AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes assessing me now, Bob frowned. "Are you a keen gardener?"
"No. I love nature and plants, hence why I bought the place, but I've never had to care for any myself."
Stepping back and looking back up the drive, Bob sighed then met my eyes again. "This place will be overgrown and ruined in months if you don't keep up with it. What can you afford to pay?"
Very friggin little thanks to Mr. Hearn and his lawyers. "Um, well, how much would you charge Mr. Hearn?"
"It was always included in the cost of the manor house. I guess, a grand a month would cover it." When I balked, Bob frowned. "Could you afford seven fifty?"
If I didn't want to eat or have functioning electricity. "I'd have to do the sums. Can you drop by tomorrow?"
"Sure. I'm happy to negotiate." He turned to leave.
"Bob?" Opening the door, I limped out onto the porch.
Bob turned back, noticed my limping and frowned. "You're hurt?" He reached for me.
Terror froze my heart, and I stepped back as an automatic reaction. My ankle didn't hold, and I cried out as I fell to the porch. Bob tried to take my arm, but I cowered in fear and pulled back from him. That made Bob stop. He stepped back, his blue eyes wide as he watched me.
Cursing under my breath, I shuffled back against the wall and stabilized my breathing. "I'm sorry, I just... don't touch me, okay?"
"Okay." Bob took another step back.
Gritting my teeth, I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I wanted to know if the local store delivered groceries by any chance? I can't drive till my ankle heals and I'm running out of food."
Bob shook his head. "No, they don't. It's only a small grocery store. None of the big chains have bothered coming out this way yet."
Figuring that was the case, I slumped back against the front wall of the house. "Thanks."
Bob licked his lips. "Look, the new butler, he does shopping for Mr. Hearn. If you write me a list and give me the cash, I'm sure he would pick up what you need until your ankle heals." Peering up, I meet Bob's eyes, unsure. "Trust isn't your strong suit, huh?"
I shook my head.
Squatting so he was level with me, Bob sighed. He wasn't a tall man, close to the same height as me. "Look, Mr. Hearn isn't around a lot. Even when he is, he's not too concerned with what his staff is doing. As long as we take care of the place, he has other priorities. Jeremy and I, we can help you out for a few weeks. We don't mind."
"Jeremy is the butler?"
"We won't hurt you. I'll take care of the grounds, and Jeremy will drop off your groceries. You don't have to interact with us if it troubles you."
In my heart, I wanted to believe him, but my past experiences of men had never ended well. The man seemed genuine, and something about Bob appealed to me, apart from his looks.
When I continued staring at my knees, Bob sighed and dropped his eyes to his toes. "Is it only men?" My head snapped up to appraise his question. "That you fear? Is it only men?"
Hesitating only a moment, I gave a small nod.
"If I told you I was neutered and posed no threat to you, would you allow me to help you?"
Keeping my wide eyes low, I wondered if he was honest about his condition.
"Would you let me help you back inside? You can give me that list, and I'll see what I can organize for you?"
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. What other option did I have? When I held out my arm, Bob moved forward and wrapped my arm over his shoulder. My eyes went wide, and I squeaked when he pulled me into his arms like a groom would his bride.
"It's okay, I've got you." Bob carried me inside with ease.
Setting me on the lounge, he went to the freezer and put together an ice pack before coming back to me. Before I could protest, he lifted my trouser leg to wrap my ankle.
Sitting there wide-eyed, I wasn't sure how I should feel about his touching me. Once he'd wrapped my ankle, Bob's eyes went to the cut across my shin. Brows furrowing as he studied it, Bob used his finger to test the scab was holding. "How did you hurt yourself?"
