Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
The tension in my shoulders eased a little. “And the kids? They’re settling in? Jeanine?” I didn’t just feel responsible for Theo’s paycheck but for the stress I’d put on his family with this move.
“Relax, West. Kids are doing great. You saw how well Max gets along with his classmates, and Seline is already harping on us to check out the little dance studio downtown for lessons. And Jeanine is looking to put her nursing license to use in the emergency clinic. They’re offering her a more than competitive contract.”
“Good.” I sighed, leaning back in my chair. It had been hard on Jeanine, moving post to post, constantly changing hospitals, gaining experience but never seniority. “That’s good.”
“It’s better than good.” He squeezed my shoulder. “This move wasn’t just about you, so stop taking it all on yourself. Jeanine was ready to put down roots, to stop moving the kids, and I agreed. I’m just as committed to making this business work as you are.”
“I know.” Logically, I did. “And you have to know that I couldn’t do any of this without you. There’s no one else I’d trust.”
He scoffed. “That’s because you’re a cynical ass.”
The bell jingled as Callie walked through the door, her gaze finding mine instantly. “Hi.” She glanced between Theo and me as the door shut behind her. “You look busy. I can absolutely make an appointment.” She looked oddly nervous.
“Hey,” I answered, ignoring that last part and the little jump in my chest that said I was happy to see her. What the hell was wrong with me? I lived with the woman. I was pretty much guaranteed to see her.
“Make an appointment?” Theo balked.
“It’s rule number thirteen,” Callie explained, taking her blue beanie off and smoothing her hair. “We don’t talk about work at home. You’re off tomorrow, so it can wait until Tuesday.”
Theo shot me a dry look. “So much for evolving.” He slapped my back and walked around the desk toward Callie. “That’s my cue to leave. It’s good to see you up and about, Callie.”
“Thank you for helping out Friday night. I can’t apologize enough.” She fidgeted with her hat.
“Seeing this guy surrounded by shrieking little girls was absolutely worth it.” He gave her a smile and headed for the door. “See you Tuesday, West.” With one last look and a mouthed evolve over Callie’s shoulder, he disappeared through the door.
We were alone.
“I really can come back,” Callie said.
“We really can talk about work at home.” That rule had been designed to keep me from being the boss at home, but a few days around Callie had taught me there was no danger of that. She was true to rule number five—she ruled it all. “But since you’re already here, what’s up?” I glanced behind her, but the door didn’t open again. “And where’s Sutton?”
“Halley has her until five.” She glanced at the clock above the desk. “Which gives me exactly an hour to make my proposal.”
Okay, now I was curious. I leaned back in my chair. “And what proposal is that?”
She came around the desk, pulling a folded sheet of paper from the back pocket of her jeans. “This.”
I unfolded the paper as she shucked off her jacket and hung it on the coat rack.
“Is this that internship you were talking about?” I looked over the extreme sport photography section. The pictures were more than impressive.
“Yes, but I’m not entering it or anything.” She moved closer, perching her ass on the edge of my desk and facing me. “At least not this year. I just brought that for an example.” She white-knuckled the edge of the desk and took a deep breath. “I want to get my work into the local gallery, and I think learning how to take these kinds of shots will get me there.”
“I think that’s great. How can I help?” The shots were cool. They captured athletes midair, or in the seconds where their movements defied all logic and gravity.
“I was hoping you might take me up with you on days my assistant is shooting the standard ‘look, we went skiing’ pictures at the top of the lift.” She swallowed, slowly dragging her gaze back to meet mine. “I know it’s more than the landscapes I’d asked about before, and it would mean you’d have to do some extra flying, since I’m sure you don’t exactly hover next to the cliffs your clients jump off—the cliffs you jump off.”
I examined the only winter photo on the sheet, gauging the distance the photographer had to be to capture the shot. “We usually drop them at the ridgeline and then wait in the valley below, but it wouldn’t a big deal to follow them down so you get the shots.”
“Really?” Her smile was instant and gorgeous.
My whole body went tight. Damn, I wanted her. Not the time.