Checking Every Box

“I was not expecting to find the woman of my dreams on my first full day in town,” I tried to smile warmly. “But these things happen. The last thing I would want to do would be to create stress between the two of you, or interfere with her job in any way.”

He pursed his lips. “And the fact that you’re at least ten years older than she is?”

“It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. It doesn’t bother her. She’s over twenty-one. Beyond that, I don’t think it matters.”

“I think it matters that you’re some rich guy swooping in to pick up a naïve young girl who is easily dazzled.”

“I’m hoping to drive her to the farmer’s market next weekend,” I said with a smile. “I don’t know how that rates on the dazzle scale.”

To my great relief, Joel chuckled.

“Listen,” I continued, “I know there are a lot of wealthy men who treat women like accessories to be shown off. I’m not like that. I adore her. I hang on every word she speaks. I don’t want her as a plaything, I want to treat her like the sweet, precious queen that I think she is.”

Joel leaned back, his fingers drumming on the polished desk. “I certainly wasn’t expecting that.”

“Neither was I,” I shrugged. “I came here to purchase a home. But the second I saw her, the first time she laughed with me, she had my heart.”

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He nodded. “I guess if you’re open enough to share that with me, you’ll probably be open and honest with her.”

“Absolutely,” I said. “The only thing I’ve kept from her is why I came to see you today. And I’ll be informing her in just a moment.”

Joel laughed, reaching out to shake my hand. “Okay, Steve. I’ll back off. As long as you continue treating her like a queen, and really listen to her, carry on.”

“Thank you,” I said, standing up. “Now please allow me to tell Heather that everything is alright, since she is probably worried sick.”

Joel nodded, waving to the door.

I rushed out to Heather’s desk, where she was practically cowering in her chair. I dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms around her. “It’s alright, precious. Take a breath.”

Joel leaned over her desk. “Heather, I’m sorry that I interfered. He’s a pretty good guy. At least, I think so. I’ll stay out of your way, as long as you give me occasional reports that he’s treating you well. Is that fair?”

Heather looked back and forth between us, stunned, then nodded.

“And I’ve promised not to interfere with your work,” I said gently. “What time do you finish today?”

“Five. Um, maybe five-fifteen, I have to finish a few things.”

“I’ll be in a coffee shop downstairs,” I said. “You take your time, and text me when I can drive you home. Alright?”

Her sweet smile and nod made my heart sing. “Sure. Thank you.”

I stood up to shake Joel’s hand again, then hurried out so that she could focus.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

* Heather *

Joel hovered over my desk for a moment after Steve left. “Listen, I’m sorry. I want you to be careful with that guy, but I shouldn’t have made you so worried. Are we good?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay. What else do I have today?”

My eyes flicked to the schedule. “You have a few conference calls, and then Erin Connor will be here at five.”

Joel nodded. “That’s the interview for the assistant for David and Brad?”