Page 5 of Make Me Whole
"You can learn on the job," Talia happily supplied.
Mavis reached for my hand and held on tight. The words, let me help you, burning bright in her eyes.
Wasn't this exactly what I wanted? A new beginning in a place where I could forget my past. Only, I couldn't do it here. Not with Mavis reminding me so much of everything I'd lost. Like picking at a scab, her kind words nipped at the open wound that was my heart.
And yet, when I looked into her eyes. Saw the prayer in them. I realized she needed this as much as I did. I couldn't tell you why; I simply knew. It took a lot of effort, but when I managed to push the hesitation aside, I squared my shoulders and turned my attention to Talia. "Where do we start?"
Giddy with excitement, she jumped up and clapped her hands together. "Ooh, I can't wait to tell Dad."
"Tell me what?"
Both Talia and I looked toward the kitchen's entrance at the same time. Standing inside the frame stood a man big enough to almost fill it. A thick, gray beard hid most of his face, his eyes only just peeking out beneath his cowboy hat.
He took two steps inside before he braced his hands on his hips, his attention focused solely on me. "You must be Hailey."
I forced another smile onto my lips, lifting my chin and squaring my shoulders. "I am. Nice to meet you—"
"Bradford Walker." He reached me in three easy strides. I stuck my hand out for him and he took it in a firm but gentle grip. "Welcome to the ranch." Just like his daughter's, the grin on his lips looked genuine, melting some of my uneasiness away.
His eyes flicked to Talia. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
"Only that Mavis came up with the perfect solution to our problem." Head held high, she sounded awfully pleased.
"That right?" It was impossible to miss the amusement in Mr. Walker's voice. "Do tell."
"As luck would have it, Hailey is between jobs at the moment." This coming from Mavis. As they held each other's gazes, something unsaid passed between them. I could see it in the subtle dip of Mr. Walker's chin.
Again, I was the subject of his stare. It was all I could do not to fidget on the spot. Mr. Walker regarded me for a second longer before asking me to follow him. Unsure, I looked to Mavis. When she simply smiled and nodded, I slowly rose from my seat and trailed behind the older man as he led me down the hall to an office.
Once inside, he closed the door and motioned for me to sit. He took a seat behind his dark wood desk while I gingerly seated myself at the edge of the wingback chair in front of him.
He leaned forward, resting his folded arms on the smooth surface of the desk. "Mavis talks quite a great deal about you." He must've seen the panic shooting through my veins because he added, "All good things." His gaze narrowed slightly. "Tell me, Hailey, have you worked on a ranch before?"
"No."
One half of his mouth twitched almost as if he was holding back a smile. "Of course not."
"I used to teach second grade." The words slipped out before I had time to stop them.
Mr. Walker seemed curious now. "Used to?"
A defeated sigh fluttered over my lips. I didn't know this man, but more importantly, I had no desire to share my sordid tale with him. Licking my suddenly dry lips, I pushed to my feet. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Walker, but I don't think—"
"Hold on, now." He jumped up too. "You don't want to talk about it, that's fine by me. He motioned toward the seat I'd just vacated. "Sit, please."
I was hesitant, but there was something about the pleading look in his eyes that pulled me in. Relief washed over his features when I sank into the plush leather again. Mr. Walker sucked in a puff of air. "Would you be prepared to help us out until we find someone permanent?"
My mouth gaped. Fidgeting with my hands in my lap, I muttered, "You don't know a thing about me." I lifted my gaze to his. "Why would you offer me a job?"
His answer came quick. "I know Mavis thinks the world of you and she trusts you or else she wouldn't have made the suggestion." His lips stretched into a wide grin. "I have gotten this far in life by trusting my gut." He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. "And right now, it's telling me you're exactly what Walker Ranch needs."
