“What’s wrong?” Concern creased his face.
“It’s fifteen-hundred dollars.” Shock laced her voice.
“I know.” He scrutinized her over his coffee mug.
“I don’t make this much at the library each week.”
“Well, you should.” He set down his mug. “Libraries can make a difference in people’s lives, especially kids.”
A smile touched her lips at the intensity of his statement, although she was still having trouble processing the amount of money in front of her. She pushed the cash toward him. “I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
He pushed the wad of notes back. “I said I’d pay you the going rate. This is it.”
She crinkled her brow. “For cleaning cabins?”
“And for doing laundry.”
Not wanting to run out of clean underwear and socks, on Wednesday she’d asked if she could use the washing machine. Garrett had explained that Carol did his washing when she came in on Mondays, but Maddie could use it whenever she liked. Since she saw his clothes lying in the laundry basket, she thought it made sense to do a full load, and wash both of their clothes.
“One load,” she murmured, trying not to flush at the memory of her panties next to his boxer-briefs in the machine.
“I know you’ve worked hard on the cabins.” He loaded his fork with bacon.
Maddie thought guiltily of the remaining cabin waiting to be cleaned. On Monday she’d thought she’d have both cabins clean and sparkling in a week or less and had wondered what else she could do to help around the ranch. She hadn’t factored in going to town for new clothes, the arrival of the snazzy new car and horse-riding with Garrett. And when she was down at the cabins, Garrett would often arrive, telling her it was time for lunch or that she should finish for the day when it was just past three o’clock.#p#分页标题#e#
“You have to take out room and board.” She thrust the notes back toward him and picked up her knife and fork.
“You cooked two nights.” He placed the money back in the envelope and firmly placed it next to her plate. “That takes care of room and board.”
On those two nights, Garrett had shut himself in the study, saying he had business matters to attend to and he’d fix himself a frozen dinner later. When Maddie had volunteered to make dinner, her offer had been gladly accepted.
She met his gaze, realizing that arguing about her wages was futile when he wore that implacable expression.
“How much do I owe you for my clothes?“ Her hand poised on the envelope, ready to take out the necessary amount.
“I haven’t got the account yet.”
Maddie chewed her bacon thoughtfully as she studied Garrett. “You will let me know when you receive it, won’t you?” Although her parents were well off, she’d always preferred to make her own way in the world and be independent.
“Sure.” Garrett sipped his coffee, the look on his face signaling that the subject was closed. She wondered if he would get around to telling her how much she owed him for her new wardrobe.
Even if he didn’t, she vowed to herself, she’d make sure she paid him back before she left. She could always ring Donna at the store and ask her to look up the account. And if Garrett paid her fifteen-hundred dollars for each of the next two weeks, she definitely wouldn’t accept it all. No matter what he said, she knew cleaners didn’t make that much money. Otherwise, she’d concentrated on the wrong career.
###
Maddie was just about to head down to the cabins after breakfast when Garrett surprised her. “Can you drive me to town this morning? I thought we could do some grocery shopping.”
“Of course.” She put down the bucket filled with cleaning rags. “Is there something wrong with the SUV?”
“No.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I just want to make sure you’re confident driving the car. In case you need to go to town any time.”
She smiled. “Let me grab my purse.”
Maddie enjoyed driving to Elk View Corner. Unlike Howard, Garrett didn’t make any “helpful” comments about her driving, instead trusting that she was competent behind the wheel. The car, which Maddie had privately nicknamed Cherry, handled well; in fact it was a lot smoother to drive than her old sedan.
At the large supermarket, Garrett wheeled the trolley while Maddie, surprised he hadn’t made a list, tried to remember what they actually needed.
“I think that’s everything,” she announced a little while later, surveying the laden trolley.
“Not quite.” Garrett leaned over and snagged a box of hot chocolate capsules off the shelf. He grinned at her. “Can’t forget these.”