Free His Uptown Girl by Gail Sattler Page B

accept.”
    Bob smiled back, and those adorable crinkles appeared again at the corners of his beautiful green eyes. “A rain check it is, then.”
    She felt like skipping out of the building after she’d changed back into her finery, but she forced herself to maintain her dignity.
    When she arrived at home her father was in the living room, waiting for her.
    â€œHi, Daddy. I’m back.”
    He smiled politely. “I see that. Did you have a good time?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. It wouldn’t do to say something bad.
    â€œI noticed that you had your car. I thought Tyler came earlier to pick you up.”
    She held up the bag with the gas station’s logo. Every time she used their washroom to change, she bought something as an excuse to go inside. “I had to go to the gas station.”
    Her father’s expression tightened. “You didn’t buy oil for the car, again, did you? We can have a mechanic do that. Or is this something for that ridiculous project of yours in the garage?”
    â€œIt’s a snack, Daddy.”
    His eyes narrowed. “I hope you’re watching your figure. You’ve been eating a lot of snacks lately.”
    â€œIt’s okay, Daddy. I’ve been exercising. I’ve actually lost weight in the last week.”
    Immediately, he softened. “That’s my girl. This job must be good for you to start thinking of such things.”
    She couldn’t help but smile back. “Yes, Daddy, this job has been very good for me. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve had a long and busy day, and I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
    Â 
    Bob stopped what he was doing once again to watch George run from her car to the washroom in order to change. Every day for three months, she’d done the same thing. He could only assume that she had another part-time job, although it would have to be a very early job. He didn’t like to think she needed a second job, after all, he was paying her a fair salary, considering her experience and duties.
    It was none of his business, though, so today, as on every other day, Bob remained silent when the washroom door opened. George re-emerged wearing jeans, a T-shirt and the required steel-toed safety footwear.
    â€œHi, Bob!” she called out as she waved, then tucked her duffel under the counter, and logged in to the computer.
    He waved back, then quickly turned around and resumed his task.
    George was his employee, and nothing more. Yet, at the same time, he didn’t want to see her working herself to death. She worked hard for him, and she did a good job. A couple of regular customers had specifically asked for her to do the work on their cars.
    Not long after she’d shown up to help him on theblown transmission that evening, he’d taken her out for dinner as a thank-you. They had had so much fun that night that they’d agreed to make dinner on Thursday evenings a standard routine. Even so, he still didn’t know much about what she did away from work, and he still didn’t know why she arrived every morning looking as if she was coming from another job.
    Georgette Ecklington was both an asset and a mystery. He couldn’t help but like her. She was feisty, spoke her mind, and wasn’t afraid to get dirty. He was glad that she joined him at Faith Community Fellowship for their evening service every week. Her enthusiasm and honest questions as a new Christian were both refreshing and a reminder that he wasn’t setting aside enough time for God in his own life.
    As soon as they got more caught up and didn’t have to work so much, that would change, and it was because of George.
    â€œHey, Bob! What are you doing?” Bart’s voice echoed from behind him. “Why are you staring at the wall?”
    â€œWhat?” Bob felt his face heat up. “Never mind,” he mumbled. “I was just thinking about something.”
    â€œYeah. Thinking