He’d have to tell her that Rafe was happy and a father now. “Yeah, I think they did, but how is that relevant?”
Natalie rested her head on his shoulder and then sat up. “Nothing, except you might be right and our worlds are really intertwined in ways I never thought about. Anyone else who might want you alone and single, Galen?”
Him? He stared at Natalie. Most of the women in his past never cared about him beyond what little money they might get. The only one who ever got more was his ex-wife, and that was thanks to his dead father. Galen tugged his ear. “My only significant relationship was with my ex, Alison. I have no idea where she is.”
Natalie surprised him. “Her online profile said she was in Tibet.”
His eyes widened. Honestly, he’d not bothered to care what happened to her in years. “You looked her up?”
Natalie nodded but kept her gaze on him. “I wanted to know what type of women you found attractive. She seemed super adventurous.”
Had she been interested in him before now? He kissed Natalie’s forehead. “Alison was many things, but when we were married, adventure was not one of her charms and she was nowhere near as sweet as you.”
Neither said anything else for a few minutes, but her lips went up and met his. His kiss fueled a flame inside her, but he simply kept his hand on her knee. Slowly Natalie broke the silence. “We’ll write her down to have Rafe check her out as I can’t think of anyone else.”
He did, then pushed the paper closer to her so she could read it.
She nodded. “That’s really it for now. Maybe we will think of more later. It’s a solid start.”
He snapped a picture of their list with his phone to text to his brother-in-law. “Let me send this over to Rafe and then we can eat together on the patio.”
He stood and offered her his hand. She ignored it and stood on her own. “Are you sure that it’s safe if we eat outside?”
The bright sun and mild breeze made for perfect weather. He nodded and guided her to the patio in the back, where he had servants set up lunch. “Yes. Security is on high alert. If any movement is out of the ordinary, security will investigate.”
She rolled her shoulders and followed him out on the patio. His staff had already set up the drinks and salad. He waited for her to sit and pushed her chair in. She put her napkin on her lap and waited for him. “Okay. So what is on the menu?”
Last night she’d challenged him. Today was his turn. He poured her a small glass as he said, “Grilled chicken salad with afromageplate to share, andKir Royalas ourAperitif. Then we’ll move on toescargots bourguignonandtruite aux amandeswhile we test out a chardonnay.”
Her American stomach might or might not approve, but she patted it gamely. He’d picked a very French menu to see her reaction, ready to have the kitchen send up something else just in case, but she picked up her fork like she’d eat. “So snails and what istruite?”
Galen held up his glass and waited for her to clink. Once she did, he answered, “Truite aux amandesis trout with lemon butter and almonds.”
She tried some of her salad with gusto—smiling at him across the small table she said, “This sounds intriguing. Thank you for being here for me, Galen.”
Blue eyes sparkled as shiny as the water behind her—she had to know she was truly beautiful. He would cherish Natalie forever. “There is no place I’d rather be.” She picked up her glass, sipped and swallowed. “Let’s hope this is all sorted out fast.”
He glanced at her. Natalie was the prettiest woman he’d ever met. “Agreed, but for now let’s enjoy our lunch. Afterwards, we’ll find ways to entertain ourselves.”
She scooted closer, put her glass down and squeezed his thigh. His body hardened instantly but he gulped a glass of water. “Huh, so today might work out as pleasant after all.”
Her eyes sparkled as he leaned closer to her and smelled her sweet perfume. “It’s up to you as always.”
She winked at him. “I like having this say.”
After lunch he had her for the afternoon, he’d have to remember to turn off his phone. The last thing they needed were more distractions.
Natalie met Galen’s warm gaze. He had saved her today. Why someone had targeted her at all still seemed foreign, but Galen’s exercise of writing down suspects earlier had calmed her thoughts. She smiled at him and pushed her plate away. “Lunch was delicious. I don’t think I could eat another bite. Let’s skip the cake.”
“Agreed.” He dropped his napkin on his plate as he stood. “Come. I want to show you my house as you’re living here indefinitely.”
A tour of his museum would definitely work off calories. The lemon butter trout had been delicious and rich in flavor. She scooted her chair and followed him. They left the patio and walked down the first floor hall, under his bedroom wing. Art hung on the walls. “Thanks. I guess I should get to know this place. Did you hire a decorator?”
They walked past a painting with swirls of color and the faces were all distorted that caused her to stop. Had she seen this in a museum?
“Sort of. It was decorated when I bought it and I never bothered to change anything.”
Right. She let the art question go and continued down the hall with him, but she gently bumped into his shoulder. “So if we do become more serious, is there anything in this house you value and wouldn’t want to change?”
