“Well, if I do this, and you eat, then you’ll be ahead of the game. Now please, dear, sit down and eat it while it’s hot. I’m fine, really.”

Having had this argument with the woman before, Joanna knew there was no point in going any further. Sitting down at the small kitchen table, she dove into her meal like it was her last.

“This is delicious,” Joanna said between forkfuls. “You have to give me the recipe.”

“I did already. Several months back, if memory serves.”

“Oh...I forgot.”

“No worries, dear. I’ll write it down again if you’d like?” Millie said, walking to the table to take Joanna’s empty plate. “Another helping?”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll keep the leftovers for Dad’s supper tomorrow. Two nights in a row without takeaway, he’ll think he’s in heaven,” Joanna said with a giggle. “Now, how about you sit, and I’ll make us some tea?”

“That would be lovely,” Millie said, placing the last dish in the drainer to dry. “It will give us time to talk.”

Chapter Three

Joanna returned to the table with a fresh pot of tea, and sitting down, she refilled their cups. She looked around the kitchen, appreciating the sight of the counters now empty of clutter and old pizza boxes. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done tonight,” she said. “You really didn’t have to help me clean up.”

“My pleasure, I assure you,” Millie replied, taking a sip of tea. Stealing a quick look at her watch, Millie sighed. She had been there nearly two hours and had yet to bring up the true reason for her visit. Deciding it was now or never, she said, “You know, the other night in church, you said something that I found quite interesting.”

“I did?” Joanna said, looking up from her cup.

“Would you really marry someone just for money?”

Confused, Joanna thought back to their conversation. “It all depends on the day,” she said with a shrug.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when all the bills are paid, Dad’s behaving himself, and the visiting caregivers show up on time, then no. But when he spills soup on their shoes or the washer breaks, or I drop the takeaway as soon as I walk in the door, then yes, I think I would.”

“Have I ever told you who I work for?”

“No. I mean, I know you work at Kane Holdings, but I don’t know for whom exactly. Why?”

“I’m Addison Kane’s personal assistant.”

“Really?” Joanna said, her smile growing wide. “Wow, talk about a cushy job!”

“Yes, at times it can be, but at others, it can be quite, shall we say, stressful.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Millie. I didn’t mean to make light of what you do, but working for someone who’s that rich must have its perks.”