Boxer: Hopkins Trilogy, #3

By Cali Moore

With his siblings moving out of the inn, Christopher finds himself on call all the time. After all, someone has to be there. The solution is easy enough and it is agreed he needs an assistant. It won't be an easy position to fill and they all know it. He finally finds the ideal candidate. Sydney is perfect and checks all their boxes. Satisfied the problem is solved, he heads off for his birthday party with old friends only to have a bikini clad Sydney jump out of the cake.

Knowing he can't work with her with that vision in his head, he comes up with a solution. The question becomes, how long will it take for the family to realize Sydney is more than just an assistant?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cali Moore
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393845836

Book preview

Chapter One

Y ou’re next victim is here, Christopher.

Christopher Hopkins grinned at the woman who had been his mother’s housekeeper for more than his thirty-four years. As of today. It was his birthday. Stella, I hope she didn’t hear you call her that, he scolded.

Now, Mr. Christopher, would I say anything to hurt your reputation? She teased.

Yes, he grunted.

Stella chuckled her way back to the foyer. Go on in, Miss Draper.

Sydney returned the woman’s smile because it was polite and because she was amused by the exchange she was sure they both knew she had overheard. Thank you, ma’am.

Christopher rose to greet the young woman. She was dressed more properly than he. He might be interviewing for an administrative assistant, but he was away from the inn and that meant vacation. It was also his birthday and he wasn’t old enough to dread them yet.

He knew from her resume that she was in her early twenties. She’d only graduated this past June with a degree in business administration from San Francisco State. She looked like an old-school librarian in her conservative navy suit, crisp white shirt with rounded collar, string tie, and practical pumps. The skirt came to mid-knee, but there was nothing wrong with the legs below that. The glasses did nothing for her in terms of fashion. Thick dark frames when she was more suited to gold or frameless with her honey blonde hair and blue eyes.

Christopher needed someone with a lot of energy. Now that Clair and Malachi were both married and living outside the inn, he needed someone beside himself available at the drop of a hat. Soon the castle conversion would be complete and house even more guests. The massive expansion of the past eight months had stretched everybody too thin and they needed help.

Yesterday.

On top of all that Clair and Holly were both carrying the next additions to the family. Knowing Holly, she was carrying two. She’d already done that once.

Sydney took advantage of his perusal to study him. He wasn’t what she’d expected. Christopher Hopkins was considered the quiet one of the well-known clan. His mother was a famous romance writer, his brother, Malachi, had been a world-class ballet dancer before his knees gave out. His sister, Clair, from what she had been able to gather, had been a hellion in her day.

Rather than the conservative business suit she’d expected, Christopher was wearing jeans, not too old, but not new either. His chest was covered by an open flannel shirt over a gray cotton Henley. It looked like a very broad chest. He was also tall, an inch or two over six feet. His hair was a reddish brown and slightly wavy. His eyes were a steely gray. No moles, freckles, scars or zits that she could see. His skin was either dark or slightly tanned, even in December. He was, she acknowledged, exceedingly handsome.

Good afternoon, Miss Draper, he greeted. I’m Christopher Hopkins. Have a seat. He waited for her to sit before doing so himself. Before I bore you with my monologue, do you have any questions?

Thousands, but your monologue might answer them so why don’t you start?

He smiled, pleased with the response. You asked for it, he teased. Have you heard of Romantic Valley Inn?

Certainly.

"We’re coming through a lot of changes. Frankly, it’s been hell. The entire family is involved in the inn. In the past two years we’ve added in-laws. We all have ideas and firm opinions. We are all granted our say. In other words, it’s been a war zone.

The inn itself has not been changed yet, but soon some rooms will go under renovation. The original theater was designed as a castle and will house all the rooms with those themes. He grinned. "Knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, that sort of thing. Those rooms will be moved out of the current inn and into the castle, freeing up that space for other popular themes. We hope all that will be completed before Easter.

We have also added a new theater and bar on new acreage and they will be open to the public. The grand opening for those is Christmas Eve. He closed his eyes. I have no idea what Mom and Malachi have planned for the show. They refuse to discuss it and grin a lot. That makes me very nervous.

Sydney smiled.

He gave her a wry grin back before getting serious again. The person who takes this job will have nothing to do with those. Malachi has full authority over the theater, and he and Holly will oversee the bar. Holly’s his wife.

