Regret Came Too Late

Ethan lay in bed while Grace, still too sore to fall asleep, noticed him reading a book. She quietly sat down at the edge of the bed.

"Mr. Henderson, I noticed you're walking a bit stiffer than usual. Do you want me to massage your legs a little?"

"Okay."

Grace had been looking for something to do anyway. Since he agreed, she scooted closer without hesitation. But the second her hands touched his legs, a voice called out from outside the door.

"Uncle Ethan, are you asleep?"

It was Jodie.

Grace froze and yanked her hands back, panicking as she jumped up to find a place to hide.

Jodie's possessiveness toward Ethan was no secret. If she saw Grace in the same room as him, she might actually lose her mind.

Grace had asked Susie about her before. Jodie was one of the few women who had unrestricted access to Palm Bay, and she was known to be on especially good terms with Ethan.

Just as Grace stood up, a hand grabbed her wrist. She instinctively jerked away, hard enough to hurt herself.

Ethan gently steadied her, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's fine."

She let out a breath and sat back down, realizing her reaction had been a little too dramatic.

was still

page in his book and responded evenly, "What is

lost it here in Palm Bay. Please don't be

tone grew more pitiful

know you only brought her here for my brother's sake, but she doesn't belong here. She's not worthy. Aren't

moment her name came

woman was currently in the same room with the man

Ethan asked her softly, "What's

down, embarrassed. "I was just wondering

of

something she meant to say

to walk it back "No, I mean, I just think.. Maybe if you got married, Jodie wouldn't cling to you so

clearly flustered. But Ethan caught her wrist again. "You're injured. Don't

"Oh... Okay."

the warmth of

heard him ask, "Do you

thought she was into