Price of a Bounty - By S. L. Wallace Page 0,40
would require training. He said I’d have to be trained first, and then I would be able to support myself.”
“That’s all you know?”
She nodded.
“It doesn’t sound like he’s telling you much. April, be careful. This could be some kind of scam. Tell you what, I’ll check into his background when I get back, okay? Don’t make any decisions until then. If Ashton tries to hurry you into making a decision…well, that’s a bad sign. Back out if he tries to pressure you.”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. Ashton’s not pressuring me. That’s not like him.”
“April, you haven’t known him long enough to know for sure.” She avoided my gaze. It was time to back off. “I’m just trying to look out for you, okay?” I took her hand in mine. “You’re my sister, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Now, what are you planning to order? Choose whatever you’d like. It’s my treat.”
-Ashton-
Taking Time Off
The next morning, most of the family and staff were absent again. I was surprised at how easy it had been to gain access to the house over the past few weeks. People were often gone or were exactly where I expected them to be, so I could easily avoid them. I had taken quite a lot. My work here was almost done. I’d even thought of an excuse for leaving, so that Mr. Beckett would have little reason to suspect me, even after I’d gone. If I could convince April to leave too, I could count this job as a complete success. I went to Beckett’s study and knocked twice.
“Enter!”
“Hello, sir. There’s an urgent matter I need to discuss with you.” He nodded to an empty chair, and I sat. “My father has become ill. I just received word last night. He doesn’t live in Tkaron, so I’ll need to take a few days off to assess his situation.”
“How many days?”
“Four days, give or take. I’ll work late tonight and finish what I can so that the yard will be presentable until my return. If I discover that I’ll need more time, I’m prepared to call you with my resignation.”
Mr. Beckett pondered this for a few minutes. He rubbed his chin while he thought, then said, “I’ll post the position tomorrow, and begin interviews in four days if I don’t hear from you. I can’t hold your position longer than that, especially at this time of year.”
“I understand, sir. Thank you.”
I was on my way outside when I ran into April. I’d been hoping I would see her before I had to leave. I gently took her arm and guided her into the kitchen. No one else was present. We sat at a small oak table and spoke quietly.
“Have you thought about my offer?”
“Can you tell me a little more about it?”
I had to be careful. I couldn’t afford to blow my cover, but I wanted to help her very much. “Only if you accept the position. I urge you to take this opportunity.”
She was quiet, and then said, “I’ll need some time to think about it. Would that be all right?”
“Opportunities like this don’t last. Can you let me know by the end of today?”
“No, I’m afraid that’s not enough time.”
I stood, reached into my pocket and withdrew one of my anonymous business cards. All it listed was a contact number. I picked up a pen from the counter, wrote my name above the number and handed her the card. “If you change your mind, call this number.”
She nodded.
I walked out the back door and headed around the manor toward the front garden. As I turned the corner, I saw a familiar figure at the main entrance. I pulled back just in time. What is she doing here?
-April-
Taking the Blame
That morning, I saw Ashton again. Funny, I thought I’d have to go out of my way to find him. Maybe he’d been looking for me? He pulled me into the kitchen. The chef was at the butcher’s, so we were alone. We sat at a small table by the back window. Sunlight splashed across the table and onto the floor, making patterns. I traced some of the lines with my index finger.
“Have you thought about my offer?” he asked.
“Can you tell me a little more about it?”
“Only if you accept the position. I urge you to take this opportunity.”
I had thought about Keira’s advice, and Ashton wasn’t telling me much. Since I really didn’t know him, it would be a