Page 31 of Find Me in California

“I don’t need your approval to hire staff.”

He tossed back his drink and waved his hand at me. “Come here.”

I hesitated, glancing to Liza.

“Are you deaf?” he snapped.

Fed up with his orders and attitude—he reminded me of my father—I removed my gardening gloves. “No, I can hear you quite clearly. I’m sure your neighbors can too.”

Liza’s mouth twitched. She ducked her head and took interest in her satin house slippers.

“Wiseass, aren’t you?” He cracked a piece of ice in his mouth.

“I’ve been called worse.”

He glared at me as I made my way over to them. He then said I looked like a vagrant.

“She works with dirt, Matty.” Liza crossed her arms.

I’m fed up with men like him, but as much as I wanted to give Liza’s husband a piece of my mind, I held my tongue. Liza might be a friend, but she’s also my employer. I have free room and board in the safety and comfort of her expansive backyard, and I didn’t want to lose it. I also didn’t want to upset Liza’s husband further. I can tell there is trouble brewing between them, something I haven’t been privy to until now.

She explained to him—and not for the first time, apparently—that she’d met me at Ralph’s, that I’d helped her pick up her dropped groceries and we’d gotten to talking.

“Wait, wait, wait.” He covered his eyes, then gaped at his wife like she’d done the stupidest thing he’d ever heard. “You picked up a random? You’ve given her access to our home, to us? What were you thinking? She could be feeding dirt to the paps. What if she’s selling us out?”

Liza flinched, and I knew his words hurt even if she wouldn’t show it, because her expression quickly became bored. Even her posture alluded to the fact that she’d heard this story from him before.

I flipped a hand to dismiss his concern and reassure Liza she didn’t have to worry about me. “Don’t read those mags.”

He scowled at me like he was disappointed, and Liza’s chest quaked with a dry laugh. She happily told Matty that I was probably the only person on the planet who didn’t know who he was. Of course, he didn’tbelieve that. Apparently,everyoneknew who Matty Holloway was. He couldn’t believe his wife would buy that. He scoffed at her gullibility.

“She lived on a commune for five years,” Liza said, refusing to show her dismay over his lack of faith in her hiring decision. Matty looked at his wife, and his eyes flashed with what seemed like admiration, and their defensive posture turned into something else entirely. There was some sort of silent communication happening between them, because their anger diffused. Liza’s teeth scraped over her bottom lip, a smile toying at the corner.

“No shit.” He studied me with wary fascination, as if I’d been living under a rock, and in a way I have. I haven’t been to movie theaters, and I hardly watched television at the commune. I hadn’t been interested, and there really hadn’t been time. There was always so much to do to keep the commune running. Our heated discussions on politics and corruption and war that ran late into the night were more enlightening and invigorating than watching car chases and love stories on a big screen or television.

Liza took his empty glass, handing it off to Adam, who always seemed to be nearby, and remarked that my companionship has been refreshing.

“You one of those hippies?” Matty asked.

“I’m just me.” I tucked my hands into my overall bib. “If it helps any, I have lots of experience with landscaping. Liza closely oversees my work, and Adam doesn’t purchase any of my requests without consulting with her first. I promise by the end of the season, you’ll have one of the best-looking yards in the neighborhood.”

“I don’t give a shit what you can do. That’s on Liza. What I care about is that what you see around here doesn’t end up in the papers.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I echo Liza’s words. If there is one thing I value, it’s privacy. That, and for people to mind their own business. My parents always had their noses in mine and it drove me away.

Liza winked at me before smirking at her husband. “She hasn’t seen even one of your movies.”

“You’ll have to remedy that,” he said to Liza and grinned at me. She rolled her eyes. But then she got him to agree that I could stay on with them. As for living on their property ... as long as I keep myself scarce and away from the house when he’s around, he can tolerate my presence.

“Where’s my drink?” He looked around the patio, forgetting Liza had handed the glass off to Adam. “I need a refill.”

Before he could go, Liza snatched his hand. He stalled, briefly lacing his fingers with hers, but his eyes swung to mine as if noticing me for the first time underneath the layer of dirt. A warm feeling spread out from my stomach, and I dodged his gaze, embarrassed he could tell how shamefully attracted to him I was despite his gruff first impression.

“I’m so sorry.” Liza gushed with apology when Matty returned to the house.

I tore my gaze from his back and hoped I didn’t look as flushed as I felt. I also don’t want to be the cause of any friction between Liza and her husband and told her so. Nor do I want to make Matty uncomfortable in his own home. As much as the idea of walking away from this golden opportunity pained me, I told Liza that leaving seemed like the best option.

“Nonsense.” Liza grasped my hand and insisted that I stay. She didn’t want to lose me. She said I was the best gardener she’d had and was becoming a dear friend. She also confessed that things were tense between her and Matty long before I showed up. What I’d witnessed was nothing new.

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