Chapter Four
The next morning, even though she was sitting across from Jenny and had no reason to be anxious, Rachel stilled her tapping foot and jiggly leg. She had to calm her nerves. “Well?”
Jenny peered intently at her computer screen. “Everything looks to be in order.” She gave Rachel a smile. “It looks good.”
“Are you sure?” Rachel leaned forward, the casual dress she wore bunching under her thighs. “I can’t leave anything to chance. Too much is at stake.” She’d tossed and turned all night worrying that this was a Venus flytrap. Pretty looking, until you got closer and discovered it was deadly.
Jenny clicked the mouse. “I’m printing the agreement out so you can sign it.
It’s everything you told me, which is what I discussed with Oakley first thing this morning.
I worked with his HR department the moment they logged in.
” Jenny clicked again before swiveling. “I want you to read it thoroughly because if you agree, I need you to sign it. Once you do, I’ll send it back over and you’ll head to the office.
” She reached for the papers on the printer. “Here.”
Using the printouts, Rachel began reading the contract.
Everything Oakley had promised her was there, from the salary to the health insurance and day care benefits.
She still had a probationary period of forty-five days, but after that she’d be a permanent employee with company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
“I also got you that appointment I told you about at the Emerald Ridge Early Childhood Center,” her friend said.
“They think they’ll be having an opening in the infant room because one of the families might be moving, but they don’t have a conclusive answer.
Once you tour, you can jump to the front of the wait list. I at least managed that as promised. ”
“Wow—this is incredible! A miracle. I feel as if I should pinch myself. Are you sure I’m not dreaming?”
Jenny laughed. “No dream. This is real. I’m happy for you, Rachel. You stood your ground and got an even better deal. And on top of that, he gave me a second commission for the trouble.”
“He really is a generous man,” she said.
Once she got a few paychecks under her belt, she’d have enough money to get her car the long overdue service it needed.
Living downtown meant she could walk to work, but she’d have to drive to the childcare center, and she’d also need transportation for errands. “This offer means everything.”
“It does,” Jenny agreed. “He reassured me his father would not bother you. I knew I liked the guy when I first met him during our initial visit after he hired my firm sight unseen. He’s clearly got good taste since I’m the best at what I do.”
“You certainly are.” Rachel began signing the papers. When done, Jenny scanned them in.
Her friend glanced at her computer screen.
“Great, I’ve got it and it looks good. I’m emailing you a copy and I’ll file these.
You’re set. You’re good to go back to work.
Better yet, since you have a little time, go celebrate by getting a mani-pedi or have someone blow out your hair.
While most people make appointments, The Style Lounge takes walk-ins. It’s on the way. You should pop in.”
“Actually, I do have the time…” Rachel had almost two hours before she had to be at the office. She’d eaten a late breakfast, so she wasn’t hungry and wouldn’t need lunch. She’d also packed a snack for later.
“When did you treat yourself last?” Jenny prodded.
“Forever and a day ago,” Rachel admitted. Doing her hair was a luxury.
“You need to go. In fact, I know the owner, Sofia Fortune, so I’ll call ahead and tell them you’re coming.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” She hugged Jenny goodbye and took a short stroll to the salon. When Rachel arrived, she found that Jenny had already paid for both a haircut and a mani-pedi, including the tip.
“She said it’s because she got paid twice,” Sofia said as she directed Rachel to the shampoo bowls. She draped a cape over her and leaned her back, then made a tsk-tsking sound. “You’re lucky I’m here today. You have more split ends than the frayed end of a rope.”
“Thanks, I think?” Given the precarious state of her finances, she couldn’t remember when she’d had her hair cut last. As she usually wore it straight or in a ponytail, it hadn’t mattered.
Once she’d been jobless, having a routine professional cut was a want, not a need.
Not when she had to buy diapers and formula for Allie.
Sofia washed her hair, including an invigorating massage, before she added the conditioner.
Once shampooed, an assistant led Rachel to a chair.
Sofia caught Rachel’s gaze through the mirror.
“Trust me,” she said before she spun the chair around.
A few minutes later, Rachel saw pieces of her dark hair hit the floor.
