Charisma #3
“Giving me the opportunity is the only weight you need to carry. Everything else is on me. Besides, you could have a house full of junk art and neither of us is going to net much. The regular job is more than enough. Everything else is a bonus.”
“Well, you’ve got as long as you need in order to move.
As much as I would like you to do it today I know you gotta pack and make plans and stuff.
” He glanced around again and I knew he could tell all of myself stuff was still in suitcases.
There were boxes with items spilling out but nothing I couldn’t get packed quickly.
“I’m not a woman who takes a long time for things. When I get excited I get fixated until it’s done. When do you want me to start?”
He rubbed his chin like this part of the equation hadn’t been given the same thought as everything else. “It’s Friday. The least you can do is take the weekend and start fresh on Monday.”
“Do you not work on weekends?”
“No, the facility is open whenever there is someone on the schedule. You’ll still get your scheduled days off.
I’ve got folks from my parents’ ranch who moonlight and help me out.
Since you’re going to be a permanent person they’re going to have less on their plate.
If you have a bunch of happy ranch hands bringing you gifts, you’ll know why. ”
“Is that a thing? Will this be somewhere that I have to share space with them?” I didn’t mind having to work with strangers but I’d never been a part of a ranch environment and I didn’t want to misstep.
“Nah. Our people can live in the bunkhouse, or they can live off the property. We trust every man who is on our property because my mother, sister and sister-in-law live there. But we still aren’t blind to the fact that stuff can go wrong.
I guarantee your safety and if you ever have any problems you can let any of us know.
The place you’d live on property in a casita. ”
“And that is?”
Nathaniel’s confusion was brief before he explained. “It’s a small, one-bedroom house that you have all to yourself. They have a full kitchen, bathroom and living room so you’re comfortable. It’s much bigger than this place.”
I smiled internally thinking of having more space to spread out. Even in a one bedroom I could set up an area that could function as a studio. “And how much is the rent?”
“It’s included.”
“In what?”
“Your compensation package.”
I laughed because this was almost too good to be true. He must be getting ready to ship me off to some random corner of the world or try to sell my vital organs. “There’s no way.”
“How are you gonna just give up a piece of your parents’ property like that? I’m sure they have some type of say in this.”
“Of course they do. My sister-in-law stayed there for the last two years before she and my brother got married. It’s been empty since then so it’s no burden on them to have you use it.
Since you’ll be working at least five days out of the week whatever water and power you use are negligible.
They won’t even notice the change in the bill to be honest.”
He spoke with that same confidence that he’d had the entire conversation. That even if they’d disagree, he’d ease their minds so they came around to his way of thinking.
“This sounds too good to be true.” I hated to doubt him. It felt…wrong somehow. But I had to look out for myself even though Nathaniel seemed like a good man.
“I get you’re new here but you can do whatever background check on us that you need to. People in the Valley look after one another.”
I gave him a pointed look since that couldn’t be true. “The whorehouse near here would beg to differ.”
He pointed his hat at me and grinned. “Some folks like fast, easy money. They just don’t know they’re only kicking the toll further down the road.
Being around livestock isn’t glamorous and that’s a lot of what is available around here.
I understand ranching ain’t the type of life some women desire to live.
If you shy away from hardworking, you won’t make it in the Valley.
Some people want the privilege of ranching money without the hard work.
Being a 304 is an easy way to get it since men get lonely. ”
“So I should’ve asked for more money is what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying you don’t seem like the type to want to be put up like a princess.
But if it comes to it, we can talk about a potential bonus.
I expect a lot out of everyone I work with.
I’m tough but I’m fair. So let me know if that’s something you can handle.
If not, I’m sure I can help you land a position somewhere else. ”
His honesty was something that I could appreciate.
I didn’t mind having someone who was a tough taskmaster.
It meant he gave a damn. And his giving a damn about his business meant I would keep my job.
I’d been the type of person to go with the flow my whole life.
The idea of cataloging whatever art he had was the biggest bait for me to take this position. The money was the second.
The owner being fine as hell didn’t hurt either.
Instead of putting anymore thought to my libido I stuck my hand out for him to shake.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”