Admittedly Kelly was glad to see them go. Their offer was flattering, but she’d worked herself silly, put every penny she had to get this operation running. No way was she giving it up now for a loft in Soho.
With her former colleagues gone, the parking lot was empty. Kelly left her office to collect the receipts of the day. She had to pay the staff and make sure they would show up next week. Their checks were already written and in envelopes. They’d gathered in the large ballroom. Jace and Ari were there when she went in.
“Great day,” one of the women said. “I had a very good time.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to come back next week and do it again?” Kelly asked with a smile.
“Absolutely,” she said.
Kelly passed out their paychecks and said she’d expect them next week. “If anyone can’t make it, please let me know as early as possible, so I can find a replacement.”
“Will do,” someone said.
They filed out, leaving Jace and Ari as the only people in the room with her.
“You look tired,” Jace said.
“I’m exhausted,” she confided. “But my day is not done. I have to count receipts.”
“Want some help?” Ari piped up.
Tension drained out of her at the small child’s willingness to take some of the weight off her shoulders. Dropping down to his level, she hugged him. “Thank you, but you’d better eat your dinner.” She ruffled his hair. “That is if you didn’t eat too many of those cakes.”
“I didn’t. Dad wouldn’t let me.” Ari twisted around to check his dad’s compliance.
Kelly glanced at Jace. She stood up. “Thank you for coming back and helping. I know you didn’t want to.”
“You were spread too thin,” Jace said.
She realized his comment wasn’t censure on her decision about the house. She was glad because she was too tired for a debate.
“I have to go back to the office, but before I go what did the doctor say?”
“I don’t have asama,” Ari stated proudly.
“Asthma,” Jace corrected. “They have to get some test results back, but he doesn’t believe Ari has asthma.”
“What?” A smile spread across her face. “How?”
“The doctor said he may have been allergic to something in Colombia that caused restricted air flow.”
“Do they know what it was?”
Jace shook his head. “Whatever it was, we didn’t bring it with us. And apparently, it’s not here.”
“That’s why I breathe,” Ari said.
“I was concerned when I bought the horses that he wouldn’t be able to ride, but he’s taken to them.”
“What about his leg?”
Ari skipped around the room. “All gone,” he said, then ran back to Jace.
“Lack of activity. And he has a shorter tendon in one leg. With exercise and time, it’ll be unnoticeable.”
“He does appear to have less of a limp now than he did a couple of months ago.”
Jace nodded, putting his hands on Ari’s shoulders.
Kelly studied the tiny face. “You’re going to be fine,” she told him, still smiling. Ari left his dad and ran to her. She bent down and caught the small bundle. “Congratulations. This is the best news I’ve had today.”
“Me, too,” he said. “Best news.”
“You’d better go in to dinner. I’ll be in as soon as I finish the receipts.”
“You’re exhausted,” Jace said. “Why don’t you come to dinner first and then check the receipts.”
“I’ll be right there,” she said. “I need to find out if I’m going to meet the bills this month.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JACE LOOKED AT his watch. Kelly hadn’t come to dinner before he and Ari had finished and cleaned up. Ari practically fell asleep at the dinner table. The doctor’s office and the excitement of a long day took its toll on him. It had been long for Jace, too. He went to the kitchen and made Kelly a sandwich and poured a glass of milk. Carrying the tray to her office, he went inside. She was asleep at her desk.
He hated to wake her. From the way he’d seen her rushing about, she’d had to be dead on her feet. He couldn’t allow her to stay like that. It was uncomfortable and, besides, she could possibly fall. Jace put the tray on the table. Turning her chair and holding her, he lifted her into his arms with the greatest care. She stirred, but didn’t come fully awake.
He refused to look at her sleeping face, but he couldn’t stop her pretty scent. She used some kind of floral shampoo and the sweet smell filled his nostrils. Her skin was silky smooth and warm to his touch. Jace carefully carried her up the stairs. Gently, he laid her on the bed. He removed her shoes and pulled a spread over her. Then, taking one last look, he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.