The angel.

Christopher smiled. Holly had first appeared in San Francisco two years ago and earned the nickname of angel by singing to the homeless in their camps and on Pier 39 for money she then gave to them. No one knew who she was then. Last year, when she’d returned, Malachi did also and her cover was blown by his hovering. She was also here now and would return with him for the final preparations for the grand opening.

All the Hopkins came to the city to do their shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Clair and Raleigh had come and gone. As had Malachi. Christopher and Holly would return to the inn on Saturday.

Holly is a remarkable woman. She has an inner serenity that can only come from enormous faith. It’s seen her through some very bad times. She is not at all pious. Hell, she adores Raleigh, the rat.

An angel and a rat? She laughed. Mr. Hopkins, this is a very strange interview.

Raleigh’s the rat. He always sides with Malachi. I wouldn’t have thought it of him, but there it is. Clair and I are the only ones with any sense and hers is often debatable. Raleigh’s also responsible for the train and the horses.

Train?

His own brainstorm, Christopher muttered. "Malachi wanted a unique way to transport the guests from the inn to the new theater. Raleigh came up with the train, literally and figuratively. He’s been working for six months on its restoration. It’s a steam engine. Again, you won’t have much to do with that.

"I need someone at the inn at all times, Miss Draper. Malachi and Holly have built a house in the woods and they live there now. With the new theater and bar a half mile from the inn, they are rarely at the inn anymore. Clair has moved to the rooms in the stable to be with her husband. They’re adding to them, but Raleigh wanted to do the interior work himself and hasn’t had time with the train. The shell is done. It looks complete from the outside. It’s not. It’s not even close. Clair spends her days at the inn, but not the nights anymore. I am often gone in the evenings. I try to have a life outside of the inn. Our guests expect one of us to be around and it just isn’t happening any longer. We need somebody they will associate with the family. In essence, the person who takes this job will be an honorary Hopkins.

"With all the additional paperwork created by the expansion, I also need help in the office. Clair is responsible for all personnel. Payroll, benefits, all that fall to her. She has always acted as our family representative to the staff and will continue to do so during the day.

This position is basically twenty-four hours. The days will be spent with me on the books, filling in for Clair if she isn’t available, basically doing whatever needs to be done. The evenings and nights you’ll be on call. That doesn’t mean you won’t get time off. You will. I don’t know how set it’ll be, but I’ll promise two nights and two days a week. Maybe more once things settle down, but no guarantees. We’ll have to work that out. Unfortunately, this is an around the clock operation. That’s why the pay is high. Room and board is included on top of the salary. You’ll have Malachi’s suite on the family floor. Clair is around enough and their construction haphazard enough that she and Raleigh opted to keep hers. I have a suite and my mother has a suite. Mom’s not really around much. She comes and goes as she feels like. In essence, Miss Draper, you won’t have any expenses but your clothes. Not many young women can save fifty-five thousand dollars a year. You will be able to if you wish.

Sydney blinked. She could pay off her student loan in a year? She’d been looking at ten at the very least.

What I need, Christopher continued, Is someone in good physical condition. Even if you spend all day on paperwork, you’ll find yourself doing a lot of walking. I need someone who can take a lot of shit with a smile. Our guests are never wrong. He grinned. "Last spring some yo-yo brought his own cuffs for his games. His wife used them on him and it wasn’t until they were done, they realized he hadn’t brought the key. Raleigh, very diplomatically, managed to pick the lock and get him out of them. He and Clair barely made it to the elevator before they broke into hysterics. The guests can not be laughed at in their faces. It wouldn’t do at all.

"The bookwork is basic and all computerized. We use Window application programs, many of which have been customized to our needs. You will have to be trained on them and Clair will handle that since she uses more of them than I do. Your work with me will be mostly of the secretarial sort. I’ve never had a secretary because I had Clair. This is a one-for-all-all-for-one operation. If you want to be picky about your job description, this isn’t the job for you. If you’re the only one available to deal with a flooded toilet, you deal with it. Period.

You will work hard. You will learn more than you can ever imagine about things you didn’t even know existed. There isn’t a place like the inn anywhere in the world. You don’t know what’s going to happen on any given day, only that you probably won’t be bored. Are you any sort of athlete?

