Frankel immediately began to regret his selfless offer but stayed the course and told her he’d see her first thing in the morning.

Rachel smiled. “So, I’m really one of those ‘things you want to see through’?”

“Absolutely.”

That earned him another kiss and yet another pang of regret.

After putting father and daughter in the first cab that the doorman had been able to flag down, Everett suggested they share a second—should the drenched Wolseley employee be able to repeat the trick.

“Convent Garden is right on the way up to Hampstead,” Everett pointed out.

Moments later they stepped into a second taxi that the doorman had practically done a swan dive in the water rising off the curb to secure.

As they settled for the short ride through the storm to Frankel’s hotel, Everett stared out the side window.

Finally he spoke. “I’m concerned about Austin.”

“I thought it was usually the other way around—with the older sibling doing all the worrying about the younger one.”

“It’s a lot for a man to lose in a year. First, the love of his life. Now, the only career he’s ever known.”

“The second was his choice.”

“Yes, but I don’t think he’s ready for having all that idle time on his hands.”

Everett turned back around and shook his head.

“Especially now—what with you taking Rachel away to the States so soon after Austin finally got her back.”

Frankel didn’t know exactly how to respond, so he just let Everett go on.

“I’m sure she’s told you a little about how things have been with them the past couple of years,” Everett said.

Frankel thought about how Rachel had opened her heart to tell him the truth about what happened to her mother. He felt that same hollow pit in his stomach.

“Some of it, yes.”

“Then you understand what I’m talking about,” said Everett.

“I understand we both live in New York,” replied Frankel. “But I have no intention of ‘taking her away from her father,’ if that’s what you’re trying to say.”

“It might help if you told Austin that at some point,” suggested Everett.

Frankel had never seen the man so solemn. Clearly, Everett Grant held the notion of family near and dear.

“I’ll certainly try,” Frankel replied softly.

Everett gave him a grateful smile. “Rachel is indeed lucky to have you.”

For the rest of the short journey, Frankel watched the pouring rain, deep in thought himself.

When Everett and the cab dropped Frankel at the entrance to the hotel, he had reached a conclusion.

If there were a way he could offer some sort of salvation to both Rachel and her father, John Frankel was determined to find it.

Chapter 29

29

“How many times are you going to read that thing?”