Page 137 of Blue Jean Summer

I paused halfway through the door with my oversized purse on my shoulder. “What’s about time?”

Hallie swung her auburn blowout in the direction of the living room. “Zach has something he’d like to talk to you about.”

It took a minute to register that Zach was sitting on the couch.

Zach was downstairs.

I poked my head back outside and looked around.

“What are you doing?!” Hallie hissed.

“Checking to see if pigs are flying.”

She cackled. “Get in here.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. He had spent the weekend with Hayes and me, traipsing around DC. The three of us had had a blast, and it gave Hallie a little time to herself. I dumped my bag by the door and kicked off my shoes. “Something smells good,” I said as I peered over to see what she was simmering on the stovetop. “Are we having dinner together?”

Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.

“Yep,” Hallie said. “I felt like cooking tonight. The boys will be up in a bit, and I think Savannah’s heading over after she closes the shop.” There was a spring in her step, and she was humming.

I caught Zach peering over the couch. When his eyes met mine, I hitched my thumb over my shoulder, pointing at Hallie. “What is going on with your mother?” I whispered loudly as I padded into the living room. “Is she possessed?”

“I heard that!” she hollered back.

Zach snickered but tried to hide it by ruffling his hand through his reddish-brown hair.

Hayes was working in the study but had the doors closed. I gave him a little wave to let him know I was back before plopping down on the opposite end of the couch.

“So,” I said as I curled my feet under my butt. “What’s up? Your mom said you were waiting for me to get back?”

“Yeah. Uh…I—um.” He rubbed the back of his neck and continued talking to the rug beneath the coffee table. “I was just…wondering if you were lookin’ for help.”

Oh.

“Help? Like, you want a job?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, barely lifting his gaze from the floor.

I sat a little taller. “Well, Zach, I have been thinking about hiring someone. Can you tell me a little bit about your qualifications?”

He cocked his head. “My…qualifications?”

I nodded like I was totally prepared for an impromptu interview. “What do you excel at that would help us out at the Learning Cottage?”

Dark brows drew in together. “I can…take out the trash? And…like…clean up and stuff?”

“Are you good with animals?”

He nodded.

“How do you feel about animal poop?”

Zach cracked a smile. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“Good. There’s a lot of that,” I said flatly.

His smile grew.