27

“I have a better room for your use this evening,” Mathin said quietly, taking advantage of her grandmother’s distraction. The elder woman’s comments had him on edge, and he was the willing party! One glance at Andrea’s face was enough to see she was close to losing control. “It’s less...white. It also has a kitchen for you to work in. You’ll recognize many of the staples, and I’ll be happy to tell you about the unfamiliar ones.” When she did nothing more than glance at him out of the corner of her eye, he added quietly, “There’s a lock on the door. No one will disturb you.”

Still she said nothing, but the set of her shoulders relaxed.

It was an exquisite relief to withdraw for the evening. Sh