The next morning.


    Joslyn got back at eight o''clock and started packing the household essentials. When Eleanor came downstairs, Joslyn sneakily observed her. Seeing her lookingpletely normal, she figured these things couldn''t be rushed.


    Today, Eleanor helped Joslyn pack. The heavy furniture was staying, so they just boxed up their personal belongings.


    By ten o''clock, Eleanor was busy packing up her bookshelves. She couldn''t reach the top shelf and was about to grab a chair when a deep, amused voice came from behind. "Need a hand?"


    She paused and turned to seen standing in the doorway.


    "No need," she said, stepping onto the chair to grab the books herself.


    She pulled them down one by one, handing them to him. He caught them effortlessly, their hands asionally brushing in the process.


    She grabbed a heavy hardcover, identally knocking another book loose. It plummeted straight toward her head. Startled, she dropped the hardcover.


    With a yelp, the falling book nailed her on the head. Her vision blurred, and losing her bnce entirely, she tumbled backward off the chair.


    Anticipating the fall,n shot his arm out and caught her securely. The impact forced him to take a half-step back. He wrapped one arm tightly around her waist and used his other hand to shield the back of her head.


    She waspletely enveloped in his firm embrace.


    Pain throbbed where the book had hit her, and her senses were instantly overwhelmed by his masculine scent.


    "Where did it hit you?" his voice was urgent as he checked her over.


    Her feet found the floor. She stepped back, clutching her head. "I''m fine."


    Despite her words, she kept her hand pressed to her left temple, her brows knit in pain.


    He reached out. "Let me see."


    She lowered her hand. He gently brushed her hair aside, revealing a bright red spot that was already starting to swell. Thankfully, the skin wasn''t broken.


    "I''ll get you an ice pack."


    "No, it''s fine," she shook her head.


    He firmly guided her away. "I''ll handle the rest of the packing. Go sit on the couch and rest."


    It didn''t hurt that badly anymore, though her pride was definitely bruised.


    "I''m really fine," she insisted, picking up another book to put in the box.


    He paused, then easily reached the top shelf without needing a chair, pulling down the remaining books and packing them for her.


    "I''ll have someone bring these over this afternoon," he told her, ncing at the swelling on her forehead He instinctively reached f?r it, by immediately caught his wrist. "I''m perfectly fine."


    Feeling the pressure of her fingertips, he looked at her and froze for a second.


    She let go, but the very next second, hisrge handpletely enveloped hers. She tried to pull away, but he held tight.


    "Let go," she said softly.


    He released her instantly, but his intense gaze remained locked on her face. "Next time, let me handle the heavy lifting."


    She didn''t respond. He crouched


    down to organize the books in the box effectively


    her task. king over With nothing left to do, she leaned against the box and looked at him.


    They were close enough that she could see his thick eyshes and straight nose Sunlight danced in his hair it was still gray, but healthy giving him a distinguished, O sophisticated edge.


    Sensing her stare, he snapped his head up, catching her gaze. She looked away in a panic, while he continued packing with a knowing smirk on his lips.


    Irritated by his smug look, she frowned and walked away to pack other things.


    He boxed up her entire bookshelf. Eleanor packed her documents and prepared to move her desktopputer.


    Just as she was struggling to figure out how to box up the electronics, he strode over. "I''ve got this. Go rest."