“You don’t mind?” she asked.

Gray tilted his head as he gazed down at her, affection blazing in his face. “I don’t mind,” he murmured softly. “I’m proud of you.”

Her heart turned over, wondering what he would say if he knew how she’d gotten this position. She glanced away, pretending to admire the flowers. What had happened to Luke wasn’t her fault. She must smother these guilty feelings and look only forward, never back. She set the daisies on the lab table, covering the pale splotch where Horace once spilled bleach. There was no need for Gray ever to learn what she’d done in regard to his brother.

Given the shadows beneath his eyes and rumpled clothing, the trip to Cuba had been difficult, and she needed to hear about it, but not within earshot of the gossipy Horace Greenfield.

“Let’s step outside for a few minutes,” she said, and Gray nodded.

The moment they were in the stairwell, he pulled her into his arms. Before she could even gasp in surprise, his mouth closed over hers, kissing her long and deep. She returned his embrace, clinging to him and giving as much comfort as she received. Relief trickled through her. He had no suspicion of her, no inkling about her role in this. She wasn’t to blame, anyway—it was Luke’s doing, not hers. Gray was her future. The stars were coming into alignment, and all was right with her world.

He lifted his head. “I really missed you,” he said, a world of longing in his voice.

She wanted to drown in it but managed to hold on to a slim thread of composure. “I missed you too.” Somewhere on a floor below them, a door opened and footsteps echoed in the stairwell, causing her to pull back and smooth her blouse. “Let’s head outside where we can talk.”

He didn’t argue as he followed her. It was a crystal-blue sky, and she led him past the rose garden and experimental herb station and toward the arboretum. Pathways meandered through trees and led to a koi pond in the center of the arboretum. They were in the middle of the city, but the sheltering screen of trees provided complete privacy. She settled onto a bench and he joined her, clasping her hands tightly.

It would be best to get the hard part over with. “Tell me about Luke,” she said.

“He’s guilty. He admitted it.”

It wasn’t a surprise, but it hurt to hear anyway. “Gray, I’m so sorry.”

“He’s a grown man, and he knew what he was wading into. I paid for a lawyer to defend him at trial, but he plans to fall on the mercy of the court. If he’s lucky, he’ll get a life sentence.”

She tensed. “And if he’s unlucky?”

“Then he hangs.”