Chapter 108
Grace ended the call abruptly. Only a fool like Alice would look at a guy like Yancey and think he was worth anything.
She turned to head back to Ethan’s bedroom, but the lights were off. For a moment, she considered leaving and finding some other place to crash for the night, but then the breeze from the balcony swept in.
That was when she realized Ethan wasn’t in bed. He was out there, standing in the dark. She didn’t have to get close to smell the cigarette smoke.
“Mr. Henderson, isn’t smoking bad for your recovery?”
Wasn’t his injury still healing?
The faint glow from the yard made it hard to read his expression, but Grace could still see the intensity in his eyes-something raw and expectant, something that got to her. Maybe visiting Eleanor’s grave had put him in a somber mood.
She stayed beside him, unsure of what to say.
Ethan carried himself like a breeze-there one moment, gone the next, but leaving an impression that stuck.
Grace caught the glow of the cigarette just before it reached his fingers.
“You’re going to burn yourself,” she said quickly.
Ethan slowly flicked the cigarette into the ashtray, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. But the damage was done. A red welt marked his skin.
Without thinking, Grace grabbed his wrist and blew gently on the burn. “Is there a first aid kit around? Do you have burn ointment? I’ll go get it.”
Due to the difference in their height, she had to tilt her head up to meet Ethan’s gaze. He swallowed hard and tried to pull away, but she didn’t let go.
“Mr. Henderson, I don’t know what’s going through your head, but you can’t keep neglecting your health like this. As for your insomnia, I’ll get in touch with an alternative medicine practitioner and find something that might help. I hope that’s okay with you.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than he asked, “Do you treat everyone this well?”
Grace froze, unsure how to respond. Ever since she had regained consciousness, Ethan’s behavior toward her had been complicated. It wasn’t exactly resentment.
He had his principles, though. He never asserted his rank over her as long as she kept things respectful. He had even cared for her when she got her period, which was more than most people would.
Before she could come up with a response, he had already pulled his hand away. “Get some rest,” Ethan said before heading back to his room.
She watched him turn on the nightstand lamp and climb into bed without a glance in her direction. She stood awkwardly for a moment before it hit her-she had been in Ethan’s room this whole time without being kicked out!
But she had no idea where she was supposed to sleep now. With no better choice, she sank onto the nearby couch.
Simon had asked her to stay and help Ethan with his sleep. She didn’t mind sticking around if her presence could ease his insomnia.
When Grace quietly approached ten minutes later to check on Ethan, he was already fast asleep. She couldn’t help but wonder if his insomnia had ever been real in the first place.
She went back to the couch. It was more than spacious enough as she curled up to sleep.
It wasn’t until her breathing slowed into the steady rhythm of sleep that Ethan finally turned over, his eyes landing on her from the bed. He studied her for what seemed like hours before finally closing his eyes and falling asleep.