“Kyra, I’m so sorry—” he began, but she waved a hand at him to stop.
“It was an accident,” she said. The twinge of guilt grew inside of her. “I’m sorry I freaked out at you and refused to listen to your explanation. I shouldn’t have kicked you out of the hospital room or yelled at you.”
He brushed away her apology. “It’s totally understandable. You were worried and upset. There I was supposedly taking care of Ava, and she gets hurt on my watch.”
Kyra shook her head. “No, you did everything right. Kids get injured sometimes—that’s just part of life. What matters is that you were there for her, and you acted quickly to help her as soon as she got hurt. If you hadn’t gotten Ava to the hospital, who knows if her injury could have gotten worse?”
“I was so scared when she cried,” he admitted. “I didn’t know if I should wake you up or get someone, but I just felt like I had to get her to a doctor—”
This time Kyra interrupted Marcus with her lips, planting them sweetly on his and taking a moment to show her gratitude in a different way. She wasn’t sure how things with Marcus could ever work with her returning to Georgia and him being one of the princes of Sovalon, but at that moment she wished it could. She was more attracted than ever to this handsome man who had taken such good care of her niece.
“Thank you for taking care of Ava,” she said and kissed him once more, lingering on his lips the way her wish lingered in her thoughts.
7
On the ride home from the hospital, Marcus’s lips buzzed. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve a kiss from Kyra, but he wanted to keep on doing it over and over again—maybe without the broken ankle.
As they pulled up to the estate, Ava released a loud yawn.
“You could use a nap, I think,” Kyra told her.
“I’m not sleepy,” Ava said, her words escaping in between yet another monster yawn.
“I think you are,” Kyra said.
Marcus helped Kyra tuck Ava in and after telling the housekeeper to keep an eye out for her, they headed outside for a much-needed walk.
“It’s really gorgeous out here,” Kyra commented as they strolled along a wooded path behind the house. “So peaceful.”
Marcus nodded. “Edward and Clementine were right about this place. Sometimes my father doesn’t agree with saving every historic site Clem and Edward set their sights on.”
“Your father doesn’t appreciate history?” she asked, and Marcus laughed.
“He likes the history that means he’s in charge,” he joked. “But he’s mostly focused on growth, making Sovalon more modern.”
“I see,” Kyra said.
“He and Edward bump heads often because of this issue, and my father is a man who’s used to getting his way.”
“That sounds like it can get sticky,” Kyra said. “But he’s supportive of the restoration of this place?”
“Absolutely,” Marcus said, although his father hadn’t been thrilled about it at first. He’d wanted to turn the property into a condo community, but Clem had swooped in and rescued it. “This house is really something.”
“The greatest part is that there’s lots of space to expand on the already large building,” Kyra said. “It would make a wonderful sanctuary for families in need of a place to go.”
Marcus heard the passion in Kyra’s voice. He admired how dedicated she was to her job. “You’re so good at what you do.”
She looked away, seeming shy. “I guess. Aside from my family, it’s the only thing I’ve put my whole heart into for a long time.”
They were silent for a moment until Marcus piped up.
“I have to admit, I really enjoyed hanging out with Ava today.” He paused then continued. “Until she got hurt, of course. God, I thought I’d die, I felt so helpless and worried that I’d been bad for her. All I wanted was to make things better.”
Kyra nodded. “That’s what it feels like to be a parent,” she said. “I’ve experienced my share of it between taking care of Maggie and now Ava.”
“I kind of liked it,” Marcus admitted. “It made me feel like I had a purpose, something more important than myself.”
“I can understand the sentiment,” Kyra said.
“And I liked that kiss too.” He grinned at her, hoping she’d take the bait and lay another one on him, but she stuck her tongue out at him instead.
“We should head in,” she said. “It’s almost dinner time, and I promised Ava spaghetti.”
“I think the chef should be able to handle that,” Marcus said.
“No chef tonight.” Kyra had a challenge in her eye. “Ava only likes spaghetti with her special sauce.”
Marcus frowned. “I can’t cook, Kyra.”
“Let’s give the kitchen staff the night off,” she told him. “I’ll teach you.”
Dear God in heaven, this man was not joking when he said he couldn’t cook. Kyra actually had to show him how to use a garlic crusher.
That wasn’t a deal breaker though. At least he was willing to learn.
“Do onions make everyone cry, or am I just a sensitive guy?” he joked, and Kyra laughed.
“So you sweat the onions and garlic in the olive oil,” she said and gave them a stir with a wooden spoon. “Add a generous dash of salt and pepper.”
“How much is a dash?” Marcus asked.
He had to be joking, but before she could be sure, she heard Ava’s sweet voice.
“Can I help?” the little girl asked.
“Absolutely!” Marcus said. His eyes lit up when they fell on Ava. The housekeeper was ushering the poor girl into the kitchen on her crutches. “Let’s pull up a stool for you.” Marcus grabbed a tall chair from the kitchen island and plopped Ava onto it.
“Thanks, Jan,” he said to the housekeeper before turning back to Ava. “So, your Auntie Kyra was telling me how much a dash is.”
Ava giggled. “I’ll show you,” she said and added the salt and pepper to the pan. “Now it’s time for the tomatoes and sauce, right?”
“You got it, baby,” Kyra said and grabbed the can opener.
“I can do that,” Marcus said and took the canned tomatoes and sauce from Kyra. Soon, the kitchen smelled of tomato-basil sauce, an aroma that reminded Kyra of home.
“Mmmmm,” Ava said. “I’m hungry.”
Marcus flicked the Sonos on, and began dancing around the kitchen, which distracted Ava from her hunger. She burst into laughter.
“Are you laughing at my dance moves?” he asked and swept her into his arms to join him, spinning her around before gently putting her down again.
Kyra stood back watching, unable to wipe the smile from her lips. Marcus had such an easy way with Ava. He seemed so authentic in his enjoyment of her and in spending time with Kyra. How simple would it be to let herself love this man? To create a home with him and raise their child in an atmosphere like this? They could dance around the kitchen in their own house.
Suddenly, Marcus grabbed Kyra and twirled her around.