Page 177 of Holiday Hire

"Yes."

Another moment passes.

She asks, "Do you need me to repeat the question?"

"No, ma'am. I would give her a ten. Actually, no, I wouldn't. Scratch that. I'd give her a hundred. She's amazing with my children and my nieces and nephews. She's super talented at art. Plus, she understands everything to do with school that most adults these days don't understand, like TEKS math. But she also makes it fun for my kids to do their homework. So she doesn't just tutor and help them learn, they actually enjoy it," I babble, releasing a winded breath.

I can picture this woman beaming with her chipper voice as she replies, "Great. Well, thank you so much, Mr. Cartwright."

"Are you hiring her?" I blurt out, feeling sick.

"Well, I'm not supposed to tell you anything before I tell her."

"I won't say anything," I state, feeling more loss burning through my veins.

Corrine lowers her voice. "Okay, Mr. Cartwright. It'll be our little secret. But please don't ever tell her I told you, but yes. I'm thrilled to offer her the position. I'm ecstatic to welcome her to Alaska."

Phoebe's going to Alaska.

My stomach flips, and bile rises up my throat. I swallow it down, squeezing my eyes tighter. Dizziness hits me, and I hold the post tighter.

"Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Cartwright. Have a great day."

"Thank you. You too," I say and hang up. I stare at Calypso, feeling like the entire world just shifted.

Dad's voice tears me out of my ill thoughts. "When are you going to get that stick out of your ass, son?"

I spin toward him, snarling, "Meaning?"

He shakes his head, shuts the barn door, and steps closer. "I think it's time we had a talk."

"I'm not into being lectured, Dad."

He crosses his arms. "Put on your big boy pants, son."

"What?" I question, not into dealing with anything right now, especially taking shit from my old man.

He grunts. "From where I'm standing, you need to get hit over your head."

"Don't start with me," I say, still unsure what he's even talking about, but not caring anyway.

Phoebe's going to Alaska.

He crosses his arms. "Are you going to let that girl walk out of here and go to Alaska?"

My chest tightens.

He chuckles. "Do you really think everyone around here doesn't know what's going on between you two?"

Shock fills me. How would my parents know? They were gone most of the time Phoebe's been here.

He waves his hand in front of him. "Come on, son. Your mother and I weren't born yesterday. It's clear as day you two have gotten a little cozy while we've been gone. Hell, you were cozy while we were here for Thanksgiving."

My stomach flips, my thoughts running a mile a minute.

He steps closer. "What exactly is the problem here? You have a woman who's amazing with your kids and is crazy for you. And that's a hard thing to find, by the way. You're no peach pie on a daily basis."

"Gee, thanks, Dad," I mutter.

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