The Lost - J. D. Robb [126]
“Thank you, Patrick.”
When he was gone, Aidan touched a hand to her middle, and wondered at the feelings churning inside her. She ought to be relieved. The decision was now out of her hands and placed in the capable, unerring hands of science. One way or another, she and Cullen would soon know the truth.
The old man touched a hand to her shoulder, and she wondered if he meant to soothe her or himself. “That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?”
“No.” She forced a smile. “Easy as pie.”
“Indeed.” He turned away. “I’ve ordered Sean to bring the car around to drive me to Glinkilly. Would you care to go along?”
She was about to refuse when a thought occurred to her. “I’d like that. I told Charity that I’d help her father with the figures for the Farmers’ Cooperative’s books if I stayed here long enough. It seems he’s feeling overwhelmed. And since I now have forty-eight hours to do with as I please, it’s the least I can do for her.”
Cullen arched a brow. “You’re good with numbers?”
“It’s what I did at the bank. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Cullen turned to Ross. “Would you care to join us?”
“Sorry.” Ross started toward the door. “I have things to attend to here.”
“I’ll just get my purse and meet you outside.” Aidan walked away.
“There’s the new wing of the school.” Cullen pointed with pride to the Glinkilly Academy, bearing his name, where stonemasons had perfectly matched the new stone to the original, so that it was impossible to tell the new wing from the old.
“And this is where the Farmers’ Cooperative meets.” He glanced beyond Aidan to Charity, who had volunteered to come along and introduce their guest to her father.
The car came to a stop and Sean hurried around to open the passenger door. Aidan and Charity stepped out.
Aidan turned. “How much time do I have?”
“An hour or two. Will that be enough?”
She laughed. “I have no idea the condition of the ledgers, but I’ll be ready to leave whenever you say.”
“Miss O’Mara, your car is here.”
It had been nearly three hours before the ancient Rolls pulled up to the door of the Farmers’ Cooperative. Before he could hurry inside to collect Aidan and Charity, the two young women stepped out into the sunlight, accompanied by four men who were all smiles.
As Sean held the passenger door, each man shook Aidan’s hand and thanked her for the work she’d done on their behalf.
“If you’ve a chance to visit us again, miss,” Charity’s father said in his thick brogue, “we’d be honored to have you to supper.”
“Thank you. If I’m ever back in your lovely town, I’d be honored to accept.”
One of the men turned to Cullen and tipped his hat. “Such a fine young lady she is, sir.”
The others nodded.
“She made it all so easy. A wizard with numbers, she is, and now that the columns of figures are properly tallied, we won’t be forgetting what she taught us this day.”
Aidan hugged Charity, who had elected to walk home with her father and the others, rather than return to the lodge.
As the car started away, the men were still smiling and waving.
“Well.” Cullen turned to study the young woman beside him. “You seem to have made quite an impression on the lads.”
“It was all very simple, really. Just columns of numbers. I showed them a few tricks to keep them from getting overwhelmed when the tallies don’t match up.”
“That was generous of you, Aidan.”
She shook her head. “I enjoyed it. It was nice to dip my hand in the work again. I’ve missed it.”
Cullen fell silent as the car moved along the familiar country roads. Then, playing the part of genial host, he began to point out things of interest, until they were once again home.
“If you don’t mind, my dear, I have some work to tend to in my office.”
“I don’t mind a bit.”
As she walked away, there was a spring to her step. She hadn’t been completely honest with Cullen. She hadn’t just enjoyed working with the farmers in town; she’d been over the moon at the chance to work again.
Aidan sat on a stone bench,