Page 35 of The Mating Frenzy
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Ella wasn’tconfident bringing Kieran home to dinner would make a miraculous change in her mother, but it was worth therisk.
She only hoped he wouldn’t slurp his soup, or take off his clothing. Though his body was quite nice, she suspected nudity would make her motherfaint.
Especially with what he had to showoff…
“Ella! Stop daydreaming and get to work on those files! I’m letting you work late out of the goodness of my heart, sowork!”
Ed’s bellowing voice reminded her of a fat, lazy bull. Head down, she began typing on the keyboard once more. Ed was a preacher, but a slick one, all oily smoothness when it came to soliciting money, but harsh with hisstaff.
Staying out of his way had been her survival tactic in the past. Once or twice in the two years since she’d gotten this job, she’d seen him stare at her. Not in a crude, lusty kind of way like some men did, but as if he was trying to figure herout.
As if I have anything to figure out. My life is boring. I’m the woman who gets her kicks from studying ancientmanuscripts.
By four o’clock, Ella managed to finish her work. She didn’t bother with a break, though she knew Ed would automatically dock her for that time. Today she couldn’t care less, for her heart pounded with excitement at the thought of seeing Kieranagain.
As she went to shut off her computer, a chill snaked down her spine. Ella turned, knowing even before she did that her boss stood behindher.
She hated how he did that. As nice as his parents had been, Ed was a totalsleeze.
“Leaving so soon?” He folded his arms over his bulging stomach. One button threatened to pop off. “I thought you wanted to worklate.”
“This is late for me. I’m scheduled usually only until noon.” Ella cringed inwardly as he sat on the edge of her desk. It felt like having a sea slug cuddle up toyou.
“Why are you leaving? Hot date?” His gaze crawled all over her, making gooseflesh pop up on her bare arms. Not for the tenth time today, she wished she’d brought hersweater.
“Family friend coming to visit.” Ella pushed back her chair. “I have to dash. Thanks for letting me work late,Ed.”
Youslime.
“I’m not just your boss, Ella baby. Think of me as your friend. If you ever need anything, come talk to me.” He grinned at her and for a split second, she saw a skull’s head, smooth white bone with maggots crawling out of themouth.
Ella blinked hard, and the image vanished, replaced by Ed’s florid, pudgy face with two beady brown eyes, like raisins indough.
“Have a good night,” she muttered, and ran for theelevator.
Today she shared a ride with one of the other women who worked until four. After reaching home, she glanced over the house’s exterior. Clean enough, though the flower beds needed watering and weeding. The paint was chipped on the front porch, but nothing could be done about thatnow.
Inside the house, she smelled the tantalizing fragrance of roasting beef. Maybe Nellie had gone to the market and put herself out to prepare a good meal. When she cooked, her mother could whip up the most deliciousconcoctions.
Yelling out a greeting, she ran upstairs to shower andchange.
By the time she went into the kitchen, it was nearly six. Ella smoothed down her white silk sleeveless blouse. Paired with her good black trousers, it was smart and made her look professional, and her bare arms made it a little sexy. The locket with the moon carving her parents had given her when she’d turned twenty-one hung around herneck.
For some reason, Ella had seen it in a catalog and wanted it. The crescent moon appealed to her. Busy at the stove, Nellie didn’t turnaround.
“Hello, honey. Can you set the table in the diningroom?”
A few minutes later, their best white china sat on the linen tablecloth, with matching silverware by each plate. Ella returned to the kitchen her. Relief filledher.
Nellie wore her good blue dress with the pink flowers, and her hair and makeup took several years off her careworn face. She stirred a pot at the stove, smiling at herdaughter.
“I made prime rib, your favorite. With fresh vegetables and twice-stuffed baked potatoes andsalad.”
Heart full, she kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thanks,Mom.”
“Stan loves my twice-bakedpotatoes.”
