Chapter Three
“He’s changed your clothing. I liked what you were wearing before.” Ezra’s voice made me jump and turn. He was standing in the kitchen’s entrance. Without thinking I immediately responded. “I’m supposed to look a certain way. Ever heard of a uniform?” Even though it came out kind of harsh, Ezra’s compliment made me feel good. He smirked, crossed his arms over his chest, then leaned against the doorframe. “I just hate to see him do it. There’s nothing wrong with you now. But he’ll change you, wait and see.”
I turned back to the salad I was making. Him standing there like a cowboy in a painting made me a little nervous. There was no doubt the man was gorgeous. In that Texas cowboy way. Though I knew it was only an act, because he wasn’t, he worked for Hale.
“Hale is outside with the other guest.”
He didn’t move. Although I wasn’t looking at him I knew Hale hadn’t budged. I had ears and the man was soundless. He replied, “I know where he is. I’m not in a hurry to join them.”
Ezra was weird and strange. I didn’t need him intruding with Hale. I wasn’t quite sure what there was between us, but this guy was an employee. He should care about upsetting Hale. Both of us had the same boss.
“Why’re you in here with me when there’s a meeting that doesn’t include me? Shouldn’t you be with them?” This time I turned to make him leave faster, though I figured he would do what he wanted.
“Not real big on Hale’s meetings. I don’t have to fuck with this one.”
Oh, well, okay. I didn’t know what to make of this man. Each episode with him became stranger. I wanted to dislike him, but there was something about him that was attractive, it drew you in. Maybe it was his personality. He didn’t give a shit about much. Or seemed not to care. His vibe was more than dangerous, and that can be really sexy.
“I need to serve the appetizers.” I lifted the tray of zucchini with the goat cheese tarts I’d made. It was a recipe Felicity had suggested that seemed easy enough. It gave me confidence for dishes that would take more time and contained various ingredients. I was thinking about this when Ezra moved towards me to take the tray from my hands.
“I’ll take it when I go.”
That didn’t sound like a good idea. He was a guest of Hale’s. A guest and an employee? This became more and more confusing.
“Uh, I better take it. That’s my job.”
Ezra studied me a little too closely. It made me feel like fidgeting and looking away, but I held his gaze and returned it.
“Are you scared of Hale?” When he asked me his voice dropped. It was lower and almost threatening. Frowning, I shook my head. “Why would I be scared of Hale?”
His entire body seemed to relax as he gave the tray back to me. “You take it then,” he replied. Then he left without explanation. I took a deep breath, tried to push it from my thoughts and focus on the job I was hired for.
I gave Ezra a minute to get outside before I followed with the tray I’d prepared. I thought about what momma would say, how she’d react to this: “Lord, that ain’t enough to feed a man! Make a pot roast with potatoes and gravy!”
Smiling at the thought I took the food. Only Ezra seemed to notice me. I placed the appetizers on the table with his gaze against my skin. I glanced at Hale, who simply nodded, while speaking to the other guest. That was my dismissal.
Hurrying back inside I slid the glass. Ezra’s focus was still on me. I was accustomed to the stares of men. I just wasn’t used to the Ezra’s. He might think this was some sort of game, but it was my future he was dealing with. I wasn’t going to anger Hale, get fired and sent back to Moulton. Ignoring Ezra was best for the present. Even though he was making it hard.
The rest of the lunch was the same. Ezra watched me like a hawk. Hale acted as if I was invisible. I managed to behave in a way that I thought would make Hale happy.
When I heard them all leave I finished cleaning up the kitchen while waiting on Hale to come to me. He didn’t say a word. I heard his footsteps down the hall and a door close behind him and then there was silence as usual.
I went outside to get the rest of the dishes and then made the kitchen perfect. After that I headed for my room. Hale was closed in his office and I could hear his voice through the walls asking questions. It was muffled, but I knew they were questions.
There was nothing for me to do. I wasn’t sure I was allowed to go out. Was I to wait and expect to be needed? I laid down on the bed with a New Yorker magazine I’d found in the living room. I would read and see what happened. Or perhaps I would fall asleep. The sharp knock on my door sent me bolting upright in the bed like a child from a nightmare. I never took naps at home. This job and the city seemed to wear me to a frazzle. Everything was always in motion. Moulton, Alabama wasn’t here. I hurried to the door to open it. Hale stood there with a grin on his face.
“Did I disturb your beauty sleep?”
“Sorry. I don’t know what happened. I haven’t done that very much. Not since I was a baby.” I then blushed. “But, I don’t remember. Being a baby that is.” My God I’m babbling, babbling.
“You woke up early and spent the entire morning working and doing your job. It’s okay to nap.”
I was relieved to hear him say that.
“You are, however, wrinkled. Change into something else. We’ll go out and explore.”