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‘I’ve told you why, Beth. There are no strings attached. It’s a genuine offer which would solve both our problems.’ He set the pen back down, but not before she’d seen a flicker cross his face, a fleeting echo of old pain. She wished she had the courage to ask what had caused it, but events had taken their toll.
‘I don’t know what to say. I never expected…’ She tailed off and took a shuddery little breath. ‘Whatever I decide to do, I want you to know how grateful I am for the offer. You’ve been more than kind.’
‘Kindness has nothing to do with it. I need help here, Beth, and you would fit the bill perfectly without my having to go through all the hassle of advertising the post and then interviewing the applicants.’
‘You don’t even know if I can type properly!’ She gave a faint little smile, feeling warmed when he smiled slowly back at her.
‘Can you?’
‘Yes. Top speeds in college.’
‘Well, then, there’s no problem. Look, Beth, this offer is open to you for as long as you want it to be, even after you have the baby. There’s room enough in the flat for both of you, but if you just want to take it for a few months to tide you over then that’s fine with me. Just think about it…promise?’
She smiled at that, her face lighting up. ‘You said that last time we met, made me promise to come to you if I needed help, and look where that’s got you now!’
He laughed, taking her hand, his fingers hard and cool against her skin. ‘I remember. I don’t say things I don’t mean. This plan would solve all your immediate problems and give you breathing space plus help me out.’
‘It will probably give you problems you never even thought about!’ She reached up to kiss him quickly on the cheek, her lips barely brushing his skin before she drew back. ‘I shall think about it, David, long and hard, but only if you promise to do the same, and if you change your mind then I shall understand.’
‘That won’t happen. You can be assured of that.’
There was such steely certainty in his tone that for the first time in days Beth felt some of the gloom lift. The temptation to say yes there and then was great, but she stopped herself. It wouldn’t be fair to accept then have him suddenly regret his offer after he’d had time to think it through.
‘I’m tempted, David…very tempted, but…’ She broke off, suddenly overwhelmed by his kindness. ‘I shall be in touch and let you know what I decide.’ She turned to hurry from the room, pausing in the doorway, the words of thanks dying on her lips as she saw him standing by the desk holding a framed photograph in his hands, his face set into rigid lines.
Beth crept from the room, trying to reconcile that grim-faced stranger with the man who had just offered her a job and a home. Which one was the real David Kane? She wished she knew. She glanced down at the sheet of paper he’d given her, skimming over the list of names and addresses of people who would testify as to his suitability as her employer and benefactor. Would any of them be able to tell her who exactly the real David Kane was? Somehow she doubted it. It was going to be something she would have to find out herself and suddenly, surprisingly, the idea of discovering the true nature of the man was intriguing.
CHAPTER THREE
‘NO, THIS is the right number. David is in the shower at present. Can I take a message or ask him to call you back when—?’ Beth winced as the phone was slammed down, and set the receiver back with a wry grimace. She’d been at the flat just a couple of weeks and, although things were working remarkably well between her and David, she did seem to be having a disastrous effect on his social life. He was going to have some explaining to do from the sound of it…yet again!
‘That for me?’ He came down the hall, his blond hair still wet from the shower, his shirt hanging open over a pair of dark grey trousers, and Beth felt the little shiver of awareness she always felt when she saw him. He was so blatantly male that a woman would have to be blind not to appreciate his appeal.
‘It was indeed. One very irate lady who was none too pleased to hear me answering the phone at this time of the morning.’ She steeled herself, knowing what had to be said, yet dreading it. ‘Look, David, I know my being here is making life difficult for you, so if you want me to find somewhere else then just say the word.’
