Chapter 106
He gave her a look, one of those patient, half-smiling stares that usually preceded a dry refusal. “And where exactly would I be getting this fresh air? My garden p>
“Not just your garden,” she said quickly. “Somewhere better p>
“Better?” he asked with raised brows.
“Mm-hmm.” She leaned forward, chin resting on her hand. “I was thinking… maybe a little drive p>
“A drive.” His tone was flat. “You p>
She blinked, feigning offense. “I may not have a car, but you do. And I happen to know you’re an excellent driver p>
“I was an excellent driver,” he corrected dryly. “Forty years ago p>
“Well, then, it’s time to see if the magic’s still there. Although I doubt it’ll leave you p>
He chuckled softly despite himself. “You truly have no sense of boundaries, do you p>
“None whatsoever,” she said brightly. “Now come on. We’ll take it slow. Just a short trip, I promise p>
“Rachel, I’m not—” He stopped, shaking his head. “Where exactly are we going p>
She’d somehow helped him tick a box the previous day just by being persistent so maybe he could repay her by honoring her wish.
Rachel looked at him and then pretended like she was trying to think. “Oh, just… somewhere nice p>
“That’s not an answer, Rachel. If I’m agreeing to take you, I should at least know where we’re going p>
“It’s a surprise p>
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I’m not fond of surprises p>
“That’s exactly why you need one p>
She met his gaze and smiled, a small, stubborn, hopeful smile that made him sigh again, the kind of sigh that said he’d already lost the argument.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you p>
“Not a chance p>
He studied her for a long moment, then finally said, “Fine. But if I collapse halfway, you’re carrying me home p>
“Deal,” she said, grinning.
Half an hour later, the car purred reluctantly to life in the driveway. Henry adjusted the rearview mirror while Rachel buckled her seatbelt beside him, her face lit with quiet triumph.
“This feels ridiculous,” he muttered as he backed out.
While he was still in good health, he didn’t drive himself since he had people driving him around, yet here he was, sick and without power, driving his caregiver. It was indeed ridiculous and unprecedented.
“I have to disagree with you. It doesn’t feel ridiculous. Rather it feels wonderful,” she countered, rolling down the window slightly. “See? Fresh air already p>
He shot her a dry look but didn’t comment.
The road wound through quiet countryside, the morning sunlight stretching over fields of gold. Rachel leaned back, eyes closed, feeling the breeze tug at her hair. It was peaceful, the kind of peace that only existed when life slowed down enough to be noticed.
She was glad Bella had been able to resolve her issues with Jake and was happy now. Hence, she could enjoy all this without having to feel guilty for being happy while her sister was suffering.
Henry drove carefully and slower than most would but at least, he was steady, and confident, the years of practice still evident in every movement.
After a few minutes, he glanced sideways. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going, or should I brace for a kidnapping p>
“Patience,” she said, smiling. “You’ll see soon. Just follow my directions p>
He shook his head, though the corners of his mouth twitched. “You’re insufferable p>
“You’ve told me that countless times,” she said lightly, and Henry shook his head in amusement.
He followed her directions until they arrived their destination.
The lake appeared like a sheet of glass between the trees; wide, and still, reflecting the pale morning sky. The water caught the light like melted silver. Henry slowed, his eyes narrowing as recognition flickered there.
“Rachel His voice softened. “This is p>
“The lake,” she finished for him, grinning.
“Why did you bring me here?” He asked as he stared out the windshield, the faintest trace of wonder threading through his tone.
“I’ve been wanting to come here one of these days. But after hearing about what Sandra did with the helps, I thought I should bring you along. Have you been here before?” she asked instead, making Henry chuckle softly.
“I used to come here every summer with Eleanor. Before p>
He didn’t finish, but he didn’t need to. Rachel smiled gently. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it p>
He nodded slowly, eyes still fixed on the water. “I haven’t been here in decades p>
“Well,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt, “today’s as good a day as any to change that p>
He opened his mouth to protest, but she was already out of the car, sunlight catching in her hair as she walked toward the shore. With a resigned sigh, he followed.
The air by the lake was cool and sweet, carrying the faint scent of pine. Birds dipped low over the water, and the ripples glittered in their wake.
Rachel took off her shoes and stepped onto the damp grass, smiling. “You know, you don’t need to look so tense. I promise I’m not planning to push you in p>
“Good,” he said dryly. “Because I’d likely take you with me p>
She laughed, a bright, open sound that made him glance at her with something like fond exasperation. “You’re impossible p>
“And yet you keep showing up p>
“That’s because someone has to make sure you live a little p>
“Live a little?” he echoed softly, his gaze drifting back to the water. “I suppose that’s exactly what you’re doing, isn’t it p>
Rachel swallowed, pretending not to hear the emotion under his tone. “Exactly. Now come sit p>
They found a bench near the water. Henry eased himself down carefully, setting his cane beside him. For a while, they sat in silence, listening to the gentle lap of waves.
He spoke first. “Thank you, Rachel. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed this p>
She smiled faintly. “You’re welcome p>
The breeze rustled through the reeds. Somewhere across the lake, a dog barked, and a child’s laughter carried faintly over the water.
Then, unexpectedly, Henry chuckled.
Rachel turned, surprised. “What’s funny p>
He gestured toward a pair of ducks waddling toward a loaf of bread left behind by someone. “That one’s bullying the other. It reminds me of my brother, always stealing what wasn’t his p>
Rachel giggled. “I can imagine,” she said, thinking about her and Bella and how she’d always guilt trip Bella into conceding to her.
The duck squawked indignantly, and Henry actually laughed — a real, deep laugh that startled her. She watched him, warmth blooming in her chest.
“There,” she said softly. “That’s number five p>
“What p>
“Nothing,” she said quickly, smiling to herself and then, decided to change the topic before he’d inquire further. “Mr. Hanes told me what you did for the staff. That was… very kind of you p>
He waved a thin hand dismissively, though his eyes softened. “They served at my house for years. It would’ve been wrong to let them go with nothing. Sometimes, Sandra forgets that loyalty deserves gratitude.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ
Rachel looked at him quietly, something shifting inside her. There was no bitterness in his tone, only weary acceptance. A man who had lived long enough to see the best and worst of people and chose compassion anyway.
“Most people wouldn’t have done that,” she said.
He smiled faintly. “Then most people forget too easily what it means to be human p>
For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Her throat felt tight, emotion catching her off guard.
Rachel watched him quietly, the way laughter softened the hard lines of his face, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled like the years had folded happiness there once and just waited for it to return.
Something inside her stirred, a warmth that was both light and confusing.
She wasn’t supposed to feel this… glad.
Glad that he was smiling, that his voice carried something other than exhaustion. Glad that his eyes, so often distant and shadowed, looked alive again.
Why did it matter so much?
Why did his happiness feel like hers too?
She looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap, and smiled faintly to herself. Maybe this was why Sandra wanted to make her life harder. Maybe Sandra saw it before even Rachel did that she was growing attached, that she was no longer just an employee.
But she didn’t care.
Let Sandra try all she wanted. Rachel wasn’t here out of obligation anymore. She was here because she wanted to be. Because Henry Camden deserved someone who cared enough to make him live again, even if he didn’t realize he was doing it.
She turned her head slightly, watching the light reflect in his blue eyes. “You said something about having a brother,” she said softly, “Chloe never told me you had one p>
Henry glanced at her, his expression softening at the question. “Ah,” he said after a pause, his gaze drifting back toward the lake. “Dan p>
Rachel waited quietly, sensing that whatever he was about to say wasn’t something he shared often.