The week passed with calm for Leah. She visited the hospital and buried herself with doting on Fiona, hating to leave Wren with Samantha but not desiring to see them together either. She was relieved when the weekend came and Wren left for the Slator's home. At times, she missed her butler to the point her heart physically hurt, but she was grateful for the distance between him and Samantha.

Now it was Sunday evening and life was beginning to look bright again. Samantha was scheduled to leave in two days, Fiona was being dismissed from the hospital on the morrow, and Wren would be all hers again! A happy grin tipped her lips as she bounded through the mansion doors. On instinct her gaze fell to the little hallway where Wren's room sat, noting instantly the door hiding the hallway was ajar. Her heart leapt. She had purposely come home early from the hospital in hopes of getting to spend time with him again. Two steps carried her closer before she paused and glanced down at her jumper dress. A red stain of koolaid stood out among the pink and blue flowers staring at her.

"Maybe I should freshen up first," She thought and turned to hurry in the opposite direction up the winding staircase. Once again, Samantha's smug expression greeted her at her bedroom door. Leah wondered if the girl practiced her leaning pose against the door post with arms crossed over her full chest and her lips tipped in a smirk.

"All packed?" Leah crossed her arms, matching her nemesis' stance, minus the leaning on a door post.

"I was, but I unpacked. I've decided I enjoy Wren so much, I will stay another week."

As much as she hated herself for showing a reaction, Leah's smile fell and took a startled step back. "No! You need to leave." Even her voice trembled. She didn't want to think of having the dreadful girl around Wren for even a moment longer! Dread clawed at her insides, making her want to vomit all the sudden.

"It's already done," Samantha shrugged. "I informed your father I wanted to be here for your birthday next week. After all, that's what friends do."

A groan ripped from Leah's throat. "How about you give me the birthday gift of leaving and giving me my butler." Samantha's coarse laugh caused the heiress to cringe.

"I don't know what I will give you yet, Leah Dear. But, it will be special. Anyway, have a good night. I hear I will be getting to see Fiona tomorrow? How pleasant."

Leah scoffed as Samantha walked to her bedroom not far away and entered without another word. Samantha's gift would be special, she had no doubt. Irritated tears stung her eyes. Having Wren at her side was the only present she wanted and she bemoaned Samantha had already ruined her special day.

Her thoughts shifted to Wren and her irritation mounted as images of him doting on the Ice Queen filled her imagination. Then, truth struck. Wren Adams was still off work. He wasn't Butler Wren or Samantha's toy; He was just Wren. And, he was going to be all hers for the remainder of the evening!

No time was wasted. The heiress changed into a summer dress, undid her braid and brushed her golden hair until it fell in lustrous waves down her back. Light makeup was added before the girl dashed from her room, a smile brightening her appearance.

She met a humming Hilda halfway down the staircase. The older housekeeper carried a vase filled with vibrant plants.

"Wildflowers! These are for Fiona, aren't they?" Leaning to smell the colorful bouquet, Leah's excitement grew for the morrow, dampening her previous dread of it. "I am so happy she is coming home tomorrow!"

"Indeed!" Hilda beamed as well, "I will feel more at peace having someone with you again. Mr. Charles has done a pathetic job!"

"He can't help it. Work has been demanding for him."

"Ha! He agreed to take care of you. He has been here maybe once during daylight hours!"

Remembering the aggressive way Charles had treated her, Leah refrained from saying he was embarrassed and hiding at work. Would they ever move past the tension of that moment, she wondered? She sighed. "It doesn't matter, anyway. I haven't been doing anything needing watching."

Hilda leaned forward to study the young blond. "Is that so? Then, would you like to explain why Samantha came dragging through the doors last Sunday looking like she had been hit by a truck?"

A sheepish laugh escaped Leah's lips "Oh, yeah."

"Oh, yeah," Hilda mimicked, rolling her eyes for affect. "It was just as I thought. You should start trying to be less mischievous. It would be a start in proving to your father you can be an adult."

Leah blinked at the stinging words, but as she glimpsed the care in Hilda's eyes, knew they were said for her benefit. "Perhaps you're right. I'll think on it. I promise."

"Yes, do that. Well, I need to finish getting Fiona's room ready. Stay out of trouble, Dear."

Leah's grin resurfaced as the woman continued her trek up the steps, and Leah scurried down. It was only when she stood in front of Wren's closed door, did her palms grow sweaty and her heart-rate increased. But, as was her nature, she took a deep breath and knocked.

******************************************

Stretching full length on his bed, Wren sighed in content. It was nice to be in his room relaxing. Business drove him since coming to the Kingsley Mansion and moments like this were rare. He watched the fan blades spin in frantic movements, enjoying the blast of cool air soothing his body. Letting his mind drift, images of Leah penetrated the blockade he tried to mount concerning her. Yet, as she always managed to do, she pushed her way to the fore front of his mind, her dancing blue eyes enchanting him. An image of her curled on the bed beside him followed. His body warmed with desire.

"No! I'm not going there!" Jerking up, he slid off the bed and dropped into a series of pushups. Keeping his body fit was important, especially since the safety of one important person rested on his shoulders. But, at this moment, it was an escape from natural urges and thoughts he desperately wanted to avoid but stalked him like prey.

