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Rowan smiled. “Not just mediocre students who fit a certain criteria?”
“Hmm. It’s happened in the past. I don’t give a damn if your family came over on the Mayflower, attends church three times a week, and donates to the troops...if your test scores are shit, you can get in line behind a kid whose name you can’t pronounce if they have the grades.” He met her eyes. “Or a young woman without a possession or relative to what may or may not be her name.”
Eyes wide, she wanted to ask but didn’t.
“How small the great wide world can be, Rowan. Five years ago, a different man than the one who sits here now looked that same dean in the eye and asked why a girl with the best math scores in the state was in the rejection pile. In the acceptance pile was a milquetoast creature with a cross around her neck, a sterling recommendation from her pastor, and abysmal test scores across the board.”
Bennett shot his cuffs as the limo turned through massive iron gates. “That she was particularly weak in math - while applying and almostreceivinga mathematics scholarship - infuriated me.” Brilliant green eyes focused on her. “There was no photo with your submission. After we met, James and my assistant pulled your school records. I was right about you five years ago and I’m right about you now.”
James opened the door with a bow and reached in to brace Bennett’s arm. “Sir.” When his boss was upright, James extended his hand to Rowan with a smile. “Ma’am.”
She worked her way to the edge of the seat and the driver helped her stand. Then he lifted her easily and carried her across a courtyard and through twelve-foot-tall double doors into a mansion. Bennett walked beside them.
A high voice said, “I wasn’t able to get a motorized chair until tomorrow morning but a standard one will do with James pushing.” A woman who resembled a delicate bird walked around the corner and smiled up at Rowan. “Hello, Miss Foxe. I’m Mary-Margaret. Put her down, James. Poor thing.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” James placed her carefully in the wheelchair. “I didn’t expect to see anyone. Excuse my appearance.”
“Nonsense. You look lovely. I’m Bennett’s assistant. I have been for forty-two years. I understand I’m going to be giving you a crash course in what we do day to day.”
“I’m sorry...what?” Rowan asked in confusion.
Bennett explained, “If you choose not to marry me, I want you working for me. If you choose to marry me, I want you working for me. Either way, a job hunt is unnecessary.”
“I have a degree but zero experience, Bennett.”
“Mary-Margaret knows more about this company than I do. She’s going to show you the charity division. How it works, money going in, and where it’s distributed. I already know you can handle the math and technical aspects. What I want to know is if it sounds like something you’denjoy?”
Nodding, she whispered, “Yes. Very much.”
“Excellent. A few days to get you back on your feet first. I need to get on the phone with every vicious lawyer I’ve ever met but I’ll see you at dinner. James will show you to your suite. It’s across the hall from mine. Your belongings at the dorm will be transported here. A car has been assigned to you and your driver can assist you in getting your license if you wish.”
“A-alright.”
He smiled at her and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Overwhelmed?” She nodded. “It might not appear to be the case butyouare in control, Rowan. If you choose to leave, no one will stop you. I hope you choose to stay. There’s incredible opportunity here.”
“Bennett, I-I haven’tearnedthis.”
He winked. “I haven’t put you to work yet.” He turned to walk down the hall with Mary-Margaret at his side. “Get her settled, James. Make sure she has everything she needs or wants. I’ll be in my office.”
“Wonderful to meet you, Rowan!” his assistant called.
The driver pushed her across a foyer big enough to be a hotel lobby and Rowan realized there was an elevator cleverly blended into the surrounding wall. On the third floor, James pushed her across the hall and into a bedroom she never would have dreamed sleeping in.
“Bennett has been ordering you things for three days. Not even I know what he’s bought. Consider it a high-stakes Easter egg hunt.” Rowan laughed. “Your stuff will be here tomorrow but there are clothes in the closet for you. Expect more to arrive.”
“Uh…”
James crouched in front of the wheelchair. “I was like you, Rowan. I came from nothing. Cycled through foster care. Was on track to fuck up my entire life. I was seventeen when I met Bennett. I tried to steal his wallet and almost got my arm broken by his security.”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh, yeah. My life changed that day because Bennett enjoys puzzles. Your life will change, too. Some ways will be subtle and others will be glaring. Soak it all up, take it all in, and roll with whatever comes at you. You will never, ever regret it.”
“Okay.” He held her gaze with caramel eyes just like Nina’s.
“If someone had asked me a few years ago if Bennett Jefferson was the type of man to believe in love at first sight, I would have laughed in their face.” James shook his head slowly. “I wouldn’t laugh now.”
“I’m nervous.”
