Anastasia''s blunt question threw Rowan for a loop.
He nced away, clearly ufortable. "I was nning to use you to get to Herman," he admitted, hesitating.
Anastasia nodded, catching on fast. "So you were going to kidnap me. Why didn''t you go through with it?"
She was genuinely curious-what had made Rowan change his mind that day?
That was the first time she''d ever encountered Rowan. "Met" was probably too strong a word; they''d just crossed paths, really.
Rowan''s eyes flickered. He made up an excuse on the spot. "I got injured."
But the truth was, that minor injury hadn''t stopped him from doing anything. What really changed his mind was something Anastasia said in the elevator-words that had warmed him for years after.
Still, Anastasia bought his story. She remembered he''d hurt his hand at the time, and she''d met up with Herman that night anyway, so Rowan wouldn''t have had a shot.
The conversation fizzled out, and just as an awkward silence settled in, Hanna came in carrying a bowl of fruit. "Rowan, have some fruit. Mrs. Salstrom, you too.”
She emphasized "Mrs. Salstrom," making sure Rowan remembered that Anastasia was married.
Anastasia, of course, picked up on Hanna''s little reminder right away.
She didn''t mind at all-in fact, she respected Hanna for it. Hanna didn''t bother hiding her feelings. If she disliked someone, it showed; no fake smiles, no pretending. Anastasia actually found it refreshing.
With Hanna, what you saw was what you got. If she liked you, she liked you. If not, well, you knew about it.
Anastasia couldn''t stand Sandy''s phony grin. If she had to deal with someone who didn''t like her, she''d take Hanna''s honesty any day.
"Thank you," Anastasia said politely.
She didn''t stand on ceremony, grabbing a loquat from the fruit te, peeling it, and taking a bite. "It''s really sweet."
It was loquat season, after all.
Rowan watched her, then picked up a loquat too.
Hanna''s eyes widened in shock. She knew Rowan never ate
loquats-she''d only washed a few just for herself. There were cherries, strawberries, bananas-plenty of choices. Yet Rowan went for the one thing he usually avoided.
All because Anastasia liked it. Because Anastasia said it was sweet.
The realization stung. But really, why was she even surprised? Rowan had risked
his life for Anastasia. What was a loquatpared to that?
Rowan took a bite and nodded. "Yeah, it''s pretty sweet."
Hanna felt a pang in her chest and couldn''t resist a jab. "Great, I''ll buy more next time. You can have your fill."
If he liked them so much, he could eat them every day.
Rowan went quiet again.
Anastasia picked up on the weird vibe, but couldn''t quite put her finger on what it
was.
"Mrs. Salstrom, you look a little pale. Have some cherries-they''re good for your blood," Hanna said, choosing the biggest, reddest cherries and handing them
over.
Anastasia hesitated. "... Thank you."
Why was Hanna suddenly being so nice? It was almost a little too much.
"Actually, I have something to do soon, so I''ll skip lunch," Anastasia said, getting ready to leave.
"Stay a bit longer," Hanna urged.
"Lunch is almost ready-eat with us
before you go. Last time, you and
your husband helped Rowan, and I haven''t had the chance to thank you properly."
She turned to Rowan. "Don''t you think we should thank Mrs. Salstrom with a meal?"
Hanna truly wanted Anastasia to stay. When Anastasia was around, Rowan actually smiled and talked. If it was just Hanna and Rowan, they''d barely say ten words all day.
Rowan nced at Hanna, about to respond, when suddenly a man rushed in.
Anastasia recognized him right away-Riley, the guy who always stammered alongside Asher.
"Rowan, something''s
happened Asher''s been taken by the cops! Riley blurted out, for once speaking without a single stutter. He was out of breath, clearly panicked. "They found proof he hid Julie and helped her escape. They''ve charged him with harboring a fugitive. This is all Herman''s doing-he set Asher up! Rowan, you have to do something!"