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Edward Kearney chuckled and turned to walk back to his desk. He leaned against it, crossing his arms over his broad, barrel chest. He was silent, both of us staring at each other. His black hair, sprinkled liberally with gray, had a straight, severe part down the side. His suit was obviously expensive and tailor-made, his shoes polished to a high mirror shine. I straightened my spine and didn’t look away. His eyes narrowed, but there was some kind of recognition in his expression as he took me in.
“You can’t transfer the scholarship. You were admitted to Columbia University—and you accepted. The scholarship you won is being processed to pay that school.”
I closed my eyes briefly. Columbia University. For a second, a fierce longing twisted my gut. But then I pictured Tenleigh with her black eye, the defeated expression in her eyes. I thought about Shelly and how her lip had trembled when she’d told me she was pregnant by some nameless trucker who wouldn’t take no for an answer. This town was tough on men, but it was even tougher on the women, and that was the simple truth. There was no way I could take Tenleigh with me. I didn’t have the money for a plane ticket, an apartment for her, hell, even for more than a few meals. And if I left for four years, earned a degree, what would happen to Tenleigh in that time? Would the defeat become part of her like it did to so many in these coal mine towns? Would the poverty slowly chip away at that bright, beautiful spirit? The spirit of the woman I loved with my whole heart? How could I leave her here when I couldn’t protect her? I couldn’t. It would kill me.
“Please, there must be something that can be done? Some paperwork that could just be transferred? No one knows I won yet. The person I want to transfer it to is on the list of finalists, Tenleigh Falyn.”
He cocked his head to the side, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth. “I saw where you live. I saw the life you lead. I came from circumstances just like yours. That picture over there”—he pointed to a photo on the wall of a small, crumbling shack—“that’s a picture of where I grew up. I had to claw and fight for every inch I received in life. I know it’s the same for you. I’d never give up what I had to fight for…for anyone. You shouldn’t either. Especially not some damn woman.”
We’re not the same, you and I. We’re nothing alike.
“She’s not just some woman, sir. She’s more than that. To me, she’s everything.”
He laughed, but it sounded cold. “Clearly.” He considered me for another minute before he continued. “Unlike you, I’m not a man who does something for nothing. That’s why I’m standing behind this desk.” He walked around the large mahogany piece of furniture and placed his fingertips on the inlaid leather top. “And you’re standing on the other side of it begging me for my help in a pair of shoes that wore out two years ago. That’s not how I got to be where I am today. I never give anything away for free. Am I clear? If I do this, I’ll expect to be compensated.”
“You’re part of giving out a very generous scholarship every year. That’s—”
“PR, son. Tyton Coal took a hit when the Dennville mine cave-in happened. Things like this encourage people to forget. People forget, stock goes back up. I become a very rich man.”
Bastard. How had anyone ever wanted this man?
I took a deep breath, forcing the rage back down my throat. “Please, sir. I’ll do anything. If you’ll help me, I’ll do anything. I’ll pay you back. I’ll set up some kind of payment plan. Anything.”
He considered me for so long, I began to think he wouldn’t answer at all. “You’ll work for me. I’m short on belowground miners. I’m always short on belowground miners. You sign a contract to work for me for the four years Tenleigh’s in school and I’ll have the scholarship transferred to her, the housing, everything.”
A wave of fear made me dizzy and I almost stumbled back. Belowground miner. I couldn’t do that. It was the one thing I couldn’t do. The only thing I couldn’t do. And then how would I eventually make my way to where she was? If I was here…stuck…again.
Tenleigh.
Tenleigh.
“I’ll do it,” I croaked out. “You have a deal.”
His face spread into a slow smile. “Figure you at least have the blow job of your life coming for this one. If she’s anything like her batshit crazy mother, it might even be worth it.” He laughed as if we were friends. He laughed as if there were anything remotely funny about that.
