Chapter Two
ELLIE
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I coughed and sputtered, choking on my last sip of water as I realized my mistake. This couldn’t be happening!
This wasn’t just any man in front of me.
This was my boss.
All of our communication had been through email or phone calls.
I’d told Drew I had spotty reception any time he mentioned using an online video service.
Even though I’d also convinced myself we didn’t need face-to-face contact, the reality was I’d been scared.
I’d felt a connection to him right away and I wondered if we took that extra step, some of that magic would be lost.
I loved my job. It was easy to get along with Drew. He worked nonstop, and no matter how often I told him to take a break or slow down, he ignored me. I often teased him that his workaholic attitude was due to his oldest child's syndrome and drive for perfection.
Each workday started with Drew sending me a list with what he needed me to do and at the end of it I updated him on what was accomplished. And throughout the morning, afternoon, and many evenings we messaged each other jokes, talked about our weekend plans, and just got to know each other.
And the man I’d gotten to know I liked.
I really, really liked him.
How had I not recognized him?
I stared at his picture from the website practically every day since I started.
Drooling over his strong jawline, his high cheekbones, wondering if his short honey brown hair was as silky as it looked.
His eyes had been hidden behind a pair of thin rimmed glasses, but I could tell they were light, either blue or green.
A fissure of disappointment ran through me as I realized the night was too dark to determine the color.
But I was also grateful for the darkness.
My cheeks heated. I’d been entertaining less than appropriate thoughts and fantasies about my boss since I was hired.
Now was not the time to be lusting after him.
I’d have thought I’d know him anywhere, although, to be fair, he wore a suit in the photo. The man in front of me sported faded jeans that hugged muscular thighs, an old t-shirt that did amazing things for his chest and biceps, and a short beard that gave him mountain man vibes.
When he crossed his drool-worthy arms earlier I had to force my gaze away. It was bad enough that I accused him of being a murderer and a kidnapper. I didn’t need to add wacko to the mental list he’d surely make of me as I gawked at his arm porn.
I cautiously peered up when my choking spell ceased. Even with my five foot six height, he towered over me. Underneath the brim of his cap I noticed the longish strands of hair curled under and plastered to his forehead from the heat.
In the website photo, he’d been clean-shaven, a little leaner, features sharper than this rugged version in front of me. In the beams of his truck’s headlights, it occurred to me that the picture online must have been an older one.
He frowned, and I almost smiled at his annoyance. It was the same expression, the same tiny wry twist of his lips that I’d memorized over the past twelve weeks. I’d always imagined him telling the photographer to get on with it because he had more important places to be.
The charged air hung thick between us as he ended his call.
How was I going to explain this?
I’d been employed by an agency, so the only contact we had prior to me being hired was an initial phone call from his previous administrative assistant detailing my job and our daily communication.
I came to Ruby River for us to meet and for me to better understand the operations side of the business.
“I’m sorry, I—” I couldn’t finish my sentence. There weren’t any words in my brain that would make what I’d claimed make sense.
His lips turned up into an endearing smirk. “This is the first time I’m hearing that I have a girlfriend. I would’ve thought I’d remember that.”
So, was he saying he didn’t have a girlfriend? I quickly shoved the thought away. Not appropriate, Eleanor Mae Remington! He’s your boss. B-O-S-S. Boss.
I bit my bottom lip and froze when his gaze laser-focused on the action, making me self-conscious. Before I could overthink it, I stuck my hand out. “Nice to officially meet you, boyfriend. I mean, boss. I mean. Mr. Kingsley. Um, Drew.”
There was zero possibility my cheeks could get any hotter or I could be any weirder. I’d never called him Mr. Kingsley.
Why couldn’t I be the cool girl? Why am I always so darn awkward? Just once? Now would have been the best time for me to suddenly become normal.
“Ellie?” His eyebrows knitted together as he reached for my hand. Instead of shaking it, his grip tightened and his expression changed into one of joy. “It is you!”
A zing of electricity passed between us and I couldn’t stop my gasp or the tingling that spread from my palm up my arm.