Finally, his arms collapsed beneath him. Drops of sweat rolled from his back, soaking into his shirt, and he blinked against the sting in his eyes as more fell from his forehead. "God, I don't know how I'm going to get through a year. I need grace," He panted out his prayer, resting his head on the wood floor. He waited, listening for an answer, but none was forthcoming. He groaned. He hated when silence was the answer.

"When God is silent, be still." Pastor Slator's words from the sermon that morning resurfaced.

"Be still," Wren murmured.

A light knock on his door pushed the butler to his knees and further to his feet. He paused before turning the knob. How he wanted it to be Leah!

"Please don't be Samantha," He whispered, then swung the door wide. Pleasure shot through him to see Leah's small frame standing there. In one sweep, he took in her long hair falling around her shoulders not covered by the noodles straps of her orange floral dress. She bit her lip in a charming fashion revealing her nervousness.

"Leah? Is something wrong?"

She fidgeted with the layers of her skirt and side stepped back and forth. "No -- nothing is wrong. I just -" she paused, struggling to speak.

"Yes?"

She bit her lip, then blurted, "Let's go somewhere!"

Wren's eyebrows raised. "Go somewhere?"

She raised her chin a notch. "Yes."

"Like you and me?"

She nodded. "Yes. Like you and me."

Wren tapped his fingers on the door post. "What about Charles?"

"He's gone still. Honestly, I can hang out with Charles whenever I want, but tomorrow, you have to take care of Samantha again. I - I just thought it might be nice to - to go somewhere before..." Her voice trailed off, an adorable blush filling her cheeks as her nerve wore off.

"Before?" He pressed her.

Leah cleared her throat. "Well...before you become a butler again. Unless, you want to rest. I mean, of course you probably wouldn't want to go out. It was stupid of me to ask. I will just - "

"Sure." He grinned as her face lit up with excitement.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Really. Hang tight while I grab my shoes." Not waiting for her reply, Wren hurried back to his bed and slipped on his shoes. He shoved his wallet in his back pocket before glancing down to the perspiration soaking his shirt and grimaced. Leah must have been repulsed, he thought. Yanking the damp T-shirt off, he froze as Leah strode in.

"These rooms are so much smaller than I thought. I don't know why Daddy - Oh!"

Shame ricocheted through Wren's being as horror filled Leah's expression."Leah! What the heck!" She stood stunned, her eyes fixed on his chest, skimming the scars twisting his torso in several places. He moved fast, pulling a clean shirt from his drawer and pulling it over his head. But, it wasn't fast enough, he knew. It took a few seconds to gather the courage to look at her, noting she was simply staring at the area his scars were located under the fabric.

"There is such a thing as knocking."

His words snapped the girl to reality. Her eyes widened as they darted up to his, and her face went scarlet. "I'm so sorry! I - didn't know!" She turned and left the room, raising a hand to rest on her warm cheek.

Wren sighed at her flustered state, wishing he hadn't been so careless to leave the door ajar. He wanted to be angry, but knew it was a honest accident, so smothered it. He slammed the drawer shut before following Leah through the door.

It didn't take long to sign out at the guard shack, and soon Wren was pulling from the driveway. On occasion, he met Leah's gaze through the review mirror, but she averted her gaze every time.

"Does it bother you that much?" He finally dared to broach the subject.

"Excuse me?" Her voice was a squeak.

"My scars? Do they bother you?"

"No, I'm -- embarrassed. I can't believe I was so thoughtless. I'm so sorry, Wren. I didn't mean to stare either. The scars surprised me, but - " Her voice trailed off and when he glanced at her again, noted her blush.

"But, what?"

She hesitated. "I just can't believe your abs. I don't know if your scars or muscles shocked me more."

Wren's jaw slacked at the honest admission. Leah's face was scarlet, but she raised her chin. "I'm just speaking the truth! Don't judge me!"

Laughter bubbled within Wren. Those weren't the words he expected! Soon, Leah was giggling with him. His laughter died when she climbed the console and flopped in the seat next to him. She grinned wide, her eyes dancing once again.

"What are you doing?" Wren risked a quick glance at her.

"I don't want a butler today, Wren. I want a friend. Can we leave all formality behind? Just for this evening?"

Her pleading voice tugged at his heart strings. "We are already friends, Princess. Surely you know that."

He sensed Leah's hesitation, but that confused him. "Yes," She said finally, " I do know that. And, you are one of my most special persons. I hope you know that."

Wren's heart jolted. He swallowed hard. How did one answer such honesty? He was bound to not admit the same. His voice was husky with emotion as he answered. "I do now, Princess. It's - good to know. Thank you."

He sensed the hurt in her and grieved he had put it there. Several minutes passed, and he decided to indulge her playful side to snap her from her momentary depression she had succumbed to. "Aren't you even the slightest bit curious where we are going?"

His plan worked. She straightened. "Where are we going?"

"Not telling."

Leah scoffed. "That's not fair!"

Wren chuckled, "Oh, it totally is."

"No, its not. You teased me on purpose."

"Maybe I did."

Leah sat back once again. "Fine. For today, you can surprise me."

A new comfortable silence settled over the two. He was unaware disappointment still clouded Leah for she tried to keep it hidden.

"Don't be greedy," She scolded herself. He was her friend and though he didn't say it, she knew she was indeed special to him. She determined before the year was up, she would make him admit it. One way or another.