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“Because I’m out of a job. I don’t have the cash to cover this and my credit cards are on the ceiling. I never agreed to make repairs on your house. Small things, I could understand, but this is way out of—”
“How do I know you didn’t cause this?”
“What? I haven’t put anything but toilet paper in the toilet. I walked in the door and saw this flood going on. And you just said it happens from time to time. Maybe you should call a plumber, because I am not paying for repairs on a house I have only stayed in for one day.”
“Then you will have to leave.”
“Fine. I’ll be gone tonight.”
Blake could tell her response surprised Elena, but the woman recovered quickly and said, “I never asked you for a deposit, so I expect payment for the night you spent there.”
“I’ll Venmo you fifty bucks,” Blake said.
“Are you kidding? I could get ten times that for a night in that cottage.”
“This rundown shack? I spent so much time yesterday cleaning this disgusting filthy place that you should be paying me for my services. Add the three hundred dollars’ worth of damage to my shoes and books that your flood caused and we’re even. I will leave your keys in that hiding place where you originally told me to find them.”
Blake ended the call. She had to admit her rant was somewhat therapeutic, and she was relieved not to be spending another night in this awful place.
Only trouble was—where would she go?
The thought of running to her big brother’s house with her tail between her legs made her want to scream. Especially after their not-so-harmonious encounter today when she berated him for thinking she was not capable of taking care of herself. And going to her Uncle Phil would be even worse, especially since she knew he was busy with an event at The Blue Albatross tonight. Not only would she be intruding on that, but contacting him at the bistro would also mean everyone there would be hearing about her calamity.
Could she get a room in a bed and breakfast last minute? September was still tourist season in this area.
Blake grabbed her phone and first sent the fifty dollars to Elena. It was only fair since she did spend the night here. Then she began scrolling through the local bed and breakfasts.
A call came in from Harper. With a sheepish grimace that he fortunately could not see, Blake picked up. “Hi, Harper.”
“Blake. I’m sorry for springing Morgan on you like I did. Marni really got on me for doing that.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“I was so sure it would be a solution you’d jump on,” he said, “but what do I know? I should have called you first, told you some details, and given you time to think about it in private.”
“It was kind of a lot to take in.” Especially with that way-too-sexy man staring at her the whole time.
“Now that things have settled down, will you give me ten minutes to tell you why I think it might work for you?”
“All right.”
“Really?”
“Sure.” Since she had nowhere to live as of tonight, she’d be a fool to not at least listen. And her emotional breakdown and expressive discussions with herself this afternoon had helped take the edge off her reaction to the nanny proposal.
“First of all,” Harper said, “you would not be caring for a baby or a difficult toddler. His daughter is nine years old and very intelligent and not a brat. I think you’d really like her. Next is the fact that Morgan is a specialist in protecting people, so I confess, I like knowing my baby sis would be in his secure home and have the benefit of his experienced eye on you whenever necessary. Third, the house he just bought is a beauty that would be a positive change for you after that hovel you are in now, not to mention the not-too-sunny tiny studio apartment you had in Manhattan. You would be living rent free and you and Morgan could work out hours that accommodate both of you. He would also offer you a decent salary.”
As she looked around this dark dingy place—with the sound of a leaking toilet in the background—she had to admit the situation Harper described sounded pretty nice. “But what if I get a teaching position in January?”
“Do you really think that is a possibility? How likely is it when the majority of school contracts run for the full year?”
She sighed. “You’re right. Not very likely. But maybe by the summer. And truthfully, maybe not even by then.”
“So you could agree to at least eight months. Then if you get a position and need to relocate to a school across the country you’d at least have a little money to do it with.”
“Good point. I am pretty worried about making my savings last.”
“I figured that,” he said, “and when it runs out it would mean Uncle Phil and I will be forced to hire one of the worst waitresses I’ve ever seen. Didn’t you get fired from—”
