Sweet Surrender (Returning January 4th 2025)

Chapter 7

Cassandra was on her way to Gabriel's, Friday evening, when she received an incoming call from Jane. She accepted the call, pushing a button on the steering wheel. "Hey you."

"Hey," Jane said. "What are you doing?"

"I'm driving," Cassandra replied. "Before you scold me for using the phone while driving let me assure you that I'm using Bluetooth."

"Good girl," Jane said. "Where are you going?"

Cassandra sighed heavily. "Gabriel's. He wanted me moved in by the weekend. Say a prayer for me, please."

Jane laughed. "You don't need me to pray for you, sweetie. You're going to be fine."

"If you say so." Cassandra activated the left turn signal and braked for the turn coming up. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing much," Jane responded. "Do you remember Jeremy Adler?"

"Sure, I remember Jeremy." Cassandra turned the corner onto Gabriel's street. "You dated him for about six months last year. You broke up because his job transferred him to Seattle."

"Well, he's moving back," Jane said, sounding excited. "He called me last night and told me the news. He asked if I was seeing anyone. When I told him I wasn't he asked me to have dinner with him when he gets back into town next week."

"Good for you," Cassandra said. "I know how much you liked him and how heartbroken you were when he moved away."

"I always regretted letting him go," Jane confessed. "He told me he thought of me often and that he missed me."

"Sounds like you two are meant to be." Cassandra pulled into the driveway and brought the car to a stop in front of the multi-car garage. She shifted into park. "Well, I'm here."

"Before I let you go," Jane said, "I want you to promise me you will give Gabriel a chance. You'll go in to this with an open mind and heart."

"I'm not-"

"You're not happy, not truly," Jane interrupted. "So I want you to promise me you will give him a chance, see if you can find some happiness with him."

Cassandra knew agreeing to the promise meant she would be putting her heart on the line, something she was afraid to do. Jane was right though. She wasn't happy and hadn't been for a long time. She needed to make a change.

"Cass, are you with me?"

"Yeah," Cassandra exhaled. "All right. I'll give him a chance."

"That's all I'm asking," Jane said. "Call you tomorrow."

Cassandra said goodbye and ended the call. From his carrier in the back seat Charlie let out a meow. "I know, buddy. You want out. Hold on for a few more minutes."

She killed the engine, grabbed a small overnight bag and her purse from the passenger seat, and got out. Opening the back door, she removed the carrier from the seat.

"Would you like some help, Miss Cassandra?" Harold inquired, approaching the car.

"Thank you." Cassandra handed him the carrier.

"Hello, Charlie," Harold said, holding the carrier up so he could see the cat. "Mr. Dorsey told me about you. I hope we can get along."

Cassandra smiled at him. "I can't imagine anyone not getting along with you, Harold." She closed the door. "Is Gabriel at home?"

"He's not," Harold said as they made their way to the front door. "He had a dinner meeting he had to attend. It was a last minute thing."

"That's all right," Cassandra said. "He wasn't expecting me tonight."

"Then he will be pleasantly surprised when he comes home." Harold opened the door and led the way inside. "Leave your things by the door and come with me to the kitchen. I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the staff."

Cassandra followed him to the kitchen where she found a man and a woman sitting at the table. The woman was average in height and slightly plump with shoulder length auburn hair and warm brown eyes that sparkled behind thin-framed glasses. The man was tall and well built with short brown hair and gray eyes.

"Cassandra, this is Mr. Dorsey's housekeeper, Eleanor, and his chef, Ian," Harold said.

Eleanor rose from her chair and hurried to Cassandra. She embraced her and said, "I'm so glad you're here. It will be nice to have another woman in the house."

Comforted by the older woman's warm welcome, Cassandra returned her embrace. "I look forward to getting to know you."

"Are you hungry, kid?" Ian asked.

Eleanor released Cassandra and explained to her, "He calls just about everyone kid."

Cassandra smiled. "Thanks but I'm not hungry."

Harold placed the carrier on the floor and unlatched the door. Charlie slowly emerged, glancing at his new surroundings. "I hope you don't mind. We put his litter box in the laundry room. It's a spacious room and doesn't get a lot of traffic."

"That's where I kept it at the apartment," Cassandra said. "I will handle the cleaning of his box. He's my responsibility and I would never ask any of you to do it."

"Fair enough," Eleanor said. "Let me show you where the laundry room is and then I'll show you to the master bedroom so you can settle in."

After Eleanor showed Cassandra where the laundry room was located, they headed upstairs to the master bedroom. As she entered, Cassandra's gaze swept the room. The dark furniture and earth tones screamed masculine.

"I hope you don't mind," Eleanor said, "but I took the liberty of putting your clothes away for you. The movers brought the last of your things this morning. Most of the boxes are in one of the guest rooms. Go through them at your leisure."

"Thank you," Cassandra uttered warmly. "I appreciate your help."

"That's what I'm here for," Eleanor said happily.

Cassandra set her overnight bag and purse on the padded bench at the foot of the bed. "How long have you worked for Gabriel?"

"Six years."

"Do you live here?"

"We all do," Eleanor responded. "The only family Ian has is a daughter that won't talk to him. Harold has no family. I have family, but sadly we don't get along well. I guess you could say we're a family here."

Cassandra nodded.

"Do you need anything?" Eleanor inquired.

"No, thank you."

"Then I will leave you to get settled in," Eleanor said. "Mr. Dorsey should be home around ten."

"Is it normal for him to have a meeting on a Friday night?" Cassandra wanted to know.

"Oh, yes," the housekeeper replied. "He's a busy man. Let me know if you need anything." She left, shutting the door.

Cassandra sat down on the padded bench. Now that she was here, in Gabriel's bedroom, an attack of nerves came over her. She closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. When Gabriel's scent filled her nose she let out a groan. It was going to be a long night.

A/N: Thank you for your support. I appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Have a great weekend! :)