A Breath of Jasmine (The Merriams Book 6) by Ava Miles

Author:Ava Miles [Miles, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ava Miles Inc
Published: 2020-09-13T18:30:00+00:00

You see what’s happening with the stock market?

She waited a few minutes for his reply.

We just can’t get a break. Our stock is tanking like everyone else’s. Jesus. I’m with Trevor, seeing if there’s anything we can do. I won’t be home early like I thought. Sending you a big kiss.

Part of her wanted to be with him. To work beside him and feel like she was making a difference. Powerlessness wasn’t her friend, but they both knew there was nothing they could do on a dive like today.

They’d announced the restructuring. All they could do at this point was hope that investors saw the new plan as a positive and started showing more confidence in the stock after the dust settled. But she feared it wasn’t done, what with the virus and her father’s dire warning.

A feeling of foreboding bore down on her, and she left her room to find Alice. The door was cracked, but Francesca could see Alice on FaceTime with her best friend, Sarah.

Descending to the first floor to make herself some tea, she smiled when she found Hargreaves seated at the kitchen table, a James Patterson paperback in hand. She would have expected him to favor heavy biographies, so it was delightful to see his interest in a popular suspense novel.

He set it down immediately and rose. “How may I help you, Miss?”

“I was going to make myself tea. I’m a touch restless.”

He set his book aside. “I confess to feeling the same. Usually a gripping novel commands my full attention, but the house feels rather empty today. I’ve spent much of my life alone except for Madam, of course, but I’ve discovered that I rather like having company.”

Her heart melted at the honesty. “I confess I’m missing people as well, Quinn especially. He’s been delayed.”

“May I recommend an elderflower and chamomile tea?” Hargreaves suggested. “Alice and I developed the blend together. It’s been calming for me, especially in light of the news.”

She tilted her head and asked, “You and Alice are going to miss each other quite fiercely, aren’t you?”

“We will. Her company is most delightful, but we plan to be in touch.”

He was already filling the electric kettle with water, and she decided it would be silly to step in. Silly, and likely not appreciated. “She is one of the most positive and enthusiastic people I’ve ever met. I’m glad she’s taken to you so. After her parents died, she found it hard to let people in. Did she tell you?”

“Yes,” he said gravely. “She said it was a dark time in her life. Death is very hard, especially when it is so unexpected. You were the first person she decided to accept as her new friend. Then you reached neighbor status.”

She thought of Alice talking to Sarah upstairs. They’d gone to grade school together, so their lives had been intertwined for many years. “What a lovely way to put it. I expect you’ve reached it as well. Do you ever think about retiring, Hargreaves? Sorry, that was an abrupt question.

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