleb.
The moment I went down to the kitchen to return my mug, he was already there.
He stood at the counter with a mug and a folded newspaper, still in the dark henley he’d been wearing the night before, or one exactly like it.
He once again offered me a half-smile.
“Coffee?”
“I have some, thank you.” I held up my mug.
We stared at each other across the kitchen island for a moment that lasted slightly too long.
Oh boy.
“So.” I started.
“So,” he said.
I set my mug on the counter and decided honesty was my best bet at getting on his side. “I was snooping,” I said. “Last night, I mean.”
Caleb’s expression didn’t change. “I know,” he said.
“You know.”
“You’re thorough.” He took a sip of his coffee. “That helps.”
