Harlequin Presents March 2023--Box Set 2 of 2 by Clare Connelly

Author:Clare Connelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Two years later

‘COME BACK UPSTAIRS to me...’

Darcie’s husky plea echoed in his head. She was still up in their bed and the last time he’d peeked he’d seen she’d fallen back to sleep. But he’d never ignore her request. He’d once said no to her. He’d never know how he actually did. And he never would again. Not when she’d been so wary of asking him for anything more. She’d been so afraid of rejection and abandonment, so untrusting, he was determined never to let her down again. He would be by her side any time and every time she asked. He’d slowed down on the mergers and acquisitions. He’d even sold off a couple of things. There wasn’t the drive to accumulate as much anymore because he had other things to do. Like make breakfast in bed with his favourite little sidekick.

‘She likes maple syrup,’ Lily announced confidently.

‘She does. Let’s make sure we have plenty in the jug.’ He winked at the little girl.

Lily had been with them for just over a year now—a permanent placement with adoption on the near horizon. And it was wonderful. Also wonderful were the more frequent lunch dates he had with his mother. Darcie came sometimes, too. And his mother had met Lily. It was one way in which he could enrich his mother’s life—to just be there for her. Anytime she asked. And happily, she was asking more and more.

‘She’s having a really big sleep-in.’ Lily said.

‘Yeah.’ Darcie had been tired lately and Elias had his suspicions as to why, but he was waiting for her to explain it to him.

‘Will she be okay?’

‘Of course.’ Elias smiled reassuringly at Lily. ‘Especially once she’s had our amazing breakfast.’

When he opened the bedroom door for Lily, Darcie was sitting up in bed. Her smile widened as she watched Lily carefully carry the laden breakfast tray. ‘That looks amazing, Lily. I love pancakes.’

But Elias noticed—with an inward smile—that it was the piece of plain toast Darcie picked up first.

‘I’ve got swimming today,’ Lily chirruped as she tore a piece of pancake from the plate. ‘And then reader’s club.’

‘Yes.’ Darcie smiled. ‘Are you enjoying the book?’

Lily nodded. ‘Elias and I finished it just before making you breakfast.’

‘Time to go, Lily,’ Elias said. ‘Nanny’s downstairs waiting to walk you to school.’

‘You’re not walking me today?’

Walking Lily to the school down the road was one of Elias’s favourite ways to start the day. ‘I can’t this morning, sweetie.’

‘Because you’re looking after Darcie?’

‘Yes,’ he said seriously.

‘Feel better soon.’ Lily blew Darcie a kiss and then skipped out of the room calling for her nanny.

Elias turned back to Darcie and saw the emotion misting her eyes. ‘Did you sleep okay?’

‘I slept really well.’ She bit her lip. ‘But the silly thing is, I’m still really tired.’

He lifted the tray from her lap and put it on the table before returning to sit on the edge of the bed. ‘Is that so very silly?’

‘Maybe not,’ she murmured. ‘You know I have a secret.

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