Page 21 of One Kind Hand

“Then I worked at an ice cream shop and you’re probably thinking that could have been fun and I’d agree.” She held up an index finger. “Except it was my job to clean up after sloppy kids who had dribbled ice cream all over the tables and floor. I still get enraged if I see someone making a mess while eating ice cream.”

“No bananas, don’t drip ice cream.” When she angled her head at him, he said, “What? I don’t want to piss you off.”

“Smart man.” She slid her black jacket off, letting it pool behind her and exposing her T-shirt. Camo print became Austin’s new favorite thing. “I also worked at a summer camp where I quickly learned I never want to have any kids.”

“After taking care of four teenage girls, I hear you. Babies scare me, but teenage girls?” Austin shuddered. “Impossible.”

“Having been a teenage girl, I can agree with that assessment.” Charlie took a sip of her water. “My final job before turning to choppering was at an auto repair shop. I actually liked that job though because the owner showed me a ton of stuff and let me tinker. I still like to tinker.”

“With things besides helicopters?”

“Yeah. Four wheelers and snowmobiles are my machines of choice if I’m not in the air.”

“So that ostentatious sports car I rented doesn’t do it for you?”

“Not really. I’m more of a Monster Truck chick.”

“Didn’t see any Monster Trucks for rent.”

“That’s because you don’t know where to look.” She winked then shot her gaze down to Berto who twitched in his sleep. “What do you think he’s chasing?”

“With him, it could be anything from dust bunnies to clouds to ghosts.”

Charlie looked beyond Austin. “Do you stay here all by yourself or do you share it with Cody?”

Is she wondering if we’d be interrupted?

“I love Cody like a brother, but we can’t share space. The man is super organized when it comes to managing my career, but he lives like a slob. His pressed suits and rich tastes make it seem unlikely, but trust me, if we were to go to his suite two doors down, you’d be appalled. And we only got here yesterday.”

“And you like things tidy?”

“I do.”

“Me too.”

Austin got the sense she might be gearing up to politely say she should go. He was completely against that notion. “Want to see the rest of the suite?”

She looked down at Berto. “I hate to disturb this little nugget.”

“Scoop him up. He’ll love that too.”

Charlie hesitated for a moment then did as he’d said. Berto bristled, then when she supported him with her arms underneath him, he settled against her chest.

Frigging dog is getting all the perks.

She grabbed her water on her way to standing, but she set the bottle on the kitchen island when Austin led her into that space. He gave her a quick tour of the dining room, living room, workout room, and huge bathroom. She quietly observed everything and Austin wondered if she found the opulence ridiculous. He also wondered what her living space was like.

And would he get to see it while they worked together in Vermont?

When they got to the master bedroom, Austin opened the double doors to reveal a king-sized bed flanked by two floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the view of mountains. Charlie’s gaze scanned the room then she walked toward the bed.

Berto jumped from her arms because he loved nothing more than making himself at home on a large, comfy mattress.

Charlie sat on the edge of the bed while Austin did his best to hold up the doorway with his shoulder.

“This is a lot of bed for one man and a tiny dog.”

But the perfect amount of bed for what I’d like to do to you.