“That damn hellhole that Beatrice runs?”
“I’m thinking we’re talking about the same place. I’m in apartment four.”
“Honey, you need to go get your things and come on back here. I’ll show you the place. It’s definitely better than there. Make sure you get your money back. She isn’t supposed to be renting out those rooms until she cleans them up. She’s had three warnings so far from the county.”
“Could I see it first? I trust you and all, but it’s just the way I function I guess.” Live in a barn…
“Where you from?”
“New York.”
Rosie eyed him suspiciously. “What did you do in New York?”
Daniel was dumbfounded. He didn’t even think about having to answer a question like this.
“I worked at a Lamborghini dealership. I spent too much time there over the course of a couple months. I just wanted to take life in the slow lane for a bit.” It doesn’t get slower than Prairie, Tennessee.
“Come on, John. I’ll show you where you can stay.”
Daniel wasn’t expecting what he saw. He thought maybe there’d be some loose hay for him to sleep on, with hopes of not getting stabbed by a forgotten pitchfork in the pile. What he saw lifted his mood and made him smile.
There was a large, separate thick-walled room built onto the back of the barn. He could either enter it through the horse stables or use the outside entrance that went directly to his room. Both doors had locks. Daniel was amazed that the floors in the room were oak. The bed was queen size with a thick mattress and box spring, and a beautiful quilt with small blue flowers was spread on top, which Rosie had informed him she made. There was a window with a clean white curtain, a small table, television, lamp, and microwave. It smelled clean.
“Well, what do you think? You can hear the horses at night if they’re talking, but that’s why the room is here. I want to make sure my babies are safe. If something happens I know that help for them is only a few steps away. You also have a phone, it’s in the nightstand, and I can give you the number if you decide to move in. You’re welcome to use the internet inside the house if it’s working, and the shower. All I ask is that you clean up after yourself. I pay once a week, but if you’re short on cash I can pay you a little each day. I only pay in cash.”
“I’ll take it! When can I move in and start working?”
“You can move in today and start work tomorrow. Set your alarm for five and come on up to the house. I’ll have breakfast waiting for you and the coffee will be brewing. I keep the room clean, but I do expect for you to pick up after yourself.”
“Thank you so much, Rosie.”
Daniel drove quickly to his disgusting apartment, packed his few belongings, dropped the key off to Beatrice, and asked her for a refund for the remainder of the month. He said if she didn’t give him the money he’d be happy to talk to an attorney and call the health department. Beatrice quickly handed over the three hundred and seventy-five dollars in cash.
“You charge people four hundred to live in this place?” Daniel laughed and shook his head. The next stop would be the bar. Hopefully he’d find Katherine.
He heard her singing before he actually saw her. She had a voice that made him close his eyes just so he could concentrate on the sound.
“John, I didn’t know anyone was in here!”
Daniel noticed how cute she was when her face was flushed.
“You can keep singing if you’d like. Your voice is absolutely beautiful. You sing like an angel, Katherine.”
“Yeah right,” said Katherine as she blushed even further. “We have some karaoke on Saturday nights. I sing sometimes.”
“Remind me to stop by.” Daniel gave her a warm smile. He couldn’t take his eyes off of hers.
“Can I get you anything, John?”
“Nah, I just stopped by to give this to you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out forty dollars and handed it to her. “I wanted to thank you for being so kind and apologize for the way I acted at the apartment. I moved so I don’t have to worry about that place anymore.”
“You moved away?” Katherine asked suddenly. She didn’t mean to sound so panicked.
“Just up to Montoose Farm. Rosie offered me the room there and I got a job working for her. Anything is better than where I was. As a matter of fact, you’ll have to come by sometime. It’s a pretty nice little place.” It’s a third of the size of my bathroom in New York, thought Daniel as he laughed to himself.
“I’m the one who needs to apologize. I shouldn’t have called you a pig.”
“No harm done. I’m going to head on up there and get my room ready. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Daniel was having horrible visions of the bugs on the table.
“Good luck, and I hope to see you around,” she said.
Katherine stood there staring at him. Her gorgeous green eyes were creating quite a stir in Daniel. She took a step toward him and stopped. She had meant to walk around the cute stranger. Daniel let his hands move around her waist and pull her into him. She made a small sound, then quickly backed up. He could see her breathing faster.
“I’m sorry, I need to check the bathrooms and they’re right behind you.”
“Oh, forgive me. I’ll see you soon I hope. Take care of yourself.” Daniel winked and turned around to go through the door.
“Wait!” Katherine grabbed a napkin from the bar and wrote her number on it. “You don’t know anyone around here yet, so in case you need something you can give me a call.” Her cheeks blushed one more time for Daniel as he took the number, smiled, and walked backwards to the door. Their eyes were still locked.
Hot damn she’s beautiful! Daniel was still smiling when his cell phone rang. The caller made his smile leave.
“Hey, sexy,” came the purr from the other end.
“Marissa…”
“You should come over here and heat up my bed for me. I’m wearing that little outfit you love.” Marissa made a small, fake laughing sound.
“Marissa, I’m not in town. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Oh darn.” Marissa made a heavy sigh. “I was hoping you could take me on a nice weekend getaway on your jet.” Marissa loved to be seen with this man. His gifts were the best! And his car…
Daniel was getting more turned off by the second. Marissa was getting way too needy and attached. To my money. What did he ever see in her? Hadn’t he ever realized what an airhead she is? Daniel knew there were plenty of Marissas he could call as soon as he got back to New York.