He shocked me when he pulled the truck into his driveway and parked it.
“You do your job, you’ll get paid, Charly.” He swung himself out of the vehicle, staring at me across the seat. “You have two weeks. Impress me.”
He shut the door, and I had to smile. I planned on impressing him, all right. In two weeks, he’d be lost without me.After we got back, Maxx disappeared. I assumed he went to the shop, but I didn’t ask. I relaxed a little without him watching me. Envious, I watched Rufus out in the sun, rolling on the grass. I had no time for fun today. I got busy, quickly dusting out shelves and loading them up with groceries. The fridge was clean, and by the time I finished, full. I had no idea what to do about dinner. Did I make it and we would eat together? Leave it for Maxx to eat when he wanted? Too tired of fighting and knowing I had a lot of long days ahead of me, I made a simple dinner of baked chicken and rice, threw together a salad, then ate alone, standing at the counter. The kitchen already looked better, the counters gleaming, the cupboards full and clean. I stretched my tired muscles and left dinner in the oven, then headed to the garage. I bumped into Maxx partway across the grass. He and Rufus looked windblown and relaxed, although Rufus looked happier to see me than Maxx did.
“How do I get to the room?” I asked. “Does the side door lock as well?”
For the first time since I arrived, he didn’t snap at me or behave rudely. “Yes. And there is an alarm. Come, and I’ll show you.”
I followed him, and he took me through the simple steps.
“So, will it go off in the morning if I walk through the garage?”
“No. Only if the windows or doors are opened. The alarm sounds inside the house, so I would hear it.” He handed me three keys. “One for the side door, one for the room, one for the house”
I took the keys, trying to ignore the heat I felt as his fingers brushed against mine.
“You’re sure I won’t sneak in and murder you in your sleep?”
“Tempted, Charly?”
“There are moments,” I replied. I swore I saw his lips quirk, but I must have imagined it. He stared at me, and I cleared my throat.
“Okay. Your dinner is in the oven. Salad in the fridge.”
“What about you?”
I couldn’t resist. “Oh, the big man cares.”
He rolled his eyes, glaring at me again. “I don’t want you dropping from hunger. I don’t have time to look after you.” He stomped to the door.
“I ate already,” I informed him.
“Fine.” He yanked open the door, pausing to enter the code on the alarm. “Charly,” he called over his shoulder.
I turned, expecting another rebuke about not setting off the alarm or something. Instead, he surprised me. “You’ll be perfectly safe here.”
He shut the door before I could respond.Chapter 9MAXXI walked into the house, the scent of dinner filling my head. I couldn’t recall the last time I had walked in to such a homey smell. Shannon hadn’t been a great cook and I sucked at it, so meals had been either from a box, the one pizza place in town, or the barbecue. I did a good job on the grill, when I bothered to try. Since she left, I hadn’t bothered once.
I opened the oven and took out the casserole, inhaling. My mouth watered at the aroma, and I filled my plate, carrying it to the table, surprised to see the spot I usually sat in tidy, with a place mat and cutlery waiting.
I tried the chicken and rice, almost moaning at the flavor. It was simple but delicious, and I was starving. As I ate, I glanced out the window, wondering what Red was doing.
I shook my head.
Charly. She was Charly, and I had to think of her that way.
I had to admit, as I’d suspected, she was a feisty one. She hadn’t shrunk from me once today, no matter how much I snarled or sniped at her. In fact, she gave as good as she got, at times making me want to laugh. There were moments I had to look away in order not to do so. Her facial expressions were amusing—she would make a horrible poker player—she was far too expressive to keep her emotions hidden. In the store, she was efficient, loading the cart, muttering to herself. At times, it was as if she was checking off a recipe in her head, adding the ingredients. She used odd expressions. Gosh dang it. Easy peasy. Holy moly. Would ya look at that. Yowsers. Chap my ass. They dotted her mutterings and entered her conversation. If she didn’t annoy me so much, I might find them, and her, adorable.