Free CEO's Expectant Secretary by Leanne Banks Page B

housekeeper said, nodding. The rest of her expression didn’t agree with her nod.
    Elle sighed. “Do you think I shouldn’t? I don’t want to offend her.”
    “Technically, the house belongs to Mr. Maddox. Mrs. Maddox has lived here since her husband passed away, but by all rights, Mr. Maddox is the master of the house and since you’re his wife, your wishes should be respected.”
    “A roundabout way of saying there could be trouble,” Elle said, then lifted her hand. “Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to comment. No need for divided loyalty.” She turned her attention back to the room. “I’ll try to tie in some of the colors from the other rooms, but I want to make this room comfortable for Brock. I want him to feel like he can relax here.”
    “I think that’s an excellent idea,” Anna said.
    “The drapes have got to go, though,” Elle said. “And most of the furniture and knickknacks.”
    “As you wish,” the housekeeper said. “But please let Roger do it. Mr. Maddox would have my head if he saw you on that chair.”
    Elle spent the next several hours packing up knick-knacks while Roger hauled away anything that weighed more than a tissue.
    “I don’t want to impose, but if you would like some suggestions, Mrs. Maddox used some decorators,” the housekeeper said.
    “Thank you. I could use some suggestions, but I know someone who has a great eye and I owe her a visit,” she said, thinking of Bree Kincannon Spencer. Bree’s friendship was another casualty in the dirty little corporate war her grandfather had instigated. Although Elle knew Bree might not forgive her, she needed to apologize to the woman who had trusted and befriended her. The prospect made her nervous, but it was necessary. “This is a lot of furniture. Are you sure you can find a place to store it?”
    Roger nodded. “No problem. We’ll find a place.”
    “Thank you,” Elle said and smiled. “Both of you.” Then she went upstairs to her room and dialed Bree’s cell, expecting to leave a message that might very well be ignored.
    “Hello?” Bree said breathlessly after several rings.
    Surprised at the sound of the woman’s voice, Elle temporarily lost her words.
    “Hello?” Bree repeated. “Elle?”
    “Yes, it’s me,” Elle said, pacing from one end of the bedroom to the other. “Listen, I know you probably hate me. If I were you, I would hate me, too, but would you be willing to give me a few minutes of your time to explain? Nothing will excuse what I did, but your friendship really meant a lot to me. I would just like you to know what really happened.”
    Silence stretched from the other side of the line,making Elle’s stomach knot. “I understand if you don’t want to, and I know you’re probably busy with Gavin today, since it’s a Saturday—”
    “I sent Gavin to play golf,” Bree said. “He needed to take a break from his new business and I know he’s missed playing but he didn’t want me to feel neglected. I had to insist.”
    “You’re so lucky,” Elle said in a low voice, thinking of how Brock had left before she’d even made it out of bed that morning.
    “I could probably meet you in an hour. Gavin won’t be back until five. There’s a little café down the street from us. Would you like to meet there?”
    “Yes, thank you, Bree. This means a lot to me,” Elle said.
    An hour later, Elle walked into the café, spotting Bree at a table. The young woman stood and Elle immediately saw a new confidence in her. Elle remembered when Bree had enlisted her help with a makeover to get Gavin’s attention. Bree had spent so many years without self-confidence that she hadn’t realized what a true beauty she was. But now she was a radiant, happily married woman—and a woman who had been betrayed by Elle. Elle felt another twist of nerves ripple through her.
    “Bree, thank you for coming.” Elle’s voice trembled, but she was determined. “I’m so, so terribly sorry for what I’ve