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“Oh,” comes a deep voice that I recognize as my boss Daniel Patrick. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Not at all. Daniel, this is my girlfriend, Ramsey. Ramsey, this is one of the partners, Daniel Patrick.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” My girl offers him her hand politely, and he takes it, his eyes coming to mine.
“This is the Ramsey you’ve been talking about?”
“The one and only,” I state proudly.
“That’s actually what I was coming to talk to you about.”
“Okay?”
“Spencer and I decided it’s time to bring on more help. This is going to sound bad, but you were pulling so much of the weight around here, now that you’ve gone to somewhat normal hours, we’re feeling the workload.”
I start to apologize, but I keep my mouth closed. He’s right. I’ve been working insane hours since the day they hired me, and I was okay with that until I met the love of my life. Now I need those hours for her. For us.
“With that said, we talked about what we needed. We tossed around another attorney, but we’re both gearing for retirement, and hopefully, you’ll be interested in taking this place off our hands at that point. We figured you could decide who that person is.”
“Thank you, sir. I would be honored to take over the practice.”
He nods and continues, “So, we decided a paralegal or legal assistant is what we’re looking for. Someone who knows the field and can help with the research and screening clients. Those types of things.” He turns to Ramsey. “Deacon tells me you have a poli-sci degree.”
“Y-Yes, I do.” She looks at me with wide eyes and back to Daniel.
“Whatever firm you're currently working for, we’ll match it and hopefully do a little better.”
“What?” she asks, confused.
“I want you to come work for Patrick and Gordman. This guy,” he points at me, “sings your praises every day. I just figured he’d enjoy working with you, and we need the help. I assume you need to give your current firm two weeks?” he asks.
“Mr. Patrick, I’m not currently working at a firm. I work at the Willow Tavern full time, and I have two other part-time jobs just as I’m needed.”
“Work here and only have one job. Do you think you can handle being with this one all day?” he asks, his belly shaking.
Ramsey turns to look at me. “Did you know about this?”
“No. You’re hearing about it for the first time, just like I am.”
“That’s my mistake. I assumed you were using your degree. We really could use someone with your education. Willow River is a small town, and not many have your credentials, and want small-town living.” He walks to my desk, grabs a Post-it and a pen, and writes something on it, handing it to Ramsey. “This is our initial offer. Forty hours per week. Take a few days to think it over, talk about it with Deacon, and get back to me.” With that, he waves and walks back out the door.
“Did that just happen?” she asks.
“It did. What did he write on the paper?” I slide my arm around her waist and press my lips to her temple.
“I’m afraid to look.”
“You don’t have to. You can toss it in the trash and tell him thanks but no thanks. I won’t be upset with you either way.”
“Do you think we could work together?”
“Yes.”
“Won’t you get sick of me?”
“Never.”
She nods. “I want to at least see what it says.”
“That sounds like a solid plan. Weigh all your options.” She bites down on her bottom lip, and the nervous energy rolls off her in waves. Releasing her, I walk to my office door and close it. I guide her to one of the two guest chairs and sit, pulling her onto my lap. “I’m right here, Ramsey.”
She laughs softly. “I’m not scared. Well, I guess maybe I am.”
“I know change is hard after the security that you’ve built for yourself. You’ve been wanting to do this. Just see what they’re offering, and you can start your decision-making process from there.”
Slowly she opens the folded Post-it note and instantly gasps. “That’s more than double what I make now. At all three jobs.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“That’s a very good thing. But can I do it? Can I do the job?”
“Yes. I know you can. Sure, there will be things that you have to learn, but that’s any career. College doesn’t prepare you for using what you’ve learned. Every job has a learning curve.” She’s quiet, and I don’t push her. Instead, I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. Regardless of what she chooses, she has great things ahead of her. We both do. Together.
“Will you help me? I mean, I know that’s a lot to ask with your current workload, but will you?” She turns to look at me.
