“It sounds like you don’t just do nursing work around Boston,” he said when they were alone. “How did that come about? I hadn’t heard that home nursing was a profession that paid a lot.”
“It doesn’t normally. When I started out, I didn’t want to work in a hospital. I was offered a job for a wealthy friend of my father’s. The man’s mother had suffered a stroke, and they didn’t want to put her in a rehabilitation facility. They chose to do it at home, and my father suggested me.” Eve folded her hands on the table in front of her, wondering if Darius thought less of her for it. He’d chosen to be a high school teacher after all, another underpaid professional position. She said, “After that it was word-of-mouth. I’ve needed to add some additional certifications to my credentials, and I’ve found that interesting. I also worked with a physical therapist for a while, so I have some additional experience there. I really enjoyed the trip to Ireland and getting to know Granny, the recipient. She was a delight.”
“Was it a big change from what you’ve been doing?” he asked.
“It was. I’m not complaining about the jobs I’ve done. I like people, and I find working with a lot of different personalities adds variety to what I do. But I’ve met a few spoiled brats, and I hope working for the charity will limit how many of those I have to deal with.” Eve chose her words carefully. “I grew to love Granny. She was a ‘salt of the earth’ type of person, grateful and humble. I found it more fulfilling to care for a regular person who wasn’t used to having almost unlimited resources to make her comfortable. So, you see, it’s for very selfish reasons that I hope you continue this program. I’d love to keep working for it.”
* * *
Darius had been studyingEve as she talked, but it took a second for her last words to sink in. When she’d first mentioned working for rich people, he’d wondered if she’d been chasing fame via her clientele. Which would have been a huge change from the girl he’d known so well. His shoulders relaxed, and he smiled softly.
It was always interesting to meet up with people he’d known before he was so wealthy. While his family had been the most affluent of the four partners, Darius’s life on his own as a high school music teacher had certainly not included a lot of extras. Once he’d begun teaching, the only time he’d been able to afford to take expensive vacations had been when his parents invited him on theirs and offered to pay his way.
His father had never understood why Darius had chosen a career in teaching, a profession that required high levels of education with low compensation. He’d gotten tired of hearing comments from people—including some family and friends—who said teachers didn’t make much because they didn’t work all year. The fact that they’d already put in the equivalent of a full year by the time the school year ended was irrelevant to them.
“You’re awfully quiet,” she said, pulling him from his thoughts.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“About the project, I hope.” The server brought Eve’s float, and she leaned back. “This looks good.” She put the straw to her mouth and drew in some of the creamy, cherry tonic. Nodding her head, her expression thoughtful, she took another sip.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I do, but then I’ve never been a root beer float fan and have always preferred alternatives.”
“Rainbow Sherbet with 7-Up. I remember.”
“I’m surprised you do. This is yummy.”
Their food arrived then, and they spent the next few minutes eating. Darius hadn’t missed the flash of pain that had crossed Eve’s face at his comment. Was it because of his stupidity or was she remembering something else not associated with him? He hoped it was the latter.
She glanced around the room as she ate, pausing at times. He thought she was checking out the rustic decorations, and she might have been at first, but then he realized she was watching the diners. He didn’t remember her being a people watcher in high school and wondered what she saw when she studied them.
“What?” she asked, pinning him with her curious gaze.
“I was just watching you watch people. Do you do that a lot?”
“Usually. I find studying people and wondering about their lives to be fascinating. Maybe that’s why I enjoy home nursing so much. Bartenders and hairdressers end up being the receivers of all kinds of personal confidences, but so do home nurses. I suppose it’s because a relationship of trust and the close proximity lends itself to sharing.”
“Because, of course, you always want to spill your guts to the person who gives you a sponge bath,” Darius said dryly.
Eve laughed. “I confess that’s not one of my favorite parts of the job, but it’s not like it isn’t also incredibly embarrassing for the patient. I try to treat them with the same dignity and respect I’d wish to receive.”
“Good for you. Do you think you’ll ever transfer to the teaching hospital to work with your mother?”
“Maybe when I don’t want to travel anymore.” She shifted her gaze, but Darius caught another flash of something. Sadness this time, he thought. Was her travel schedule less about wanderlust and more about some pain she was running from?
“I think your parents are older than mine,” he said. “If that’s something you’d like to do—I mean work with your mother—you’ll want to do it before she retires.”
“You’re right.” Eve’s expression turned troubled.
Darius found himself intrigued even more by her. How much did this beautiful woman still have in common with the girl he’d kissed? His gaze went to her mouth. What would it be like to kiss her now? He shook his head. The last time he’d given in to that temptation hadn’t ended well.
“I appreciate the delicious dinner.” Eve glanced around the restaurant again. “It’s been fun getting a little taste of Boone. If you’re not interested in continuing Kayn’s charity, please tell me right away. I’ve had another job offer, and I need to let them know in case they have to get someone else.” She set down her napkin and looked about to leave.
“I’ll do it.” Darius hadn’t meant to say it, but once the words had escaped his mouth, he didn’t wish them back. He’d already been tempted to agree because of Sophia. A girl like that needed something good and memorable to happen in her life. Adding Eve into the mix made the decision an easy one, even if he’d made it unconsciously. “But I’ll do it as a test case just like Kayn did. I don’t have a driving desire to be intimately involved with running the program, but I do think it would be a good way to give back.”
Eve grinned, and the shadow of something that seemed to always haunt her, disappeared.
