The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

At those words, everyone turned to look at Stella.

She looked a little startled herself.

Abby, who understood Foreman's intentions better than most, quickly tried to smooth things over with a warm smile. "Looks like Mr. Richards is just as tired as the rest of us. Why don't we all get some rest?"

Foreman nodded and called over the butler. "Please prepare two rooms for Ms. Cameron and Ms. Murphy."

The butler gave a respectful nod. "Right away, sir."

After their rooms were ready, Stella made her way to Abby's room.

Frowning slightly, Stella asked, "Abby, do you think it's really appropriate for us to stay at Foreman's place?"

Abby replied, "It's certainly better than you getting caught up in trouble. Besides, I'm here with you. What's there to worry about? And Foreman's not that kind of guy. I really don't think he'd try anything."

Stella shook her head. "It's not that I'm worried about him doing anything-I just feel like we're imposing."

Abby knew Stella well; she'd never been comfortable with even a hint of impropriety around men.

"I'll go talk to Foreman," Abby offered.

Stella nodded in agreement.

About ten minutes later, there was a knock at Stella's door.

Abby entered with Foreman.

"Stella," Foreman began gently, "Abby tells me you're not comfortable staying here. Did something make you uneasy?"

Stella shook her head. "It's nothing like that. I'm just not used to staying in someone else's house."

After her divorce, Stella had always lived in her own place-she'd rarely stayed over at anyone else's home.

Foreman took this in quietly, then said, "It's already late tonight. Please, stay here for now. Tomorrow, I'll have my people check out the hotels in the city to make sure they're safe. Once we're sure, you and Abby can move out if you'd like."

It was a reasonable solution.noveldrama

Stella relented. "Thank you, Foreman. I appreciate it."

He smiled. "Whether it's because of "Whether our friendship, or for Haynie's sake, this is the least I can do. But Sandford's a big city-it might take more than a day to check

everything. I'll do my best to hae

ve

it

all sorted within three days. In the meantime, I'm sorry for any inconvenience."

With that, Stella didn't feel she could refuse him again.

The next morning, when Foreman came downstairs, he found Stella already busy

in the kitchen.

The doctor had given Foreman a few prescriptions yesterday, mostly for restorative tonics.

Having spent years working alongside Mr. Burton, Stella was more than capable

of preparing nourishing soups and remedies.

She wasn't the kind to accept favors

without giving something back. Foreman had been hurt because of her, he'd sheltered both her and Abby, and now was even going out of his way to help them.

Cooking was the one practical skill she could offer-aside from her music so Stella took charge of breakfast and began simmering the prescribed broth.

Foreman stood in the doorway, watching her work with quiet focus.

He wasn't sure why, but he found himself oddly transfixed.

In that moment, he suddenly understood why, despite all the meddling from

Jasper and Rachel, Haynes had been so reluctant to let her go.

Maybe being cared for like this was a feeling he'd been missing all along.

"Mr. Richards, you're up early!" Abby's cheerful voice rang out from behind him.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Foreman smiled at her. "Good morning, Abby."

Stella heard them and glanced over her shoulder. "Why don't you both wait in the dining room? I'll be finished in just a minute."

Instead, Foreman stepped into the kitchen. "Let me help."

Without missing a beat, he started washing vegetables and set about assisting Stella, as if it were second nature.

Abby watched Foreman move around the kitchen with surprising ease. "Mr. Richards, I didn't know you could cook!"