"Of course you can-these are all family businesses now, and that means they''re yours too. Mrs. Everhart, I''ll be counting on you from now on. Who would''ve thought I''d marry such a treasure?"


    Gwh shot him a yful, mock-annoyed look.


    "So what you''re saying is, before I gave you that si ring, you thought I was just a useless loafer?"


    Hawthorne hadn''t expected her to describe herself like that, and couldn''t hold back a lowugh rumbling from his chest.


    Gwh could tell he was struggling not to burst outughing, but failing miserably.


    She pretended to be cross, raising her delicate fist and giving him a light, theatrical punch. Hawthorne caught her soft hand and gave a warning grin.


    "Check the time-we''re runningte."


    A nce at the clock told them it was nearly eight. Only half an hour left. She decided not to prolong their little skirmish.


    Hand in hand, they headed out the door. Downstairs, the little puppy they''d rescued came skittering over, tail wagging and chubby body wiggling with excitement as soon as it saw Gwh.


    She bent down, about to scoop it up, but Hawthorne was quicker-he grabbed it by the scruff and handed it off to the butler.


    "We''re going to bete for work. You can y with it when we get home."


    This was their time together, and he was not about to let a puppy steal the spotlight.


    Wrapping an arm around Gwh''s waist, Hawthorne ushered her into the car.


    The puppy dangled in the air, whining forlornly and pawing at nothing. Gwh shot it a sympathetic nce, but before she could say anything, Hawthorne gently pressed her head onto his shoulder and turned to Hans.


    "Drive."


    “This week, I''m nning to organize an exhibition under thepany''s name. It''ll double as a charity auction-lots of historical artifacts will be on disy. Everyone at the office will get a ticket. Since you like keeping a low profile, you can just go with them."


    Hawthorne had it all mapped out. Gwh never cared much for social events, but he could tell she secretly enjoyed the lively energy of a crowd.


    "An exhibition? Antique paintings?"


    That hit the bullseye-Gwh''s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    Hawthorne saw her reaction and knew he''d picked the perfect gift He realized just dragging her along alone would probably bore her to tears, but surrounded by people, it would be a whole different story.


    And since her identity was still a secret, going with her colleagues would be a safe -and hopefully fun-option.


    Gwh''s excitement was almost visible; her bright eyes shone with anticipation. "I''d love that..."


    She paused, ncing at Hawthorne a little nervously. "Will you be there that day?"


    He reached over and ruffled her hair.


    "I have a conference that day, so I might not make it. The exhibition runs for three days, though. After you''ve gone with your colleagues, if you want to go again, I''ll take you myself."


    ???


    Only then did Gwh''s face truly light up. She''d wanted Hawthorne to be there, but knew if he was, her identity would almost certainly be exposed. This way-seeing it with her coworkers first, then going again with Hawthorne-seemed like the perfectpromise.


    She could hardly hide her eagerness and anticipation.


    Greenvale, this ancient city, had a unique charm that drew people from all over the world.


    Gwh couldn''t wait.


    At that moment, Hawthorne''s phone rang. He''d forgotten to put it on silent that morning. The screen shed with Patti Yale''s name.


    He nced at it, then set it aside.


    Gwh looked at him curiously.


    "Aren''t you going to answer?"


    "Just a pushy advertiser. Not worth my time."