Page 9 of Mine to Hold
And it was reliable. She’d get years out of it, and with the amount of miles she would wind up putting on it, she was glad to make the investment.
“I hope you don’t mind getting paid in cash.” Rebecca Jayne handed her a thick envelope. “I added the extra hour, and there’s a sizable tip.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” She stuffed the envelope in her back pocket with her heart beating wildly in her throat. It wasn’t a tickle. It was a bigthump,thump,thumpthat made her wonder if she suddenly grew an Adam’s apple.
“Oh, yes, I did,” Rebecca said. “You’re a hard worker, and my family kept you jumping all afternoon. I want to hire you for more events, if that’s okay with you.”
“Absolutely.” Rumor nodded. “I’d love that.”
“Good. Now, please. Take off that apron, change into your bathing suit, and enjoy yourself.”
“Oh. No. I couldn’t do that.” She shook her head, glancing around.
“You can, and I insist. If you didn’t bring a suit, I have plenty. Just go over to the pool house and pick one out.” Rebecca squeezed her forearm. “I would be very upset if you didn’t stay for a bit. I worked you to the bone.”
Steve, her husband, approached, wrapping his arm around Rebecca’s waist. He was a tall man and didn’t look anything like anyone else in the room.
Except Jameson. They had some similarities and Rumor had learned Steve was Jameson’s father.
But no one else’s.
Interesting.
God, she loved small-town life sometimes. As long as she wasn’t the center of attention.
“Honey, the chef needs you for a moment,” Steve said.
“Okay.” Rebecca smiled. “Don’t you dare leave without at least dipping your feet into the pool or enjoying some of the food. You deserve it.”
Rumor untied her apron and set it behind the bar. She untucked her shirt and unbuttoned it, showing off her bikini top. Rebecca had made it clear from the beginning that everyone who worked her parties was expected to enjoy themselves when their work was done.
She glanced around, eyeing the handsome police officer, Emmerson, with twoM’s. What a strange way to spell the name. Then again, her parents had named her Rumor, so who was she talk?
Emmerson stood approximately ten feet away, chatting with one of his brothers. Emmett maybe. Another cop.
So many law enforcement people around made her want to jump in her car and drive off—at the speed limit, of course. No matter how many years she put between her and her past, she still worried that Tony, if he ever got out of prison, or worse, Tom, would get ahold of her.
She’d be dead for sure.
Snagging a soda, because she didn’t dare take an adult beverage, she decided she’d at least sit at the edge of the pool and soak in a few rays. A half hour. That was it.
“Hey, Rumor.” Emmerson stopped her before she made it across the pool deck. “I see my mom finally let you off the hook.” He stood there with his button-down shirt open, while his ripped abs taunted her eyes. He had blondish hair, cut short, but too short. His dark eyes danced in the sun’s rays.
She wasn’t very good at guessing people’s ages, but she gathered he was somewhere around forty based on the rest of his brothers.
Emmerson had a quiet personality. Most of the Kirby brothers did, even at their own party. While they had engaging conversations, laughed loudly, and played hard with the kids, she could tell they were a reserved bunch with a slightly twisted sense of humor.
“I’ve been released but told I must check out the pool before I leave and I wouldn’t want to insult your mother. She’s been very good to me.”
“She has her moments.” He took her soda from her hands. “Let’s get you something stronger. A beer perhaps? Or maybe you’re a wine girl?”
“I like wine, but I’m more of a whiskey drinker.” She laughed nervously. “However, I’m at a party filled with cops. Not a good idea to have a drink and then get in my car.”
“One drink won’t impair you, especially if you sip it and don’t leave for an hour.” He pressed his hand on her lower back, guiding her back toward the bar. “Do you like beer?”
She wanted to dig her heels in and protest. But this was the host’s son. “I do and I’ll have one. But then I really do have to go.”
“Big plans?” He reached behind the bar, grabbing two bottles. He twisted off the caps, handing her one.
