Climb in his lap, maybe?
“Careful,” I warned. “I want an awful lot of things.”
“I know.” His thumb moved across my knuckles. “Feel free to make me a list.”
I could feel my cheeks heat.
I wanted to go homeright now.
But Marlena was coming back with our breakfast—the pancakes beautifully dressed up with a spread of strawberries and a cone of whipped cream. Forrest had gotten an omelette, and he opened up his silverware to dig in.
“All set here?” Marlena asked. “Anything else I can get you?”
I swallowed hard, not sure if what I was about to do was a good idea.
But I did it anyway, because that was what I seemed to be doing all the time now.
“Do you think I would be able to get a job here?” I said.
Forrest stopped what he was doing.
Marlena’s brows rose.
“I just—if I’m going to stay, I’ll need a job?—”
“You’re free to stay on the ranch as long as you want,” Forrest said, but Marlena was nodding.
“Honey, I am more than happy to make a place for you here, even if it’s just a few hours a week,” she said. “Get you on the payroll because a girl deserves her own paycheck if she wants it,Forrest.”
I laughed under my breath. Forrest raised his hands in surrender.
“Didn’t mean any harm,” he said.
"We'll sort out the paperwork when we sort it out," Marlena said, waving a hand. "You show up Monday, seven AM, I'll show you the ropes.”
I looked between her and Forrest. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Marlena said. “And sweetheart—you don’t have to look to him for permission. You shouldn’t let anyone tell you what to do. Not anymore. Now…enjoy your pancakes.”
I watched Marlena go, then looked back at Forrest.
"I think I just got a job," I said.
He picked up his fork. "Guess you're staying at least until Monday."
I laughed, and he smiled at me over his omelette, easy and warm. Outside the window Briar Hill went about its Tuesday and the coffee stayed hot.
I ate every single strawberry on my plate.
TWELVE
Forrest
Marlena had already texted me when we got back to the cottage.
I took my phone out and checked everything while Willa went to her room to go change…cleaned up the eggs while I parsed what Marlena had said. Of course she had an opinion, but I’d never expected what she told me.
Marlena
