Alexander pressed his face into his son’s hair.
“Oh, Oliver. I always wanted you.”
“Then why are you never home?”
The question landed with devastating simplicity.
Alexander held his son tighter.
“I was wrong,” he whispered. “I was so wrong.”
Hannah looked away, giving them a moment of privacy.
But Richard Collins had seen enough.
He hurried across the dining room, his face flushed with anger.
“Hannah!”
She turned.
“What did I tell you about bothering our guests?”
Alexander lifted his head.
“She wasn’t bothering us.”
Richard forced a nervous smile.
“Mr. Bennett, I sincerely apologize. This employee has repeatedly ignored our standards of professional conduct.”
Hannah stared at him.
“That isn’t true.”
“Be quiet.”
Alexander slowly stood, keeping one arm around Oliver.
Richard pointed toward the service corridor.
“Remove your apron. You’re finished here.”
Hannah went pale.
“Sir, please. I was only helping the child.”
“And you have embarrassed this establishment.”
Oliver grabbed her sleeve.
“No!”
Everyone stopped.
The little boy looked up at Richard.
“She helped me.”
