led like butter, cinn

rs hummed behind the production floor, trays clattered against metal counters

been comforting, but

ng at a purchase invoice she'd read three t

ice." Ella leaned over her shoulde

H

u o

l times, trying to f

ked it again, then saved the

her arms.

ed from Inara's fac

oah?" El

abl

ld have sound

d her how expensive

cal therapy if his ribs didn't heal properly. Every explanation from the doctor ha

squeezed her arm. "I

uickly, almost as if saying it with

as h

d argue, the off

ng, ev

tablet tucked beneath his arm. He greeted the staff as he passe

your br

p, surprised.

s expression turned sympathetic.

k you

mmediately recognized. Her boss want

another voice

Ash

one t

avy suit stood ne

Rev

hford Bakery's recent expansion. Unlike the executives who usually visited th

fore settling on Inara. His expression changed.

exhausted,

mbarrassed smile. "Lo

d about

rise and amusement crossing her face.

't want her wondering how he'd heard about it. His gaze ling

nk y

ide his amusement. "Erik, I thought you we

a

hy you're here." Zain was already

re following him, he

e of your

something about them stayed wi

again. There was no time to think

main meeting room with a cream-colore

too desperate. The second sounded as though she were trying to

equested

rgency medic

period:

yroll dedu

to deduct the remaining balance from her final sal

for charity. She w

e room door opened

straig

, do you hav

he envelope in her hands, th

nd closed the d

d toward the

in both hands. Then she placed it on his desk. A moment of hes

ssion change

d five hundr

t mu

idn't. "My brother's medical expenses are more than I can co

page toward him. "I've calculated ten month

nd page. His eyebrows rose slightly.

ompany re

his cl

aid, the remaining balance can b

"You've though

. ha

but she'd spent enough years taking care of hersel

small sigh. "Inara, you don't have to ma

re of th

why di

"Because I don't want to ask

id nothing. That was

ally did, she'd find a way to make sure it

check what the co

Inara's lips. Then, she rose from the chair. "I

hat." Zain lift

"I just wanted you to know I've thought ab

politely be

t opened again, and Erik step

ni?" Zain crossed his arms, his t

"Is she in trouble?" His vo

ned. "You really

t what thi

't say

Inara's situation kept him from playing along. H

s Inar

urned to Zain. "You

for me. And she's one of the

d faintly.

rowed. "Are you

tened his expression,

to make Erik shake his head. "You shou

xpression turned serious. "Do you want me

muttered something under h

drifted toward the hallway again

s expression anymore. He knew how serious his

Before he could say anything else, his pho

displayed a

ci