“Surprise?” I gave a bizarre jazz hands wave with my free hand and wished the ground would open up or a freak storm would zap me with a lightning bolt to turn his attention away from me.
This was not how I’d hoped our first meeting would go.
His fingers flexed, pressing into the back of my hand, gently rubbing against my skin, reminding me we were still connected. I shivered at the contact, so badly wanting to keep holding onto his warm, soothing grip, and wondering what it would be like to feel his touch in other places on my body.
Not appropriate thoughts about your hot boss if you want to keep your job, Eleanor!
I also needed to not use the word ‘hot’ in regard to the man who signed my paychecks.
“I should’ve realized it was you with all the murder/kidnapping references and your love of true crime shows.”
I gave an awkward laugh as we both let go at the same time. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that and for the girlfriend remark.”
What a way to make a first-ish impression.
He regarded me with such tender kindness, but didn’t reply.
I sighed and continued to talk to fill the unbearable silence. “It was totally inappropriate.”
I really, really needed this job and I hated that I might’ve made things uncomfortable between us.
He flashed me a smile that made his ruggedly handsome face even more so. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Tension bled from my shoulders, and the tightness dissipated just enough that my jaw unclenched and I was able to smile back. At least I hoped it was a smile. And not one that was overly eager and strangely manic.
The rumbling of a truck stole his gaze from me. I turned to see the tow approaching from the direction my car faced. He waved at the driver. “That’s my cousin.”
We watched as the truck executed a U-turn so that the bed was in position to swoop up my car. “That was fast.”
“His shop’s on the edge of town,” Drew explained.
I sighed. I’d had our first in-person meeting all planned out in my head. I was going to make the best first impression as the awesome, smart, and funny person Drew seemed to think I was from our conversations. Instead, I’d accused him of being a murderer.
The driver of the truck hopped out in well-worn jeans, a faded t-shirt, and work boots. When he jogged our way, I immediately saw the family resemblance. If I hadn’t known his cousin owned the repair shop, I’d have thought they were brothers.
“Drew.” They gave each other a quick bro hug before he turned to me. “I’m Adam.” His easy grin put me right at ease.
“Ellie.” I smiled in response. “Drew’s VA.”
“That’s right, I heard you were coming in. Welcome to Ruby River. What seems to be the problem?” he asked, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at my car.
“Thank you. I’m not sure. I had the battery replaced last month, so I don’t think it’s that. The lights flickered a bit, then the check engine light went on, and it just rolled to a stop.”
God, that had been scary. This unlit road was just forest running along either side of it. And I had no idea how far the actual town was since my stupid phone had died along with my car.
I’d debated walking towards town when Drew showed up.
When I heard him get out of his car, I panicked and ran.
My cheeks heated to fire engine red again as I remembered his first glimpse of me: partially naked after my shirt got stuck on some prickers.
I ended up having to take it off to get it untangled.
Then when I’d gotten free of that stupid bush of thorns I face planted.
Crap. I swiped at my nose. Had I gotten dirt on my face?
Now instead of looking polished and professional, my boss got the full hot mess that was the real me.
“Any noise when you turn the key?” Adam lifted his hat and rubbed at his forehead before placing it down on his head backwards, his hair and beard the same shade of brown as Drew.
“No.” I grimaced.
“I don’t think jumping it will make a difference. It might be your alternator, so if we restart your car, in another quarter mile we’d be doing this same thing all over.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, I’d rather not go through that again.” Next time the person might not be as nice as Drew or his cousin.
Adam stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I’ve got a few cars ahead of you in the shop. How long are you in town for?”
“A week or two.” We decided to leave my return date open ended with the possibility of staying on for a second week if we felt it was necessary.
It was important to the Kingsleys that their employees understood the business and got a feel for the everyday operation.
Especially focusing on how to keep both businesses, the fine jewelry and the luxury costume jewelry production running seamlessly.
“Can you get around without a car for a few days?”
“Do you have any loaners?” If not, the town was pretty small and the B&B was located on Main Street. I could walk.
He chuckled. “No, but if you needed a lift somewhere I’m sure one of my guys or I could help with that.”