Nephew's Wife, The by Barbara Kaylor Read Free Book Online

ideas.  Rand was her employer and, therefore, off limits. Besides, she had issues to work out before even considering the possibility of a romance, and she was a long way from that.
    Satisfied with her appearance, Ellen stepped out of her room and ran smack into Rand who was on his way to see Dolly.  He caught her in his arms and steadied her back on her feet then widened his eyes at her.
    “Wow! You look so—different!” Lovely had been his first choice, but Rand had clamped down on the word before it could topple from his lips.  He was mesmerized by Ellen’s transformation.  Even the simple, sleek dress took his breath away. 
    “I decided to lighten my hair at the last minute as an extra disguise,” Ellen said, nervously.  Rand’s attentive eyes sent chills gallivanting all over her body. 
    “A wise move,” he said without taking his gaze from her.  “You don’t look anything like you did yesterday.”
    Uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze, Ellen turned toward Dolly’s room. “I was just going to get Dolly for dinner.”
    “I’ll join you.” 
    Dolly was where Ellen had left her, in her wheelchair by the window.  Rand filled Dolly in on his day while wheeling her to the elevator.  It was a repeat of the evening before.  All three boarded the small unit, and Rand pushed a button.  The doors closed, and the elevator descended quietly to the first floor where it opened up on a hallway near the dining room.
    “Ellen and I are going shopping tomorrow,” Dolly told Rand over coffee in the living room after dinner.
    Rand’s forehead wrinkled with worry.  “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Aunt Dolly?”
    “I thought you wanted me to get out?” Dolly shook her head, impatiently.
    “I’ll make sure she doesn’t do any laps at the mall,” Ellen teased.
    “Cute.” Rand winked at her humor. 
    Dolly swung the conversation around to the shopping trip, giving Ellen a rundown of her favorite dress shops she wanted to visit. Rand didn’t mind taking a back seat.  It gave him the opportunity to appraise Ellen.  Packaged in beauty and grace, she was a selfless, humble wonder.  Ellen was like no other woman he’d ever met.  She had a kind smile and deep, secretive eyes. 
    It hadn’t taken her long to fit in.  He marveled at how comfortable she was with his aunt.  Her mannerisms were genuine, so fluid and confidant as if she was designed to be here.  There was nothing insincere about her.  But —something warned Rand she was much more complicated than she seemed.  She’d had a lifetime of heartbreaking experiences.  One didn’t get through those without scars.  He knew that for a fact. 
    “Would you mind, Randolph?  Randolph!”  Dolly raised her voice.
    “Huh?” Rand jerked to attention.  “I’m sorry, Aunt Dolly, I was—uh—thinking about the work I brought home.  I really need to get to it.”  He hated fibbing, but it didn’t matter.  He’d been found out anyway.  The eyes of both women were glued to him like a tongue on an ice cube.  Ellen fidgeted nervously from his intense scrutiny while Dolly scowled.
    “I asked if you’d mind taking me back upstairs to bed.  I want to be rested good for tomorrow.”
    “Of course, Aunt Dolly.” 
    The three made their way back upstairs via the elevator.  Dolly was particularly quiet.  When they reached his aunt’s suite, Rand settled in the small sitting area off the bedroom while Ellen got Dolly ready for bed.  For some reason his aunt was upset with him.  He’d hear about it when they exchanged goodnights.                              
    “She’s ready for you Rand.”  Ellen strolled in.  Her casual smile brightened the dim-lighted room.  “I have her all tucked in for the night.”
    Rand stood and shoved his hands in his pants’ pockets.  The woman made him feel like a schoolboy, harboring a crush on his teacher.  “You’re amazing with her.  I’ve never known