Freeing Her (Irresistibly Bound 4)
Scheduled play dates? Spanish and French? It was a lot for a pair of seven-year-olds. Faith had worked for parents like Eve before, who filled every moment of their children’s days with activities and micromanaged their lives, but this seemed excessive .
“Now, house rules,” Eve continued. “We keep screen time to a minimum unless necessary for schoolwork. There are no TVs in the house. And no junk food. Preparing breakfast and snacks will be your responsibility.”
As Eve continued, Faith tried her best to keep her mind from wandering. Eve had a long list of rules. Faith glanced at the twins, sitting quietly beside Eve. They were extremely well-mannered for their age. Probably because of their mother.
Eve rested her hand on Leah’s shoulder. “That’s about everything. I have high expectations of anyone who works for me, but I’m offering a generous salary, plus benefits. Health insurance, dental, paid leave.”
“Sounds great,” Faith said.
“Then you can start tomorrow.”
Faith blinked. That was it? “Sure.” Everything about the job sounded perfect. The only thing she was uncertain of was how well she’d get along with Eve.
“The job is yours,” Eve said. “All that’s left to discuss is your salary.”
“Right.” Faith had been so thrown by the job offer that she hadn’t thought about negotiating pay first.
But when Eve gave her a figure, it was far higher than anything Faith would have asked for. Eve wasn’t kidding about offering a generous salary. Unease stirred within her.
Just how much did Eve expect from Faith in return?
After a brief discussion about Faith’s duties, Eve sent Leah and Ethan back upstairs. “I have to get the twins to school. That will be your job from now on. I need you here at seven in the morning tomorrow to wake them up and get them ready. ”
Faith nodded. “I’ll be here.”
Eve ushered her to the door and said a polite farewell. Faith walked down the path cutting across the manicured lawn and onto the sidewalk. As soon as she was out of sight of the house, she skipped a couple of steps and pulled out her phone to call Lindsey.
Her friend answered after a couple of rings. “How did the interview go?”
Faith grinned. “I got the job.”
“That’s great! Let’s hope it’s better than the last one.”
“I already know it’s going to be. I have a good feeling about this.”
But as she walked down the sidewalk, Faith remembered Eve’s disapproving eyes on her red lips. The proper, buttoned-up woman was her complete opposite.
But Faith would make it work.
Chapter Two
F aith shepherded the twins downstairs for breakfast. Both were dressed immaculately in tiny blazers and ties, the uniform of their exclusive private school. Faith had ironed them to Eve’s specifications the evening before.
She’d been working for Eve for three days now. Her suspicions about her new boss had quickly been confirmed. She wasn’t one of those rich parents who let ‘the help’ raise their kids. With Eve, Faith had the opposite problem. She could barely do anything without Eve looming over her, giving her instructions. Combined with the long workdays, the job was taxing. However, the twins were going to their father’s in a few days, giving Faith three days off in a row. She was already looking forward to it.
She and the twins entered the dining room. Eve sat at the head of the table reading a newspaper, a cup of coffee in her hand. She was dressed for work in a pantsuit and cream-colored blouse.
“Good morning, sweethearts.” Eve beckoned the twins over and planted a kiss on each of their foreheads. She looked at Leah and plucked the brightly colored butterfly barrette out of her hair, scowling. “You’re not wearing that to school.”
“Faith said I could wear it,” Leah whined.
“Faith doesn’t know the school’s dress code.” Eve looked pointedly at Faith. “I’ll send you a copy. And no more pigtails. It looks childish.”
“Okay,” Faith replied. It wasn’t like Leah was a child or anything.
Leah sat down at the table and pouted. “Everyone else wears stuff like this.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Eve said. “Rules are rules.”