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“Grant—” she began, but he interrupted.
“No, listen to me. You’ve paid your money and there’s nothing we can do about that now. So, like it or not, I’m your date. Last night, I got to thinking about how you weren’t really into Valentine’s Day, so I’m coming to you with a counteroffer. Instead of flowers and dinner in Birmingham, how about you get me for a week of free labor to help you around the house?”
Pepper was missing something. He was offering himself up for the whole week? That was an awful lot in exchange for what should’ve been just one night. “Free labor?”
“Yes. I’m no electrician, but I’m pretty handy. I can help with a lot of things, and for the things I can’t do, I know someone who can do it and give you a good deal on it. That’s got to be better than roses, right?”
It was definitely better than roses, but there had to be a catch. “Don’t you have fires to put out?”
“It just so happens that I’m going into a long stretch off. I don’t go back to work again until the sixteenth, so I’ve got nothing to do this week but help you here.”
Pepper didn’t know what to say. “What’s the catch, Grant? There has to be a catch.”
“There’s no catch, Pep. Well, that’s not true. There’s one catch—you have to let me into your house.” Pepper frowned at him. He was right, of course, whoever worked on her house would have to come in. That was just a sacrifice she’d have to make for the house to ever get better.
“You could start by inviting me in now,” Grant said with a hopeful smile. “I’ve already seen part of it.”
“Through teary, swollen eyes.”
Grant frowned at her. “Come on, Pepper. Let me help you.” She needed his help and damn it if it didn’t grate at her soul.
“Okay, fine,” she said. She took a large step back, opening the door so he could come inside. After she closed the door, he handed her the “bouquet.”
“This has a little bit of everything a homeowner needs, I think.”
“The vodka is a nice touch,” she said with a wry smile.
“I thought so.”
Pepper carried the bundle into the kitchen, where she set it on her small table in the breakfast nook. “Would you like some coffee?”
“I’d love some.”
She busied herself pouring him a cup. After she handed it over, she told him to have a seat. “I’m going to put on some clothes and I’ll be right out.”
She waited for him to make some smart comment along the lines of “don’t bother” or “need some help taking those off?” but he just nodded and sipped his coffee.
Interesting.
Pepper grabbed some clothes out of her armoire and disappeared into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, she emerged looking much more presentable. She picked up her own cooling mug of coffee, reheated it with a splash of fresh coffee, and sat down at the table with Grant.
“So you’re serious about this?” she asked. She wasn’t about to get her hopes up for nothing.
He nodded. “I am. After you left last night, I found out what happened with my grandmother. I have to admit I thought it was odd you’d bid that much on me considering how much you’ve protested, but I was flattered.”
Pepper eyed him over her mug. “Has your ego recovered from the hard blow of the truth?”
He shrugged and smiled. “The truth is a complicated thing. Deep down, I think that you’re interested in a relationship with me, but you hold back for your own reasons. Even with the temptation, four thousand dollars is a lot of money. I wouldn’t even pay four grand for me.”
“Well, I wonder about the woman who bid right before me. She really wanted you.”
Grant looked at her and grinned. “You didn’t see who it was?”
“No. I was getting ready to leave, which is why I had my paddle in my hand.”
“It was Dorothy Baker.”
Pepper’s eyes grew wide. “Miss Dotty?” He nodded. “To be honest, I was a little scared by the prospect. All things considered, I’m glad you got water dumped on you, at least selfishly.”
