“Em? You still there?” Annalise asked.
He didn’t answer her. His thoughts were locked on the loss of his family.
In the time since they’d left him behind, Lance had withdrawn from the world, barely leaving his estate and clinging to the anger he felt at their deaths. He tried his best to rebuild his life but found it hard to not be consumed by grief that made him sullen and disgruntled. He knew he was considered a recluse, and he welcomed the clear field everyone gave him when he did venture off his estate.
Writing and fishing were his sanctuaries.
“Em?”
He cleared his throat and picked up his pen to tap against the edge of his notebook at a rapid pace. “Annalise, I really need to get back to work,” he said, using his free hand to shift the hat he still wore low over his face. “Just line up a list of appointments in two weeks, here at the estate, and I’ll select a new assistant.”
“Okay, but, Em—”
“Annalise, please,” he stressed. “Let me be, damn it.” His shoulders slumped with regret, “Annalise—”
The sound of the dial tone echoed into the air.
He reached and hit the button to end the call on his end before dropping his pen and sitting back in his reclining chair as he wiped his hand over his mouth.
Lance felt remorse for his harshness, but he also felt Annalise was wrong to press him to move out of his grief on her terms. He knew she wanted more from him than he was willing to give to anyone. Love and a new relationship were not a part of his plan.
Memories of his time with his Belle and Emma were more than enough.
Copyright © 2019 by Niobia Bryant
ISBN-13: 9781488034480
Her Christmas Wish & Designed by Love
Copyright © 2019 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Her Christmas Wish
Copyright © 2019 by Sherelle Green
Designed by Love
Copyright © 2019 by Sheryl Lister
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