She found Shelby at an outside table shaded by an overhang and slightly cooled by a ceiling fan. Before taking her seat, Dani removed her tailored jacket and arranged it on the back of the metal chair. “Sorry I’m late. I’m still learning my way around town.”
“Don’t worry about it. How did the interview go?”
“Really well. I’m hopeful.” Except she didn’t want the position. And yet she did. But only for the paycheck.
“Will you like working at a bank?”
“It’s a job.” Time to change the subject. “Thanks again for inviting me over last Saturday. I had a great time.”
“I’m glad you could come. I know how hard it is to move to a new city.”
“Easier than moving to a new country.” When Dani was at the farm, Shelby had talked about her family’s move to the mission field when she was a teen. Apparently, the transition had been difficult, and Dani pretended to sympathize. But she’d trade her childhood for Shelby’s any day.
“That was definitely harder,” Shelby said. “Though so was coming back to the States. I guess sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s too late.”
You think? Dani dismissed the ungracious thought as quickly as it arose. Shelby wasn’t to blame for her rotten childhood.
The waiter arrived with menus, and they both requested iced tea.
“Could you bring an extra tea?” Shelby asked. “Someone else is joining us.”
A tremor shot up Dani’s spine at this unexpected news, and her mind whirled. It couldn’t be AJ, not on a school day. But that only left one other person.
“Be back soon with your tea, ladies.”
The waiter left, and Shelby glanced at her watch. “It’s not like Brett to be late.”
“Brett’s coming?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m sorry, I meant to. Tabby must have distracted me.”
Shelby’s apology sounded sincere, and Tabby had interrupted their phone conversation a couple of times. But the butterflies Dani had managed to control during the interview now flitted wildly. She grasped for something, anything, to say. “How’s Amy?”
“Okay, I guess. They only kept her overnight, and she’s refusing to tell AJ or Brett anything the doctor said.”
“They aren’t close?”
“In some ways, yes. Some ways, no,” Shelby said. “I don’t know her very well. We live in such different worlds. She’s involved in politics and all this legislative stuff while I’m busy corralling children and being a bore.”
“You’re not a bore.”
“Tell that to Amy.” She glanced past Dani’s shoulder and waved. “There’s Brett.”
Reminding herself to breathe, Dani sternly ordered the butterflies to settle. He greeted Shelby with a quick kiss on the cheek, then sat in the chair between them.
When he gazed at Dani, her heart stopped. She didn’t want him to affect her this way. Didn’t want to be charmed by his gorgeous dimples or drawn into the crystal depths of his eyes.
But his very presence overwhelmed her.
“Hi,” she murmured.
“You’re looking very professional today. And lovely, of course.”
“I had an interview this morning.”
“So I heard.” He turned to Shelby. “Did you talk to her yet?”
“I was waiting for you.”
“Talk to me about what?” Dani asked, once again silently reprimanding the butterflies.
Shelby rested her arms upon the table. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but we talked about you last night.”
“You and Brett?”
“And AJ.”
“Why?”
“We wanted to know if you’d be interested in working with our foundation.”
Dani glanced from Shelby to Brett, then back again, her mouth slightly open. The butterflies flitted, but for a different reason. Excitement surged through her as the familiar heart-tug flared.
“You mean with the archaeological dig? And the Underground Railroad museum? Are you serious?”
“Very serious,” Brett said. “I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m starving. How about we order lunch and then we can talk?”
The waiter returned with three icy glasses of tea. After he left with their orders, Brett shifted in his chair and nodded at Shelby.
“I think it’s important we document our progress with the archaeological dig,” she said. As she talked, her enthusiasm grew and her gestures became more animated. “But it’s also important to put everything in context. We need someone to conduct research, interview the archaeological team, find out more about the history of the area. Things like that.”
“We know there’s interest,” Brett said. “Someone approached us about doing a documentary.”
Distaste flickered in Shelby’s eyes. “I didn’t like him very much.”
“Why not?” Dani asked.
Brett spoke up. “He didn’t have the same vision we do.”
Dani glanced at the tension in Shelby’s eyes, then focused again on Brett. They were hiding something, making an excuse for their refusal to work with this mystery individual. But why?
As if sensing her curiosity, Brett flashed a disarming smile. “If this were your project, how would you approach it?”
Dani considered a moment, mentally reviewing what she’d learned about Misty Willow and its history during her visit. “I suppose I’d want to delve into the history of the house, the people who once lived there. Find out more about their role in the Underground Railroad both before and during the Civil War. Then, like Shelby said, interview the archaeologists and everyone else involved with the excavation.”
“That’s what I think too.” Brett raised his eyebrows at Shelby. “What about you?”
“Even if we never produced a documentary,” Shelby said, “I’d still like to have an organized record of what we’re doing. The work that’s taking place.”
“The beginnings of an archive,” Brett said.
“That’s right.” Shelby looked away from them, as if she were seeing something they couldn’t. “I want my family to be remembered. For my grandchildren to know their heritage.”
“We’re going to make that possible,” Brett said. “I promise.”
