The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe Page A

time. “Don’t you recall? I told you that I had a job interview at a dress shop in Towne Center. The location would be so convenient. I don’t want to have to go to the city to find work.”
    â€œA dress shop? What do they pay?”
    She shrugged. “Fair wages.” When he gave her a doubtful look, she conceded, “Minimum wage. But I get a discount on my clothes.”
    â€œUh-huh.” Devlin rose and walked to the end of the bed to slip on a waffle-weave robe. “Why don’t you come work for me?”
    Devlin owned his own real estate firm on the barrier islands. He’d done extremely well during the boom of the past twenty years, but like most Realtors was hurting during the downtrend in the real estate market. The market was just beginning to pick up.
    â€œWhat would I do?”
    â€œBe my assistant.”
    â€œI don’t have any secretarial skills. I can barely find my way around a computer, much less a fax machine. And you’ve already got a receptionist.”
    â€œI need help scouting out houses to flip. You’d be my right-hand gal. You have a great eye for real estate. You’re a natural. You can study for your real estate license.”
    The idea of getting her real estate license was tempting. She and Devlin had been working together shaping up a darling cottage on Sullivan’s Island. But working with him as a couple and working for him as an employer were not the same thing.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHear me out.” Devlin laid his palm out in the air. “Look how well you and I do together working on that cottage. It’s turning out real well. And don’t we enjoy working together?” When she nodded, he grinned. “I think so, too. You’ve got good instincts with houses, Dora. That’s something you can’t learn in school. You’re born with it.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI’d pay you well. Hell, a sight better than minimum wage.”
    Dora walked to him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. You are a prince among men and I appreciate the offer. I really do. But, no.”
    â€œWhy the hell not? You like real estate.”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œWhy accept a minimum-wage job when I’m offering you something better?”
    â€œBecause you don’t really need me. And ”—she emphasized to discourage his objection—“I want to get a job on my own, without someone handing it to me. Not this time. This is important to me. Try to understand.”
    With his tousled blond hair and baby-blue eyes, he looked like a pouting child. “I never heard you talk about wanting to be in retail.”
    â€œI don’t particularly.”
    â€œThen why?”
    â€œBecause, frankly, I don’t have a college diploma, secretarial skills, computer skills, or training in any particular area, for that matter. I’ve done volunteer work most of my life. What can I say? I saw the ad in the newspaper. It’s either this or asking the customer if she wants fries with that.”
    â€œSo go back to school. What’s your hurry?”
    â€œNate has to go to school, not me. He starts private school in a few weeks. You know my house hasn’t sold. We haven’t gotten so much as a single offer, not even a lowball, so money is tight. I’ll get child support and alimony, but it won’t be enough to handle this expense. If I want Nate to start at the private school, I have to contribute. It’s as simple as that. And that’s okay. I’m looking forward to working again. Earning a paycheck. Putting something toward my Social Security. It’ll make me feel . . . independent.”
    Devlin scratched his jaw but didn’t reply.
    Dora picked up the brown shift, held it up, and asked again, “So which looks better?”
    He pointed to the blue. “Matches your eyes.”
    â€œYou don’t think it will make my butt look