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Toby eyes me intently for what feels like an exceedingly long minute. I wonder if he’s trying to decide whether he can trust me or not. Part of me stings with guilt because of my personal, ulterior motive in getting to know more about Charlene. “Charlene was away for a few years. Out of state. Before that, most of her work focused on North Platte and the surrounding areas, but she didn’t live in Hershey. She had another place just outside Maxwell.”
“I see. What made her come back here, then?”
“I think Charlene can answer that question when you sit down for coffee again,” Toby replies, half-smiling. “Frankly, I’m more interested in getting to know you, Avery. Is it hard to do all the dirty work yourself?”
I laugh lightly. “I don’t intend on doing all the dirty work by myself for much longer. I’d rather focus on the design, the acquisition process, the logistical side of things. You know, creating the interiors and overseeing the implementation. Butsince I’m still quite new in the business, I had to start my brand from the ground up.”
Toby nods slowly, smelling his coffee before he practically downs half the mug. “Consider me impressed. Most women would balk at this kind of physical labor. It’s a lot of heavy work, isn’t it?”
“Well, yeah, but you get used to it. Of course, if there’s something I can’t physically do, I will pay someone to help me. For example, if Charlene decides that she wants to take out the old flooring, I’m not gonna be the one pulling hardwood or cracking tiles wide open by myself,” I tell him.
Toby seems like an interesting guy but for all his friendliness and apparent openness, I’ve got a vague feeling that he’s the kind of person who keeps every card close to his chest. “Where are you from, originally? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“North Carolina,” he says, not missing a single beat. “Charleston.”
“That’s funny. You don’t have that North Carolinian twang in you,” I giggle.
“I grew out of it years ago. I traveled a lot before I moved to Hershey,” he replies, then finishes his coffee and gets up. “Come on, Avery. I’ll help you get started if you want. I’ve got a couple of hours to spare before Charlene comes back from her meeting.”
I take one last sip of my mug and let him take it back into the kitchen, watching him closely. Toby is big and well-built, I’m guessing a former athlete or perhaps ex- military where physical combat was a must. I can tell from his demeanor and the way he carries himself, though his gait isn’t as unyielding as Kellan or Fallon’s.
“Were you in the military?” I ask him as we go into the living room. It’s the first room on my to-do list. “Oh, you even brought everything in here!” I exclaim upon noticing the materials and the paint cans set up on a black tarp in the corner.
“I even placed the paint to match its corresponding room, so you won’t have to carry the cans all over the place,” he replies, then narrows his brown eyes at me. “What makes you think I was in the military?”
“I don’t know. From the way you walk, I think? I know a few veterans, and you remind me a little of them.”
“Well, you guessed right. I was in the Army, but it was only for a few years.”
I give him a warm smile. “Thank you for your service.”
Toby looks away, eager to avoid the topic from what I can tell. He points to one of my toolboxes. “Need anything from in there?” he asks.
“Not yet. I need to strip the walls first. This is solid brickwork, not the usual, flimsy plasterboard. It’ll take a while,” I tell him.
Once I get started on chipping off the first layer, Toby watches me for a while, not saying another word. But the silence starts getting awkward, so I decide to give him a metal scraper so he can help with the second wall.
“I was wondering when I’d get the chance to get my hands dirty,” Toby laughs.
“You said you wanted to help.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I like this part,” he says, seemingly eager to get started. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this kind ofwork.”
I give him a sideways smirk. “Let me guess—it’s been lattes and quick brunches ever since you started working for Charlene.”
Again, Toby pauses, choosing his words. I’ve got a feeling that there’s a lot left unspoken in this conversation. I’m sure it has everything to do with the fact that I’m virtually still a stranger, and as Charlene’s PA, Toby has every reason to be protective and perhaps even suspicious. From what I’ve learned so far, her line of work is in the financial industry, and that usually comes with sharp and ruthless competition, especially where investments are concerned.
I’m hopeful that he will eventually open up more, and my desire to figure out what role Charlene plays, or played, in Kellan, Fallon, and Lukes lives will be revealed. If she’s been away for a few years, I imagine that means she’s been away from them, too.
“Mostly lattes and quick brunches, yes,” Toby decides to keep me out of the inner circle for now.
But that’s okay. I’ve got time and plenty of patience. We’ve only just started on the first room. Heck, by the time I’m done with the ground floor, I reckon I’ll know more about Charlene and Toby, possibly even get some answers regarding my men.
Until then, however, I will keep my head down and my questions as little intrusive as possible. I don’t want the wrong kind of spotlight on me. Not in this town. Not after everything I’ve already been through.
7
Avery
