Top Floor (Rendezvous #1)

Chapter 13

Two days had passed the last time Claire was back at Bishop Lodgings, and the whole time, she was worried about Denora and Heath. Even though Eleanor was always available at the hotel, Claire still worried about those two.

There were times when she was tempted to call the hotel and ask how Heath and his niece were doing, but she either didn’t have time or didn’t want to give the employee who answered the call any more gossip to talk about in Bishop Lodgings.

And since she didn’t have Heath’s personal number, she couldn’t call him directly. Not that she needed it or would ask for it. It was unnecessary.

Thankfully though, today was the day when she would finally go back to Bishop Lodgings. She finished all of her meetings the previous night and was back in town.

When she entered the hotel, the first place she went to was the daycare. Like usual, it was filled with kids, including Claire’s niece and nephew, Belle and Clay. The two of them hadn’t yet noticed her at the doorway and they continued to play with the toys available with other kids. She was glad to see that they were well-behaved.

Elli noticed her though and walked up to her, holding a baby in her hands. A baby girl. Denora.

Claire blinked at the infant in her hands before she looked up into her friend’s eyes. Elli just raised an eyebrow. “Finally back, hm? Good. The boss has been restless the past two days you’ve been gone. Maybe you can ease his stress or whatever it is that he’s feeling.”

She was taken by surprise. “Heath’s been acting weird?”

Her voice instantly attracted the attention of all the kids in the daycare, especially Belle and Clay. The two of them immediately dashed over to greet Claire, but she saw that they were pouting. Well, at least Belle was. Clay was just following his older sister’s expression.

“Ashley and Brooke told me you bought them ice cream! I wanted some too!” she pointed to the two girls Claire recognized.

“Me too!” Clay grumbled. “Ice cream!”

The two girls had turned their backs to Claire and pretended to be busy playing with some toys, but she knew better. Claire couldn’t help but smile at them before she looked down at her niece and nephew.

“Alright, I’ll buy you guys some too. But later, okay?” Belle immediately brightened up and trusted in her aunt’s word before she ran back to play with her toys. But Clay was still staring up at Claire with confusion.

“Ice cream?” he questioned.

Claire grinned down and him and squeezed his cheeks. “Of course I’ll buy you ice cream!” she laughed at his fish lips before she kissed him on the forehead. “Now go play. I promise to get you some, okay? Promise.” She held out the word.

Clay stood there for a few seconds before finally turning around to follow his sister’s footsteps.

“Where is he?” Claire asked Elli and then looked down at Denora. “And why is she here and not with him?”