ally

sofa in the pantry. She stretched

een said, handing her a cup. "L

a sip. "Oooh, it's delicious, Noreen. Everything is just right. You're

ya. "Is he that scary?" No

to those who know him and know his likes and dislikes. He's strict, d

e' that makes him seem scary

he said he'll be working on the Maverick family's villa right away, and they're known for being fastidious

but she had promised herself

, and the bottom line was that Jonathan should have the bes

ere her biggest supporters, as were Lisbeth and her family. She wante

onathan asked when Noreen

d Jonathan and kissing his head. "But m

ling rows of tiny, pearly whit

oreen asked. "One of my friends at work said she likes

. "But, Mommy, I want to buy som

?" Noreen asked seriously. "If you want, Mommy

r said my drawing was good and p

you draw?" Nore

my room," J

onathan had been mentioning wolves a

ly? You even dream about them. Is it because

w. But I like that picture beca

ry to me. Well, as long as you don't ask us to keep

d found a seat by the window, then went to the co

handing Jonathan a green ice cream cone with

an said. "But I'm not fri

ith them, then. You can try tomor

chatting, Noreen and Jona

Jonathan was indeed interested in dra

at the drawing supplies

an. "Pick whatever you like. Mommy will go to the technical bo

He pointed to the red basket at his feet

to the technical books section. She was choosing be

el

A

erly woman leaning against a bookshelf. Her fac

rted the woman, worried she might fall. "Your hands are so cold. Wait

pread it on the floor, then helped the e

mineral water she always carried in her

oman said after taking a dri

rated, ma'am,

ot outside and it's so cold in here, but I for

t. "Just rest until you feel better. Or sh

an quickly. "I'll just sit for

handing her a ginger candy. "When I

g her feet. She remembered her mother and suddenly missed he

t's your name, honey?" the woman a

ith a smile. "Where is your house, ma'am? I

s, but I sent them off to get some coffee while I stayed. They look

ygu

n. Her clothes were neat and expensive, as were her bag and shoes. Then Noreen noticed

re family? But why was she left alone? Even the nec

ke being too constrained by protocol, so she politely dismissed her

ld woman asked. "I could actually mind-link, but the doctor told me not to unless it's a

bodyguard I should call, ma'am?" N

d the old woman. "O

uld she call someone she di

at are y

r son was carrying a shopping ca

ld you wait for Mrs. Ariel here while I look for her b

iel said. "You look just like my gr

"My name is Jon

She forgot her bodyguards' phone nu

who looked pleased. "Hi, grandma

flinched slightly, startli

oreen asked, confused, when

icity in his body,"

oreen asked