When done, the stylist grabbed a dryer and blew out the strands. “Ready for the reveal?” she asked.
“Um, sure?” Rachel found herself nervous.
Sofia spun her back around, and Rachel gasped.
Sofia had taken inches off the length, and the strands fell to right below her shoulders.
Instead of straight hair with blunt ends, the layered bob had face-framing layers.
Sofia had also added volume to Rachel’s hair and the soft waves flipped outward at the ends where they danced along her collarbones.
“It’s wonderful,” Rachel said, feeling happy tears well up in her eyes.
How long had it been since she’d felt pretty? Forever.
“Thank you. I really appreciate this.”
“Come back and I’ll add some highlights and lowlights. Yours are natural, but we can bring them out more. Make them really pop.”
“I will,” Rachel promised. She’d have to learn to create this look at home. She’d need a big round brush, and she made a mental note to add that to her shopping list.
“Perfect. We’ll make the appointment for six weeks from now,” Sofia said, and Rachel added her next haircut and color to her phone calendar.
She felt the stares of people as she entered the office building, but she could tell their second glances were complimentary.
She smiled as she saw her reflection in the elevator.
Amazing how a simple haircut could make one feel so good.
She practically floated down the hall to the offices of the Fortune Rodeo Corporation.
She paused, drew a deep, reassuring breath and reached for the door handle.
Oakley stepped through his office door as she opened the main door.
His eyes widened in appreciation before they shuttered into neutral.
The fact he’d clearly liked what he saw made her suddenly feel shy.
Her reaction to his perusal wasn’t from nervous worry, but rather because, for a brief moment, he’d seen her as a desirable woman.
She’d felt the zing travel between them, the sensation of his appreciation settling deep in her bones.
“New haircut?” he asked.
“Yes. I was at The Style Lounge. Jenny treated me. She said you paid her extra.”
“I did. Seemed she deserved it for all the work she had to do.” He paused. “Is it okay if I say your hair looks good and that I like it? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay.” Rachel reached to touch her hair and instead jerked her hand down.
In order to keep it looking good, Sofia had told her not to run her fingers through it as was Rachel’s nervous habit.
“It’s been a while since I could afford to get it cut, so it’s a new style to me, too.
Allie’s too little to care what I look like, so I haven’t worried about it. ”
“The new cut suits you.” Oakley’s voice was huskier than usual. He coughed slightly. “Sorry. One question before we begin. That photo you opened yesterday…it’s sitting on the bookshelf in my office. Is that going to bother you? If it does, I’ll take it home.”
The gesture created what could only be described as all the good feels. That he would consider removing a photo of his family just to make her feel comfortable—one containing his late mother—spoke volumes as to Oakley’s outstanding character. Her estimation of him rose even further.
“No. Leave it. It was the shock of seeing it that got me. But you and I worked things out and it’s a picture of your family. I’ll be fine.”
His forehead creased. “If you’re certain. If you change your mind, you have to let me know.”
“I will.” She set her oversize purse on her desk, reached inside and removed the plastic container containing carrots and hummus.
Oakley frowned from where he leaned against the doorframe. “That’s all you’re having for lunch? That’s not a meal.”
“I had a late breakfast. You’ll see me bring a much larger lunch tomorrow.”
He wasn’t convinced. “I’m holding you to that. You’re a mom. You must keep up your strength.” As if realizing he’d entered personal territory again, he straightened and gestured. “Shall we? Say five minutes? Is that enough time for you to get settled?”
“Five minutes is fine,” Rachel replied. She went through a door she’d first thought led to a closet but actually led to a private lounge with a kitchen and bathroom.
“Perfect.” With that, Oakley strolled into his office.
He left the door open, and soon Rachel joined him.
They sat perpendicular to each other at a small four-person table, and Oakley pushed some documents in her direction.
“These are the new contracts we were negotiating for the rodeo showcase in Lubbock and…”
He explained the details, but Rachel found it hard to focus.
She instead noted how his firm fingers held the pen.
Her gaze traced the light blond hairs covering his muscular forearm until they disappeared under the rolled-up shirt sleeve.
A hint of aftershave or cologne tickled her nose, the scent divine.
