Page 16 of Guarded Secrets
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Miz Montaigne. Come work for me.”
“You mean at Easy Money?”
“Yeah. You’ve waited tables, right?”
“Only all through college. I waited tables at a place near Sac State, and once I turned twenty-one, I worked the bar side.”
“Good. You start tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “Tonight? I still have to unload all my things from my car, and to do that I have to move things around in the garage to make space.” She tapped her chin. “Maybe if I offer to feed him, Yousef would drive up the mountain and help me.”
“Work for me tonight and I’ll help you unpack tomorrow.”
She cocked her head, and he could see her considering his offer. “How long will I need to work to pay off my tire debt?”
“You’ll work for an hourly wage plus tips. Your tire debt is paid by saving me the hassle of having to look for someone and going through the interview process. I hate that shit. I need someone reliable, which you are. As you’re fussy about honesty and punctuality, I won’t have to worry about that. Added bonus, you turn that sunshine smile of yours on the customers and you’ll be raking in the tips.”
“I’m fussy because I’m trustworthy and on time?”
He caught her look. “Maybe not fussy. Fussy’s the wrong word. I meant particular. In a good way.”
“You make positive character traits sound boring as heck.”
“Not at all. They’re all good qualities in an employee.” The more he thought about hiring her, the more the idea appealed. “Added benefit? I’ll be able to keep an eye on you.”
She tossed her head back and he got the clue the ice he was skating on was getting thinner. “Keep an eye on me? What makes you think you need to do that?”
“Some asshole stabbed your tires multiple times, princess.”
“My car being vandalized doesn’t mean you need to keep an eye on me.”
“Look, someone messed with your car. Could be an asshole was being an asshole. But it could also be someone who recognized that CRV as yours. I don’t like the idea of you being targeted, so I’m keeping an eye on you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, that’s so.” He wasn’t oblivious, he recognized that snooty tone for what it was, a way of trying to freeze him out. It wasn’t going to work, but he figured talking about it any further would give her too much time to dig in her heels. “You in? You want to spend your summer serving drinks at Easy Money?”
She chewed her bottom lip, seeming to be considering all the angles. “I’m thinking about it. Not because of your silly notion I need a babysitter, but because I need income this summer.” She tapped her fingers. “I’d have to work out a schedule with Mom so someone is always with Dad.”
“Of course. Your family is a priority.”
He waited for her answer with more anticipation than he wanted to admit.
“Yeah, okay. But I’m holding you to your promise to help me unpack my car.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t been aware of holding. “Not a problem.” He lifted his chin in the direction of the door. “Let’s go downstairs and get the paperwork filled out.”
CHAPTER SIX
On her break, Keeley sat on a stool at the end of the bar, arching her back to stretch tired muscles. Owen held a glass under the tap, filling it with the clear amber of Cider Mill Hard. There was no denying the air of competence Owen exuded as he moved around the bar. He worked one side while Jen did the other. He must know exactly how long it took to fill glasses from the tap because he didn’t even watch what he was doing. Instead, his gaze was constantly scanning his bar and the floor before returning to the tap at the right moment to cut the flow.
She hoped he saw that people were having a good time. Easy Money was a popular establishment, and Owen had set it up to be comfortable and welcoming. She’d spent many enjoyable hours there. It was a vital part of the Sisters’ community, especially since he sourced much of his food and beverages locally.
An Eagles cover band from the nearby town of Nevada City was performing on the stage and Keeley hummed along with “Peaceful Easy Feeling”while watching dancers out on the small dance floor.
Owen set the trio of glasses filled with cider in front of three middle-age women who looked like they were having a girls’ night out. Keeley didn’t think it was an accident they’d chosen Owen’s end of the bar. Why not enjoy the view? In this case the hot guy working the taps, while having that girls’ night.
Another server moved up to the bar. Josie’d been in the same year as Keeley and Delaney at Sierra High. Keeley had no idea how much time it took Josie to apply her makeup, but it looked flawless. Herskin was radiant and her eyes were an artistic masterpiece. Keeley’s own makeup was nonexistent. Add to that, Owen hadn’t had size medium so the Easy Money polo shirt she was wearing was a large. Keeley figured the combination made her look about twelve years old.