He turned to Dani with a self-conscious shrug, and somehow she knew his thoughts mirrored her own. Compared to Shelby, who could recite the names of her ancestors several generations back, Brett and Dani were practically rootless. Though Brett, with a sister and a cousin, a grandmother he’d apparently adored, had more of a grounding than Dani did.
Her father was a nonentity in her life. Someone her mother had refused to talk about. She’d had no grandparents, no aunts or uncles, no cousins. Only her mom and her stepdad.
Until the crash that claimed her mother’s life.
Then she’d had nobody.
“What do you think, Dani? Will you help me?” Shelby’s softly spoken question interrupted the painful train of Dani’s thoughts.
She pushed aside her yearning for what she ached to have and let her imagination fill with possibilities. Besides a documentary, they could create video shorts, guided audio tours for the museum’s displays, even curriculum.
Her mind whirled with ideas, though doubt tempered her eagerness.
This wasn’t just a job—it was a dream job. A rare opportunity to fuse her love of history, storytelling, and film into something that mattered. Into a legacy.
She’d be a fool not to grab it with both hands.
Except working for Shelby meant she couldn’t plot trouble for Brett. Could she?
For the past few nights, the fiery monsters he’d unleashed had tormented her. In her dreams, Brett stood at a distance while flames licked at her feet. When she begged him for help, he shouted the words she despised above all others: Murderer. Your mother is a murderer.
When she awakened, gasping for breath and clutching her pillow, she again vowed to find some way to get back at him.
But here, wher
e the summer sun shone bright and clear beyond the patio and the air smelled warm and fresh, the vengeful monsters appeared small and petty.
“Better than a bank job, right?” Brett asked.
Dani’s jumbled thoughts perched at a crossroad. Hearing her mom’s name publicly vilified had stung. Deeply. If she took the bank job, she could pursue her quest for Brett’s comeuppance without feeling guilty for taking advantage of his kindness.
But he was right—her creativity would wither each time she stepped foot inside that huge hive of worker bees.
“It’s definitely intriguing,” she said.
“Tell her about your idea,” Shelby urged. “This is so exciting. Brett is brilliant.”
“Yes, I am,” he agreed, then focused again on Dani. “But this is basic business. The dig will shut down once the weather gets bad. Though there’s plenty to do, you may have some downtime. However, if you set up as an independent contractor, you could do research and creative projects for other clients to fill in any gaps.”
“You mean I’d have my own business?”
“If you want. And I can help you with the paperwork. Recommend an attorney for the legalities.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Frankly, it saves the foundation money in the long run. Since you would be an independent contractor, we won’t be providing any benefits.”
Shelby pulled a folder from her bag and handed it to Dani. “But on the flip side, you’ll get paid more than if you were an employee. Isn’t that right, Brett?”
He tapped the folder. “The numbers are in there.”
Dani opened the folder and scanned the document. It included a suggested list of projects and an extravagant compensation plan that included an upfront retainer fee. She’d be able to move into a real apartment, one with curtains and clean furniture. Get new tires for her car. In time, trade in her car. All sooner than if she accepted the position at the bank.
“This is very generous,” she said.
“Is that a yes?” Brett asked.
Her heart shouted “Go for it!” but doubt and fear choked the words. She glanced at the project list again. The items weren’t much different than what she’d done for her senior thesis—more complex in scope, definitely. But basically they involved research, organization, and presentation.
“Why me?”
“Why not you?” The challenge in Brett’s eyes was softened by something else—hope, perhaps? Not likely, and yet . . .
“We love your enthusiasm,” Shelby jumped in. “Besides, I don’t think it’s a coincidence you and Brett were at the hospital at the same time. I mean, what are the odds he’d meet someone with your education and experience? To me, you’re an answer to prayer.”
Me, an answer to prayer? Dani mentally shook her head.
Shelby could believe what she wanted. But Dani knew the truth. That night at the hospital wasn’t a coincidence, but God had nothing to do with it. He’d abandoned Dani long ago.
Brett placed the napkin on his lap while the server passed out their plates. He, Shelby, and AJ had spent most of Thursday evening discussing the proposal for Dani. This morning, he and Shelby had held a video conference with the three other board members of the Lassiter nonprofit foundation. In less than half an hour, a unanimous consensus had been reached.
“We’ll need to check a few references, of course,” he said. “Just routine. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“No, of course not.” Somehow the tone of her voice seemed at odds with her words.
He’d expected her to jump at the offer, had imagined her eyes shining with gratitude. Instead, she appeared hesitant. Maybe he shouldn’t have ignored her all week.
He hadn’t meant to. Hadn’t even wanted to. But each time his thumb hovered over her number, he forced himself to pocket the phone. The promise he’d made the night of the banquet ate at him like an omitted tax deduction. But the bottom line was he liked her too much to pursue her.
At least that’s what he told himself on his late-night excursions. For the past week, he’d taken supper to Amy, who wouldn’t leave her apartment. She still refused to tell him anything, but diagnosing her symptoms didn’t take a medical degree—he just didn’t know which eating disorder she was battling.
