Chapter 34
Dorothea just couldn’t hold out under Latham’s burning stare. With a quiet sigh, she unbuckled her seatbelt in the back and slid up front, every step reluctant.
She shut the door and glanced over at Latham’s sharp profile. “Thanks for earlier,” she said.
A smile flickered across Latham’s lips. “You really should thank me. If I hadn’t shown up, were you actually about to apologize to that woman p>
Hearing Latham call Carola a bitch right to her face left Dorothea with a strange sense of satisfaction.
“I wouldn’t have apologized,” she said, her voice steady.
Latham gave a little scoff. “That’s better. For a second, I thought you’d just let people push you around without ever standing up for yourself p>
Dorothea stared down at her hands, fingers knotted in her lap. “I’m not like that p>
Suddenly, Latham leaned in. His knuckles brushed against her stomach and every muscle in her body tensed, leaving her frozen in place.
He noticed her nerves and the corner of his mouth curled up. With easy confidence, he reached over, pulled the seatbelt across her waist, and snapped it into place.
He glanced sideways, catching her ears turning bright red. “What, you think I’m going to eat you? Relax, I’m just putting on your seatbelt p>
Dorothea’s cheeks flamed. She tried not to look at him at all.
Latham seemed to sense he shouldn’t push her any further. He eased onto the gas, letting the car roll forward.
She watched the road, realizing he was headed toward her house. Dorothea glanced at the time, then finally spoke up. “Just drop me off on the side. I want to visit my grandma at the nursing home p>
Latham’s eyes flickered. “Which nursing home p>
She told him the name, and he pulled up the address on the GPS without missing a beat. “I’ll come with you. I am your husband now, after all p>
Dorothea opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out. She could only let him do as he liked.
When the car pulled into the nursing home parking lot, a few people stopped to stare, especially the staff.
As soon as they saw Dorothea step out, surprise lit up their faces.
“Dorothea, is this a new car p>
Latham got out and casually put his arm around her shoulders. “Hi everyone, I’m Dorothea’s husband p>
“You got married, Dorothea? That’s amazing p>
“Your grandmother’s going to be so happy p>
Dorothea nodded, feeling awkward and wanting to step away from Latham. But his arm only tightened, holding her close.
“Just act natural, Dorothea. Otherwise your grandma won’t buy it,” he whispered.
She had no choice but to let him lead her inside, all the way to her grandmother’s
room.
Pauline had just woken up. The nurse helped her into a wheelchair, and she was about to head out to the garden when Dorothea appeared.
“Dorothea?” Pauline’s face lit up with surprise and delight.
Then her eyes landed on Latham. Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Dorothea, is this
your husband? He doesn’t look much like the man in the pictures p>
Latham paused, shooting Dorothea a quick look, but he let it go.
He stepped forward and gently took Pauline’s hands in his. “Grandma, I’m Latham I should have come to visit you much sooner. I hope you don’t mind p>
Pauline looked him up and down, taking in his polite manners and
good looks. She just smiledet
course I don’t mind. As long as you two are happy together p>
The nurse quietly slipped out, giving them the room.
Pauline motioned for Latham to sit.
“Latham, Dorothea may seem
gentle, but she’s got a stubborn.
streak a mile wide if you two
argue, just be patient with each
other, okay p>
“Dorothea’s father passed away when she was little. She grew up with me and my
husband. We spoiled her as much as we could p>