Herman hated the idea of Anastasia ever feeling hurt or unappreciated.


    She could read him like a book. She brushed a kiss over his lips and grinned, "Thank you, hubby. You''re so sweet. I must''ve saved the whole gxy in myst life tond a treasure like you. With you around, I never feel put out."


    Herman sighed quietly. What could he do with her? He could only spoil her, give in to her every whim. He knew exactly what she was thinking. That''s what marriage is-understanding each other, being on the same wavelength.


    Herman wasn''t the type to fly off the handle or do something reckless just to vent, ignoring the fallout. His eyes were full of affection as he said, "Go ahead and get some sleep. I''ll take a shower and give Mr. Walker a call."


    "I''ll be waiting in bed for you. I already showered." Her words were soft and full of promise.


    The hint was loud and clear.


    She was craving a little more than just sleep.


    "Alright, I''ll take care of you soon." Herman tucked the nket snugly around her. "Just wait for me."


    He headed to the bathroom, ran a bath, and while he soaked, he called Mr. Walker.


    He didn''t bother with small talk, just said, "Mr. Walker, I''m counting on you to look out for Mrs. Walker. You care about her so much, I''m sure you''ll keep her well in hand."


    There was a double meaning there—not just care, but also keep an eye on her. The Walker house.


    Mr. Walker had just gotten home and was still wondering how to get Herman to loosen up. The phone call made everything click.


    "Herman, I knew you were a stand-up guy. If you ever need anything, just let me know," Mr. Walker promised.


    He finally rxed. Herman, on the other hand, didn''t feel much about it.


    After hanging up, Mr. Walker went upstairs. Autumn heard him and hurried out. "You''re back! It''s sote. Why did you go out for coffee with Herman? If you drink that much thiste, you''ll be up all night."


    Truth was, Autumn was desperate to know what he and Herman had talked about, but she wouldn''t ask straight out.


    Mr. Walker smiled. "Herman''s a good guy. Sharp, steady. Autumn, if our kid turns out half as wise and calm as him, they''ll go far."


    Autumn bristled at the praise. "You''re making him sound like a saint."


    He took off his jacket and gently rested his hand on her belly. "Focus on the baby. It''s time to let go of thoughts that don''t belong. We''ve got to live for the living, not the dead."


    He was worried she wouldn''t get it, so he spelled it out.


    He meant she needed to stop obsessing over Julie, who was gone.


    Mr. Walker, who never yed favorites, was already bending the rules for


    Autumn. He''d promised to shield the Salstrom family, but he needed Autumn to quit stirring up drama.


    Autumn frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, not live for the dead? You mean Julie? She''s my daughter..."


    "But she''s gone." Mr. Walker''s voice grew firm. "I''ve had Julie''s case file pulled. There was nothing wrong with the verdict it was fairs


    it was fair she died


    of illness in prison. She was


    diagnosed with cancer before she


    went in. Her fate was her own doing; no one else is to me." s


    Autumn''s anger red. "Mr. Walker, you can''t talk about Julie like that..."


    "Think about the baby." He cut her off, his tone sharper. "Ana''s kidnapping case will be wrapped up soon From now on, keep your distance from the Salstrom family Don''t get any ideas."  s


    "What ideas could I possibly have?"


    "None, I hope. That''d be for the best." Mr. Walker said, "We only get seventy or eighty years if we''re lucky Maybe twenty more together, if nothing goes wrong. Watching this baby grow up-that''s the biggest blessing we could ask for  s


    Autumn finally caught on. "You want to protect the Salstrom family?"


    "I want to protect you," Mr. Walker replied. "Nothing stays secret forever."<fnc93c> Latest content published on find?novel</fnc93c>


    His words carried three meanings.


    Autumn only caught two.


    One the literal meaning.


    Two-Mr. Walker knew she''d tried to stir up trouble for Anastasia.


    The thirdyer, about the child she was carrying, went right over her head.


    She still thought she''d covered her tracks perfectly.