From her place, he went to the hospital, standing vigil beneath the colored lights. Next stop: Meghan’s apartment. And finally, a drive to Dani’s so-called apartment complex before heading home. A strange restlessness compelled him to make each stop. Otherwise he couldn’t sleep. Without meaning to, or understanding why, he’d turned into a crazed stalker.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re open to negotiation if you want to counter.”
Surprise, then mischief, replaced the uncertainty in her eyes. “Give me your car?”
He snorted, then exchanged glances with Shelby. Her smile gave him the go-ahead.
“How about we give you another place to live?”
Obviously stunned, Dani leaned back in her chair. “What?”
“We won’t have official offices until after the wedding,” Brett said. “So here’s our plan. AJ moves into Gran’s bungalow now, and you move into the cottage.”
“It’d be so much more convenient to have you nearby,” Shelby said, then laughed. “Though I promise we won’t take advantage of that.”
“The cottage is a little rustic,” Brett said drily. “But it’s got all the modern conveniences. Indoor plumbing, running water.”
A smile teased the corners of Dani’s mouth, and he ached to reach for her hand.
“It’s too much,” she said. “I can’t . . .”
“But you’d be doing us a favor,” Shelby said. “It’s not a good idea for either house to be empty.”
Brett could almost hear Dani’s thoughts, they seemed so intense. Somehow he had to persuade her to move into the cottage and out of that hovel masquerading as an apartment. But for once, he was at a loss for the words to close the deal.
Maybe that was the problem.
This wasn’t a sale, but her future. If she accepted their offer, she’d be dependent on them for her paycheck and her housing. That would give any rational person pause.
“It doesn’t have to be permanent,” he said. “Stay at the cottage until you find something you like better.”
“We’d like you to do that even if you say no to the job,” Shelby added with a shiver. “Dani, you know that place where you’re staying isn’t safe. And it’s not charity because . . . because it just isn’t.”
Brett shook his head. “Real smooth, Shelby.”
“Just trying to help.” She turned to Dani. “Please say yes. You’re the only person I want to work with on this project.”
Dani ran her eyes down the document, then closed the folder. “How soon can I start?”
Relief whooshed through Brett’s spirit. “Right now. I don’t want you spending one more night in that place.”
– 23 –
Dani flattened a cardboard box and placed it on a stack of others beneath the pool table that took up one end of the long room. She paused to once again admire the large stained-glass scene of a country landscape hanging in front of the side window. Within the rustic frame, vibrantly colored wildflowers grew along a creek beneath the outstretched limbs of a sheltering tree. The glass sections were divided by dark leading.
Whoever had built the rectangular cottage had essentially divided the long house into two halves. The front half was one room with windows across the front. The back half had been divided into the kitchen, with a door leading outside, a tiny bathroom, and a bedroom. The space near the main door may have been a second bedroom at one time, but the walls closing it in had been removed. AJ used it as an office. A slender desk stood beneath a window, and an antique rocking chair nestled in a corner.
The entire place held an air of coziness and warmth, a refuge from a world that could be cruel and unyielding. Her new home, at least for a little while. No more cringing in the d
ark, fearful of all the outdoor noises. No more living out of cardboard boxes.
Dani sighed with contentment as she gazed out the front windows. Elizabeth and Tabby chased Lila, their retriever, and each other around the sloping yard. Apparently the dog had belonged to AJ, but she’d slowly been claimed by Elizabeth and now lived at Misty Willow.
The murmur of voices grew louder as Brett and AJ entered the long front room from the bedroom. Each carried an armful of clothes.
“This is the last of them,” Brett said to Dani. “I never would have thought AJ was such a clotheshorse.”
AJ guffawed. “Says the man with the walk-in closet bigger than my bedroom.”
“Oh, come on. It’s not really that big,” Brett protested. “Besides, I wear suits almost every day, and they take up a lot of space. AJ has exactly two—a navy blue and a gray. The same ones he’s had since college.”
“No need to replace them,” AJ said.
Brett made a face behind AJ’s back, and Dani giggled. He rewarded her with a heart-stopping flash of his dimples. The men left the cottage, still debating the merits of their wardrobes, as Shelby entered from the kitchen carrying a kitten-in-a-basket cookie jar.
“Are they almost done?” she asked.
“I think so,” Dani said. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be living here.”
“I hope you’ll like it. And that it won’t be too quiet for you.”
“It won’t be.” She pointed to the jar. “That’s so cute.”
“It’s kind of special. AJ had one just like it that belonged to his mother. The first time I was here, Tabby broke it. Naturally, I was mortified.”
“I would have been too.”
“AJ was sweet about it, though. So I went online and found a replacement. It was the first gift I ever gave him.”
“What was his first gift to you?” Dani held up her hand. “Wait, I already know. The gravel for your driveway, right?”
“Real romantic, huh? Though to tell you the truth, I did appreciate it. The ruts were horrible.”
“Aw, true love.”
“Yeah.” Shelby cradled the cookie jar, a slight smile on her lips. “I’m going to find a safe spot for this in AJ’s Jeep. Be back in a moment.”
When Love Arrives Page 15
