Page 33 of The Rogue
Beau Hamilton is out there with her, counting cash as she loads her suitcase into the trunk.
Moth to a flame, I fly to my front door, yanking it open. Like a hypocrite, I glare at the guy I paid extra to help me get rid of the town rogue faster.
“That was quick. You sure it works without a problem?”
Tessa shuts her trunk, squinting from the sun in her eyes. “Car starts like new.” Then, with that same bright smile she had given me earlier, she points to Beau with her thumb. “This guy works miracles.”
I’m nothing but scowls as I approach the two of them, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to help it.
Picking up my vibe, Beau backs up and gives me a solute. “Appreciate the business.”
Tessa glances behind me at the house, her bottom lip between her teeth. “Hey, thanks for everything. Give Wiggles a high five for me.”
God, that raspy voice is going to be the death of me. “Where you goin'?”
She shrugs. “Wherever the road takes me.”
I step closer. “I don’t recall giving you a day off.”
She frowns then glances behind me again.
A voice slices through the air between us. “Sorry, should I wait inside, or is the interview over?”
“It’s over,” I say, feeling like someone else is talking for me. Keeping my eyes on my redheaded rebel, I seal the deal. “Appreciate you coming in, but the position’s been filled.”
“Oh. Guess…it must have slipped your mind.”
Breaking my gaze, I turn to Carol. “Sorry about that.”
“No…worries.” Confused, she gets back in her car and backs out of my driveway.
Tessa smacks my arm. “Hell was that about? She was perfect.”
I shrug. “She was too late. My new nanny started yesterday.”
“Levi…even I’m not that selfish. Jackson needs someone like that girl.” Her genuine concern for my kid wraps around me. It reinforces my decision.
“Maybe I don’t want a girl taking care of my kid. Maybe I want a woman.”
8
I’m seated on thekitchen counter stool, biting the shit out of my bottom lip. A nervous tick I’ve been fighting my entire adult life.
Levi and I hardly spoke since Beau quietly reversed out of the driveway during the awkward moment where…I think Indiehiredme to take care of his kid.
I’ve been in his house all afternoon processing after he left for the ranch, returning with Jackson at his side and take out from the Inn.
We ate dinner quietly—well,wewere quiet. Jackson talked up a storm about a rock he and a kid named Rowan found. And how they cracked it into pieces finding a crystal center.
About an hour ago, Levi announced bedtime in a way that almost made it sound fun and disappeared up the stairs with Wiggles.
Meanwhile, I’ve been sitting here practically banging my head against the marble counter becausewhat in the actual fuck did I get myself into?
I needed to get the fuck out of town.
I needed a job and a place to live.
Iwantedit to be in Hideaway Springs.