I opened the passenger side of the truck and helped her in. She was quick to wave me off. That was disappointing. I didn’t have many reasons to touch her. I closed the door, circled the cab, got in, and started the truck.
“I’m prepared to offer you a raise, so you’ll stay,” I said at the same time she said, “I’m looking for a new job.”
“What?” we both said.
“You first,” I offered.
“A raise?” she questioned.
“Nate told me that Dad wanted you to stay. And I’ve seen firsthand how well you and Zoe get along. I’ll offer you whatever you want if you’ll stay.”
“But you don’t really need me. Your dad can take care of himself, and Zoe’s mom will be home soon.”
“All that may be true, but Dad has never had to take care of himself. With Mom gone, I fear he won’t eat right or take his meds the way he should. We could work out a reduced schedule so you can have more free time,” I said, desperately searching for a way to get her to stay.
“It’s not that.”
“Then stay. At least for Zoe. I’m not sure when her mom will be back. Who knows what condition she’ll be in? And to be honest, even when her mom gets back, I will still be in Zoe’s life. And I don’t know the first thing about kids.”
Sunshine laughed. “From what I’ve seen, you’re doing a good job.”
“With your help. Please stay.”
TEN
Sunshine
I couldn't believe my ears. Not only was he not planning to fire me, but he’d also offered me a raise. I could use the extra money but didn’t think it was right to get more money and reduced hours.
“I’ll stay with a few conditions. After Zoe goes to school, that time is mine. I’ll be back on the clock when she gets home. I’d like at least one night off a week. And if you ever decide to let me go, I need a month’s notice to find somewhere to live.”
“Done,” he answered too quickly.
“And I’ll need that in writing.”
He flashed me a dazzling smile before turning to focus on the road. “That can be arranged.”
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“I didn’t expect you to be an excellent negotiator.”
“Why not? Because I’m a nurse?” I might have been a little miffed.
“No. Because most people would have focused on the money aspect.”
“Money can’t buy you happiness.”
“Don’t I know it,” he muttered. His next question surprised me. “What does make you happy?”
That got a wry smile out of me. “This place.”
“Mason Creek?”
“Mason Creek, Montana, the mountains, the view, the air… everything.”
“Can’t say I disagree.”
“Not enough to get you to stay?”
“I guess not.” Then he switched subjects on me. “Did you grow up around here?”
I didn’t know how much Nate had told him about me. I pointed toward one of the mountains we were driving toward. “There.” Then I admitted, “I’m not sure there is a name for it.”
His expression grew curious. “Did you grow up off the grid? No judgment.”
My parents weren’t the only ones who preferred a simple life. “Something like that.”
“That’s cool. The closest I’ve come is camping with my parents or with the scouts.”
“A scout, huh?”
He chuckled. “Uniform and all.”
Next thing I knew, we were pulling into a dilapidated trailer park. His face drained of all color.
I covered his hand with mine. “Zoe’s a sweet girl. Don’t judge her about how she’s grown up.”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. My brother was right. There I was, living in a penthouse in Chicago and my daughter was living here. I’m angry I wasn’t there for her.”
“Not your fault.”
“Isn’t it? My friends told me the girl I’d hooked up with was pregnant. Did I check on her?” He hit the steering wheel with his fist. “No, I didn’t. And my excuse was she’d let me know if I was the father. Truth is, she did. She told my father, and he didn’t tell me.”
“Do you know why?”
“No, he’s avoiding me. But not tonight.” Mitchell opened the door and then stopped. “You can wait here. I can’t imagine this conversation is going to go well.”
I nodded as he shut the door. He’d parked us close to two trailers. He walked toward the one on the left and knocked on the door. It was a little over a minute before the woman who had pulled up to the ranch to drop Zoe off opened the door. She placed a hand on one cocked hip and wore the sourest of expressions. She didn’t speak loud enough for me to hear more than a mumble of words, but I guessed what she was saying.
When Mitchell’s head bent and he stared at the ground, I surmised she was accusing him of not being there for Zoe and her mom. He bobbed his head a few times before he faced her dead on. I hoped he was standing up for himself and nearly fist-pumped when her jaw opened, but no words came out. Then he held his hand out. She folded her arms before stomping into the house. Seconds later, she returned and handed him some keys. I almost ducked when her gaze turned my way and narrowed, but didn’t. I held her stare as Mitchell came back to the truck.