It was nothing at first, but somehow things had escted into this confusing mess.
Hans quietly pressed down on the elerator, just as Gwh''s phone started ringing again. She nced at the screen-a number she didn''t recognize. Instinctively, she assumed it was Bill Crawford.
"That bastard really doesn''t know when to quit," she muttered. "I just told him off, and he has the nerve to call again?"
Leonie''s attention immediately shifted. For the first time, Gwh actually felt grateful for Bill Crawford''s persistent calls.
She swiped to answer, only to be greeted by a telemarketer''s pitch. Gwh listened to the pointless spiel, then cut in with a cool, "No thanks," before hanging up.
But just the mention of Bill Crawford was enough to get Leonie going. She spent the rest of the drive ranting about him, not stopping until she remembered they were supposed to go to Gwh''s apartment. By then, Hans had already pulled up in front of the Everhart family manor.
Mrs. Everhart had been growing anxious-it was well past nine and there was still no sign of Leonie. She waited at the door, too worried to call and risk upsetting her daughter.
Leonie was the Everharts'' miracle; Mrs. Everhart had nearly died giving birth to her, and Leonie herself had spent forty days in an incubator before she finally pulled through. They cherished her beyond words, indulging her every whim and never once able to bring themselves to scold her-only Hawthorne ever managed to get a word of reproach in.
"We''re here, Miss Everhart," Hans announced as he stopped the car, snapping Leonie back to reality.
"Gwyn-" Leonie started, but Gwh was already leaning out the window to greet Mrs. Everhart.
"Good evening, ma''am," she called politely.
Then she turned to Leonie. "Leonie, it''ste and freezing out here. Go inside with your mom. We''ll catch up soon, okay?"
Mrs. Everhart''s face lit up as she spotted her daughter. Out of courtesy, Gwh stepped out of the car to say hello as well.
Mrs. Everhart sped both their hands, her touch gentle, her expression full of affection. "Your hands are ice-cold. Come in for a cup of tea before you go, dear."
Gwh smiled politely. "Thank you, but I have work in the morning. Maybe next time."
Her eyes flickered toward Hans, and Mrs. Everhart understood at once.
"You''re right, it''s gettingte. Hans, you''ll drive Gwh home safely, won''t you?" Leonie clung to her mother, her eyes shining with reluctance. "If I''d known you''d find a ce so quickly, I would have made you stay a few days longer."
Gwh pressed her lips together, feeling an unexpected warmth bloom in her chest.
Leonie insisted on watching as Gwh drove off before she''d agree to go inside. Mrs. Everhart strolled back toward the house with Leonie, chatting quietly.
"Did you call Hans to pick you up?" she asked.
Leonie rolled her eyes. "He''s Uncle Hawthorne''s driver, Mom. Like I could order him around."
The mention of Hans made Leonie uneasy, but the moment she caught the aroma of tea drifting through the foyer, she perked up and demanded a cup.
She''d eaten far too much, and a cup of hot tea was just the thing to cut through the richness.
Mrs. Everhart watched her daughter fondly, a wry smile tugging at lips. “Honestly, you think of nothing
but food and drink. It''s luck nothing
family can afford to indulge you."
She nced at Leonie, now helping herself to pastries, and shook her head in exasperation and affection.
Meanwhile, Gwh sat in the back
of the car, gazing out at the city lights. The warmth inside was
soothing after the chill outside. et
the time Hans pulled up to Hawthorne''s estate, she was barely keeping her eyes open.
She''d nned to sketch for a while, maybe read a few chapters before bed, but after a hot shower, she curled up under the cozy covers with a book. She only managed to read two pages before her eyelids grew heavy and, try as she might, she couldn''t keep them open any longer.