Just aerobics.

We have rooms for that. You can use them. What would you do if someone managed to confine themselves in such a way they couldn’t get out of it?

Call Raleigh? She said hopefully.

Christopher chuckled, liking the answer. And if he’s not there?

Put on a straight face and go see what I can do?

For starters. What if you couldn’t free him?

Call 911.

He shook his head. Only if a life is in danger. We don’t want the guests embarrassed any more than necessary.

She narrowed her eyes and chewed her lip. I don’t know.

He smiled. Right answer. I have no patience for overconfident fools. You will learn what to do. We have the tools to accomplish almost anything. One of us is almost always around somewhere and can be summoned quickly. We’re very careful about that, not all leaving the grounds at the same time. Clair was going to use the bolt cutters to free the idiot in his own cuffs. She hadn’t thought to call Raleigh because she’s too accustomed to solving these sorts of problems and just acts. That’s the mentality we need. Do you have any questions?

Is that how you dress?

Christopher looked at his casual attire. Not at the inn. I don’t always wear a suit, but nice pants and a blazer. What you’re wearing now is a little prim, but it’ll do if you prefer the conservative look. Clair’s always managed to mix professional and glamour, despite the fact that her preference is cowgirl. Wait’ll you see her suite. Come to think of it, wait’ll you see her husband.

Why?

He is a cowboy. Christopher shrugged. "I’ll be honest, Miss Draper. I like your youth. I like that you haven’t had a professional position yet. Frankly, it’ll make you easier to train for our needs. Clair came to the inn right from college and did fine. Hell, she did great, especially considering the size of the job she walked into. Malachi had been running the whole show until then and it was way too much for one person. As it is almost too much for all of us now.

"I see more growth down the road. If we come out of this expansion and still manage the sort of waiting lists we have now, we may go for whole buildings for each theme. It’s an interesting thought anyway. As far as personal growth, it’s probably there, but we will always be family owned and operated. If you’re looking for a CEO title in the future, you won’t get it with us.

My biggest concern is also your age. I do not mention that because I consider it a strike against you. As I just said, there are advantages to that for us. It’s a wash for me, but you have to understand what you’d be walking into. Your position will be an odd one. You’ll be closer to the family than most and privy to much of our lives. That is not fodder for the gossips and cause for dismissal. There is also the issue of a social life. Employee dating does go on. We have a dorm and many of the staff live in it. Odd hours, distance from places to go, all contribute to a sense of isolation. If you enjoy an active social life, you’ll go crazy in a month.

Sydney didn’t have a social life to worry about. That won’t be a problem.

Are you sure?

I have my own goals, Mr. Hopkins. Work will let me reach them, not partying.

What are they?

I have a reasonable amount of debt from school. A student loan. I want to pay it off as quickly as possible. My father worked hard his whole life to give us college. He’s had some problems and his business is suffering. The savings is gone and the house is on the block. My kid sister doesn’t see college in her future anymore. Her grades aren’t good enough for any sort of scholarship and she thinks I was foolish to go into such debt. I’d like to prove her wrong and be able to help her with school.

A good swift kick the pants might do more good, Christopher said dryly.

She’s fourteen, Mr. Hopkins. It’s not a good age. It’s too soon to know if she’ll come to her senses or not.

Perhaps, he conceded. I’m leaving on Saturday morning. I will make my decision by noon on Friday. If I don’t get a hold of you, call Stella. I want this wrapped up before I go back.

When do you want the person to start?

As soon as they can. He glanced at her resume. She’d been working for a temp service for months. Do you need to give notice?

They haven’t done much for me, but I probably should.

He nodded. I’ll try to reach you on Friday, one way or another. I won’t leave you hanging if you promise not to argue if you’re not chosen for the position.

She offered her hand. I won’t. Thank you. You’d be surprised how few even do that.

That’s one thing the hotel business teaches you.

What?

Civility is easy to give and works wonders. Good day, Miss Draper.

Mr. Hopkins.

Christopher walked her to the door and opened it to find Holly scurrying down the hall. He frowned. Holly, have we reduced you to eavesdropping?

She looked back, a guilty flush stealing up her cheeks. Only for this one.

He shook his head at Sydney. Why?

Clair liked her resume. She asked me to get a personal impression.

