AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Is it hot in here? Yeah, it is hot in here.
I stood and looked at the thermostat.Nope, a pleasant seventy degrees.
I took my seat as Mason plucked out a list of approved foods from his portfolio and passed it to Becky. “Yes. So, I just make sure they get in more protein than carbs. I minimize their sugars, and there are no preservatives or sugary drinks in the house. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is okay.”
Becky fumbled for something in her purse. “Okay. Maybe I should take notes.”
Brad shook his head. “Don’t worry, Becky. As long as they are not starving or dehydrated, you’re straight. Don’t bother with Mason. He was dropped on his head multiple times when he was younger.” His mouth quirked up in humor.
Mason threw him a look, and I knew in about two seconds, they’d be at each other’s throats again, so I changed the subject quickly. “Sarah, do you have any questions?”
She blinked up at me and slowly shook her head, chewing on her bottom lip.
My eldest internalized a lot, and it took great effort on my part to get to the bottom of what she was actually feeling. I made a mental note to take her out later for a daddy-daughter date.
Nat had always been attuned to Sarah, knowing if something was bothering her before it got out of control. I had to remind myself to be focused and present and to be aware, and I usually was with Sarah. I’d have to know more of her thoughts later when I spoke to her.
“Okay, girls, you guys can leave and let us handle it from here,” I said, pointing to the door.
Patty ushered the girls out, and after they left, Mason started his regular questions that he had for every candidate.
“So, Becky, can you tell us a little about yourself and your past work experience?”
She visibly swallowed, and Patty shot Mason a look.
It was an easy enough question, but what Patty had told us earlier, I knew we shouldn’t be pushing too hard.
Becky wrung her hands on top of the table. “Well … let’s see. I’m a certified nursing assistant. I got my certificate online and went to nursing school for a bit but didn’t finish because of life.”
Curiosity nibbled at my insides, and I rested my forearms at the edge of the table. I shouldn’t wonder what life event had gotten in the way of her getting her degree, but I couldn’t stop myself from wondering.
“I took care of Carl from when he was twenty to twenty-three.” Her eyes flickered toward the table and then up to meet our eyes. “Until he died. He was an unbelievably loving and gentle soul.” She swallowed and bit on her bottom lip. “And then I’ve been taking care of Eleanor ever since. I know her body is deteriorating, but her mind, it’s sharp. I mean, she suffered from a stroke and lost her ability to talk, but she can beat me at Scrabble still.”
Patty laughed. “That woman and her word-building skills is amazing.”
“So, any boyfriend, husband, kids?” Mason said.
We all turned to him.
Becky’s facial features dropped. It was the first time the permanent smile on her face had slipped since she’d stepped into the house. “Well, no boyfriend, no husband …” There was a long pause, and I had seen a flash of pain flicker through her eyes, but it was gone a second later. “No kids either.”
They hadn’t noticed it because they hadn’t experienced the pain that I had. But I swore it had been there.
Brad grabbed the sheet of paper, where the questions were listed, and flipped it over to the blank side. “My turn.” He was winging his turn. “Favorite Disney film?”
As the questions continued, I watched her every reaction. I knew her nervous tells—the wringing of her hands, the biting of her bottom lip.
And with each question, that niblet of curiosity grew.
One thing I excelled at was being a good people-reader. I had to be. I was the head of the largest printing corporation in the nation. I’d guarantee that all CEOs had the same strengths, one of them being the bullshit-reader. I had to make multimillion-dollar decisions for Brisken Printing Corp., so there was no way I could mess around when my family and the multiple families that I employed depended on my sound decisions.
As I sat back and took in Becky and all that she was, there were three things I noticed that counted.
1. She was nervous.
2. She was a genuine, trusting person, like Patty had indicated.
3. She had a past. One that she wanted buried deep and kept there.
