Page 114 of Mail Order Sunset (Hawthorne Billionaire 4)

“Good evening, Jade,” Nellie smiled. “Is there anything I can get for you before you turn in? A hot tea, perhaps?”

“Nellie, what in the world are you doing, still working at this hour?” I waved her in the room. “Listen, while I’m here I want you to go to bed at a normal hour. I‘m very low maintenance. If I really, really need you, I’ll buzz you.”

“Miss, it’s my job to be available at all times of day or night.” Nellie looked away. “I don’t feel like I’ve done anything for you yet.”

“Have the other girls been asking you for a lot?” I motioned for her to sit on the balcony with me. “Sit, please. That’s what I want from you for right now.”

“I don’t know too much about the other girls. They each have their own crew member.” Nellie sat on the edge of the chair. “Don’t worry too much about it, Miss, Mr. Hawthorne takes very good care of all of us.”

“Nellie, I’m from the same island as you. I’m no one special. So please, call me Jade.” I motioned for her to sit back and relax. “Mr. Hawthorne is a good boss, then?”

“Yes, very good. That’s why I don’t want to do anything wrong and lose this job.” Nellie fidgeted with her apron. “Miriam is my cousin. She is the crew member for the lady named Rebecca, and she has already made Miriam cry. I hope she doesn’t try to get her fired.”

“That’s awful. You tell Miriam not to worry. I’ll talk to Rebecca.” I patted her hand. “Could you show me how to get to the kitchen?”

“Please, just tell me anything you want. I will get it.” Nellie stood from her chair.

“I don’t want anything right now but, if I want something, I’d like to be able to go to the kitchen and get it. Do you understand?” I stood next to her. “Come on, it’ll be an adventure. We can sneak through the halls and you show me where it is.”

Nellie was extremely reluctant. She must really need this job. I didn’t want to get her in any trouble, especially if miss bossy Rebecca was giving crew members a hard time.

“How about a compromise? You go get me a hot tea, but you let me follow you.” I shrugged. “If someone sees me following you, I’ll just say I was going for a walk. It’ll be our secret.”

“Okay, I can do that. Should we go now?” Nellie asked. “Everyone has gone to their rooms, so it’s very quiet.”

“Now is perfect, then.”

I followed down the dimly-lit hallways, down a back stairway and through a rather large dining room. She gestured for me to wait and went in, then came back a second later and waved me in.

“This is the kitchen. Marcus doesn’t like anyone in his kitchen. Don’t get caught.” Nellie pulled me back out of the kitchen. “Now go back and I will bring you tea.”

“Nellie, thank you. I don’t want tea anymore. You go to bed.” I waved bye and went back through the dining room. I made a mental note to find this dining room during the day. The ceiling-to-floor glass must mean there was an amazing view. I could hear someone in the hallway as I approached from the stairway, so I waited until the coast was clear, then scurried to my room.

That was fun. Now what? I’m not tired anymore.

I gave in and climbed into the bed and under the six-inch deep comforter. I found the remote and flipped through the channels. I’ve never been much of a television watcher, so I grew bored of that. I got back out of bed and paced the room. I went out to the balcony and leaned over the railing to see if any of the other room lights were on.

Nothing. Maybe a walk on the beach.

I slipped out of the robe and into my yoga pants and oversized t-shirt. One last look from the balcony, then I slowly opened my bedroom door and slipped out. I grabbed my cell so I’d have a flashlight and so I wouldn’t miss any messages from Alison.

It’s earlier in California. I wonder if it’s too late to call her? She would have called.

The only lights on the patio were running lights along the floor. I kept my flip-flops on in the dark and made my way past the loungers. I looked out ahead and saw two loungers at the edge of the water.

That’s the spot right there.

I turned my flashlight on and went the rest of the way to the loungers, only to find them occupied by none other than Sawyer and Asher, sound asleep.

They stole my idea. I could just pull another chair out here next to them. At least then I won’ be alone.

“What are you doing out here?” a male voice asked out of the darkness. “You lost?”

I turned around to see Asher sitting up. “You scared me. I couldn’t sleep. Looks like you had the same idea.”

“We were out here talking and fell asleep.” Asher looked over to Sawyer. “He’ll be fine> The crew will keep an eye on him so he doesn’t drown.”

“I’ll walk back in with you.” I changed my mind. “I wouldn’t want the others to get the wrong idea if I was found sleeping out here with just Sawyer.”

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