CHAPTER TWENTY
“Good morning, Gideon,” said Angel smiling at the young man at the door.
“Mr. Angel! Mama! It’s Mr. Angel,” he yelled.
“Yes, I heard you the first time. I think the whole neighborhood heard you,” she grinned. “Hello, Angel.”
“Hi Ms. Beauvois. I’m just coming by to check on things here. How are the appliances doing?”
“Wonderfully! Gideon and I made cookies this morning, would you like some?”
“I would,” laughed Miller stepping through the door. Gideon handed Miller two cookies and the man scarfed them down like they were tiny little things. Gideon and his mother could only laugh.
“Well, we’ve come with some good news, I hope,” said Angel. “Our legal team would like you to come for an interview this afternoon. Do you think you could make it?”
“Oh, wow! Really?” she gasped.
“Really,” smiled Miller. “Like I told you, we’ve got some folks that are hoping to retire, including my wife. They’d love for you to come and interview with us.”
“Let me get changed,” she said, “and I’ll drive over there right now.”
“Well, we’re a secure property, ma’am. If you don’t mind, we’ll drive you over there and entertain Gideon while you’re interviewing,” said Miller.
“Of course. Of course, not a problem at all. Just give me a few minutes.” She raced to the back and Gideon smiled at them.
“She’s been talkin’ a lot about working for y’all. She works way too hard at the other office. They abuse her,” he said in a very adult-like voice.
“They do, huh?” smirked Angel.
“Yep. She works more than anyone there and she gets paid less.”
“Why do you think that is?” asked Miller.
“She’s not a lawyer but she’s a paralegal. I’m not sure what that means but there are other ladies there that are one of those too. But Mom gets paid less than them. Why is that fair?”
“It’s not,” frowned Angel.
“I hear you already. I’m looking into it.”
Angel just smiled to himself and then watched as Gideon’s mother came around the corner in a smart looking navy suit.
“I’m ready,” she said smiling.
“You look nice, Mom.” She kissed her son’s head and hugged him.
“Thank you.”
“When we get closer to the office, you’ll notice that the windows of the SUV black out. It’s a safety precaution for us.”
“How come?” he asked Angel.
“Well, because we were all in the military once upon a time. We were Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Delta, and Green Berets. We also have some men and women that were with the Coast Guard or the FBI or CIA. They, we all had dangerous jobs so we make sure that only those we welcome come onto the property.”
“That’s so cool,” said Gideon. His mother laughed and pushed him toward the door.
“Um, just to be clear we wouldn’t be in any danger would we?” she asked.
“No, ma’am,” said Miller. “If you’re concerned, we would move you and Gideon to a cottage on our property and he would go to our school.”
“Oh, wow,” she whispered. “I’ve heard it’s one of the best schools in the state.”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ve got the very best teachers for sure.”
Gideon didn’t stop chattering as they drove along River Road. When they neared the stealth bubble that diverted them to the side road, the windows went black and he oohed and ahhed at the technology.
“This is so cool!” he said.
“It is cool but I need you to do me a favor,” said Angel. “You can’t tell anyone.”
“No one would believe me anyway,” he frowned. “Besides, I keep good secrets. Mom didn’t know anything about the appliances.” Angel laughed.
“That’s true.”
When they pulled in front of the office, Miller took Tara Beauvois in to meet with the others. She knew that Gideon would be in good hands with Angel and waved at him.
“This place is awesome!” he whispered. “We’ve never lived in houses like these.”
“Well, we’re very lucky,” said Angel. “Would you like some lunch?”
“Sure!”
Inside the cafeteria, the team filled plates for the young boy watching him eat until his belly was full. When they were done, they brought out Christmas cookies and hot chocolate for the boy. Then they led him to the table with the other children to help with holiday decorations.
“He seems to fit right in,” said Miller watching the boy.
“He does. He’s pretty damn bright and resourceful. How do you think Tara will do on the interview?”
“Kari said she’s a shoe-in. She knows the firm that she works for and they’re notorious for paying their paralegals and secretaries more, when they do more, if you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Hiro said she makes about half what the others make and works twice the hours. What we’ll pay her will feel like the lottery to her. Do you think they’ll move into a cottage?”
“I think the boy would like that,” laughed Angel.
When Kari and the rest of the legal team walked in with Tara, smiling and laughing, they knew things had gone well.
“Hey, Mom! Look!” yelled Gideon. “We made all these decorations and these guys are my new friends. Aren’t they awesome?”
“They’re really awesome,” smiled Tara. “Hey, buddy how would you feel about moving into one of these homes?”
“Seriously? No way!” he said excitedly.
“Seriously,” smiled Kari. She held out her hand. “My name is Kari Robicheaux and that big lug over there is my husband.”
“He’s totally cool,” said the boy. “So is Mr. Angel.”
“They are pretty cool, aren’t they?” smirked Kari. “So, what do you think Tara?”
“I don’t think there’s anything to think about. You’re paying me five times what I was making at the other firm, you’re providing housing and food and my son will be attending a much better school.”
“Wonderful,” she grinned waving someone over. “Tara, this is Hawke a member of our team.”
Tara looked up at the man and immediately blushed about five shades of red. Gideon smiled at his mother then reached out a hand to Hawke.
“Hi. I’m Gideon,” he said. Hawke cleared his throat, tearing his gaze from Tara and shook the boys hand. “You have a cool name.”
“So do you,” smiled Hawke. “Did you know that it means a military leader from the old testament?”
“I did. Mom told me,” he smiled.
“Hawke, do you mind showing Tara and Gideon to cabin fifty-two?”
“Uh, sure. It’s really close to mine so if you need anything, I could be there right away. I mean, I would never just show up or anything but I could help out. If you needed it. Not that you’ll need it.”
“Hawke,” grinned Angel, “just show her the cabin to be sure she’ll like it. You’ll get to take a little boat ride every morning and every night, Gideon. It’s the absolute best.”
“This place is the coolest ever.”
Angel and Miller watched as they walked away, Hawke with his hand gently guiding Tara toward the docks. He gave her his jacket to keep her warm and Gideon ran ahead to the boat dock. When they were out of sight, Miller turned to his wife, Angel smiling at her.
“That was well planned, I have to say,” he smiled.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Hawke just happened to be here when I needed him.”
“Hey, Kari,” called Tanner. “Did you ever find Hawke?”
“Showed up when you need him, huh?” smirked Miller. Kari playfully smacked his chest and walked away.
“Oh, hush. It’s the season for happily ever after.”