The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

IV heart failure was a walking time bomb. “Dinner is supposed to be served at eight-thirty. Help me keep an eye on him, will you? He won’t listen to reason.”
    Celina nodded, and he knew what she was thinking: getting his grandfather to slow down, way down, was like applying failed brakes on a runaway freight train.
    Trent kissed her cheek and squeezed her arm. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
    She smiled and he started back toward the kitchen, intending to cut through to the rear stairs, then thought better of it and veered right. He didn’t want to get waylaid by Cassandra Adams again. Trent ducked into the hallway, strode the few paces to the staircase and started up. Twice, Ms. Adams had mistaken him for the help. The first time she’d simply been too busy for him to correct her. And, truth was, he’d been impressed with the way she handled the lobster tails. He liked a woman with backbone. Just not when she was intent upon ordering him around. Trent gave orders. He wasn’t used to taking them.
    He wouldn’t have to worry about anything getting past the woman—including the party coming up ten servers short. She’d handled the situation well, right down to recruiting the boss, even if it was by accident. The second time, he should have told her who he was, but it was too damned funny, and it had been too long since anything had made him laugh.
    Trent reached the third floor and strode along the open hallway. When he reached the right turn that led to his grandfather’s bedroom, he stopped and stepped toward the stone balcony that overlooked the ballroom on the floor below. As far as he could tell, most of the guests had arrived. Lindsey hadn’t arrived yet. But that came as no surprise. She loved to make an entrance.
    Trent turned from the balcony and headed down the hallway. He reached his room first. His coat hung on the wardrobe valet looking no different than it had when Phillip insisted Trent not appear in public wearing such a disheveled coat. Trent swung the coat over his shoulders and was out the door as he slid his second arm into the sleeve. The tiny thump of the velvet box that contained Lindsey’s ring made him smile. Even at a private party in their own home, Phillip thought of everything. He’d put Trent’s cell phone in his pocket.
    Trent entered his grandfather’s room to find him sitting in the wingback chair near the window, dressed in dinner slacks and white shirt. His jacket lay on the bed.
    Trent nodded at Annie as he closed the door. She sat in her corner chair, a book open on one knee. “How are you doing, Annie?”
    “Just fine, Trent. You and your grandfather look smashing.”
    He smiled. “Thanks.” He’d met Annie ten years ago when his grandfather broke his leg skiing. By the time her two-month employment ended, she’d become a friend. An hour after they’d gotten his grandfather’s latest prognosis, Trent got on the phone with Annie and begged her to attend him for the remainder of his grandfather’s life. She agreed and Trent gave thanks every day for her presence. He felt certain that no one would have been able to handle his grandfather like she did.
    “You sure you’re not too tired for this party?” he asked as he crossed the room to the bed. Trent wished like hell his grandfather would stay in his room and play cards with Annie. Trent didn’t like the drawn look at the corners of his eyes.
    “Give me any trouble and I’ll take you over my knee,” his grandfather said.
    Trent sat on the ottoman in front of his grandfather’s chair. “You look tired.”
    He snorted. “I’m always tired.” His expression softened. “But I’m all right.” He stood and Trent stood with him, taking his arm. “Help me on with my jacket.”
    Trent picked up the jacket and caught sight of the Wall Street Journal that had lain hidden under the jacket. Reading the Journal from cover to cover was one of Granddad’s greatest pleasures. A lump formed in Trent’s throat. How