Joanna gasped at the display of strength. Addison’s grip was firm, but not so crushing to cause her hand to ache the next day like it had not so long ago. In seconds, Joanna was on her feet and just as quickly, Addison released her hand.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Addison said, watching as Joanna straightened her clothes.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Joanna said through a grin. “More embarrassed than anything else.”

“Well, embarrassment never killed anybody,” Addison said, motioning toward the chair at the end of the table. “Shall we?”

“Yes, of course.”

As if preparing for a duel, they both turned and headed to their respective seats, but as Joanna saw Addison sit down, disappearing behind the candelabra that blocked their views, Joanna said, “Addison?”

Addison let out a sigh. “Yes?”

“Thanks...thanks for helping me.”

The door to the kitchen swung open, and Iris shuffled out carrying their first course, distracting Joanna just enough that she never heard Addison quietly reply, “You’re welcome.”

***

Addison let out a huff as she looked at her watch, and getting to her feet, she strode from the room only to come to a stop when she reached the foyer. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sally disappear into the east wing carrying a large silver tray, and Addison’s anger began to simmer. Shoving her hands into her trouser pockets, she stood her ground and waited. A few minutes later, Joanna appeared and made her way down the staircase.

After her fall the week before it seemed to Joanna that Addison had placed a moratorium on her attitude, at least when it came to acknowledging Joanna’s presence at dinner. Though no words were exchanged during the meal, when she walked into the room, Addison had begun to offer a quiet “Good evening” before Joanna took her place at the other end of the table, and she eagerly replied in kind.

It wasn’t much. It was hardly anything actually, but after over three months of almost total disdain, it seemed to Joanna that one chip in the bedrock of Addison’s granite façade had finally broken loose. So, when she came to the last step, Joanna’s dimples appeared. “Good evening.”

Narrowing her eyes, Addison said, “You’re late.”

Joanna’s shoulders fell when she heard Addison’s stern tone. “Sorry, it couldn’t be helped.”

“It’s the third time this week.”

“I know, and I am sorry, but my father’s been a bit cranky of late, so it’s taking a little longer to get him settled for dinner.”

“I thought he was ambulatory.”

“He is…well, for the most part.”

“Then care to explain to me why my staff is taking him his meals on time, yet I have to wait for mine?”