Clair agreed that this is my decision! He roared. What the hell was she doing reading the resumes?

She doesn’t want anybody stuffy. She said if you hired that Samantha person, she’d sick Pal on you.

He groaned. Even on my birthday I have to fight a battle.

It’s your birthday? Sydney asked.

He nodded. I’m going out with friends. I’m going to drink a whole bottle of JD, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to forget I have a family and an inn.

Holly grinned. I’ll remind you in the morning with pots and pans.

Holly! He bellowed.

She ran up the stairs laughing.

Sydney smothered her own laugh. Happy birthday, Mr. Hopkins, she said as somberly as she could manage. Thank you for taking the time to see me.

He studied her face for a moment. She really was rather attractive. He wanted to see her with her hair down and glasses off. Not bad, Miss Draper, he said, referring to her control over her mirth. Needs a little work. He turned back to the office and shut the door firmly.

Sydney allowed the grin to show as Stella opened the front door for her. Holly likes you, the woman whispered as she passed through.

Tell her thanks.

Tell her yourself. When you start work.

Sydney crossed her fingers and skipped down the stairs.

Christopher was about a quarter of the way through his quart of JD and feeling every drop. He was more mellow than he’d been in longer than he could remember. The damage was done. The expansion had either sunk their ship or created one that would sail any sea through any weather. All that was left to do was open the doors and see if people came.

It had been a rough couple of years between the battles and the romances of his siblings. He was ready for a little peace.

His host, Rick Denton, hit a button on his stereo and a drum roll sounded. Christopher’s eyes widened as the huge cake was rolled in. A cake that size meant only one thing. There was a woman for the filling.

He hadn’t had sex in longer than he wanted to think about, not that he’d sleep with a stripper, but looking had its own charms.

He sat up and waited for her to pop out. As birthday presents went, he thought it a fine one.

Until Sydney Draper popped out.

Christopher blinked rapidly, struggling to get sober fast. She was wearing a skimpy bikini, no glasses, and her blonde hair was free and loose. It was longer than he’d thought.

He hardened and swore.

The oath drew Sydney’s attention and her eyes widened in shock as she stared at Christopher Hopkins. Oh, my God.

Yes, he snarled and rose easily. He shrugged out of his flannel shirt and threw it at her. Cover yourself!

She quickly donned the shirt and then stared at him. You have no right to judge!

I had decided to hire you! He shouted back, his fascinated friends going still and silent for the drama.

One thing has nothing to do with another!

No? He asked incredulously and took a huge swig from his bottle. And what happens when I look at you in your prim little librarian’s uniform and picture this? He waved the bottle at her now-decently covered body. What happens when I remember the erection I have right now and tell you I want you in my bed? I’ll tell you what happens. You slap me with a lawsuit big enough to destroy us all. No way, woman! He turned and stalked away.

Sydney stepped over the cake and rushed after him, grabbing at his arm. You’ll forget.

Not likely, he snarled.

I’ll sign an agreement not to sue.

He stopped and stared at her. Will you go to bed with me?

No. That would be stupid, she pointed out logically.

Jesus, he swore, shook off her grasp and walked to the door.

Christopher? Rick asked.

What? He barked.

It’s your party. She can leave.

That stopped him. Christopher turned and regarded Rick. Damn it, you’re right. Get her out of here. He went back to his spot on the couch.

Rick wasn’t sure what to do. Christopher was going to hire her as his assistant? He groaned internally and approached her slowly. Miss? You’d best go. I’m sorry. He pulled out his wallet to pay her.

I didn’t dance, she said flatly, refusing it, and walked back to roll out her cake and get her clothes. No one followed her into the kitchen, for which she was grateful. Disappointment and anger didn’t make a healthy mix. She’d seen the results in her father the last several years and they weren’t pretty.

Sydney stepped into the overalls and sweatshirt she had worn on the way over and collapsed the cardboard cake to manageable proportions. She hung Christopher’s shirt over the back of a chair and glanced around to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything.

She thought about going to talk to Christopher, but she’d be damned before she’d be pathetic. With an angry sigh, she left the house through the back door and left behind the stupid fantasies she had been weaving all afternoon.

It looked like she was keeping her night job.

An hour passed before Rick sat down next to Christopher. Jesus, Chris, I’m sorry.

