Grace Among Thieves Read Free Page B

Good for me because then I’m not overtaxing my aging butlers. Good for him because the job changes by the minute. He’s actually very adept at organization.”
    “Your other assistants don’t resent him?”
    “On the contrary, they’re relieved. They prefer keeping to what they know: serving meals, tidying rooms, and ensuring my clothing is clean and pressed. They don’t like to surf the Internet, investigate e-readers, or set up a new DVR.” Bennett gave a low chuckle. “And up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t know what half of those contraptions were. Thanks to Davey, I not only understand them, I enjoy them. Davey is a godsend,” he said. “But we were talking about Jack.”
    “No,” I said gently, “
you
were talking about Jack.”
    “Ah. Is that your polite way of telling the old man to keep his nose out of your business?” He asked it with a smile but I could tell I’d hurt his feelings.
    “Not at all.” The last thing I wanted to do was wound Bennett. “Truth is, there’s nothing to tell. I mean, you’re right. I did think that we . . . I mean, I originally believed that . . .” I struggled to put into words what I’d thought—what I’d been so sure of. How differently things seemed to be working out.
    I tried again. “Jack has practically disappeared from my life since . . .” I shook my head. “I mean, he stops in at my office now and then, but . . .” Words failed me. “I can’t blame him,” I finally blurted. “I had a lot to do with hurting his family.”
    “The hurt was there. It was not your fault.” This time Bennett patted my arm. “Because of you they can finally face the truth and begin to heal. Give Jack time.”
    I forced a laugh to lighten the mood. “Well that’s easy enough to do. It’s not like I have men lining up to ask me out.”
    “That’s because you spend all your time here. You need a vacation.”
    I smiled. “I haven’t been employed here long enough.”
    “Well then, maybe you should take a working trip. I’m overdue for an excursion myself. There are always treasures to be uncovered in distant lands, right?” He straightened. “That’s it! An ideal solution. When this filming is over and Corbin packs up, let’s talk about a trip overseas.”
    “You and I? Together?”
    “As long as you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in the company of an old man.”
    “Old man? Who else are you intending to invite along?”
    He smirked at my flattery but seemed energized by the idea. “Wonderful. We’ll make plans. I think it’s what we both need. There’s been far too much trouble around here lately. And
you
need to meet an eligible bachelor or two.”
    “You just advised me to give Jack time.”
    He shrugged. “Nothing wrong with a little competition. Makes the win even sweeter.”
    “I don’t know, Bennett—”
    He held a finger to his lips, letting me know the subject was closed for now. “Let’s go down,” he said, “before Hillary steals anything else.”

Chapter 2
    “CORBIN!” BENNETT’S VOICE BOOMED AND echoed in the cavernous space as we made our way to the far side of the banquet hall. “How is the project going?”
    “Right on schedule.” Corbin raised both fists in the air, and grinned widely. “Couldn’t be better.”
    I liked Corbin, but it had taken me a while to get used to that wacky smile of his. I’d come to realize that despite the fact that all his front teeth showed at once—stretching his face far more tightly than it was meant to—his expression of glee wasn’t as forced as it first appeared. A personal quirk. Part of his charm.
    And charming he was. A bundle of energy, the sixty-three-year-old director sported gray hair, which fell to his collar, and a small diamond stud in one ear.
    Bennett wore a deadpan expression. “I see you’ve met my stepdaughter.”
    “Oh, Daddy.” Hillary sidled up to grip his arm. “Corbin and I are good friends. You know that. I told you how excited I am to