“What?” Olivia asked sure she wasn’t hearing her right.
“I want you to come work for me. You said you know data entry.”
“No, I didn’t.” Olivia protested.
“But you didn’t deny you could, when I asked.”
Like a light bulb going off, it hit her. “The data entry position is for here. You were testing me.”
“Not exactly testing. I was gauging your skill set, before I was going to offer you the position. So, will you?”
“What exactly would I be doing?” She asked, instead of answering right away. This seemed too good to be true. As much as she wanted to say yes, she needed to know exactly what she would be doing, and what Abigail would require from her. References would be difficult to come by, and she couldn’t say her previous job history without them finding out who she really was.
“It’s simple really. After Kinsley and I go out to a job site, we’ll send you an inventory list of supplies we need, and you order them and make sure they get delivered and have a crew install them. You’ll also need to keep up on the list of our current clients and see if the equipment is still functioning properly. Basically, sit behind a desk and order things and make appointments for us.”
“Our client base keeps growing, so it’s hard to keep up on everything.” Kinsley added. “So, someone with office skills would help tremendously. We don’t offer benefits, but I’m sure Kins can sweet talk Carter into looking you over for free, him being a doctor and all. The pay would be considerably more.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes?” Cora chimed in.
“What about paperwork and background checks?” She hated asking, but if she was to pass, she would need some time to call Skip and make arrangements.
The women shared a look again, before Abigail answered. “Why don’t we do a trial period first for a few weeks and see how it goes. We’ll do your official paperwork but hold off on the background check. How’s that?”
She’d be a fool to pass it up. She had a feeling she knew why they were doing this for her. They knew she was in a dire straight, but they were trying to help her out. “I just have to ask, before I answer. Why me? You could offer this position to I’m sure lots of other people more qualified. So, why me?”
“Because you’re one of us now, and we look after each other.”
“But you thought about offering it, before Heath and I worked everything out.”
“Being with Heath, doesn’t make you one of us. Yes, we all met, because our men work together, but we all formed our own bond. As soon as we met you last night, you became one of us, too.”
“I had also suggested helping you out.” Hannah added. “I know you’ve had a tough go at things to put it mildly, and we brainstormed together how to help you.”
“I’m truly humbled you would take me in, when you hardly know me.” A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. “Yes, I will work for you.”
“Yeah,” Abigail jumped up and down.
“You’re just happy you don’t have to do paperwork anymore.” Kinsley elbowed her.
“Like you have room to talk.”
“True,” Kinsley agreed. “I always hated paperwork.”
“Me too.”
“You’ll get used to them.” Cora patted Olivia on the shoulder.
“Alright, let’s get through the boring paperwork and onto showing you around.” Kinsley pulled Olivia to the desk and sat her down.
Chapter 30
Heath pulled up in front of the diner a few minutes before six. His hands were shaking, and he was nervous; his stomach in knots. He had talked to the guys earlier about his date with Olivia and her daughter, but no one had given him any advice, except to just have fun. Mike only teased him. He had such crappy friends. No help whatsoever. With no one to ask advice from, he decided to wing it. He got along with Olivia, and this morning hadn’t gone bad with Ivy.
Standing on the sidewalk was Olivia in a spring dress that reached just the tops of her knees and open toed sandals. Suddenly, his worry was gone. Olivia had a way of instantly calming him. Ivy stood next to her in a blue short, sleeve shirt and jeans. Both had changed, since he last saw them.
“Hi,” he said, hopping out of the truck, coming around the front of the it, and kissing Olivia’s cheek.
