“Thanks again,” I say. “Seriously. You didn’t have to do this.”
“Not often a pretty girl needs my help anymore. Just a toddler running around here these days.”
I smile at that. I can’t help it. “I’m sure you have enough pretty girls with her.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised.” His eyes stare into mine. I feel my heart start to beat faster. I drink my water to try to cover my excitement, not even sure what I’m feeling. “Anyway, let’s get you home.”
“Sure.” I put the glass down and he helps me up. We hobble back outside where there’s a black truck waiting on the gravel driveway. He opens the door, helps me in, and goes around behind the driver’s side.
Dust kicks up behind the truck as it bumps down the driveway. “Sorry,” he says. “Not real even out here. Guy before me didn’t maintain this very well.”
“No need for a driveway when the world’s about to end,” I comment.
He grins. “I think you’re right about that.”
We come out onto the main road and he drives me back home. The manor isn’t far by road, and it takes us about ten minutes to get there. He pulls in and we stop at the front gate.
I don’t want to buzz it and go in. I know what my parents are going to say. Archie will give me that disappointed look and Mother will roll her eyes at me. I want to stay in this truck with this man, this attractive, funny, gorgeous man. His truck smells like leather and smoke and hard, sweating bodies. I want to lean across the space between us and put my head on his shoulder.
Instead he looks at me and smiles. “What?”
“Do you want a job?” I blurt out.
He blinks at that and leans back, frowning a little. “A what now?”
“A job,” I say. “I mean, I can get you a job. You said you were out of work, so—”
“Slow down,” he says, holding up a hand. “I don’t really need charity, just to be clear. I’m fine how I am.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I say, blushing. “It’s just, we lost a security guy a little while ago, but we haven’t replaced him yet. I think they’re trying to hire someone local and it’s been tough.”
“Security?” he asks.
“Yeah. You’d work on the grounds. I don’t know all the details, but I could put Archie in touch with you. He’s the, uh, well, he’s the butler.”
Max laughs and shakes his head. “Of course you have a butler.”
I blush again. “I know, it’s stupid. I didn’t hire him. But the job’s real, I think it pays well, and it’s pretty easy. You just stand around and look angry.”
“I can do that,” he says, nodding. “I’ve got a lot of practice at that.”
“And it’s close to your house. Commute will be great.”
He strokes his beard. “Might be nice. I have a kid though. I need something with normal hours.”
“I’ll talk to Archie. I’ll see if it’s a good fit.”
He considers me for a moment. I feel stupid for asking him, but I couldn’t help myself. I don’t want this to be the last time we see each other.
“Okay,” he says. “Here. You got a phone?”
“Not on me,” I admit.
He sighs and laughs. “Give me your number then. I’ll text you later and you can call me if this works out.”
“Good. I mean, great.” I take his phone and put my number in there before handing it back.
“Good. Let me drive you up to the house.”
“No, no, that’s okay, I mean—”
“It’s a long driveway, right?”
I nod once. “A little.”
“Then let me do it.”
“Thank you.” I feel so relieved. “Roll down your window and hit that button over there.”
He does it and the intercom flares to life. “Yes?”
“Archie, it’s Delia,” I say. “Can you let us in?”
He hesitates. “Yes, Delia. Who are you with?”
“Man named Max Fellows. He’s a local. He helped me out.”
“Are you okay?” Archie sounds worried.
“I’m fine, Arch. Let us in.”
The gate rolls away and Max drives on. “He sounds nice.”
“Known him all my life,” I admit. “Seriously, I grew up with that man.”
“Must be nice.”
“I don’t know. It’s… nice, in some ways.”
We pull up the driveway and he parks out in front of the house. Before I can say anything, he gets out and comes around.
“You don’t have to—” I start, but he’s already helping me down. He has a hand on my waist and I have to admit, it feels so good.
But as soon as we’re out, Archie comes down. “Oh, Delia. What happened?”
“I sprained my ankle is all,” I say. “I’m fine, honestly. Max helped me.”
Archie nods at Max and shakes his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Fellows. You bought the old Gerry cabin, didn’t you?”
“That’s right,” Max says with a chuckle. “Gerry was one interesting guy.”
“Yes, he was. We’re glad he’s gone.” Arche turns to me. “Come on. I’ll call a doctor and have you looked at.”