"Annie? Annie are you here?" Oliver wasted no time in getting ready for the day upon realizing he'd slept past ten. Not bothering to track down breakfast, he went room to room looking for the child.

"I'm in here!" A happy voice called back from the morning room. "Hiya, Mr. Warbucks."

Turning the corner into the room, Oliver bid her good morning, focus shifting when he saw Grace was with her. His smile faded a moment. For some reason, he didn't expect run into her until the afternoon.

"Good morning, Grace," he said after a pause, a hint of question entering his voice.

Unable to look at him without a smile of her despite apprehensions about the sudden change in his demeanor upon looking at her, she reciprocated.

Oliver relaxed with this, nearly forgetting why he'd come in.

"You were looking for me, Mr. Warbucks?" Annie questioned, standing in front of him now.

"Oh… yes. I thought you might like to come to work with me today."

"Oh boy! Sure, Mr. Warbucks. I'd love to."

"Excellent. Have you eaten?"

"Miss Farrell and me had breakfast hours ago. We had sausage, and toast with jam, and fresh eggs. It was the most delicious meal I've ever seen!"

"Sorry I missed it."

"Are you mad we didn't wake you?"

"It's no bother, Annie," he chuckled. "I don't make a habit of late mornings. I'll join you both tomorrow. Now, if you wouldn't mind running to the kitchen and asking Mrs. Pugh to put together a sandwich for me. Tell her it's for the car. I'll come find you in a minute."

"Sure thing, Mr. Warbucks! Where are we going? I thought you worked here?"

"Usually, but I do have to make appearances elsewhere from time to time. Today I need to stop by the stock exchange."

"I don't really know what that is but I'm sure it'll be lots of fun."

Fun probably meant something different to kids than adults, he thought. "Run along."

As soon as Annie disappeared down the hall, Oliver turned back to Grace who was cleaning up whatever project she and Annie were working on. "I feel I should say good morning again."

Grace looked up, a shy smile still plastered on her face. "Good morning… again."

Taking a couple steps closer to her before looking over his shoulder to be sure no one was listening, he asked, "Why did you leave without telling me?"

Tensing up, she answered, "I almost did… but I thought it might be better not to."

Before he could ask why again, footsteps sounded from behind him. Sure enough, it was Drake.

"Telephone for you, Mr. Warbucks."

Letting out an audible groan, he turned to Drake and said, "Tell them to wait. I'm busy and will be leaving with Annie in a moment."

"I'm afraid it's urgent, sir."

Glancing at Grace he could see she was equally as irritated but motioned for him to go. "I'll be sure the car is ready."

As Drake started back toward the office, Oliver took hold of her wrist and discreetly brushed his lips against her temple. "We'll talk this evening. I still want to know why."

Grace nodded, feeling embarrassed as she watched him walk away.