Chapter Three #2
“May I?” he asked, putting his arms out.
“Sure.” Rachel wasn’t certain why she passed over Allie to a man whose father had sued her, but for some unknown reason—maybe it was simply that her daughter had the lungs of an opera singer and today Rachel couldn’t endure any more stress—she let Oakley hold Allie.
Allie immediately stopped crying. Her hands went to Oakley’s chin, which she patted. He took the cup from the tray and gave it to Allie. “Time to drink that,” he told the child. To Rachel’s surprise, she did.
“You have a way with her,” she said, amazed. “Allie’s normally not like this with strangers, but she likes you.”
“I love babies. Thought I’d have one or two of my own by now.” He glanced at Rachel. “Did you put the food away?”
“I did. It’s in the fridge.”
“Do you mind if I eat my portion? Been dealing with a few things and haven’t had anything since lunch, which I didn’t get to eat but three bites of. Long story, which we can also blame on my father.”
“Uh, sure. Sorry.” Didn’t she feel foolish?
She retrieved the bag of food as her daughter went willingly into her high chair and Oakley secured her.
Rachel handed him the bag, and he spread out the contents on the small table.
He held out a see-through plastic container.
“Sure you don’t want something more than a burger? ”
It had been a few hours, and Rachel had skipped lunch.
She’d also picked at the food Jenny had brought.
“I’ll eat a little.” After pouring two glasses of water, she joined him at the small table and opened her container.
Allie sat between them on one side of the table.
Rachel grabbed one of the plastic forks and stuck it into the chicken, taking a bite and finding it every bit as delicious as the reviews said.
Same for the thick and creamy white pasta served as the side.
“I want to apologize,” Oakley began. “First, for my father, because what he did was inexcusable. He owes you one, too, and someday I’ll ensure you get it.
Second, I’m apologizing that you had to find out he and I are related by opening the mail.
We came to Emerald Ridge for a fresh start, which was one reason for the name change.
Another reason we moved was because it’s been almost five years since we lost our mom.
My siblings and I thought that getting to know our biological family could be a good thing for him. ”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” She didn’t see her parents often, but they video-called at least once a week.
“Thanks. My dad took it hard, and his behavior sort of went off the rails. He’s never made a genuine success of any of his business endeavors, and maybe winning his court litigations filled the void left by my mom’s death.
He was justified some of the time, but in your situation, he wasn’t. I’m glad the case was thrown out.”
Rachel appreciated his apology but couldn’t forgive.
Not that easily. “Yes, but not without ruining me financially. That’s why I moved to Emerald Ridge.
To start over, too.” She gestured wildly around the room.
“This is not what my life was like. I was successful. I had a house. Do you know how much good defense lawyers cost? Far more than buying your father a brand-new suit. Why did he even think I had one hundred thousand dollars? Who wears a white suit in public anyway? White fabric is a dirt magnet.”
As if proving the point, Allie dribbled some formula on her “I love Mommy” bib.
“The white linen suit is his trademark.” About to say something else, Oakley shook his head as if to clear it. “Which doesn’t matter. Nothing I say can make up for the pain he put you through.”
“You think?” Fueled by pent-up anger, Rachel nearly lost it.
“He doesn’t consider anyone else but himself.
Now he’s moved somewhere new and is already up to his old tricks.
Doesn’t he know that Leo Leonetti is married to Poppy Fortune?
Who belittles their own family? That’s why I had to quit.
I can’t trust that more bad things won’t happen.
And I can’t be guilty by association, either.
I will not be party to Clemons’s lack of civility. ”
Oakley exhaled. “Believe me, I can understand that and won’t hold it against you. But you can trust me.”
“That’s the trouble—I can’t. I’ve been burned too many times to trust anyone that freely again. I liked working for you…but I can’t help worrying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
He set his fork down. “I’m on your side, Rachel.
My siblings and I had a conference call this afternoon.
While we didn’t talk about you, my siblings and I did discuss how our dad needs to tone down his behavior.
That he can’t keep suing people. It reflects poorly on us, as evidenced by your leaving.
And you’ve become important to me, to my business.
Even though it’s been a week, I never thought I’d find an admin like the one who retired, and yet there you were. I want you back.”
