Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Stafford stood behind her as she placed her hands under the cold water.
He was angry with himself for not pushing her to tell him what was wrong with her hands. And he was upset with her for lying to him.
Calm down.
She’s not yours.
Nothing about her situation sat well with him, though. The door to her apartment was flimsy at best. Even though there was another door to get into the building, it still wasn’t good enough.
And while she was moving, it didn’t sound like she had anywhere to go to.
She seemed so . . . lost and sad.
He had the strange urge to make her smile.
To take care of her.
“I really think this is pointless,” she said.
“Keep them under there,” he ordered. “Do you have any family to go to? Friends?”
She stiffened. “I’ll be fine.”
Her non-answer told him what he needed to know. Where the hell was her family? She’d mentioned living with her grandfather until she was fifteen. What happened to her after that?
“Where are your parents?”
“You know, I think it’s time you left. I don’t think I really owe you any answers to these questions. And I don’t need you to tell me what to do with my hands.”
She turned, but he didn’t move. Her breasts brushed against his chest, and he tried to tell himself that he wasn’t affected.
“As your employer, I am only trying to ensure that you’re in good health before you come work for me,” he told her. “So turn around and put your hands back under the water. Or would you rather I took you to the doctor?”
She gaped up at him. “My . . . my what?”
“Employer.”
“But you didn’t hire me. Your grandfather told me to get out!”
“My grandfather isn’t the one paying you. I am. And I say you’re hired. Unless you don’t want the job?”
Hope filled her face, and it nearly crushed him. God, how desperate was this girl that she was grateful to be coming to work for two grouchy men?
“Really?”
“Really. If you want the job, then you’ll turn around and put your hands under the water.”
“But there’s a problem.” She bit her lip. “I don’t have anywhere to live. This was the only place in the area I could afford. So I won’t be able to work for you.”
“There was a mistake with the ad. It failed to mention that room, utilities, and food are all included.”
He actually hadn’t put that in. The other housekeepers had lived on-site, but Grandpa Jack had hated having them in his house.
However, his grandfather was just going to have to get used to this sprite living with them.
“Really?” She gave him a suspicious look. “You’re not just saying that because you feel sorry for me?”
“Would I really offer a job to someone because I pitied them? Believe me, I need you more than you need me. You saw the state of the house.”
“But your grandfather . . .” She trailed off, looking worried.
He sighed. “Turn around and put your hands back under the water.”
Spinning, she did as ordered. He forced himself to take a step away from her.
“I told you that my grandma died a few years ago. Well, that teacup was one of a set she brought with her from England.”
She let out a small, pained noise.
“What is it? Are you in pain?” he asked in alarm, stepping closer.
“No. I feel so bad about breaking your grandma’s teacup. It must be so special to your grandfather.”
“It is,” he said with a sigh. “Along with everything else in the house. I think he wants everything to stay the same as when she died. But everything was already out of date and worn, then. However, that’s the reason he was so upset. He shouldn’t have yelled at you, though.”
“I get it,” she said as he checked her hands and turned off the tap. “But he won’t want me living there.”
“Like I said, Grandpa Jack isn’t paying your wages. I am. Now, we need to bandage these hands up and then you can direct me with your packing. Because no way are you doing much with those hands.”