She looked over the short line of vehicles, each one perfectly centered in their garage spaces. “I think this is the first time I’ve noticed how expertly you park our cars.”
He smiled at the compliment. Lila was more reserved and formal than Arthur, so this was a surprise. Setting the wax and cloth on a small metal supply cart nearby, he said, “What can I help you with today, Mrs. Pickett?” When she didn’t answer, he turned around and saw she was twisting her large, square diamond solitaire ring while she stared at the Bentley’s headlights. “Mrs. Pickett?”
She blinked. “Oh, yes.” Turning to him, she dropped her hands. “Arthur’s sixtieth birthday is in two weeks,” she said.
He began rolling down his pushed-up dress shirt sleeves. Although it was sweltering outside, the Picketts’ garage was air-conditioned, so he hadn’t worked up a sweat. “I didn’t realize that.”
“We’re having a surprise birthday party for him that night. So far he hasn’t figured it out, thankfully.” Her pale-pink lips turned up in a smile and she tucked a lock of her short, silver hair behind her ear.
He’d have his work cut out for him that night. No doubt he’d be expected to provide the valet parking.
“I’d like for you to attend.”
“Me?” he said, unable to hide his surprise.
“We’ve had several chauffeurs over the years. They’ve ranged from excellent to... Let’s just say we fired one the same day we hired him. But Arthur likes you.” She paused. “I do too, of course.”
He was glad she added that part. He didn’t want to do anything to upset his employers, whom he not only liked, but was starting to admire. Being around uber rich people had taken some getting used to, and he knew they all weren’t as easy to get along with as the Picketts.
“I know Arthur would be pleased if you joined us,” Lila said.
It would be poor form to turn down an invitation to such an important occasion. And although he knew he would stick out like a pineapple in a pear tree, he realized he wanted to go. “I would be honored, Mrs. Pickett. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Black tie, of course. Do you own a tux?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Dan Hutton’s offers rentals.”
Daniel almost choked. No way could he afford to even rent something from that place.
“There’s something else I need to tell you.” She was back to twisting her ring. “Our youngest son, Hunter, is also invited. I don’t know if Arthur has told you anything about him.”
Uh-oh.He blanked his expression and didn’t answer, not wanting to betray Arthur’s confidence, or lie to Lila. And now he knew why Hunter had been looking at tuxedos.
“Hunter has had his... challenges,” she said. “But I feel strongly that it’s important for him to be at the party. I can’t go into details, but I know for a fact he’s been sober and has stayed out of trouble for nearly two years now.” She straightened, her hands at her sides again. “My husband and I believe in second chances.”
Arthur had already proven that by hiring Daniel, and now he wondered how much Lila knew about his own past.
“But we’ve given Hunter more chances than we can count,” she continued. “He squandered them all. If he really has changed, this will be the litmus test. That said, I can’t promise he won’timplode and cause a scene at the party. His relationship with our family is quite strained.”
The pain in Lila’s eyes mirrored the same anguish Daniel had heard in Arthur’s tone after he’d talked to Hunter.They love their son very much.Enough to go through agony to help him, to the point of employing extremely tough love.
“I just wanted to warn you.”
“Is there anything I can do to help? With the party,” he quickly added.
“Your attendance will be enough. Oh, and please bring a plus-one.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Pickett.”
She glanced at the cars. “They look wonderful, Daniel.”
He stood a little straighter, gratified she’d noticed his hard work.
Lila turned to walk away, only to face him again. “I want to apologize for my two daughters-in-law. Their tacky behavior toward you has not gone unnoticed. I have spoken with Payne and Kirk about it, and rest assured, they will be treating you with respect going forward.”
He stilled, then wanted to protest that the women hadn’t been that bad. For sure they were spoiled, whether it was because they were raised that way, their husbands indulged them too much, or both. But if Lila thought it was bad enough to say something, he wasn’t going to contradict her. “Thank you.”
