“Yes!” She yelled, then lowered her voice. “Haven has no idea about the account. I want to make sure when I’m gone; she’s taken care of. That disgusting two-timing boyfriend of hers can’t be counted on to do right by her. Truth be told, that relationship is doomed and probably won’t make it to the end of winter. She doesn’t know that I’m aware, but she’s entirely dependent on the loser!”
Ellis tilted his head from side to side as if cracking the sides of his neck. “So, you’re telling me, you have close to half-a-million dollars in an account for that woman, and she doesn’t know?”
“That’s exactly what I'm telling you. Haven’s so proud that if she knew, she might not even take the money. So, keep quiet about it and promise me one thing.”
“I’m trying to absorb what you’ve told me, and you want me to make promises?”
“Yes, I do.”
He couldn’t deny his grandmother anything. “I will if I can. What is it?” Ellis was somewhat relieved. Although, he still had some lingering doubts that Haven wasn’t trying to use his grandmother, and Bertha was trying to cover for her.
“Promise me that after I’m gone, you’ll look after her.”
He frowned. “Is there something going on that I should know about?”
“No. I’ve already told you. I’m an old lady. I won’t be around forever, Ellis. Please promise me.”
“She means that much to you?”
His grandmother whispered, “Yes.”
After careful consideration, Ellis leaned over, picked up her hand, and kissed it. “Anything for you. I promise to make sure that I’ll keep an eye on her.” That wasn’t exactly the same thing that she was asking, but it was the best he could at the moment. It was a promise he could keep.
Chapter 4
Haven didn’t get much sleep. After an unsatisfying night of making love with Dylan, it took a while for her body to calm down. He was quick to find his release only to roll over mumbling something about having to get up early.
If she were honest, sleep wouldn’t find her. Not only because she was sexually frustrated, but because Dylan had disappeared again. Her woman’s intuition told her that he was up to his same old tricks.
She exhaled and tried to put her problems to the back of her mind. Haven needed to be fully engaged and present to do her job with Ms. McKenna. She didn’t deserve their time together to be tainted by her situation. Haven put her key in the front door of the McKenna mansion and dragged herself inside.
Her shift didn’t start until eight, and it was a little before. The nurse would be bringing Ms. McKenna down for breakfast soon.
She felt him before she saw him. “Damn.” Ellis was the last person she wanted to run into. He rounded the corner with a bottled water in one hand while talking on his cell phone with the other.
He’d noticed Haven immediately and saw her duck into the library.
His voice was loud. “Yeah. E-mail me the language to the contract. I’ve got to deal with something else right now. I’ll call you back in about ten-fifteen minutes.”
Haven could only hope he wasn’t talking about her. She prayed he continued walking past the library. Just her luck, he sauntered inside, muscles glistening in sweat from what looked like a vigorous morning workout. The man had a body like she’d only seen in magazines. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. He was ripped without being bulky. She was amazed. He was too evil for God to bless him like that.
“I was hoping to have a moment alone to talk to you.”
Haven thought to herself, He’s a jerk. All men were gigantic pimples right between the ass. “Funny. I was hoping I’d be able to avoid you.”
Ellis smirked. “Highly unlikely, considering I’m going to be here for the next few months or so.”
Haven rolled her eyes. “Great. Then, I suppose it’s best to have this discussion now to get it over with.”
He took a long pull from his water bottle. “Are you always this irritable with your employer in the morning, or, is it just me?”
“Considering you’re my employer’s grandson, I’d prefer not to answer that question.”
“Fair enough. I’ll get right to the point. My grandmother has become quite fond of you over this past year.”
“As have I of her. She’s a lovely woman.”
“Friends don’t usually take a paycheck, among other things, to be a companion.”
“Ellis, I’m not going to stand here and defend myself to you. But, what I will say is your grandmother wouldn’t have had to pay me to be her companion if her only grandson would quit gallivanting all around the world and spent some quality time with her. She’s seventy-six years old! Most of her days are behind her, and you’re all she’s got.”
“My relationship with my grandmother is none of your business!” Haven touched a nerve in just the right spot.
“Considering she’s the one who hired me, I would say my employment with her is none of yours either.”
“Watch yourself. I sign your checks.”
“Ahh . . . If you didn’t make yourself clear yesterday, now, I get it. You’re a bully and an asshole.”
“I’m that and then some.” Ellis could get rid of Haven at the snap of
