Bonnie harrumphed. “I’ll need to interview the children right now, to make sure that everything is in order.”
Clover tensed. Her siblings wouldn’t interview well, she was sure of that. They were nice to everyone who was nice to them, but like her, they tended to be on the defensive side when snooty authority figures looked down their noses at them. It came from growing up with ragged hippie parents who proudly wore hand-me-downs and vowed not to be oppressed by the man.
“Then you’ll need to bring a lawyer. And all of my employees have access to the family law firm,” Sam said coldly.
Bonnie’s expression turned frosty and indignant, but she gave a short, sharp nod and turned and left the room.
“Breathe,” Sam said, and Clover realized she’d been holding her breath.
“She said that someone called her and reported some concerns about my family. At first I thought it was you, trying to run us out of town.” She looked at him accusingly.
“It most definitely was not me,” Sam said. “I don’t use underhanded tactics. If I want someone to leave town, I’ll tell them to their face, and I’ll tell them why.”
She had a feeling that was true.
“What brought you over here in the first place?” she asked.
He held up her wallet. “You left this in my office. Fell out of your purse.” She took it, and realized that her hand was shaking. Mingled anger and frustration swirled in the pit of her stomach. Now she owed Sam a favor, and she hadn’t even resolved the issue with her sister, and…
“She’s left the property,” Imogen said, looking out the window. “Shall we go give the children the all clear?”
“You are a lifesaver.” Clover rubbed her face with her hands. “Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you so much for your help.”
“Oh, pshaw. I didn’t like that interfering twit from the second I saw her climb out of her car.” Imogen left the living room.
Sam turned to smile at Clover. She was still sitting so close to him that they were crushing up against each other. She could stand up now; Bonnie was gone. Why didn’t she stand up? Any minute now, she’d stand up.
“Actually, you might want to make it 8:30,” Sam said to Clover. “So you can fill out the paperwork.”
She stared at him as if he’d grown two heads. “Huh? Did I miss part of the conversation somehow?”
“You need to fill out paperwork,” Sam said patiently. “For the job.”
“You… Oh, I thought you were just saying that to cover for me.”
“Nope. We really do need someone to do social media for our company. Should have brought someone in a long time ago.”
Was he making fun of her? No way he really wanted to hire her. “I promised my sister I’d go to the doctor with her tomorrow afternoon. I already told you that.”
“Then just get set up tomorrow morning, and start your first full day the day after tomorrow.” Great. He had an answer for everything. Except the one thing she wanted to know.
“Are you ready to tell me what you have against my sister?” she demanded.
“Not yet.”
She stood up so she wouldn’t be pressed up against his hot, hard body anymore. “You are a control freak and an asshole.”
He stood up too, towering over her and standing way too close. “Could be. But I’m also handsome and charming and I grill a kick-ass steak .” He flashed a winning smile. “And don’t even get me started on my blueberry pie. You should try it sometime. It melts in your mouth.”
She maintained her stony glare, which was hard to do because she was struggling not to salivate. Was it the thought of that blueberry pie or his delicious scent or the heat from his body that was making her knees weak?
“Am I cracking those walls even a little bit?” Still smiling down at her. Bastard
Yes, he was. If he were to accidentally brush against her she might burst into flames.
She put on her best poker face. “You’re strengthening them. With reinforced concrete.”
“Ouch.” He put his hand to his broad chest.
