AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I raised my hand and interrupted him. “You mean Mom runs the house,” I corrected.
“True, but I mean the actual day-to-day upkeep,” he began again. “The yard, the pool, the outbuildings, my fleet,” he said, going through the laundry list of things I had a natural skill set to manage. “Besides cleaning the indoors and cooking, which Mom does, you’ve managed the estate pretty much by yourself, son. Not to mention all the errands you run for me and Mom. You’re practically a professional personal assistant.”
“You don’t need to pay me, Dad. I have a job again,” I stated. “I love you for being worried, but I’ll be okay.”
My statement didn’t discourage whatever he was on about. “What do you think a position like that would pay?” he asked. “You know, if one was to do that job full time and get paid for it?”
“Like I said, I love you, Pops, but I’ll still work around here for free while I valet. I only work three days a week at the hotel, so I’ll have time to help you out now that I’m home,” I said.
My father crossed his arms and smiled at me. “I need a favor, son.”
“Uh-oh,” I said, raising my eyebrows. “Sounds bad, Pops. What’d you do, is a better question,” I teased. “How’d you piss Mom off this time?”
“Forget Mom. I need you to do the same job for a client of mine that you’ve been doing for free here,” he began. “Only this position pays quite well and will only be eight or so houses down the beach.”
My brow furrowed as I wondered what location he was talking about before remembering the sold sign I’d noticed recently on the Talbot’s former home down the beach. “At the Talbot’s old house?” I asked.
He looked taken aback at first. “You knew?” he asked.
“I know it recently sold,” I corrected. “I didn’t know about any job openings, though. You already met the new owner?”
“Not directly, but he developed software about ten years ago that made him a fortune. I’ve represented him in the past with his contracts with tech companies using his software, and he called me out of the blue yesterday,” he explained. “He’s moving from New York City to live here and asked if I knew anyone who could help him out. Apparently, he owned an apartment in the city and has never owned a home. Especially not one that big and with all the upkeep required on an oceanfront house.”
“He knew you lived nearby?” I asked, suddenly interested in the idea of helping a new neighbor out. I liked tinkering with cars, doing yard work, and simple tasks like that. If I could run my folks’ estate, I could easily manage the new neighbor’s place. The Talbot home was smaller than ours and had less land, but it was a stunning beach home, nonetheless.
“Cole actually called about something business-related yesterday. He mentioned he was relocating to Virginia Beach. Imagine our joint surprise when we discovered it was practically next door.”
“What does his wife do?” I asked. “Any kids?”
“Honestly, son. I don’t know anything about him other than what I told you. I’ve never actually met the man.”
“He told you he needed help?” I asked, my interest in the position increasing by the second. I liked working outdoors. That’s why I enjoyed working as a valet at the hotel.
“He did,” Dad stated. “And I may have jumped the gun, but I told him my son was a recent college grad who would be perfect for the job.”
“I don’t suppose you negotiated a deal for me, did ya?” I joked.
“I did indeed,” he replied, grinning like a fool, and laughing. “What’d you expect from your old man?”
“How much?” I asked, crossing my arms as I mirrored him, grinning back.
“Five grand a month.”
My mouth fell open. “No way,” I remarked. “Five grand? A month? And I can walk to work?”
Dad was nodding enthusiastically. “Yep. He arrives tomorrow.”
“I’m in Pops. Hells yeah!” I cried, pumping my fist. “I hope he’s cool,” I added.
“He’s rich,” Dad said. “That’s cool.”
“For you maybe, but you know me, Dad. I hope he’s cool, cool.”
Dad’s brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “Now don’t go all space-age on him right away, Chad. Give the family a chance to get to know you first, son.”
I stood and went to his side of the table, bent over, and hugged him. “Can’t promise you that, Pops.”
“Chad!” he admonished.