Had he worn that before? Surely she would have noticed.
Or was she simply hyperaware? He’d been in her apartment last night, after all.
But now the dynamic had somehow shifted, becoming more intimate and personal, as if they’d run through a gauntlet together.
Working this closely, in a two-person office, things were bound to grow chummier—yet the more he spoke, the more she saw his integrity and business ethics shine through.
She found herself softening toward him, and not because he’d paid her more.
Because the truth was, she genuinely liked that he cared about his company and his employees.
“Hello?” a voice called as someone entered the office.
“Oakley?” A blonde came into the doorway.
She was petite and curvy, and she had a wide smile.
“Here you are.” Her gaze darted between Oakley and Rachel, and Rachel could see all the assumptions the woman made cross her face.
“You must be the new admin. Oakley told me about you last night.”
“I am.” As Rachel rose, she realized she’d be freaking out if she hadn’t seen the woman before; she was one of the women in the family photo. “You must be one of Oakley’s sisters.”
“I’m Cheyenne.” She came forward and shook Rachel’s hand. “I’m the youngest and Oakley’s favorite.” She winked, then her tone gentled. “He told me what our dad did. Clemons has been somewhat adrift since our mother died. I’m sorry you were affected.”
Understatement of the year, but Rachel nodded rather than correct her.
“He needs a hobby,” Oakley added, taking the liberty he could as a sibling. Cheyenne ignored the dig. It was clear she adored her father.
“It’s why we got him a cat,” she explained patiently to Rachel. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, and I hope you give this guy another chance. He’s the oldest boy in our family, and he’s been the best big brother. You can’t go wrong working for him.”
“You don’t need to try and sell me.” Oakley’s embarrassment came through in his gruff tone. “We’re work colleagues.”
“Exactly.” Rachel nodded. She couldn’t resist teasing her boss with a little dig of her own. “I’m paid to like him whether I do or not.”
“You really know how to wound a guy.” Oakley feigned being stabbed in the heart.
“You’d do wise to remember it,” she added, grinning. Remembering they had an inquisitive audience who was staring at them openly, she sobered. She didn’t want Cheyenne to get any wrong ideas. She and Oakley were employer/employee, nothing more. “I’ll get to work on these contracts.”
“Thanks.” Rachel expected that to be all, but Oakley kept speaking. “I’ll be gone for a while. An hour? Maybe two? Cheyenne and I are going to the hospital to check on the man who was injured along the riverbank.”
“Jenny told me about that,” Rachel said. “He must have been terrified. You know him?”
“No, he was unconscious when my dad and I found him.”
“You found him?” Rachel hadn’t heard that detail, probably because she’d quit in a huff and gone home.
Oakley ran a hand through his hair, and Rachel resisted the urge to do the same. “Yeah. Cheyenne volunteers at the hospital, and I want to check on him myself.”
“You should. You discovered him and stepped in to help. It’s natural to want to find out how he is,” Rachel encouraged.
“Hopefully the staff has more information,” Cheyenne said, her curious gaze darting between Rachel and Oakley. “Yesterday they didn’t even know his name. He’s in the system as Johnny Doe, last I heard.”
“Go,” Rachel urged, seeing that Cheyenne was waiting for her brother while Oakley hesitated, his attention still fixed on Rachel.
He opened his mouth, and she knew he was about to ask if she was certain.
“I’ll see you when you get back. I need to call Chad in Dallas, that is, if you want these contracts done,” she told him.
His features softened as he trusted she meant what she said. “Good. I’ll see you later and explain what I find out about the patient, and you can tell me about the contracts.”
“Sounds good.” Rachel placed the papers on her desk and took a seat in the most comfortable office chair she’d ever had. The door closed behind her boss and his sister. She started her computer and watched as it loaded.
Then she flattened her palms on the surface of her desk.
She spread her hands in opposite directions, as if attempting to wipe away yesterday’s drama and cleanse the smooth surface.
But her attempt to desensitize and restore calm failed.
She had far too much awareness of Oakley as a man to be comfortable.
But she was a professional and had made a commitment.
Oakley had nothing to worry about. She would be here when he returned.