“I know that it’s not your intention to worry us, but I regret even more that I can’t keep you company during this time.” Tobey sounded tired when he asked Deirdre, “Who is this Mr. Reed?”

Deirdre was momentarily stunned and bit her lower lip before she told Kyran that she was going out to take the call. She took the liberty to walk out of the room and shut the door before she said, “He’s a new acquaintance of mine.”

“He seems to object to my presence very much,” Tobey said half-jokingly, yet