The declaration sent a shiver through her, but she couldn’t trust the words.
“You’re just saying that because you feel sorry for me,” Rachel said. “You waltz in here with food I never could afford because your father has embarrassed you again. Jenny will find someone else to replace me in your Emerald Ridge office. Third time’s the charm and all that.”
“I don’t want someone else—I want you.” His assertion punctuated each word. Oakley was a man who knew what he wanted, which, right now, was her.
“What will it take? A pay raise? Done. Benefits immediately? Done. Childcare allowance? Done. You name it, Rachel. If it’s in my power, I’ll make it happen.”
She stared at him with the same wide eyes as Allie had had earlier. “You don’t mean that. Stop insulting my pride… I can’t be bought.”
“I’m dead serious. I’m not playing you, and I’m not trying to buy you.
I want to rehire you. I can’t make up for what my father did, but I can make your employment the best it can be.
You need a job, and I need an administrative assistant who gets me.
One who my Dallas office likes and respects. That’s you.”
“You’ll find a reason to fire me.” It was her greatest fear. She’d lost too much to risk again.
His eyebrows knit together. “I hate the fact you think that. Why would I do that? If you worked as well as you did this week, I would have no reason to ever entertain the idea.” He named a salary that made her straighten.
“I’ll guarantee a severance of one year’s salary if something does come up.
Will that be enough to convince you I mean what I say? ”
Allie pounded her sippy cup on the high chair tray, the thumping noise making Rachel jump. While she had her pride, she also had her limits. She wasn’t stupid—she couldn’t afford to turn this offer down. She needed the money.
Oakley used a nearby burp cloth and wiped Allie’s chin.
“There you go,” he told her daughter. Allie reached her arms toward him, and since he was finished eating, Oakley unbuckled her and set her in his lap.
The picture was so perfect and heartwarming that Rachel had to blink multiple times to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.
Why did Oakley have to be so darn perfect?
She’d loved working for him. He seemed nothing like his awful father, and it was clear Allie trusted him. Her daughter didn’t warm to everyone.
“Make the offer to Jenny and put everything you’ve said in writing. Once that’s done, she and I will discuss it and get back to you.”
“Consider it done. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you to accept.”
“I’m leaning that way…” she admitted.
His megawatt smile was enough to make her want to follow him anywhere. “Once you see what I offer, I’ll expect you at the office by noon tomorrow. Is that doable? Do we have a deal?”
“If I accept, yes. Deal.” When he reached forward to shake her hand, Rachel swore tingles ran up her arm. If the way his eyes darkened was an indicator, he’d felt those sparks, too.
“Good. I’m gonna head out as I assume this little one needs to get to bed soon.” He closed the lid of his takeout container.
The word bed caused a shiver to run through Rachel.
What would it be like to be in bed with Oakley?
He’d worn casual clothes today, but his outfit accentuated his lean and muscular frame.
Naked, he had to be magnificent, which was a thought she shouldn’t be having.
Was she wise to go back as his admin? But what choice did she have?
She had to make the rent. “Yes, it’s her bedtime soon. ”
He passed Allie to Rachel and stood. Thankfully Allie didn’t cry.
Instead she gazed at Oakley in pure adoration.
Rachel couldn’t blame her. Oakley put his used napkins and plasticware in the trash can.
Careful of the hole in the plastic, he removed the bag.
“I’ll take this out when I go. Dumpster’s out back, right? ”
The gesture touched her. “Yes, but then you’ll have to walk back around the building to reach the street. I can do it.” She assumed he had a car parked nearby so he could drive home. He lived on the outskirts of town. She’d seen the address.
His grin was the stuff of legends, and he directed its full force at her.
“Ah, no big deal if it saves you the trip downstairs. I’ll see you at noon tomorrow.
” With a dip of his chin, he took the trash bag and showed himself out.
Rachel locked the door behind him and put a new bag into the trash can.
She finished tidying the kitchen and readied Allie for bed.
Then she turned off the light and went back into the living room and sat on the futon couch that also doubled as a spare bed if needed.
She grabbed her phone and dialed. Jenny answered immediately. “What’s up?”