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The dog sat down but was still large enough to be able to peep over the window ledge at them. Rory gestured at a wrought iron bench in the garden, in the midst of the meadow flowers. “Before we go inside, I’d like to talk about my proposal. While I have your full attention.”
“You always have my full attention.”
“I won’t once you meet the dog and the cats.”
Sky laughed softly. “Ah yes, that might be an issue.”
She took a seat. When Rory sat beside her, he took her hand in his and studied her rings and nails thoughtfully.
“So, what’s this proposal?”
His expression turned serious. “I want you to get into Art College, to live your dream. I talked to Draco about it.”
She frowned. “Draco?”
“Yes, I wanted to be sure he’s on board with my plan, and he is.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of this, especially if Draco approves.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides, I’ve got my application in.”
“Yes, but I don’t want you to be doing barista shifts any more. I worry about you having to save in advance and how you’ll cope when you start. I want to help you.”
“That’s kind and I appreciate it but you can’t Rory.”
“I can and I will. Do you remember when you wanted to help me and you were upset that I wouldn’t let you?”
“Yes, I was hurt because you helped me.”
“Well, I do want you to help me, and if you like this proposal I think we can make it work for us both.” His eyes were bright, but there was tension in him, as if he wasn’t sure how she would react.
It made Sky wary and she pulled away. “Come on, out with it, you’re making me fret.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “That’s exactly what I don’t want to do. Look, I need help at the workshop. I thought maybe you’d be like an office manager, take the calls for bookings, scheduling and stuff. I also want to get security cameras fitted so I need someone with one eye on the screen. I’d like a hand with the accounts. We both need to be trained for that, but we could train together.”
“Wait, you’re going to keep working at Halliday’s?”
“I have to, it’s what George wanted.” Sky frowned, but then Rory’s expression broke, and he laughed. “George wanted me to take over the workshop if anything happened to him. He left it to me in his will. If I pull a big enough profit his daughter Kate has shares so she’s earns a bit too.”
“Oh Rory, that’s amazing.”
“Its been tough, but once I got my head around it, I wondered if you would come and work with me instead of doing the barista stuff, hang out, maybe do the books, or answer the phones, make coffee for anyone who calls by.”
“You want me to make coffee, like your own private barista?” She arched her brows at him.
“Shit no. I mean yes. Sorry Sky, this is all coming out wrong. Look…I want you to have a job if you want it, but what I really want is for you to be able to go to Art College and I’ll be able to help you out now.”
Help? “The family thing again? You’re being big brother now?”
He shook his head. “No, not at all. My life is changing, fast, but the only sure thing I know is that I want you to be part of it.”
Inhaling sharply, Sky blinked back sudden, unbidden tears.
She tried to follow what he was saying, but those words kept echoing around her mind. I want you to be part of it.
“There was a lump sum, his savings, which he left for his daughter. Apart from that he left me his stuff, and his workshop. Kate didn’t want to deal with the business, said it was a weight off her shoulders to have it looked after, just wanted to be sure I kept his name going, which of course I will. It’ll always be Halliday’s. He’d lived frugally and what he didn’t put into the business he invested for her, and she’s happy with that. His will left the house to Kate. Kate wanted to keep it as an investment, but doesn’t want to rent to a stranger, someone who wouldn’t want the pets. So she said I could live here rent free if I maintain it, and if I ever move out and sell, she’d split the profit with me. So…I have a home, and a business. I promised him to keep it all going. I need to do justice to George’s memory. It’s a really big deal. I can hardly take it in, that’s why I had to get away, think for a while. I decided I could cope, if you were part of it.”
Sky swiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Don’t get me wrong,” he rattled on, making her laugh, “the house needs work, George hadn’t done anything to it for years and it’s full of motorbike junk. Kristaps is going to come by tomorrow and make a list of work to be done. It’ll take time but it would make a lovely home, for both of us, together, if you’re willing.”
