Page 55 of Sweet Little Thing

He glanced over his shoulder at me then pointed with the handthat I could now see was holding a cup toward the pastries he’d just mentioned. “Help yourself. There’s some of everything.”

I was embarrassed that he had known I’d been staring at him. It was a creeper thing to do, and I should have announced my presence.

His eyes dropped to the duffle bag in my left hand. “You’re not leaving, Beulah. You have nowhere to go.”

I hadn’t been sure if he would argue with me about my leaving or be relieved. I had gone to sleep last night thinking about all the reasons I needed to go. Jasper’s coming over here angry had been at the top of the list.

“My being here is causing problems. Presley, then Jasper—” I began but was interrupted.

“Presley will be over it today. Jasper was expected. I doubt that will be the last time he comes here. He has been spoiled most of his life, leading him to believe he can have whatever he wants. When he’s told no, he reacts without thought. Now, have some breakfast, and afterward, put your things away. I have somewhere to take you.”

He spoke as if I was to obey him.

I opened my mouth twice to say something. No argument or quirky response came. Finally, I sat my duffle bag down and put my purse on top of it. I gave in and walked over to fix a cup of coffee from an ordinary coffee pot. I didn’t expect that. I’d thought he’d have a fancy machine like Jasper did.

“This is a regular coffee pot,” I said, glancing back at Stone.

He didn’t look at me when he spoke. “It makes coffee.”

His response almost made me laugh.

“Did you go to the bakery this morning?” I asked, wondering when he could have gone. I had listened for any sound that there was someone moving around and heard nothing but then he had been in the kitchen watching the television and I’d not heard it until I was almost outside the entrance to the room.

“Presley has the bakery make daily deliveries,” he replied, still watching the television.

That seemed odd. I wouldn’t have thought Presley ate pastries. She was so thin. Eating this every morning would put weight on anyone. I picked up what looked like a croissant with a chocolate glaze. I hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner yesterday, and I was starving. I wondered if he’d mind if I ate two. Or, more importantly, if Presley would mind.

Once the news he was watching went to a commercial, he turned to look at me as I stood at the bar with my breakfast. “You can have a seat at the table if you’d like. And eat more than one of those. There are too many.”

I picked up a strawberry muffin, placed it on my plate, and headed for the table. “Thank you. I woke up hungry,” I admitted.

He took a sip of his coffee and studied me. I found myself hoping the news would come back on so I could eat without his attention in my direction. Having Stone’s gaze on me made me nervous.

“How are you with elderly people?”

That was the oddest and most random question I’d ever been asked.

“What do you mean exactly?”

The news returned after the commercial, and he turned it off by touching something on his phone.

“You handled Portia, and she’s a high-maintenance bitch. You’re patient, hard-working, and trustworthy. I assume you’d be good with an elderly, slightly senile lady.”

When I didn’t say anything right away, he continued.

“Geraldine Mayweather is a friend of mine. She’s at the point in life where she needs help with her daily activities. Cleaning, cooking small meals, reminding her to take pills, and, at times, where the bathroom is or what year it is are a few things she could use assistance with. I think you’d be a perfect fit.”

Hope sprung in my chest feeling almost out of place.

“That sounds great,” I replied quickly. “Thank you. That’s, I mean, you’ve already done so much to help me. I’m very-”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m going to introduce you to Geraldine. She’ll have to approve of you, of course. It’s her decision.” He cut me off.

I wouldn’t let that concern me. “Of course. When can we go?”

“As soon as you’re finished eating and you put your bag back in the closet in your bedroom.”

I wanted to thank him again but it seemed that my constant gratitude was annoying him so I said nothing.

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