“No. There’s nothing. We lost everything when Mom’s trailer caught fire. The things I had to replace, like my birth certificate and stuff like that are in a safety deposit box at the bank.”
Tate nods. “I called the crime lab from the county. They’ll be here as soon as they can. Do you have some place you can stay?”
I shake my head.
“Yes. She’ll be staying with Dad and I,” Sayers responds. “She’s our new office manager and works from the house anyway.”
Tate gives him a once, over nodding at his chest. “I’m going to assume you’ve got a conceal and carry for that.”
Sayer nods. “All legal and up to date. I also just had a security system installed at the house and the storage and work office as well.”
Tate smirks. “Heard tell your dad is taking a vacation.”
“Rumor mill is faster than lightening in this town.” Sayer shakes his head. “With my daughter and now Gentry spending time at the house, I’m thinking of guard dogs. I’ve got a friend who trains them. You’ll be the first to know when I do.”
Sayer leads me down to the parking area. “Just ride with me.”
“I can’t. I need this car. They could come back and damage it, too. I’ve already had the tires slashed.”
“Alright, I’ll follow you. Don’t get too far ahead of me. I don’t want to take a chance they try to separate us.”
Dad meets us at the door. “Everything okay, Gentry?”
“I’m fine, Paul. I’m sorry to barge in on you like this. I’ll start looking for something tomorrow.”
“No, she won’t,” Sayer says from behind me. “We’ve got plenty of room and she’ll be safer here. You’re going to be gone anyway so it’s no inconvenience for anyone. We’ll revisit when you get back and Tate has had time to catch the bastard.”
“Agreed. I made up the spare room with clean sheets and bedding,” his father says. “Housekeeper was just here so everything is set. Son, show her upstairs. Gentry, would you like some hot chocolate or something before you turn in?”
“No, thank you, Paul.”
Sayer leads me upstairs pointing out his father’s room, Ayla’s room, his room, the room for me and the Jack and Jill bathroom he and I will share.
“Sayer, I appreciate your help, but I can make my own decisions.”
“I know, but I’ve been thinking and wanted to talk to you about this anyway. While Dad is gone, would you consider staying here and taking care of Ayla and working on our books?I’ll pay you full time for both positions and you work at your own pace to get the books up to date.
“With you needing a new place to stay it makes even more sense for a few weeks. No rent and you can save up for a new down payment, plus no utilities or food. Anything you need while you’re here is free. It takes a lot of stress off of me when I’m still getting back into running the business.
“I don’t expect you to do anything around the house. I’ll do all the childcare and house stuff when I get home. And the minute I walk in you can do or go wherever you please. You’d be safe, I have a security system.”
“Sayer that’s a lot…”
“Full time pay for childcare, and bookkeeper. Just until Dad gets back. Will you sleep on it?”
I nod.
“I’ll be right back.”
It would be the perfect set up. Double pay would let me build a little nest egg and women have worked from home and juggled a child forever. Not a ton different from doing homework and babysitting. Ayla is such a sweetheart. I’d love to try to get her to be more interactive.
Truthfully, the data entry I’m doing just to upload everything to the computer is easy-peasy. Paul really is on top of things.
Being in the same house with Sayer… that will be the hard part.
He returns with a couple T-Shirts and sweatpants. “You can roll them for now and we’ll get you some clothes tomorrow. I’ll show you the washer, too.
“Right now, just try to rest. You’re safe here. Sleep as late as you want. No work tomorrow for you.”
