She swallowed hard and fanned herself with a worn magazine that lay on Niles' coffee table.
How in the world had it gotten so warm so quickly?
Daringly she looked at Niles, who wore the same boyish grin. Taking a sip of wine she rose from the sofa and tried to calm her nervousness.
"I'll just pop these scones into the refrigerator for you."
"Actually, Daphne... I'll take care of that." Niles said. "Why don't you just make yourself comfortable? Would you like some more wine?"
Daphne couldn't hide her smile and she held up her glass. "I'd love some."
Niles crossed to the kitchen returning minutes later with a plate filled with her scones.
"I know this is a bit unique; scones and wine for breakfast, but unfortunately, my kitchen is rather bare. If I was at the Montana, I..."
His voice trailed away, leaving behind a trail of painful unspoken thoughts.
"This is lovely..." Daphne said, taking a scone from the plate. The fact that he'd arranged them so carefully as though they were pieces of art-was not lost on her. "I know you're not fond of me cookin', but I just thought that-."
"I'm sure they're wonderful."
She tried to smile at the compliment but Martin and Frasier's hurtful words came back to her. And then his gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Daphne? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry that I'm ruining your afternoon."
"You couldn't possibly do such a thing." Niles replied.
"Well... perhaps we should get started on this packing. I'm sure you're anxious to be back in your former home. I-I mean... I'm sorry. Actually, I'm sorry for a lot of things."
The last words were so soft that she wasn't even sure that she said them.
But when she looked into Niles' eyes, she knew that he had heard them. And the compassion she saw there made her want to cry.
Niles finished off a scone and reached for another.
"These are wonderful, Daphne."
"You're very kind Dr. Crane, but you don't have to pretend that you like me cookin. I swear your brother and father-."
"Daphne, something's bothering you and I wish you would talk to me about it. I don't want to invade your privacy of course but I hate to see you hurting like this."
She rose from the sofa and kissed his cheek. "You're so sweet, Dr. Crane. I suppose with me wedding and all, I'm just..."
She was surprised at how much it hurt to finish the unspoken thought in her mind. But she couldn't break down. Not now.
He sighed deeply. "Well of course, Daphne. What was I thinking? I completely understand."
Her eyes widened in amazement. "You do?"
"Of course I do. You're working so hard and trying to plan what will most certainly be the most beautiful..."
His voice quivered and he swallowed hard, almost as though he was nervous. And she had a feeling it had nothing to do with his home.
Smiling she squeezed his hand. "We'd better start on the packing. What would you like me to do first?"
"Um... Well.. I"ll work on getting these statues wrapped and boxed and if you wouldn't mind, there are some boxes in my bedroom that need to be sealed and secured. Everything you need should be there and I'll be up to help you as soon as I'm finished. I don't mean to leave you alone like this. I just..."
She laid her hand on his arm. "I'll be fine. I'll just get these boxes taped up and make sure that they're secure. Just take your time, Dr. Crane. I know how precious those belongings are to you."
"I'll be right in here if you need me, Daphne."
Those simple words warmed Daphne's heart.
She cleared the breakfast dishes and, against Niles protests, washed them and put them way before heading into the bedroom.
When she walked through the door, she looked around, amazed at how different it was from his bedroom at the Montana. It seemed more like a dorm room than a bedroom for a man of Niles' caliber. Not at all the bedroom he deserved.
She wouldn't have been surprised if he had been experiencing sleepless nights and, if he'd actually been able to sleep, nightmares.
Suddenly she wanted to hug him, if only to let him know that she cared.
With a sigh she picked up one of the boxes and reached for the tape. When the box was closed, she attempted to move it.
Without warning the box brushed against another sending the contents underneath spilling onto the bland carpet.
"Bloody hell..." she muttered, bending over to pick up the papers.
"Daphne? Are you all right?" Niles' muffled distant voice called from the living room.
"Yes, I'm fine!" She called back.
Leave it to Niles to be so thoughtful.
Had this sort of thing happened at home, Frasier would have rushed in demanding to know what had broken.
Martin, on the other hand would have been worried about Eddie or about missing a second of his beloved sports event.
Niles was definitely the sweetest of the Crane men. No doubt he got that from his mother. For no way would...
Her thoughts were interrupted when she began to straighten a stack of papers, taking great care not to read them.
But then she saw the envelopes, stacked one on top of tied into a neat bundle. The stack was so neatly arranged that even the mail carrier would have been impressed.
The sight made her curious. But it was wrong to interfere. She came here to help Niles pack, not to go through his personal matters.
And suddenly she was ashamed of herself for even thinking of doing such a thing.
Just as her hand moved to return the envelopes to the box, she noticed her name written in bold black ink.
"What in the world..."
Unable to contain her curiosity, she carefully untied the ribbon that held the envelopes together, knowing that what she was doing was wrong.
If Niles found out he'd be completely crushed, and his trust in her would be lost forever.
But something forced her gaze on the envelopes, which all contained her name and without giving it another thought, she carefully opened the first letter and began to read.