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“I never felt like I fit in anywhere,” I said. “For one thing, I have kind of a big personality. Intense maybe. I once heard a girl in high school compare me to a hyper terrier.”
“Rude.” His nose wrinkled. “Unless you took that as a compliment?”
“Being compared to a dog is not what the average teenage girl wants. I was crushed.” I shook my head, remembering how hurt and humiliated I’d felt. “I’d thought she liked me.” She’d been a new friend. Or so I’d hoped. As it turned out, she was not a friend at all.
He tutted sympathetically. “Kids can be so cruel. But you have the last laugh. You made your obsession your livelihood and your art.”
“Like you.”
“Yep, like me,” he said. “I know what you mean though. I’ve always felt different from other people. Even in my family. Especially when my real dad was still around. Until Pop came along and married Mama. Pop and I started growing vegetables in the summer months. I even learned how to can. You should have heard my brothers tease me about that.” His expression darkened. “The few memories I have of my real father all involve him ridiculing me for wanting to cook.”
I could imagine how much that must have hurt and isolated him from the rest of his family. “I’m glad you had your stepdad.”
“Pop’s my dad. He earned it.”
I didn’t say anything, only nodded, thinking of Aunt Biddie and how she’d stepped into mothering me with such grace. “My aunt Biddie earned it too. She was in her fifties when I moved in with her. Never blinked or acted burdened, just took on an eleven-year-old girl after her mother died.”
“Oh, God. Okay. I’m so sorry.”
I met his gaze, seeing only sympathy and a desire to learn more.
Our gazes locked for a moment. Those eyes. The color reminded me of a pair of light sapphire earrings I had. My favorite pair, now that I thought about it.
“I was fine, because of Aunt Biddie.” My throat tightened, making further speech impossible.
He reached over and laid his fingertips on my wrist, but only for a second. Long enough to leave a burning sensation. “No wonder you’re so strong and independent.”
“I don’t feel like it sometimes,” I said. “This has been a tough couple of years.”
“Hardship strengthens us, even though it can wring you out and make you feel like there’s no light or hope.”
“Coming here was the best decision I could have made,” I said honestly. “I can feel myself healing every day I’m here.”
“That makes me happy to hear.”
“It does?”
“Sure. Let’s just say I hope you never leave.”
My heart thudded in my chest.Hope you never leave.A girl could build a whole life from those words. But he meant only professionally. “I’m glad you’ve been happy with my work. I love working here. You’re everything anyone could want in a boss.”
“Is that all?” Caspian asked quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m a great boss. But am I a man you’d be interested in spending time with if we didn’t work together?”
“Time with? Like how?” I shouldn’t have asked, but I had to. Was it possible he liked me?
“You’re a swan.” He whispered. “One I can’t seem to ignore, no matter how much I want to.”
I stared at him, in shock. “I didn’t think you noticed my presence most of the time. I’ve worked for you for seven months, and at times it feels like you’re avoiding me.”
“That’s because I am. I have a moral code. No dating employees.”
Was that why he’d seemed so aloof toward me? Unreadable? He was as attracted to me as I was him. I knew it with utter certainty. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I’m starting to wonder if my moral code’s just an excuse? A guard against rejection.”
