Chapter 24
At those words, Jeremy’s dark eyes–cold and still like frost after snow–swept briefly between Irene and Simon before finally settling on her face.
“You’ve met before?” he asked, his question clearly directed at her.
Simon held his tongue, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity, fixed on Irene.
She didn’t try to hide anything. “Simon happened to be on the same train as my grandma earlier today. Thanks to him, she got to try imported chocolate for the first time.”
Simon blinked in surprise. When he looked at her again, his gaze held a touch of gratitude,
Jeremy nodded, then glanced at the basket in Irene’s hands. “What’s in the basket?”
She placed it on the table and gently lifted the cloth cover, revealing two plump matsutake mushrooms.
Simon recognized them instantly. They were the exact same wild mushrooms he’d seen earlier in Ruth’s basket. No wonder she refused to sell them–she was saving them for Jeremy.
And to think she’d said the mushrooms were only for pretty girls.
Jeremy. well, he wasn’t exactly a pretty girl.
Seeing Jeremy eye the mushrooms, Irene explained, “It’s been raining a lot lately, so wild mushrooms are starting to pop up in the mountains. My grandma got up early this morning to go foraging and found these matsutake. They’re still really fresh.
“I thought you might like them, so I brought two over.”
She paused, then added, “And… thank you for helping me the other day, Mr. Tucker. She was referring to when he’d taken her to the hospital that morning.
Hearing her call him “Mr. Tucker” over and over amused him,
‘She always calls me Uncle Jeremy
He thought, ‘Now it is all formal?
“They’re a good size–nice quality,” Jeremy said, then turned to Aiden. “Aiden, take them to the kitchen. Ask Ivy to make soup
with them.
Yes, sir
Aiden picked up the basket and headed off.
Irene figured that was her cue to leave–but before she could say anything, Jeremy asked, “Irene, do you know how to brew coffee?”
She hesitated for a beat. “A litte.”
He nodded and pushed the coffee set toward her.
Truthfully, she didn’t know a thing about coffee service. But coffee was coffee–just pour water and let it steep, right?
She tried to mimic the process she’d seen Dorian’s older sister do years ago. Step by step, she clumsily brewed a pot of coffee.
While chatting with Simon, Jeremy kept stealing glances at her.
She looked confident enough, but he could tell–she didn’t know what she was doing. Still, he said nothing.
Simon noticed too. But since Jeremy stayed quiet, so did he
After a few cups, Simon was starting to feel discouraged. Jeremy still hadn’t given him a clear response.
Eventually, their conversation wrapped up. Reluctant as he was, Simon knew better than to overstay his welcome.
1/2
Chapter 24
He slowly rose and said politely, “Mr. Tucker, thank you for taking the time to meet with me. It’s getting late–I won’t take up more of your evening.”
are”
Jeremy gave him a slight nod. “Take care.”
Simon had just picked up his briefcase when Jeremy added. “Your project isn’t a fit for our current investment portfolio. But 1 do have a friend who’s active in that space.
“If you don’t mind, leave a copy of your proposal. I’ll pass it along”
Simon’s eyes lit up. He immediately pulled out the documents he’d prepared and placed them respectfully on the coffee table.
“Mr. Tucker, whether this works out or not, I’m still grateful. You’re a true benefactor”
Jeremy waved it off casually. Once Aiden escorted him out, Jeremy turned his attention to the overly dark coffee still sitting in Irene’s cup. With a half–smile, he said, “The Barnes family has a lot of rules. If you’re going to pass muster, you’ve got some
work to do.”
Then he picked up a coffee cup and rinsed it with water.
was a simple gesture, but in his hands, even that seemed elegant.
Irene didn’t take offense–she knew he meant well. Watching his graceful movements, she suddenly tilted her head and said with a teasing smile, “Then why don’t you teach me, Uncle Jeremy?”
His hands paused mid–motion.
He set the cup down, wiped his fingers with a cloth, and replied coolly. “Irene, don’t test me.”
Her smile faltered.
2/2
