Page 34 of Unsuitable

“And, Daisy?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t take personal calls on my time again. You do, and I will fire you.” With that, he turns and leaves.

What?

Did he know…that I took Anne’s call?

How?

I glance around the bathroom, suddenly feeling very uneasy. A shudder rolls through me.

Then, I force myself to get back to work, so as not to rock the boat.

Ten

I input the code into the keypad and wait for the gates to open.

It’s so quiet. Well, it’s always quiet around here, but it seems especially quiet. That could have something to do with it being seven thirty a.m.

It’s Friday, and I’m in early, as promised, so I can leave to make my appointment with Anne.

I haven’t seen Kas at all this week. He hasn’t been here when I have been. I asked Cooper where he was, and he said Kas would do this from time to time, disappearing during the day, which got me wondering where he might go.

Maybe he’s got a girlfriend.

I get this weird feeling in my chest at the thought.

Shaking it off, I walk through the gates and up the drive. I veer off the driveway when I reach the paddocks.

“Hey, Butterscotch.”

Butterscotch is fast becoming one of my favorite horses. She’s a palomino. No, I haven’t suddenly gotten all horsey. Cooper told me.

I’ve been hanging out at the paddocks on my lunch hour.

I met Ellie, Peter, Mack, and Tash. They were all lovely. Ellie, especially so. She seemed really friendly. She invited me to go to the pub for lunch with them the next time they go.

It was nice to be asked. To be included in something so normal as going to the pub for lunch with my work colleagues.

But, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if they would still invite me if they knew I’d just gotten out of prison.

The other thing that’s been bugging me is that, clearly, Kas hasn’t told anyone that I was in prison. If I’m being honest, I thought he would’ve.

But I’m not complaining. It’s nice not to be judged at my place of work. So, if Kas is keeping his mouth zipped about my past, then so am I.

I met Dom, the gardener, as well. He’s a really nice guy. After my little disagreement with Kas on my second day, I was outside, sitting on my favorite bench and having my lunch, when he came over to introduce himself.

“I brought you treats,” I tell Butterscotch. Reaching into my bag, I pull out two of the four apples I brought with me.

Danger, Butterscotch’s paddock pal, spies me with the apples and comes trotting over. He’s a big-ass horse. Black as night. Gorgeous.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget about you, Danger.” I reach out and feed him an apple.

As I turn my head, something in my peripheral catches my eye.

And that something has me turning fully around.