“Be a waste of good pie. Although, I understand the sentiment. I’ve had similar thoughts.”
“I’m not looking for a job.”
“It pays better than what you’re earning at the diner. You’d be able to work less hours and spend more time with your boys.”
Damn. He knew exactly what to say to appeal to her, didn’t he?
“I’d have to work with Renard, though.”
He nodded. “Yes. Which is a definite downside. But there could be side benefits.”
“Medical?”
“Certainly. But I was thinking more along the lines of something else.” His gaze heated, and he watched her with interest.
He couldn’t mean what she thought he did, could he?
“I-I don’t know.”
He nodded. “You need to think about it. It’s not a light decision.”
“Peggy has been good to me. I couldn’t just leave her in the lurch.”
“Understandable. I admire loyalty. But just think about this, I’m offering you an opportunity to further your skills. You have talent. You just need to fine-tune it. You’re not going to have that chance slaving away at the diner.”
She wouldn’t say she was slaving away. But she did understand what he was offering. And she couldn’t turn him down without thinking it through.
“Thank you. I appreciate the offer.”
“I’ll give you a few days to think it over.”
She took her plate over to the sink. “Oh, and, Aspen?”
She turned back to look at him. “Yes?”
“I spoke to Hannah today.”
She froze. “You did?” Shit. She should have considered that might happen. Why hadn’t she called the other woman and warned her? Asked her to cover for her?
“Yes, and, interestingly enough, she had no idea what I was talking about when I thanked her for picking you up this morning.”
She licked her dry lips. “Did I say Hannah picked me up? I meant—”
“Don’t bother to lie to me, little one,” he told her in a low voice. All hint of warmth was gone. “That’s only going to dig you a bigger hole. Now, I’m going to give you one more opportunity to tell me how you got into town today.”
Her shoulders slumped. Shit. “Fine, I hitched a ride. But it was with a nice elderly couple. I wasn’t in any danger.”
“Not in any danger? Do you seriously believe that? Are you that naive you don’t realize that just because someone looks harmless doesn’t mean they are? What if they’d had a gun? What if they’d attempted to rob you?”
“Haven’t got much worth stealing.” She attempted to lighten the mood.
His gaze narrowed, and she felt like a deer caught in the headlights. “Not the point and you know it. I specifically warned you against hitch-hiking or trying to walk into town, didn’t I? Not only did you ignore my warning but you also lied to me. Several times. You’re in a world of trouble, little girl.”
A shiver raced over her skin. “Trouble?”
“Yes, trouble. You’re asking for a spanking.”
Her eyes widened. “I most certainly am not.”