“Everybody loves her!” Jensen curled his upper lip in derision. “Except maybe the creep who robbed her blind. If I ever get my hands on him,” he threatened, fisting his hands at his sides.
“You and me both,” Owen assured quietly. His initial review of the Garrett Farm ledgers had revealed someone had struck the monthly budget down to zero around the time the chicken farm had gone up for sale. He was pretty sure he knew who that someone was. “Like we talked about over the phone, you and I need to have a sit-down soon to go over the numbers together. I want you and Kenny to have the budget you need to keep the chickens healthy and the egg-laying facilities in good repair.”
Jensen stretched his shoulders. “I’m ready whenever you are. My time is your time, boss.”
“Just call me Owen.” Owen wasn’t one to lord his position over others. His career as a private investigator had taught him that every member of the team was vital. “How about we meet over coffee and breakfast in the morning?”
“I’m in!” Jensen’s whole face lit up. “Mind if I bring Kenny along?”
“He needs to be there.” Owen nodded. “I was about to say so, but you beat me to it. Fair warning,” he made a comical face, “my boys will be there, too, but onlybecause I have the week off from work. If you have anything to say to me that’s not for young ears to hear, I’m sure Halle can whisk them somewhere else after breakfast.”
“Nope.” Jensen’s voice was matter-of-fact. “Kenny and I don’t have any secrets. What you see is what you get with us.”
Owen could live with that.
They made a few more trips to the truck to carry in the footboard and the queen-sized mattress. Halle stuck around to help them connect the side supports and lay the wooden slats across them. As soon as Jensen laid his end of the mattress over them, he took off for the chicken yard, leaving her alone with Owen.
“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’re doing.” She stood, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. “You didn’t have to help me like this, but I’m grateful that you did. Offering me a job feels like a stay of execution.”
He faced her, wishing she’d quit acting so uptight around him. “Believe me, I’m just as grateful that you agreed to stay. I was half-afraid you’d turn down my offer.” He wished he could snap his fingers and fix the mess they were in, but it was going to take more time. Despite the trouble swirling around them, the rambling old farmhouse was already working its magic on him. He’d only been there a few hours, and it was already starting to feel like home. It looked like it, too.
His sons had a few toys strewn across the cream-colored area rug he and Jensen had hauled into the living room. It was a perfect fit. He couldn’t wait to shower and collapse into his favorite brown leather recliner that they’d positioned near the fireplace. Come wintertime, it was going to be the coziest spot in the house. Nothing washanging on the walls yet, but Owen would get a few paintings and other stuff hung by the end of the week.
Halle studied him with an expression that was difficult to read. “When you get to know me better, you’ll realize just how slim the odds were that I would turn down the chance to come home.” Her face turned red, and she rushed to add, “Sorry! I guess I shouldn’t call it that anymore.”
He grimaced at her. “It’s complicated, isn’t it?”
“Very,” she sighed. “Thank you again, though. Really.”
“My pleasure.” He held up a finger. “I’ll be right back.” He left the room and returned with a basket of linens that Jen had been using in the guest room at his last house. “This is for the bed. They might be a bit wrinkled, but they’re clean.”
“Perfect. Thanks!” She eagerly reached for the box, and their fingers brushed during the handoff.
Their startled gazes clashed.
She recovered first. “I’ll get the bed made, then head to the kitchen to help y’all figure out dinner.”
Normally, he would’ve lingered to help make the bed—at least with Jen he would’ve; but it felt a little too personal to do the same for Halle. “You don’t have to make dinner.” He cleared his throat, feeling awkward. “Meal prep isn’t in your job description.”
Her eyes widened. “I have a job description?”
It was his turn to flush, since they hadn’t yet hammered out the details concerning pay, work hours, and such. He rattled off a weekly pay rate he hoped she’d find acceptable. It was what he normally paid Jen, minus a little for the detective services he’d be providing Halle with.
She caught her breath. “I thought we were trading favors.”
“We are, but I’m notthatmercenary.” He shook hishead. “You’re still going to need money for gasoline, car insurance, and a cell phone, among other things.”
“True, but?—”
“You’re getting the nanny discount on my detective services.” He backed toward the door. “I worked it into the calculation.”
“It still sounds like too much.” She looked worried. “This is Heart Lake, Owen, not Dallas or Houston.”
“For round-the-clock care for two ornery boys?” He snorted. “From where I stand, it’s not nearly enough, but it’s what I can afford.”
“Sold!” Amazement was stamped across her features as she leaned over the bed to put on the sheet.
“Then it’s settled.” He left the room and headed to the kitchen, pleased she was so happy with her wages. One more hurdle had been crossed. He couldn’t wait to tell Jen. He sort of dreaded it, too. She was going to give him an earful about not getting a say in his hiring decision. It wasn’t that he didn’t value Jen’s input. It was just that things had happened so quickly today. He had no regrets, though, about hiring Halle. None at all.
