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I walk inside my room and grab a tissue, just as the sound of crunching gravel from the driveway announces my father’s return.
I stride straight to my bedroom door. It’s time to talk about James Callaghan, and just how far up his ass my head is about to go to save our airline.
Chapter 6
Ava
“Go on. I canfinish these.”
I take another of Magnus’s freshly ironed shirts from Margaret and slide it onto a hanger.
“I like to help,” I say, ignoring the pointed look she’s giving me.
“You like to procrastinate.” She chuckles as she takes the hanger from me and places the shirt on a rail beside others.
“No.” I try and reach for another shirt, but she moves it before my fingers graze the cotton.
“Your work won’t do itself. Besides, you’ll be running me out of a job,” she says.
I lean against the laundry room counter as she continues ironing. This has become our routine. I follow her around, helping with whatever jobs I can. Today was a huge grocery shop that had us out for the majority of the afternoon. She’s right, maybe I am avoiding the reason I’m really here. But I’m enjoying spendingtime with her. I knew she’d be softer under that stern exterior. She’s traveled so much with her husband. I love hearing about where they’ve gone and what they’ve seen.
“Go,” Margaret presses. “You’ve got some time before dinner. Get out to that pool house and start typing.”
I glance at my watch. I can probably get some words down before Magnus comes home.
“Go on.” She lifts a brow, and with a sigh, I leave before she forces me out.
I head out the back door and walk along the path that runs around the perimeter of the house. A guy with sandy-colored hair is digging in one of the flower beds.
“Hello.” I raise a hand in greeting.
He stops and his brown eyes connect with mine.
“Hey.” He sticks his shovel into the earth and walks over. He brushes his soiled hands against his cargo pants, then holds one out. “You must be Ava. Margaret said you were visiting.”
“That’s me.” I return his smile as I shake his hand. “And I’m guessing you’re David.”
“That’s me.”
He’s younger than I expected. Late twenties, maybe. And he’s solid. Built like a bear. His sandy hair is long over his collar, and he has a ruggedness about him that seems so natural and easy. I can’t imagine him wearing a suit.
I can’t believe I mistook Jet for him.
“It’s nice to meet you.” My eyes drop to the Def Leppard T-shirt he’s wearing. “‘When Love & Hate Collide’, amazing song.” I grin.
“Yeah? You like them?” His eyes light up as he bends to pick up a drinks bottle. “Ah,” he tuts, seeing it empty.
“They’re amazing.” He wipes his brow with the back of his arm. He must be roasting digging out here like this. “I was just headed to the pool house. You can come get a soda if you like? I have some in there.”
“Yeah?” He hitches his brows. “Sounds great, thanks.”
We fall into an easy chat as we walk around the house. David tells me he’s worked for Magnus since before June passed away. Magnus hired him to plant flowers all around the house so that no matter which window June looked out of, she would see color.
“That’s beautiful… romantic,” I say.
His eyes twinkle as he sees me checking his left hand for a ring.
“No girlfriend,” he says, answering my silent question. “No boyfriend, either.”
