“This has cut short all your help with giving interviews and dealing with the press.”
“I’m still here and we’ll continue. Besides, you’re a fast learner.”
“You don’t really know that, but I’m trying. Aaron, when we fly to Dallas on Tuesday, I want to visit with my mom in Fort Worth. I called her and we made plans to have lunch. She’s meeting me on her lunch hour and my grandmother has gone to Abilene to stay a week with my aunt. You’re welcome to join us for lunch if you want, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I’ll pass because you don’t see her real often, so she may want to talk to you alone. I’ve got a limo for you—”
“A limo? Aaron, that’s ridiculous. I can rent a car at the airport.”
“No need. Cole and I have a limo service we use and two men who regularly drive for us. Sid will drive you Tuesday. He’ll take you to Fort Worth for lunch and the interview and then he’ll drive you back to a shop I recommend in Dallas where you can buy some new dresses. He’ll either wait or give you a number and you can call him when you’re ready to be picked up.”
“I’m beginning to feel like your mistress.”
Aaron laughed. “This is for Royal. I expect you to get a lot of donations for the town. Just keep thinking about the good we can do. Now if you would like to be my mistress—”
“Forget that one,” she said, and he chuckled.
“We’ll get back to talking about business tomorrow. Tonight I have other things on my mind. You don’t have any morning sickness, do you?”
“Not a bit so far. I just can’t eat as much and sometimes I get sleepy about two in the afternoon.”
“Why don’t you catch a few winks. The world won’t stop spinning if you do. You’re vital to Royal, Stella. You’ve done a superb job, but the world will go on without you for the time it takes you to get a good night’s sleep.”
“Thank you, Dr. Nichols. How much do I owe you for that advice?”
“About two dozen kisses,” he said, and she laughed, pushing him on his back and rolling over on top of him.
“I’m going to pay you now.”
“Best collection I’ll ever make,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.
* * *
Aaron stirred and rolled over to look at Stella. She lay on her back, one arm flung out, her hair spread over the pillow. She was covered to her chin by the sheet. Even in her sleep she stayed all covered, which amused him.
She continued to fill in for the mayor. It amazed him how people turned to her for help, everyone from the city treasurer to ordinary citizens. He didn’t think Stella was even aware of the scope of what she was doing for the citizens of Royal. She was one of the key people in restoring the town and securing assistance for people. She was willing to accept his help and he could introduce her to so many people who would contribute to rebuilding Royal. He liked being with her. He liked making love with her. She excited him, and the more he got to know her, the more he enjoyed her. If she would agree to marriage, he thought, with time they would come to really love each other.
He thought of Paula and Blake, and the dull pain came as it always did.