22. Job

Raelyn’s pov

“So…um. I…uh,” oh no… Could I do this? I mean, I wasn’t qualified for this job at all.

The kind lady across from me smiled, “Torin tells me you’ve been a housewife for a while?”

I nodded and swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. “I have been.”

“And I guess that includes taking care of the household?”

I nodded again, “yes, ma’am.”

“So, cooking, cleaning, tidying up?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Ruth, please.” Ruth said with a kind smile.

“Yes, Ruth.” I tried to smile back at her with the same kindness she was giving me. There must be people better suited for this job.

“And you wouldn’t mind staying here to help full-time? Of course you’d get weekends off. I mostly need you in the morning and evenings. So you’d get the afternoon to yourself.” She sighed, “I’m just getting to a point where it’s too much work to do it myself. My mate, I mean, my husband, used to cook for me. He loved to cook. And it’s lonely making dinner for yourself. I usually just eat a sandwich.”

“I do the same,” I replied, keeping my head down. “When my husband is away.”

“Your husband? Torin did not mention you are married. Would that be a problem for him? It would be possible to commute back and forth, but I live pretty reclusive, and it would be quite a journey back and forth each day.”

I looked around the house. It was a nice house. Ruth had put a lot of effort into making it feel homely. There were pictures of her and her husband hanging on the wall. A picture of a young girl was among them, but no other pictures of kids.

There were crochet projects on the table. Around the room I saw items that she probably made herself: her curtains, a little stuffed wolf, and the tablecloth. Even a blanket that was lying on the sofa she sat on.

She chuckled, “I have a bit of a problem. I tend to start a project, and then halfway through, I think of another thing I can make. I have finished quite a few crochet projects, as you can see, but there are even more that are still left to do. Maybe I can teach you how to crochet; we can do it together.”

“I’d like that.” I replied. My grandma used to make clothes and had started teaching me how to sew, crochet, and knit, but I hadn’t done it in years. “Oh, and I am in the process of divorcing my husband. So staying here is no problem, actually.”

“I see… Well, we single ladies have to stick together, don’t we?” She grabbed my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

“Yes.” I replied. She reminded me so much of my grandma. She didn’t look anything like her, but it was her energy and kindness that were similar to Grandma. And her strength. I could tell Ruth was a strong woman.

Not like me.

“So, what do you say? Do you want the job?”

“I do. I am sure there are others. When will you make your decision?”

Ruth chuckled, “I already have, Raelyn. The job is yours. When can you start?”

“Um, tomorrow?” I was too surprised to give a proper answer. Then it dawned on me. I didn’t have my ID or anything I needed to sign a contract. “Only, my husband accidentally took my wallet with him on a work trip, which holds all my identification. He won’t be back for a while.”

And even then I am pretty sure he won’t be willing to give them back.

I would need to request new ones. I don’t even know how you do such a thing.

Oh, no.

Would this ruin everything?

Ruth smiled at me, “why don’t I pay you in cash until you get your papers in order? I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“Really?”

She nodded, “yeah, saves me the hassle of filing tax reports. Let’s just shake on it. I feel like I can trust you to keep your word.”

“I will!”

Ruth got up from the sofa and walked towards me. I got up as well as she stuck out her hand. “Well, welcome to your new home, Raelyn.” She said as we shook hands.

There was such a weight lifted from my shoulders that it almost felt like too much at once. I could barely contain the tears falling from my eyes. I did everything I could to keep my breathing calm and steady, and it felt like my whole body was shaking.

This was my way out.

I could be free here.

“Let me show you to your room.” Ruth said and she began walking to the hallway. I followed her up the stairs to a large room.

“As I got older, I started hating walking up those stairs each time. Besides, I used to share this space with my Martin, and it didn’t feel right being in here without him. So I turned the hobby room into my bedroom and the living room into my hobby room.” Ruth explained. “So this is the master bedroom of the house, which means you have your own bathroom and a balcony.”

“Are you sure? This is too much.” The room was enormous and nice. Too nice for staff to live in.

