Lost & Found
Page 8

“No, no. I just wanted to see if it was okay if I opened the door between here and the house so John could bring over some furniture for you.”
“He really doesn’t have…”
“You can’t tell him that. He’ll do it anyway. He’s like that.”
She smiled. “That would be fine. I’ll unlock my side.”
He nodded and turned to run back up the stairs. “What time do you have to be to work?”
“Eight. I have to catch the bus by seven.”
“Let me get a quick shower, and I’ll drive you into town. Then you don’t have to leave so early.”
He gave her a smile and a nod and ran back up the steps.
Darcy shut the door and went to the kitchen to unlock the door that led into the house.
With Christian driving her to work, she’d save bus fare. She could splurge on a cup of coffee. Yesterday that proved to be an amazing experience. What could happen today, she wondered.
She looked around the kitchen and saw a box of granola bars that Arianna had left for her with the groceries. She opened the box and tasted her first breakfast in her new home.
The day already had started in amazing form. She’d had a good night’s rest. She had a job which she was looking forward to. And a handsome man was driving her to work—where an equally handsome man waited. Yes, things were looking up.
Christian’s BMW was lavish, and he was skilled at maneuvering it between cars with ease as he sped toward town.
“I’m not going to be late,” she said as she gripped the door.
“Sorry. Am I making you nervous?”
She just grinned, and he eased the speed of the car.
“I’m usually running late,” he said as he shifted lanes again.
“I grew up in a tiny town. One stoplight. All these cars make me nervous anyway.”
“I think you’ll adjust to city life quick enough. Besides, this city is a lot of fun. It’s built on entertainment. Have you checked out any of the bands yet?”
“No. I haven’t gotten out much.”
He nodded as he exited the highway. “Maybe we can head downtown one of these nights, and I’ll introduce you to the sights and sounds of Nashville. My friend, Randy Sayner, is playing next weekend. Talk about an SOB with talent.”
“That would be nice.”
Christian pulled into the parking garage at the Riverside Building and collected his parking stub from the machine. He found a space near the elevators and parked.
“I really appreciate you driving me to work, and trust me, I don’t expect you to do that every day.”
“It was no problem.” He opened his door and climbed out of the car.
She opened her door and stepped out of the car. “I’ll give you some money for parking.”
He waved his hand. “Don’t be ridiculous. Ed better validate this, or I’ll kick his ass.”
She laughed. “You wouldn’t really do that, would you?”
“I’ve been trying for my thirty-three years. I’m in the most fantastic shape. I make a living out of fast objects flying at me, but I’ll be damned if I’ve ever been able to stop a fist to the chest from him. He’s just that quick.”
“He hits you?”
Christian laughed. “That’s the fun of having a brother. Clara flicks your ear. Ya know, that hurts worse.” He pushed the button to the elevator and stepped in when the door opened.
She had a lot to learn about family dynamics. That would prove to be as big an adventure as moving to a new city.
Darcy had forgotten about treating herself to a coffee until the doors opened to the floor where Benson, Benson, and Hart had their offices.
She’d do that tomorrow. There was a good chance she’d need it by then. Something told her that she was going to be very overwhelmed.
As Christian turned the corner to Eduardo’s office, Darcy had her confirmation.
Eduardo Keller had a very loud voice. At eight in the morning, he could certainly use a very colorful array of words.
Christian’s mouth turned up at the corners when he looked back at Darcy, but he didn’t stop. He continued to Eduardo’s office and pushed open the door.
Darcy followed, but she stopped at the threshold. There was no way she was going into that office.
Eduardo held his cell phone to his ear and paced behind his desk, where stacks of papers were spread all over.
His hair had already been tunneled through with his fingers, numerous times, and his shirt sleeves were pushed up his arms.
Darcy thought she’d shown up to work plenty early. What time did this man get here?
“Are you kidding me? That load was due three days ago. I gave you a little bit of leeway, and you’re screwing me over.” His voice was steady, but loud. “I have made your company, and you know that. BBH put you in business, and don’t think I won’t take you out of business. All I have to do is make one call and your mill is gone.”
Darcy could see him pace from her safe place in the hallway. Christian, on the other hand, had made himself comfortable on the couch in Eduardo’s office. Eduardo didn’t seem to mind.
Eduardo nodded and gave a few more grunts. “Valerie, that load had better be on site by two o’clock or I cancel.” He nodded again. “Great—now how about dinner?”
Darcy couldn’t help but wonder if her jaw literally hit the ground. Had the man been talking to a woman with that mouth? And furthermore, had he just asked her out? Who had she agreed to work for? Well, he’d better never talk to her like that. Her father didn’t raise a woman to take crap from anyone—especially some good looking man in a suit who happened to have a great deal of power over her.
The granola bar flipped in her stomach.
Eduardo turned off his phone and looked toward the door.
“Are you going to stay out there all day?”
Darcy stepped in. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You’re going to have to learn. This,” he motioned to the phone, “was just another morning.”
She wasn’t reassured by that.
Eduardo looked at his brother sitting on the couch. “What are you doing here? Come to apply for a real job?”
“You’re some kind of funny, huh?” He stood. “I brought your employee to work. I was being neighborly.”
She saw him lift his brows playfully, but she was sure she wasn’t supposed to.