AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Excuse the mess. We send cards out to every guest we’ve ever had.” He gestured toward the guest chair. “Please, have a seat.”
Glad to have a chance to press my shaking knees together, I did so.
Thad sat, moving the coffee cup to the far end of the desk. “I forgot I left that here. I’m constantly doing that. Sometimes I find a cup in the microwave. Anyway, what brought you to Bluefern?”
I swallowed. Just say it as I practiced, I told myself. Nothing to it. “I’ve had a change of circumstances and needed a new start. I’m from Philly but always dreamed of moving west.” All lies. I’d never been to Philadelphia in my life.
“May I ask what kind of changes?” He held up his hand. “Never mind. Forget I asked that. None of my business, plus it’s not appropriate for me to ask that in an interview.”
“No problem.” I splayed my hands over my jean-clad knees.
“Do you have a résumé, by any chance?”
My pulse quickened. “No. I don’t have one. Or references.”
“Why’s that exactly?” Remarkably his expression didn’t change. His eyes remained soft, almost sympathetic.
“I know it sounds bad, and it is. I mean, it’s just that…” Fighting tears, I trailed off. What was I supposed to say?
“Whatever you left or whomever you left—you don’t want them to know where you went. Is that right?”
I stared at him, helpless to think of anything to say. “Um. Yeah. That’s right.”
He picked up a pen and absently twirled it like a baton between his fingers. “I’m going to ask you this, and I don’t want you to take it the wrong way. I mean no offense, but are you hiding from someone who hurt you? A man?”
Although the bruises had faded weeks ago, I found myself touching my neck where John had choked me.
“Is that why you picked Montana?” Thad asked. “So, he can’t find you?”
“Something like that.” All the saliva in my mouth had evaporated. “Does this mean you can’t hire me?”
He tugged at the collar of his black sweater. “Do you think he can find you?”
Finally, something I could answer without lying or fudging the truth. “No, he can’t. I’m sure of that.”
“Good.” He didn’t speak for a few seconds, clearly sizing me up.
“I won’t bring you or your family any trouble.” Was that true? God, I hoped so. “I just need a job and a place to live. Chloe and I like it here.”
Thad unfolded his lean body out of the chair and went to the small window, looking out at the view of the Rocky Mountains. “This ranch has been in my family for generations. My mother almost lost it because she married the wrong man. When my father deserted her, she had five little boys and a ranch she couldn’t afford to keep.” He turned back to look at me. “We understand about fresh starts here.”
I swallowed. A tiny surge of hope fluttered in my stomach. “I’m a hard worker. I’ll take whatever work you have.”
“We’re having Thanksgiving over at my brother Atticus’s house.” He fluttered his fingers toward the window.
“Right. Of course. It’s the holiday. I don’t expect an answer immediately.”
“No, it’s not that. I was wondering if you and Chloe wanted to join us for dinner. You can meet the whole family. We like to get to know the people we hire, especially if they plan to stick around a while. It’ll be my four brothers and my parents, plus a few strays.”
“Would Chloe and I count as strays?” I asked, smiling at the image.
“By strays, I mean friends and employees who have no place to go.” He lifted his shoulders in a sheepish shrug. “Not like feral cats or anything.”
“Right, of course.” I giggled, feeling suddenly young and carefree.
“What do you say? You and Chloe up for it?”
“We would be honored to join you. Is there anything I can bring?” What could it hurt? If it helped me get the job, then all the better. I just had to be careful not to reveal too much. As friendly as people seemed here, this was not my home. I couldn’t let myself grow complacent. Protecting Chloe was my only job in this world, and I could not mess it up.