It’s not your fault, he replied and tilted the bottle to his lips. Getting drunk was a treat in itself. He hadn’t lied about the inn being a twenty-four hour a day job. It was. None of them ever got drunk on the premises, or off them if they were returning that same night.

Romantic Valley Inn was under attack as often as it was applauded. Too many groups ignored that they only catered to married couples or long committed partners. They sold sexual fantasy, not indiscriminate sex. It was also a first rate inn in every way. Their chefs rivaled the best in the world, their staff was trained to be discreet and solicitous. A guest wanted for nothing. Malachi’s work in the theater was highly praised by those who knew dance. His productions weren’t sleazy affairs, but almost of the quality of Off-Broadway. The music and choreography created there were good enough to be on Broadway itself and some of it had been.

Nothing would ever change any of that, Christopher vowed. Sydney Draper would be trouble. He wouldn’t have thought so this afternoon.

You were going to hire her, huh?

The bottle tipped again. You saved me.

She’s not a whore, Christopher, Brent Kale said, settling on his other side. I’m a cop. I’d know.

You’re homicide, Christopher pointed out dryly. What do you know about vice?

He grinned. Quite a bit. I have my share of them.

Cute, Christopher grumbled. He sighed. Damnation!

Liked her, huh? Brent asked. He was really more Malachi’s friend than Christopher’s. At least as kids. As an adult, he’d seen more of Christopher and Clair than Malachi.

For the inn, he qualified. Young enough to be trainable, smart enough to learn, and mature enough to handle the isolation.

So why change your mind?

I didn’t even think about sex this afternoon.

Rick chuckled and raised his own glass of scotch. And now you are?

It’s been too damn long, Christopher lamented. I’m rich, I’m attractive, even members of my family think I sleep with a different woman every night. I haven’t been with a woman in... He raised his fingers to count. Shit, I don’t have enough.

No one to blame but yourself, Rick pointed out. You and that damn boxing of yours.

I blame Malachi and Hix.

Why? Brent asked.

They get hard, they crook their fingers, and they’re soon flaccid with stupid-ass grins on their faces. It’s not fair.

You’re jealous, Brent laughed.

They don’t even have to work for it! He groused. All Hix has to do is look at her and Clair starts getting naked.

What does Malachi do? Rick asked.

He’s worse. Holly just seems to know, he whined and took another swallow. I hate them.

You do need a woman, Brent pronounced.

Christopher glared at him. Damn, you’re quick. Where did you get your degree?

Brent laughed.

This isn’t funny, Kale, Christopher grumbled. Not only would a woman be nice, but I still don’t have an assistant! He pushed to his feet. I gotta go. Jesus, why can’t anything ever be easy?

You’re not driving!

No. I’m walking. Rick, I’ll get my car in the morning.

Some birthday boy, Rick complained.

Brent smiled sadly. The inn’s only successful because they give it their all, Rick. Christopher’s just tired. He does need a woman, but not just for sex. He needs a wife to come home to and remind him there’s more to life than work. I imagine it’s even harder for him now with Malachi and Clair both happily married.

You haven’t been divorced.

Have to get married to manage that one. He stood up. I know how Christopher feels. I wouldn’t mind a wife either, as long as she was the right one.

Chapter Two

He was going to kill her.

Christopher pulled the covers over his head and wondered what the most painful method of murder was.

Metal kept clanking.

He pulled the sheets down. I don’t care if you are my brother’s wife. I’m going to kill you, he growled.

Satisfied with the reaction, Holly ceased her racket and sat down on the edge of the bed. I’m not the reason you have a hangover.

You’re the reason I’m not sleeping it off!

Are you going to hire Sydney?

Christopher groaned and pulled the covers back up. No.

She’s perfect!

No.

Christopher...

"No! He roared. It’s my assistant, so my choice! His head throbbed. Oh, God."

He’s got no sympathy for stupidity, Holly said dryly.

Christopher pulled down the covers again and glared at her.

Tell me why and I’ll leave you alone.

He grunted. If you agree.

If I don’t, I’ll argue, then I’ll leave you alone. She smiled.

I don’t want to argue. All I ever do is argue.

Holly patted his hand. This is probably wonderful practice for dealing with Sebastian and Simone in a few years, she said, referring to her young twins, And I appreciate it, but you can stop behaving like a child now.

