I stood from the kitchen table where I’d just eaten a bagel and drank my third cup of coffee of the day, before I washed the cup in the sink, leaving it to dry.
George would be outside waiting for me for the first time in three days. He’d been sick. I had to call the doctor out to his cabin because the stubborn ass refused to go to the doctor’s office. He was never sick and insisted he was fine, but he coughed as though he’d been smoking for years. He never smoked. Turned out he had a rather nasty chest infection and I threatened to get Ruben to stay with him if he refused to rest.
So after three days of recuperating, he was on the phone at five in the morning, begging me to let him work today. He told me he was fine and would go crazy if he had to spend one more day in the cabin. He sounded much better so I agreed. Walking out of the front door I saw him resting on the hood of the car looking a damn sight better than he had.
“Good morning George. I hope you’re really feeling better today,” I said, stopping in front of him. On closer inspection he still looked a bit pale.
“I’m nearly back to rights, Mr. McKenzie. I really need to work. A guy can only sit around so long before going out of his mind with boredom.”
“How on earth can you be bored with all those DVD’s and books you have stashed in that cabin?”
“I’ve already watched them all and read all the books, but I was more restless than anything, especially after I started feeling better.”
“Okay George, but if you start to feel ill again, you tell me this time. Do not suffer in silence. You with me?”
“Yes. Are you going to get in the car or stand here giving me instructions all day, because I’m sure there is a little lady who is going to be mighty disappointed if you don’t get downtown.” He grinned.
I let out a groan and climbed into the car, my thoughts drifting straight to Lily. They didn’t last long when George pulled out of the drive with a bit of a jolt. It smoothed out after a few minutes and soon he started whistling a tune from the front seat.
“Someone’s in a good mood today,” I commented.
He cleared his throat. “Janet is working today.”
“Ah, it must be love,” I replied, grinning when I saw George blush through the mirror.
“Not yet, but she’s growing on me. What about Lily?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “What about Lily?”
“Why isn’t she with you?” In all the years George had been working for me, it was the first time he’d asked me anything personal. It surprised me.
I frowned. “It’s complicated,” I replied and moved my attention to the window, effectively cutting his inquisition short.
I shut my eyes, thinking about Lily and how easily she disarmed me with a single look. Once or twice I’d caught her lost in space while staring at me. I would grin at her until she came back to reality and she would blush, acting all embarrassed. It was cute.
Outside the car, I heard a car horn, so I sat up in my seat just in time to watch an SUV smash into the side of our car. My heart pounded as metal crunched against metal. I heard glass break while I was thrown into the car door, smashing my head against the window.
Chapter 25
LILY
I took a sip of coffee while I sat in the office and wondered what today would bring. I’d missed being close to Michael these past couple of weeks. It had to be done for my own peace of mind, as much as I hated it. I could see he was waiting for a signal from me to move forward and the minute I gave that signal he’d be on me like a starving tiger without hesitation.
My life really revolved around work. I would have a very brief conversation with David over a bowl of cereal in the morning, spend the day in the office, working late, head home only to eat alone and then climb into bed and cry myself to sleep. David would climb into bed around midnight. The following day, I’d do the same all over again.
Why was I still with David? Well, apart from the fact that I had nowhere else to go, I would also feel bad ending our relationship. He told me he loved me every night without fail when he crawled into bed, thinking I was asleep, but the sound of the doors opening and closing always woke me up. It was hard to do and I didn’t have the courage yet, no matter how badly I wanted to be with Michael.
I didn’t believe David anymore. Some nights he would come in smelling of perfume that wasn’t mine.
I’d finally managed to find an apartment to view in a nice neighborhood, and the lady who I’d spoken to had said she would allow me to pay the rent once I’d been paid. All I had to do was come up with the deposit if I wanted the apartment. I’d sagged in relief when she’d said that and made an appointment to view the apartment on Sunday, the day after the picnic.