Page 106 of Renewal After Dark

You owe me no such thing, but it looks like I’m going to need to find someone else to replace Patty.

No! I said I’d help you, and I intend to do that.

Don’t be silly! You have the chance to be self-employed, woman.

I’d never want to leave you shorthanded.

You’re not. I’m firing you before you ever started.

OMG, I’ve never been fired!

Don’t worry, I’ll give you a good reference if you wrangle my bookkeeping. That’d be HUGE for me.

Deal. Thank you for everything. If I hear of anyone looking for work, I’ll send them to the store.

You’re the best. Thanks!

Let me know when you’re ready for bookkeeping.

You will be the first to know!

McKenzie took a deep breath and then released it.

Self-employed.

What the hell? She’d never in her wildest dreams expected anything like that to happen to her. Would she make enough without also working at Tiffany’s store?

“Yes, you will. You’ll charge hourly, work hard and make this work.”

Jax clapped his hands, splattering sweet potatoes on her and the wall.

“We’re going to work very hard, aren’t we, Jaxy?”

He squealed and smacked his hands on the tray, compounding the mess.

The most curious feeling of joy and contentment came over her. She’d figured out a way to support herself and Jax, she’d made a bunch of new friends and had the sweetest, sexiest man ever interested in her—and vice versa.

Even though her house had fallen down, she couldn’t recall a time when she’d been happier than she was at the end of this remarkable day—and she had a feeling it might get even better before it was over.

Duke made twicethe usual amount for dinner, planning to feed his neighbor, too, if she was interested. He waited until he saw the light go off in the bedroom before he texted her.

Hungry?

Ten very long minutes passed before she finally replied.Starving!

You want a delivery?

Are you the deliveryman?

Duh, who else would I send over there? One of those Coasties who checked you out?

LOL, yes, please (to the delivery, not the Coastie)!

GRRRR. Stand by…

Standing by…

Was he the deliveryman? She enjoyed messing with him, but he was willing to put up with it coming from her. Hell, she had him wearing a freaking helmet on the bike for the first time in twenty years. That was a miracle in and of itself. In the years since his last relationship had ended in dramatic fashion, he’d gotten accustomed to doing his own thing, making his own decisions and not considering what anyone else wanted, except his employees and close friends, of course.

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