Page 14 of Maple Mountain
I glared at her.
“I know Archer.I’ll vouch for him.”Poet winked.
His argument was sound.And yet I knew it was a bad idea.It would’ve been so much easier if the man had looked like a normal father.Balding.Paunchy.Completely unattractive.
Everyone was waiting for me to say something, and I knew whatever I said would just be a flimsy argument.
“I’m not doing this just for room and board,” I said.“I’ll need a salary.”
“We can talk about that later,” Archer said.“But you’re kind of in a power position here.I’m willing to give you my left kidney if it’ll convince you to stay with us.”
“What if I want the right one?”I asked.
“Sorry, only the left is in negotiation.”
I sighed.“You okay with a dog?Mildred and I are a package deal.”
Archer’s shoulders relaxed.“Yep.”
“Keep your kidney, I’ll do it,” I announced.
His smile was one of relief.“Thanks, Wyn.”
My insides warmed.
Oh, this is such a bad idea.Close proximity with a man with dark eyes and a sexy mustache?No!Remember the penis embargo!
The pocket doors slid open, and Lenni shuffled out of the den.She looked around the room, her clear eyes landing on me.“What are you guys talking about?”
Everyone was quiet.
“We were discussing dessert,” Hadley blurted out.
“Yes, I want dessert,” Salem added.
“We should go out for it,” Mr.Powell said.“How about Hawthorne’s?”
“They have the best root beer floats,” Jane said.
Everyone sprung up from the table as if they were being directed in a play.The women chattered and headed for the door as the men followed behind them.
“We’ll meet you there, yeah?”Brooks asked, his gaze shooting to Archer.
“Yeah,” Archer said.“I just need to talk to Lenni first.”
Brooks bobbed his head and then headed out, closing the door behind him.
“I’ll wait for you on the porch,” I said, taking a step toward the door.
“No,” Archer commanded.“I mean ...please, stay.”
I swallowed and nodded.
“They left the goat and pig behind,” Lenni said in confusion.“And then they left them inside.Is that a good idea?”
“Tempest and Lottie are actually better behaved than Fig,” I stated.“She’s a terror when left alone.”
“You want to sit?”Archer asked her.
