Название: A Bride for Jericho Bravo
Автор: Christine Rimmer
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
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Tessa said, “The guesthouse is yours for as long as you want it. And Ash and I discussed it some more, last night after you left and we—”
“Don’t tell me. He said he wished I would go away and never come back, but since he’d told me I could stay, he felt honor-bound to stick by his word.”
“Oh, stop. He said no such thing. Now, will you let me finish?”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Well, we were talking about your situation and we got to discussing the money thing.”
Marnie shrugged. “You want me to pay rent? That’s reasonable.”
Tessa set her cup in the saucer with a sharp clink. “Of course not.”
“Tessa, it’s fair. I don’t mind at all.”
“You are not paying us rent.”
“Tessa …”
“I don’t want to hear any more about that.”
“Okay, okay.” Marnie put up both hands. “Since you insist, I’ll be more than happy to stay in your guesthouse for free. And if you weren’t talking about my paying rent, then …?”
“Look. Do you need money? If you do, just say so. We would be only too happy to—”
“No. Thanks. But no, thanks.”
“Don’t be so proud.”
“I’m not.” She rethought that. “Well, okay. I am. Pride’s about all I have left at this point.”
“It’s not a big deal,” Tessa insisted. “Don’t make it one. If you’re planning on staying for a while, you’re bound to need a little cash to tide you over. ”
“I have a little cash.” Very little cash, as a matter of fact. “Also, I’m planning to earn my way while I’m here.”
Her sister gave her a disapproving look and then asked, with her mouth pinched up, “A job?”
“That’s right. I’m sort of a Jane-of-all-trades, after all. I’m sure I can find something. Did you know that I was even a short-order cook once?”
Tessa was still frowning. “You want to flip burgers?”
“I want a paycheck for the time I’m here.”
“But … there’s no need to rush into anything. Maybe you should, you know, take it easy for a week or so at least. Relax. Take some time off.”
“Tessa.” Marnie gave her a patient look. “You so don’t get it. I’ve had time off. The past five years since I’ve been with Mark, I’ve hardly worked at all.”
“But if you—”
“Tessa.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t go all Saint Teresa on me. Please.”
Tessa put on her most innocent expression. “I would never try to tell you what to do.” As if she hadn’t just done exactly that.
But Marnie didn’t take offense. She knew that Tessa was only being bossy out of love. “Well.” Marnie sent her sister a fond smile. “Then we understand each other.”
Tessa got her pinch-mouthed look again. But at least she didn’t say anything more.
Ash had left the morning paper on the table. Marnie picked it up and flipped it to the want ads. What she saw there sent a little shiver down her spine.
It also made her smile. “Speaking of jobs. What do you think of that?” Marnie set down the paper and pointed.
The ad read:
Temporary Office Manager Sought
Busy motorcycle shop: repair and custom Familiarity with Word, Excel and general office experience required. Past experience in car or motorcycle repair a plus. Contact Gus, San Antonio Choppers (212) 555–2873
Tessa’s nod was beyond reluctant. “Yeah. So?”
“Why only temporary?”
“The woman who runs the office is going on maternity leave—and you’re not thinking of going to work for Jericho, are you?”
“Why not?” Marnie laughed. “You don’t think he’ll hold it against me that I stole his bike, do you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you know you were thinking it.”
“You’re serious. You want to work in a motorcycle shop?” Tessa couldn’t believe it. But then, she’d never hung around the North Magdalene Garage in the old days, helping their dad, like Marnie used to do. To Tessa, a car was for transportation, period. And a motorcycle … well, she might admire the art and technical skill that went into Jericho’s choppers, but she clearly didn’t find them all that intriguing.
Marnie did. “Yeah. I think it might be interesting. And it just so happens that I have experience in car repair.”
“Working for Dad, you mean.”
“I also know Word and Excel. More or less. And I worked in an office. Once. Accounts payable and receivable. It was really boring.”
Tessa sipped her tea and wore her best I-am-staying-out-of-it look.
Marnie reached across and patted her arm. “Come on. Be fair. Think about it. Jericho is my brother-in-law. And we’re on good terms—as of now, anyway. And the job sounds kind of interesting. Plus, it’s temporary and I’m looking for something temporary. It could be just what I need.”
Tessa set down her cup and beamed her most beatific smile. “Did I utter a word of objection?”
“You didn’t have to. I can see it all over your face.”
“But did I say anything?”
“All right, fine. No. You didn’t. You’re a model of total non-bossiness.”
“Thank you.”
“Gus is Jericho’s partner in the shop, right?”
“That’s right,” Tessa said. “Gus owned the shop originally. And he and Jericho go way back. He let Jericho keep his first bike there, at the shop, while he was in prison.”
Marnie almost choked on her coffee. “Wait. What? Somebody went to prison?”
“I thought I told you that. Jericho used to steal cars. He would sell them to some guys who parted them out to repair shops. СКАЧАТЬ