Standing, I cross the floor and lift her into my arms and snuggle her to my neck. “Dada loves you my little one. Come be with me.”
Gentry looks up when I sit back down, our eyes meet, then hers drift over Ayla before back to the ledger Dad is showing her. I listen to Dads’ explanations and her questions which seem spot on to me as I stack and restack blocks on the corner of the desk with my child. Gentry’s comments and suggestions convince me she knows what she’s doing. After another thirty minutes I cut in.
“Gentry, what are you thinking? Is this something you’d want to do? You’d be working out of this room with me when I’m not on site.
“We also use this room if clients want to meet.” I nod toward the oblong conference table across the room. “We have enough room in here to shift things around so you can have your own desk, filing cabinets, whatever you need. There will be times we’re both working in the office. You can’t see it because of the trees, but we have a barn with supplies and equipment on the back of our property. The crews come and go as needed.
“Tomorrow morning, we can go and get you a computer and whatever software you prefer and a printer. I’ll take the truck sowe can get a desk at the same time. You’ll have full run of the kitchen and there’s a bathroom down the hall. If we’re all three here working I can always take my laptop to the kitchen.
“The other thing you need to know is that for right now I don’t leave Ayla with anyone. Dad or I have her with one of us. She’s my first priority. This is—new to her and she needs time to adjust. I guess if he’s leaving for a month, I’ll have to figure something out sooner than I planned. I’ll start work on that tomorrow, too.
“What do you think? Are you interested?
CHAPTER 4
Gentry
“Yes.” I don’t need to hear more. They’ve treated me as an equal, a viable adult, asked my opinion, listened, and not one sexist comment.
The salary he mentioned at the end was twice as much as I was making at the restaurant and the actual recommended salary for a bookkeeper. And, they offer insurance. I must be dreaming.
If this job works out, I could have my school loans and credit cards paid off in a few years and actually be able to start putting money in savings. Maybe get a decent apartment.
The Reeds have always had a reputation for being fair and honest. I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for the young Sayer who gave me flowers the afternoon after the worst night of my life. That day I knew he wouldn’t understand but his gentle look, the same one I see him give his daughter, saved me that day.
I heard through the grapevine that he kicked the shit out of Greg on the football field once but never heard why. I did know he had a young boy’s crush on me. I also knew I had to walk away and not let anyone see that I cared for him as well. A four-yearage difference and worlds apart socially. A friendship with me would have only brought trouble to his door.
I could have, should have, stayed in Blue Spruce after I finally graduated community college. But after being kicked down once again and pulling myself back up, I just couldn’t let the bastards think they broke me. So, I moved back to Archer Falls to help Mom.
Sayer Reed is a full-grown man now. By the looks of the ripples under his T-shirt, he’s a man who knows how to take care of himself and his family. The softness in his gaze, the gentle timber of his voice when he speaks of and to his daughter makes my throat tighten. This is a man who knows how to love. The scars on his neck and forearm belong to a man who knows how to fight.
I may not have experienced the first but I sure as hell know how to do the second.
Up early, I’m showered, dressed and ready with my backpack filled with anything I might need for the rest of the day. Sayer is picking me up any minute so we can be at the computer shop when they open.
I can’t believe my luck getting a job so quickly. Maybe my life is finally turning around.
There’s a knock on my door. Sayer. My heart skips a beat. It’s just the excitement of starting a new job I assure myself as I throw the door open.
Greg is leaning against the door frame. I try to slam it shut, but he sticks his foot in the door. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Can’t a guy come visit an old girlfriend?”
“I’m not an old girlfriend. I’m not a friend. I despise you, you piece of shit. Now get out of here before I call the cops.”
“Hey, I heard you lost your job. Just thought I’d come and offer an old friend a shoulder to cry on. Maybe I can help out.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and snap a quick shot of his hand on my door and his foot wedged in the opening. “I’m calling the cops.”
“You bitch. You’re gonna pay.”
“You make a move toward her and you’re gonna lose your balance and fall over the railing to the cement below. Your call,” a very deep, low voice whispers through the void between Greg and me.
Sayer stands two feet behind and to the right of Greg.
Even Greg must have heard the promise behind the words. He slowly straightens and turns. “You.”
Sayer just stands there, waiting, patiently. Loose stance, cool, calm, silent. Like a rattlesnake waiting to strike. Honestly, if he wasn’t on my side the look in his eyes would scare the hell out of me.
