if what I’m saying is true, maybe you think that means your loss is without value. That what you’ve been through isn’t truly important. But that’s not what I mean at all,” she assured him. “If you allow yourself to look at the ocean, Mr. Berringer, and truly see it again and wonder at the sheer power and beauty of it…well, that’s okay,” she said quietly. “It doesn’t diminish your loss or make your pain meaningless. If you choose to go on with your life and build yourself up again, physically and emotionally, it doesn’t erase the past or make you disloyal to the memory of your fiancée.”
He held her gaze for a moment, then looked away, smoothing his hair with his hand. He seemed disturbed by her speech, and Rebecca braced herself for a tirade. Then he appeared to settle into his own thoughts as he stared at the sea. She wondered what those thoughts were. She couldn’t begin to guess.
He had a strong profile, she noticed, one that spoke of determination, even a stubborn streak. If looks were any indication, maybe he’d make it, after all.
“I’ll take you back in now,” she offered after a few moments. “Unless of course you’d like to stay out here alone for a while?”
“I can get myself back in, when I’m damned good and ready,” he replied curtly. “But is the interview over, Ms. Calloway?” he asked, his tone mockingly polite. “I thought that small formality was the employer’s prerogative.”
Rebecca suppressed a laugh. “My mistake…once again.”
“Yes, that’s two. But who’s counting? Frankly, I’m amazed that I’m still interested in hiring you at all.”
“Yes, so am I,” she replied honestly, feeling her heartbeat quicken at his words.
“So…do you want the job or not?” he asked impatiently.
Her immediate impulse was to answer “Yes.” But she restrained herself.
“I’m glad you want to hire me, Mr. Berringer. But I do need to think it over for a day or so. I hope that’s acceptable to you.”
“As you wish. You can call Matthew with your decision,” he instructed.
“All right, I’ll do that,” she replied. Had she hurt his feelings when she didn’t accept right away? He was pouting like a small boy. Well, she couldn’t help that.
“Did I scare you?” he asked suddenly. His black eyes were narrowed in a brooding look that had already become familiar to her. “You hardly seem the timid type.”
“No, not at all,” she called over her shoulder. “You’ll have to try much harder if I come back.”
“Yes, I will try harder. I’ll be absolutely impossible,” he promised. “See, you’ve motivated me already.”
Rebecca met his glance quickly then continued on her way. His brief smile was heart-stopping. Both a good sign…and bad, she thought with dismay. She kept going, through the glass door, through Grant’s messy bedroom to the outer room, where she found Matthew waiting for her.
“How did it go?” Matthew asked eagerly, rising from his chair.
“All right, I suppose. He offered me the job.”
“That’s great!” Matthew smiled, and his blue eyes lit with pleasure. “When can you start?” he asked eagerly.
“Well, I haven’t accepted yet. I need some time to think it over. A day or two, at the most. Your brother told me I should call you with my answer.”
“Yes, call me with your answer as soon as you decide, Ms. Calloway. And if there are any questions, any questions at all—about the salary or living arrangements—please know I’ll do all I can to make the situation comfortable for you.”
Rebecca promised she would call as soon as she came to a decision, and Matthew showed her to the front door, where they said goodbye.
As Rebecca started up her car and drove down the long driveway toward the main road, she wondered why she hadn’t accepted on the spot. While she dithered, the Berringers might interview someone else and offer them the position. The salary they’d spoken of was very generous. As were the extras. It was a plum assignment, really. Except for one thing. The patient.
Grant Berringer hadn’t scared her. But her feelings and reactions to him certainly had.
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