Page 18 of Holiday Promise
“That’s the rule for Max.”
He groaned, raking his hands through his hair. “No, it’s the rule for anyone under my roof. That means you.”
She scoffed. “I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions.”
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” His voice rose, but he didn’t care anymore. “You can’t put yourself in that kind of position. You have people who count on you.Maxcounts on you. What do you think would happen to him if you didn’t come home?”
Her eyes cut to his. At least he had her attention now. She could see where he was going with his way of thinking. Unfortunately, he could still see a sliver of defiance in her eyes. She didn’t like the fact that he’d set out these rules.
“It’s for your own good,” he snapped, causing her to jump. “If you’re going to be under my employ, you’re not to go against the guidelines I’ve set out.” Blake was breathing heavily now. He could feel the heat in his face and in his stomach. There was no missing the strange looks that others gave him as they passed.
None of that mattered, anyway.
ELEVEN
Melody stared up at Blake with shock. That was the only way to describe what she was feeling in this moment. He couldn’t be serious. She remembered clearly the day she’d been interviewed. There was still snow on the ground. When he’d told her there would be no ice skating without him present, she had understood that to mean the rule applied to Max.
What kind of person would tell their employee that they couldn’t do something in their free time? It was insane.
She half expected him to start laughing and tell her that he was joking. But when he didn’t, she wasn’t sure what she should do. It wasn’t worth arguing about. She loved her job. She couldn’t leave Max.
What about Blake, a voice in her head seemed to ask.
What about him? He was her boss. He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in developing anything deeper. If he had, he wouldn’t have pointed out that she worked for him. He wouldn’t have given her the veiled threat that he could fire her at any moment.
She got to her feet and did her best at schooling her features, but she could tell that she failed miserably. “You never made itclear that the rule applied to me. You only mentioned Max and I’ve adhered to that rule from the day you hired me.”
He shook his head, likely preparing to argue with her further.
Melody held up a hand. “Like I said, what I do on my own time—my personal time—is none of your business. I can do as I please.”
Blake’s face grew even redder. He rose to his full height, but she refused to let him intimidate her.
“I know you have your reasons for wanting to keep Max safe. I can even understand your hesitancy and desire for keeping me out of harm’s way. But that doesn’t mean you can control everyone.” Melody motioned to the people who were still enjoying their activity. “This is the time of year for traditions. Why would you want to take that away from them?”
“Because it’s dangerous,” he sputtered with exasperation. “This isn’t like a rink that has been built inside somewhere. It’s an actual lake. You can’t control?—”
“You’re right. You can’t control anything.” Melody glowered at him. “You can’t control when life dishes out a disaster. You can’t control when your heart wants something you shouldn’t have.” She nearly added that she couldn’t control when she fell in love, but she kept it to herself. The conversation she had with Thomas still rang in her ears. He had made several good points about Blake and what would happen after the holidays were over. The biggest one being that Blake would go back to working long hours and treating her like the help.
What else was she supposed to believe when she’d been working for him for a year and the first time he gave her a second glance it was because he was spending more time with his son and consequently, with her as well?
She tore her eyes from him, sensing her emotions getting out of control. This wasn’t really about him controlling what she did on the ice and she knew it. She would’ve happily done exactlyas he wanted if she’d known without a doubt the reasons behind it were for love. With the way he’d been distancing himself recently, she didn’t have any hopes for that sort of thing.
Melody felt like a complete idiot. Not only that, but their argument had garnered the attention of several bystanders—folks who knew who she was and who likely didn’t approve of Blake Metcalf at all. His name was synonymous with the description of a man who preferred money and power over community and tradition.
“You’re right,” he muttered, drawing her gaze once more.
She didn’t want to hope that she’d hit a chord with her speech, but it appeared her heart had a bit left.
“I can’t control everything, but I can control what I require from the people who work for me.”
Melody’s heart sank, crumbling as he once again put the label of employee on her head. He didn’t think of her as anything more than a person who would do his bidding. That wasn’t how a relationship was supposed to start out as.
“My wife knew the risks of skating and she went out, anyway. If I had been there—then Max wouldn’t have lost his mother. He can’t lose you, too.”
The more he talked, the more Melody was figuratively beaten down. Blake didn’t speak of his late wife much. Clearly, he wasn’t over her. That could only mean one thing. Melody had simply been a distraction for him. He wasn’t over Alison at all. She dropped her gaze to her hands, fury beginning to replace the sour disappointment. “Can I ask you one thing?” Melody didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she lifted her stinging gaze to him, her voice quiet. “Why are you so insistent thatIdon’t go skating? Is it because you fear losing me because Max needs me? Or is it deeper?”
Blake looked momentarily confused, so she clarified.