Page 5 of Samuel

Evie put her head down and looked over the paperwork Sam handed to her as he told her about his friends. Ten minutes later, Evie’s contract was signed and she let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Alright, well I better head out to see how things are going with our herd this morning. Feel free to take the weekend to settle in. Is there anything else I can help you with before I go?”

“I was just wondering if you could point me in the direction of the apartment that came with my position.” The whole reason Evie had even applied to the job was the fact that it came with an apartment as part of the compensation package. Knowing she wouldn’t have a horrendous commute like she had in Wisconsin was the best gift she could be given. Of course, when the baby came, she’d most likely have to move into town. Maybe even before the baby arrived, depending on how mad Sam was about her hiding her pregnancy. A strange ache settled in her chest.

“See that key hanging behind your desk? Grab it and I’ll walk you up. It’s on the second story of the barn, but there is a separate, locked entrance so no one should bother you.”

“Wonderful.”

A few more minutes passed, and Evie had seen not only where she would be working, but also the cute little apartment where she would be able to stay. Saying the job was a godsend was too little of a compliment. She’d needed nothing short of a miracle and that’s exactly what had fallen into her lap.

“I’ll be on my way.”

“Thank you, Sam. I’m really looking forward to working here.”

He smiled, his incredible dimples on full display, as he ducked out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.

Evie took a few deep breaths and then ran to the bathroom. It was a miracle she hadn’t had an accident before then.

No longer in imminent danger of peeing her pants, she set off towards her car. Evie hadn’t traveled with much, but what she had would get her through until her first paycheck.

“Hi there!” She heard a feminine voice say from behind her as she grabbed a box from her car.

“Hello.”

“I’m Daisy, I run Sunshine Acres. I’m Sam’s neighbor just down the road that way.” Evie followed Daisy’s finger.

“Oh, Daisy.” She set the box back down into her trunk. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Evie, the new office manager. Sam told me I have you to thank for being at the top of the list for who he hired. Thank you so much for taking the time to read over my resume and application. This job is a lifesaver, and I’m really hoping I’m a good fit here.”

“You were the best candidate by a mile! Trust me.”

Evie laughed. She could see why Sam spoke so highly of Daisy.

“Who is this sweet pea?” Evie asked, waving hello to the baby in Daisy’s arms.

“This is my daughter, Madison, but everyone calls her Sunny. She’s almost nine months old and I’m just not ready to face her first birthday!”

“I can imagine. I’m sure it all goes so fast.”

Evie saw Daisy’s eyes grow wide as her eyes dropped to Evie’s belly. Oh no. She’d absentmindedly placed her hand over her bump.

“Oh my goodness, are you? Are you expecting?”

Evie felt the color drain from her face and immediately pulled her hand away from her belly.

Daisy’s face fell. “I’m so sorry. Were you not wanting anyone to know? Oh, I’m always putting my foot in my mouth. I promise. I won’t say a thing!”

“That’s okay. I’m obviously not very good at hiding it. I wasn’t going to say anything for a while, I didn’t want to worry Sam about my work ethic or ability to do my job. But yes, I’m just past five months along. I honestly still have a hard time remembering that I am pregnant.”

“Oh, I was the same when–”

“You’re pregnant?!”

Evie spun on her heels and watched as her new boss, who was clearly pissed off at her newly exposed secret, walked up to her.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Oh, hell. His new office manager was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Sam had forced himself to recite every prayer he could recall learning as a kid, including the wild ones his mother had him say while dancing under the harvest moon, in order to not stare at the poor woman the entire time she filled out her employment paperwork in the office.

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