“He offered me a job.”
In all the years he’d know Addy Bromwell, he’d never seen her speechless, but there was a first for everything. When she recovered from her gaping jaw, she sat behind her desk and instructed him to sit in the other side. “What kind of job?”
“He’s starting a non-profit and wants me as the assistant director.”
Addy’s eyes spread wide. “What kind of non-profit?”
“What do you think?” he asked after filling her in on the details.
“That I’m about to lose the best maintenance man I’ve ever had.” She blinked away a tear. “And I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
Her praise meant a great deal to him. “He did say I could stay on here if I could swing it.”
“You will always have a place here, you know that, but I don’t want you to stay out of obligation and burn yourself out. Opportunities like you’ve presented don’t come along every day.”
He stretched his arms and grinned. “This is not how I expected my day to turn out.”
“I’m happy for you.” She rose to her feet and winked. “Beth’s in the laundry room if you’d like to tell her.”
“Thanks.” Without a further exchange, he ran down to the basement, excited to tell her the news.
With the extra income and stability, this changed everything. The future he wanted was finally within his grasp.
Chapter Fourteen
Tears rolled down Beth’s face. She hadn’t laughed that hard in, well, she couldn’t remember when. Hunter had scored tickets to see a Christian comedian on tour in Farthington, and they’d made a date night out of it. She took a sip of the soda they shared but remembered one of the comedians jokes and started laughing again.
Her cheeks burned when they soda she’d spit out landed on Hunter’s legs.
“Don’t worry, I’ll clean that up.” Taking in stride, he grinned and dapped his pants with a napkin.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. Small price to pay to hear you laugh.”
Her pulse warmed as it did anytime he brought on the charm. “We should do this more often.”
“Date?”
“Yes.” In no hurry to leave, she snuggled into him as closely their seats allowed while the other guests filed out of the aisles. “We’ve barely seen each other the last three weeks.”
“I know.” He frowned, and guilt niggled her for bringing it up.
“I didn’t mean to complain. We’ve both been busy, and I’m so proud of you for taking the job at the non-profit.” Even though it cut in their time together, it would be selfish to begrudge it.
“Once these training weeks are over, it won’t be as bad.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders. “If not, I might have to give up Addy’s, but I don’t want to.”
“Me either, but I’ll understand and so will Addy. She’ll support whatever decision you make.”
“It would mean moving out. Room and board are part of my salary.”
“I’m sure Phoebe can help you find a place. Doesn’t her company do rentals?”
He shrugged. “Mainly vacation rentals, but yeah, she probably could.”
Sitting upright, she stared at him and tried to figure out what was wrong. “I thought you’d be happy to have a place of your own.”
He squirmed, as though hesitant to elaborate. “The bed and breakfast has become home for me. A house of my own sounds too lonely. And quiet.”
If he weren’t opening up to her, she would have laughed. “I could learn to appreciate the silence.”
“I’m serious. Sure, the quiet is nice at times, but too much would be boring and lonesome.” He scowled. “You know what’s crazy? I’d even miss hearing about the birds.”
This time she couldn’t hold the laughter. “Now that’s one thing I never thought I’d hear.”
“Right?” He slid his arm away and threw it in the air. “Who would have thought?”
She touched his shoulder lightly. “Moving out doesn’t mean you’ll never see any of us.”
“I know, but it won’t be the same.”
“Why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it.” Offering a smile, she squeezed his shoulder. “You’re still employed by Addy which means you still have a room there.”
“You’re right. I don’t know what got into me.”
“Our minds like to play tricks on us when they are changes in our life.”
“Don’t know I know.” His expression changed, and he eyed her with concern. “Speaking of change, have you called Kyle’s parents yet?”
She froze in her seat. “No.”
“Why not?” His question was undemanding but firm. “You asked me to keep you accountable.”
“I did, and I want you too.” Now she squirmed. “You don’t know them like I do.”
“Let me talk to Mr. Chavez. I’m sure he can give you advice.”
“No.” Her head shook with force. “I won’t let you bring your boss into this.”
“I care about you and your children. You have to know that.”
His admission washed over like a warm bath after a long day. “I do, and I care about you, too.”
“Then you know I’m speaking from a place of truth and genuine concern for you. The longer you allow this to hang over your head, the more damage it will cause.”
“Unless I let it go until it fades into oblivion.” She gave him a smile that even she didn’t believe.
He chuckled, but his serious eyes locked with hers. “I want you to be happy, that’s all.”
“I’m going to take care of it soon. I promise.”
“Whatever you need from me, tell me. We’re in this together.”
“Thank you.” She slid her hand over his, overcome with affection for him.
Hunter was everything. Handsome, kind, patient, loving. Honest, compassionate, trustworthy, loving.
Loving—she’d included it twice. What did that mean? She thought she’d loved Kyle, but her feelings for Hunter were nothing like what she’d felt for Kyle. Did she love Hunter or was she grateful for his friendship during a rough time in her life?
She knew the answer to that, but she wouldn’t be the first to say it.
She’d been there, done that, had two kids to show for it.
And though she knew Hunter would never put her in the situation Kyle had—he had too much integrity—old wounds left scars even after they healed. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, be the first to admit love.
An usher walked the aisles, shooting them a scathing look.
“I’d say that’s our cue to leave.” Hunter extended a hand and helped her to her feet.
She deposited their trash in a bin on their way out and breathed in the fresh air when they stepped outside. Reluctant to end the night, she suggested taking a drive. “Dex and April will already be asleep by the time we get home anyway. With school ending next week, we’ll have even less time to go out alone.”
“But think of all we can do with them. Mini golf, hiking, swimming. Do you think April’s old enough for go-carts?”