Free Melody (THE LOGAN FAMILY) by Stacy-Deanne Page A

course, you already know Keith.”
    “Yes, but I had no idea he was so qualified.”
    “Keith is a genius when it comes to this business. It’s all about how he thinks, you know? He has that spark that will surely send him far. You know if Keith plays his cards right, he could be sitting right here in this office as CEO one day. I’ve never felt that way about anyone else. He has what it takes to go straight to the top.”
    She faked a smile. “So you think very highly of Keith?”
    He nodded. “He’s definitely someone I have high hopes for. He’s an amazing young man. But you’ve met him. I’m sure you think so, too. I mean, everyone who’s met him does. Sure you don’t want any coffee?”
    “No thank you, sir. So I guess Keith’s a big man around here, huh? Probably nothing he couldn’t do to get on your bad side.”
    Dave guffawed. “Well, so far it’s been a pleasure having him on the team. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind showing you the ropes.”
    She walled her eyes. “Well, I’m glad you have someone you truly value. I can imagine how hard it is to find good workers fresh out of college. So, what exactly will my position be at Caper?”
    “Good question.” He looked at her résumé. “Well, I think you have the qualifications to start off as office assistant. You’ll have your own office. Uh, basically you’ll do the odds and ends that need to be done for the executives and higher employees. You’ll be in charge of files and making sure they get where they need to be on time. You’ll proofread memos, transport documents to computer databases, record keeping and maybe even some minor accounting.”
    “Wow.” She grinned. “Uh, I had no idea I’d start off doing such an important job. I figured I’d be answering the phone or making coffee.”
    “Melody, don’t sell yourself short. You have the qualifications, and with more experience, you could have the makings of an executive.”
    “Me, an executive?” She guffawed. “I can’t believe this! All this time I’ve been searching for any old job, setting my standards high and low and now a great job falls into my lap like this.”
    “I am glad you’re excited. Be warned, though, the pay starts at a little over minimum wage.”
    She smiled. “Mr. Lawson anything would be better than not having a job at all .”
    He nodded, chuckling.

Chapter Four
    M elody arrived home an hour later. She got the groceries from the backseat of her jeep. She wondered if this day had been too good to be true. Keith’s fancy car sat on the street. She took a deep breath. He wasn’t in the car, which meant he’d taken it upon himself to go inside. She did her best not to cause a scene by shouting in the front yard. She’d never been so enraged.
    She didn’t know how much more of these little surprises she could take. She literally shook at the front door. Her hands trembled until it became impossible to get her key. She tried to shake this morning’s episode out of her mind. Keith assaulted her. At least she’d taken it that way. He’d acted so maliciously. She hadn’t confronted him because Sarah had still been around.
    Now they were alone again. Melody had every right to throw him out of the house. She unlocked the door as she cradled the groceries under one arm. Why did Keith frighten her? What if he touched her again? What if she confronted him and he turned out to be a bigger jerk than she realized?
    She stepped inside. Keith wasn’t anywhere to be seen. The radio lightly played from the kitchen. Melody recognized the song immediately. She and Lucas had danced to it at Jayson’s last night. She set the groceries on the table in the den. What the hell was going on here?
    “Keith?” She touched her lips. She hadn’t expected her voice to tremble. Keith scared her to death. Unlike Sarah, Melody found it smart to listen to women’s intuition. Besides, it hadn’t steered her wrong before. She wouldn’t entertain Sarah’s “benefit of the