Murder, he said with relish. Painful, gruesome murder.

Tell me and I’ll go get a cup of coffee for you.

Christopher sat up and regretted it. He groaned again. Let me shower. Tell Stella I want eggs, bacon, toast and hash browns, and then you can serve me the coffee and I’ll explain.

Promise?

Yes.

Holly leaned over to kiss his stubbled cheek. All right.

The shower didn’t help. Christopher went to the dining room with high hopes that food would. Unfortunately, he knew perfectly well that only time would do the trick. Stella set his breakfast in front of him and Holly poured him a mug of coffee. Want some JD in it?

Not yet. I’ll see how much the food helps first.

Holly sat down and let him get through half his breakfast before prodding him. So, what’s wrong with her?

Christopher frowned. I didn’t think anything was, he admitted. Until last night.

You went to Rick’s for a guys’ night out. Where did you see her last night?

Rick’s. He lifted his mug and grimaced at the strong taste. His mother had made this pot. She often forgot to count her scoops if she was wrapped up in one of her stories. You never knew what you were going to get if Louise made the coffee. They got me a cake.

That was nice. Holly made an impatient face. What does that have to do with Sydney Draper?

She was the filling.

Oh. Holly’s mouth fell open. Oh!

The prim little librarian of yesterday has quite a bod in a bikini, he said dryly. Shit, Holly, how could I work with her when I’ll keep seeing her jump up from a cake in little more than nothing?

Difficult, she admitted. Holly tapped her fingernails on the table. It’s not like you can’t control yourself.

And the first time I look at her cross-eyed, we have a lawsuit on our hands.

How were the other applicants?

Christopher thought about the fifteen people he had interviewed over the past three days. Sydney had been the last, and by far the best in terms of personality. To be fair, he’d interviewed three men, but that only reinforced his feeling that a female was better suited to the position. They were more tolerant and they needed that for the guests. He needed that. He was too used to working with Clair, who he could bellow at for little or no reason at all without hurting her feelings. She just yelled right back when she had enough.

There had been more qualified applicants, several of them with years of hotel experience under their belts. His concern there was Clair. If anyone tried to tell her she was doing it wrong, she’d likely deck them. She had set things up to be easy for her and a green girl wouldn’t question her methods. The last thing he needed was a clash between Clair and his new assistant.

There had been other recent graduates, but Christopher had sensed either an ambition that they couldn’t satisfy or a restlessness that would make the isolation of the inn intolerable. One had looked so hot he figured every male dancer, bellhop, and waiter would know her bed by spring. They definitely didn’t need that.

There was something about each that didn’t sit right. This isn’t an easy position to fill, Holly.

Maybe you should just marry the girl. Then hire her.

Not amusing, he said and risked the coffee again. God, this is awful.

Louise made it when she surfaced. Louise Hopkins had never written in December when her husband was alive. She got a little too wrapped up and he’d wanted her aware and conscious of reality for the holidays. With him gone and the children all in the mountains she didn’t always follow that rule any more.

I figured. Sydney offered to sign a paper saying she wouldn’t sue.

Would that hold up? Holly asked hopefully.

I don’t know.

Check with your sharks.

It doesn’t solve my personal problem, he pointed out.

It’ll be different at the inn, Christopher, and you know that. You’ll be too busy to think about sex and if she’s efficient enough you’ll soon view her in a more appropriate light. Judging by the state of your eyes, you were quite drunk last night. It was your birthday, you thought the problem was solved. It’s possible you’re over-reacting.

And if I’m not? He challenged. Holly, the woman is going to be living next door to me! I may never sleep again.

You see attractive women in skimpy costumes all the time, Holly reminded him. The housekeeping staff at the inn dressed the part of servants for the themes of the rooms they maintained. The girls in the harem and pirate wings were the least clad, but even the serfs in the medieval wing weren’t overly covered in their brown serge with plunging necklines and high hems. If you ignored such things as electricity and plumbing, when you stepped into a wing, you saw nothing that wasn’t appropriate for the time and place it represented. Even the fabulous food room service brought up was served in the vessels of the time.

I pass them in the hallway. I don’t even notice them anymore, Holly. It’d be a little harder to ignore my assistant.

Go talk to her, Holly suggested. Maybe you’ll find a way.

He couldn’t see how, but damn it, he wanted