Knox had needed out in so many ways. “Please tell me you didn’t go public with where you were going?”
“Come on! I know you needed to get out and keep a low profile. I’m not going to compromise that. Not after what you did to help bring those bastards down.”
“I was one of those bastards once, Gage.”
The cage fighter shrugged. “So was I. And when the game changed into something that was unacceptable, you got out. People think that because we worked with bad guys, we have no morals or honor. It can be slippery for us, but there are lines we would never cross.”
On that, Gage was right. It had been a fun ride, but the world had changed. Or maybe he had gotten too old. “So if I hire you, you won’t bail on me and leave me hanging one fine morning because you can’t stand the snow or the solitude anymore?”
Gage seemed to ponder his words for a minute. “What about I stay until you find a permanent employee? I know myself well enough to know I’ll never stay in one place very long.”
It wasn’t ideal, but with the lack of candidates over the last few months, he couldn’t afford to turn his back on an offer of help. “You have a place to stay?”
Gage smiled. “Does that mean I’ve got the job? Should we discuss salary and stuff?”
Knox rolled his eyes. “You’ll accept the salary I give you. And you can stay with me until you find a place of your own. You can’t deliver, and I’ll kick you out. Friend or not. And don’t you dare turn my cabin into a club. Am I clear?”
Gage’s bearded face split into a wide satisfied grin. “I knew you would go soft on me, Knox.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t count on it. I may no longer cage fight, but I can still whip your ass. Stay in your lane, do the work, keep a low profile, and I might let you live.”
Chapter 4
“This is a bad idea, Georgia.”As usual, the older woman ignored what she was saying, and that pissed Josie off. “I know you heard me.”
“I did, honey, but you agreed to take the job. No backsies now.”
The more she thought about it, the more she realized she should have listened to her instincts and not the temptation of steady money.
Money, money … she was so tired of that word, of working from dawn ’til dusk until her body felt raw and achy, and sleep was her only respite.
When Georgia came to her and explained that she needed a replacement while she visited her daughter and new grandchild for a few weeks, Josie saw an opportunity that would allow her to get one step closer to her goal, although it still seemed miles away.
Only once she’d agreed to it, she’d realized what it would entail, or more precisely who she would have to work with. Spencer Knox.
Josie thought back to the first time she’d seen him in town. It had been about six months after her separation. She’d sold everything she’d ever possessed apart from some clothes and a few trinkets and had just finished her shift at the inn. It was getting darker outside and she was heading to the bakery when she saw him park his truck by the curb in front of the grocery store.
In the dimming light of day, the man looked formidable, and she didn’t know what to make of him. The next time she’d noticed him was later that summer. It was his low growl as he walked on the sidewalk and stepped on dog poop that caught her attention.
He had on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and his usual work boots. She could see tattoos adorning his muscled arms, the way his tight clothing revealed his body, and for the first time in a very long time, something stirred inside her.
Unusual and unwanted, Josie made sure to squash any trace of it so it wouldn’t rise again. That day was when she started dissociating herself from her body. What needed to be done had precedence over other futile things.
Josie had denied herself over time, to the point where it was like not having emotions or feelings at all. Apart from fleeting moments, deep-seated memories, or uncontrolled dreams, she went through the motions of living like a robot and intended to continue that way.
It was for that reason she steered clear of him and from anything that would put a kink in her carefully erected shield. On the other hand, she was a pragmatist, and knew it wasn’t a pace her body and soul would be able to sustain for long. That was the reason she’d accepted Georgia’s offer. With the money she’d promised, it gave her hope her ordeal and sacrifice would be soon over. Hope was what made her get out of bed in the morning and push past the aches and the cold. That same strength of will would be useful for dealing with Mr. Knox.
“Now, Josie, let me give you a rundown of what you’ll need to do.”
Back in the present, she started taking notes as the sun slowly rose over the horizon and illuminated the front desk of Lowe’s Shop.
Georgia was thorough at explaining her tasks, and luckily Josie was quick, especially with computer stuff. She was explaining the booking process when a cold draft of air came from behind them. They turned to see Spencer Knox, wearing his coat and hat, and a definite air of disapproval on his face, entering.
Georgia, on the other hand, didn’t seem concerned with his expression. “Well, good morning, Spencer. You’re bright and early this morning I see.”
He may have been addressing Georgia, but his blue eyes blazed over her so intently, she looked away. “It’s Gage’s first day and I wanted to make sure everything was ready for him. In the meantime, I sent him for some pastries. What is she doing here?”
Georgia now crossed her arms over her ample chest, thrown off by her boss’s attitude. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten something I told you just yesterday! I’m leaving tomorrow to stay with my daughter and I’m training Josie here to make sure everything runs smoothly while I’m gone. And more importantly, so I don’t have a mess on my hands when I return. Now, act like the gentleman I know you are and welcome your new temporary employee.”
