I didn’t look back at Ezra, hoping he wouldn’t follow. The man was downright confounding. He confused my brain to no end. Of course, my body was attracted. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that. But Ezra was hiding something. I could see it in the depths of his eyes. He was watching to see if I could figure the reason they needed one another to thrive.
I knew Hale wouldn’t want him here. At least I didn’t think he would. Was that why I’d asked him to leave? Or was it the mystery around this man Ezra that bothered and forced me to push him? I glanced back at the door when I was safely in the kitchen, thinking about momma’s reaction. She wouldn’t approve of this man. He wasn’t polished, so he wouldn’t scare her. She liked the good ole boys. Although, Ezra wasn’t one of those, he just had their appearance and style. I wondered if he was even from Texas.
After fixing my water I took a slow drink and walked back into the foyer. I knew he hadn’t left. He would tell me if he was leaving. At least I thought he would. He wasn’t in the living room, but I could see him outside on the balcony. Going to my room seemed rude. Even though it was probably smart. Though I admit, I wasn’t really smart around Ezra. He was entirely too seductive.
The sound of the city hit my ears as I stepped outside to confront him. Ezra glanced back at me. “I was debating if you’d hide in your room or come and visit with me.”
So much for my confrontation. “I thought about it, then I didn’t.”
“Don’t doubt it. You strike me as sharp. Which is why you’re working for Hale.” When he didn’t finish I finally spoke up to relieve our momentary silence. “Finish that comment please.” I demanded, rather than asked. He didn’t seem to mind my aggressiveness, his gaze now back on the city.
“You’re not Hale’s typical choice. You don’t fit the mold.”
“His choice in maids?”
Ezra turned to me. “You know what I mean Sammy Jo. You’re smart. Don’t be naïve.”
I wanted to throw my water in his face. It was the way he said “naïve.” But I didn’t, because Ezra was right. I sounded backwards, dumb and naïve. I knew exactly what Hale had planned. He’d told me as much when he hired me.
“There’s a mold?” I needed clarification. I knew his last housekeeper was old and feeble and had retired when the job was too strenuous. It wasn’t like he hired girls that often, to eventually… what? To date?
“Typically the women he hires, for starters, aren’t very likable. They’re digging for gold and are here for a reason, to become the wife he doesn’t have. One he doesn’t need. He’s built for marriage about like me and I tell you I don’t want that.”
Ezra had spoken in the plural. Said the words “the women he hires.” Was I simply the next in a line? Hale made it sound like he needed me here. Like he’d found me and wanted me near him. Surely he didn’t hire girls, clothe them and plan these events, as part of a wife finding process. He wasn’t like that. I knew it.
“I’m not exactly sure what you mean.”
Ezra finished off his whiskey. “Then maybe you are naïve.”
Not the answer I was looking for. I fought the urge to stomp my foot and demand he answer my question. I deserved an explanation.
“Who do you think worked here before you?”
“An older lady that retired. She’d been working for Hale forever.”
Ezra looked disgusted. “That’s what he told you?”
I nodded.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
I hoped he’d elaborate. I realized from his reaction that I wasn’t told the truth, but then, who to believe? Hale or Ezra? Which? I didn’t know. Ezra was a stranger to me. He could be causing trouble. Hale had brought me here, given me this life, while Ezra was a guy who’d annoyed me from the very first minute I met him.
“Maybe you need to go.” I was feeling more and more confident, without really understanding why. I didn’t want to be angry any more.
“I’ll go. But you’re going to need me. Eventually. Trust me on that.”
He’d said something similar before. His certainty began to worry me. It wasn’t like he was trying to convince me. He was warning me. That was it. He made it exceptionally hard to ignore.
“Okay,” I said. “I hear you.” I didn’t say anything else. I had nothing more to say. I wasn’t sure I believed this man. It seemed unfair to trust him over Hale.
Ezra started to walk back inside. Just as he reached the glass, he stopped and turned back to me. I realized I was holding my breath, afraid of what he would say. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts.
“Be careful. Pay attention. Don’t assume that anything is a gift.”
He then went through the entry and closed it behind him without waiting for my rebuttal, any question I might have had. I didn’t follow Ezra. I stood there replaying his words in my head, again and again, over and over, like a recorder was lodged in my brain. I was careful and did pay attention. It was his comment on the gifts that bothered me. I wasn’t comfortable with what Hale had bought. If Ezra was being honest, if there’d been a string of women, then what, what would I do? Do I stay here or go back to Moulton? This remained an opportunity. A chance I’d never had.
That evening my mind ran through its scenarios until I couldn’t imagine another. Some were terrifying, while others made good sense. By the time I closed my eyes, I was sure I was overreacting. Time with Hale would ease my mind.