“Is Hale in?” he asked, studying me as closely as I was studying him.
“No,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat and redden from looking at him. I really liked his boots. And the tight black tee shirt he was wearing. “He arrives tomorrow.”
The man seemed annoyed by this answer. “And you are?”
“Sammy Jo Knox, the new housekeeper,” I replied. I felt the need to defend my presence. This wasn’t Moulton, Alabama.
He began to twist his mouth, a smirk then touching his lips. “Sure you are. The bastard,” he muttered under his breath.
I didn’t know what that meant exactly. I was deciding that Mr. Cowboy Texas, straight out of a romance novel, was someone I didn’t like.
“Can I help you?” I asked in the coolest business tone I could muster. I wasn’t real big on sounding professional.
“Probably not sugar. Probably not.”
Well, fine then. “Hale will be here tomorrow at noon if you’d like to return then.” I had the urge to slam the door in his face but seeing as this could be a friend or business relation of Hale’s I didn’t do it that instant.
“Tell him Ezra stopped by. We need to talk.”
Ezra. What an odd name for a cowboy. Unless he jumped out of birthday cakes, dancing around naked and whatnot.
“Okay.”
He turned to leave, then glanced back. “Be careful sugar. Ain’t much here for you. Don’t ever let your guard down. Here’s not what you’re used to.”
I didn’t respond to that. I firmly closed the door. Then I stuck out my tongue and growled in frustration. He’d said “ain’t” and “sugar.” He might as well be from Alabama. Sure wasn’t from here I can tell you. The asshole. Judging me because of the way I talked or looked. I didn’t need his advice or opinion.
If I were lucky I’d never lay eyes on Ezra again in this city. Or any other place on earth.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Once I started cleaning and straightening for Hale’s arrival I began to find more things to do. I put fresh sheets on his bed and fluffed the thick luxurious towels in his bathroom. I went and bought flowers from the street vender I’d passed yesterday and put them in the empty vase by his bed. I wanted to be good at this.
He was giving me a chance to live and I didn’t want to give him something to complain about. I bought everything on his list and used the delivery number for the wine he requested. Felicity said they had his information on file and wouldn’t card me. They’d just leave it downstairs at reception and I could pick it up there.
I made sure all the wine glasses were clear of spots from the dishwasher and then went about dusting, although there wasn’t any dust. Then I watered the plants outside. In a few I put ice cubes instead. I wasn’t sure what that was all about, but I did as I was instructed.
The day went by quickly and I had no more calls or visitors stopping by. I was glad for that. I was finishing up dinner when I decided it was a good time to call home and speak with momma. As much as being here and walking outside were exciting, I still missed home. I wouldn’t go back but they were my people, before here the only life I knew.
After the delivery of the wine I racked it, then took my new phone and called.
At the sound of Bessy’s voice saying “hello” tears stung my eyes.
“It’s me Bessy,” I said, smiling as I sat down on the sofa.
“Sammy Jo?” she asked, with excitement in her voice.
“Yes, I have a new phone number so y’all can get in touch with me. How are things at home?”
“The same. How are things in New York!”
“Definitely not the same. I’ve been working since I got here so I haven’t seen much, but the view from the balcony is amazing. It’s just like what you’ve seen on the television set and in the movies, all of the movies. I feel like I’m in one walking these streets. I had to go to the grocery and shop. That was its own adventure.”
“I wish you could send pictures,” she said.
“I can! Soon. My new work phone is one of those smart phones with a camera.”
“Oh wow, wow Sammy Jo. You’re living the life I bet.”
“I want to talk to Sammy Jo,” Hazel said from the background.
“Give me the phone,” Momma then added.
“We’ll talk soon! Here’s momma.”
“Bye,” I said to her. Hearing her voice had been good. Just what I needed to calm me.
“It’s about time you called,” momma said. “You arrived safely I take it?”
“Yes ma’am. It was an easy flight.” I assured her instead of telling her how complicated finding the gates were at the airport.
“And how’s this place you’re living? Safe?”
“Safer than Moulton. You have to have a code to get in the doors downstairs. There’s also a security guard. If he doesn’t know you then you don’t make it to the elevators.”
“Good, good, and the neighborhood?”
“It’s nice. Big. But the people here are nice. Nothing scary when I go out. I had to go to the grocery and shop. It was close and I was more amazed by the walk, than anything else in the store.”
Momma sighed and it was relief.
“Met any of your neighbors?”
I wasn’t sure if Ezra was a neighbor or not. But even if he was there was nothing to talk about. I didn’t care for the man.
“No, but I’ve been working on the list of things left here for me to do. You wouldn’t believe the garden on the balcony outside. I have to water the plants daily.”