“Of course, sweetheart. And you can change whatever you want; make it your own. I haven’t really touched the room, but I think it might help me to see someone else enjoying the space. You can paint the walls and change the furniture.”

I stared at the walls. It all felt too good to be true.

“Is this real?” I whispered out loud.

Ruth put her hand on my shoulder and patted it softly, “it is, sweetheart. Now, I’ll explain everything else tomorrow. You go pack, and I’ll see you at… um… let’s say, ten?”

“I’ll be there.” I nodded vigorously.

“Good.” Her expression turned sad. “Now, if you don’t mind letting yourself out? I think I need a moment.” She stared at the various items in the room that she used to share with her husband.

She must have loved him so much.

“I will see you tomorrow.” I said before closing the door behind me and walking down the stairs.

I walked out of Ruth’s house and straight into Torin. “So?”

I giggled, “you told me to text you when I was done.”

He shrugged, “I waited in the car. It was fine.”

“Thanks for taking me. I hope I didn’t inconvenience you. I should have taken a taxi.” I replied, even though I couldn’t have afforded it. It would have been impossible to get here with public transportation because Ruth’s house was in the middle of nowhere.

I would have probably had to walk if Torin hadn’t offered to help me out.

Torin took my hands in his, “did you get the job, dimples?”

“I did.” I said, and a small smile crept on my face.

Torin picked me up and spun me around, “good job, Rae!”

I giggled as he spun me around, “I only got it because of you.”

“Nah, Ruth is a grumpy old lady. She hates me. She'll never do it as a favor to me.” Torin said as he stopped spinning. He didn’t let me down, though. I was still in his arms.

“She wasn’t grumpy to me.”

“How can anyone be grumpy to you, dimples? You’re the sweetest girl on the planet. The prettiest too.” Torin said as he looked up at me. He held me so close to him and slowly lowered me down until our faces were at the same level.

I couldn’t help but blush at his words. “Thank you, Torin. You’re really nice.”

“I didn’t just do it for you, you know.” He said, his voice changing. It became lower, sexier. More dangerous. “I did it just as much for me.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice coming out squeaky. Of course I don’t suddenly become sexy like he does.

“This job means you can divorce Dylan. It means I can kiss you again. Maybe even more.”

He looked as if he wanted to kiss me right now. God. He looked as if he wanted to do a lot more.

“I, um…” I wanted to remind Torin of what I had said. That I didn’t want to jump into another relationship right away. That I wasn’t even divorced yet or had left Dylan properly.

I hadn’t even said anything to Dylan about wanting to leave, and I wasn’t sure if I should say anything or just let him go home to an empty house.

Running away was a lot easier, and it felt less dangerous.

And if I did tell Dylan, he might try to convince me to stay. He was pretty convincing most of the time.

Torin put me back on the ground, but his hands remained at my waist. “I will wait until you are ready, Rae. I won’t mind waiting forever.”

“Thank you.”

Torin winked at me, “but it’s not going to be forever, right? You do like me, don’t you?”

I blushed as I avoided looking at the beautiful giant in front of me. “Yes.”

“Good. Because I am crazy about you.” Torin admitted. Like the job, it didn’t feel real. How could someone feel crazy about me? Especially someone like Torin.

“Look at me, dimples.” Torin sternly said. I locked eyes with him. “I’m serious. I want to date you. Honestly, I want more than to date you.” He chuckled nervously, which made him even cuter. “I want to marry you, have kids, the whole nine yards. But let’s start with dating.”

I stared up at him, not sure what to respond. I wanted the same thing, but not until I was worthy of a man like Torin.

“So,” He said, “do you want to go on a real date with me once you’ve settled down here?”

I nodded, “I do.”

He smiled at me, the most beautiful smile a man could have. “Good. I can’t wait. Well, then. Let’s drive back before Ruth kills me.”

I turned around to see Ruth glaring out the bedroom window. She did really hate Torin, it seems, because if looks could kill, he’d be dead already.

What did he do to make her hate him?