Free Hottie by Demi Alex, Tia Fanning Page B

about to share her other business qualifications with someone who was so helpful for fear of being thought of as a snob. Being overqualified wouldn’t work in her favor. “I type well.”
    “Good. You have a nice, polite manner, and I think you could handle the phones. Your voice is soft, so it won’t spook any of the patients. Go speak with Mrs. Jenkins. She’s ready to retire, but Doc Jenkins is nowhere close to it. Walk on across the way and catch them before they break for lunch.” Somehow, she managed to fit all the groceries into one bag while she spoke, write the prices and totals in a little notebook, and wipe down the counter. “Go on. I’ll hold on to this while you check with the doc and his missus.”
    “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
    “No hurries, Phoebe.”
    She stopped mid-stride. “How did you know my name?”
    “You are Dane West’s Phoebe, no?” The older lady lowered her glasses on her nose and looked over the wire frames at Phoebe. “You’re exactly as he described.”
    “He told you about me?”
    “Of course, he did, honey. He dropped in first thing this morning and added you to his account.” Nodding her head, Granny showed her approval of his actions and choice in women. “He needs a good girl who can also cook. Since he’s been back, the boy barely eats. We have to sneak casseroles into his refrigerator while he’s fiddling with one of those spiffy cars he likes to put together.”
    “No wonder he had tons of Tupperware in the pantry, but only some spices, and I think a bottle or two of designer-style oil.”
    “That’s for his omelets. Dane would survive on eggs and bread, if we didn’t interfere.” She chuckled, pointing out the door. “Hurry. It’s the second building on the right once you cross the street. Doc likes to get home for an early lunch these days.”
    * * * *
    Ended up that Doc Jenkins was a veterinarian, who was in search of a receptionist to man the front office, especially while he made “barn” calls. He offered Phoebe the job and expected an answer the next morning. Phoebe only had to find an affordable place to stay in order to give him a yes.
    Oh, how she hoped she could stay. After the past few weeks, she welcomed a break. No more demented boyfriend to kick her out of her house. No more sleeping out of a car. And, no more looking into dark alleys to avoid danger. It seemed too good to be true, so she kept pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
    Returning to the market, she scanned the bulletin board and tore a strip of paper from an ad for a room for rent. Granny, named Wilma Brady, was a wealth of information, and was happy to offer her directions to Beatrice Maxwell’s home, so Phoebe could inquire in person about the room.
    Pinch.
    Damn, that hurt. She was awake.
    “You’ll love it at the Maxwell house. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell passed away a few years back, so now the poor girl lives by herself in that big house. She’s surrounded by kids all day long because she’s our elementary school science teacher, so I know she’d appreciate some adult conversation with a nice girlfriend closer to her age. I’m sure you’ll be comfortable there. It’s proper.”
    “Proper?”
    “Yes. You know the old saying.” Granny pointed her index finger and shook it for emphasis. “You don’t give the milk away for free, or they don’t buy the cow.”
    Heat filled Phoebe’s cheeks. Anxiety pinged against her skull. What else did the granny know? Staring at the countertop, careful not to make eye contact, Phoebe pulled the damp twenty-dollar bill from her pocket. “Of course, ma’am.”
    “Dane put you on his account, sweetie.” Mrs. Brady pushed the bag into Phoebe’s arms and shooed her toward the door. “That means you don’t pay.”
    “I want to surprise him. I want to do this for him.” Balancing the bag on her hip, she tried to stand her ground and give the storekeeper the money. “It wouldn’t be me doing for him, if he pays.