Page 13 of A Light in the Dark
I took a moment to consider how best to respond, as I didn’t want to leave the wrong impression with my boss. Not everyone in Stonecreek appreciated the refugees. I supported their presence, but I knew better than to go telling people about my opinion. Natural-born residents tended to be freer with their tongues. After witnessing Gabriella’s plight, I realized I stood on unstable ground. “She’s a little skittish, but she’s a hard worker who wants to please. She loved her home and got lucky to leave Earth.”
“You need an assistant, and you were able to hold anentire conversation with her without either one of you appearing ready to indulge in a murder. I’ll inquire; if they aren’t filing their taxes for her, she may just be a temporary fill. I bet I can get them to dance and allow us to poach her. Would you be all right with that?”
What was even going on? Mr. Accor wanted to poach from a client? Then the reality of his words sank in. “You want me to have an assistant?”
If there were four of me, I doubted I’d be able to get done the massive workload in a timely fashion, especially when it came time to file all the important papers our clients often left to the last minute.
“I do. You’re invaluable doing what you’re doing, and you make us far more efficient than I ever thought possible. You need an assistant, and I’m sure you can train just about anyone to dance to your tune. I’ll admit, we have an allotment for a refugee employee, and I’d rather poach someone I suspect will get along with you without any adaptation period. Do you think you can train her?”
I knew I could. “Absolutely. She seems smart, and there are a lot of times just having an extra pair of hands would be hugely helpful.”
“Housing her will be our responsibility, but I’m after a long-term employee, and providing a house for a refugee is a small price to pay. After lunch, come to my office. I want your advice on some properties that might be suitable. You live a bit down the hill, yes?”
“I do.”
“Good, you know the neighborhoods there better than I do, so you can help me find her a safe place.”
My worries once again roused. Why was Mr. Accor so worried about her safety?
What did he know that I didn’t?
“I can take a short lunch or eat in your office if you don’t mind the smell of chili.”
“I’ll authorize the overtime payment. With the floods now over, there aren’t any residences open, that much I did check. If we get her employment contract, do you have a spare bedroom? We would be paying her lodging.”
“I have a spare bedroom, and I wouldn’t mind having a short-term guest.”
“That solves that problem if the bosses don’t want to put her up in a hotel. I’ll get the government rate for housing, and then I’ll double it. Thatmightbe closer to what it’s worth to house a co-worker for a few weeks while we find and close on a home for her. Oh, that reminds me. Did you need to do any repairs on your property beyond the steps?”
“I only needed to replace my steps, but it was at supplies only.”
“How’d you get that good of a deal?”
Like I had with Joel, I posed and showed off my bicep. “I conquer mountains of paperwork by day and work with mortar and stone by night. I even leveled my steps and put in the rail myself.”
My boss chuckled. “Very well done, Valerie. I had to pay a fortune to get my steps replaced, and I have a whole new admiration for those who can do it themselves.”
“If you can lift forty pounds, I can show you how to do it. If you like working with your hands, it’s actually enjoyable.”
“I believe I’ll take you up on that. I can lift forty pounds,and I get bored after two days of sitting around and doing nothing.”
“Well, I can promise that much. You won’t be bored building your steps, and once you’re done, you’ll be too tired to care if you’re bored.”
“After the floods, I couldn’t ask for better. I’ve got a neighbor who is stubborn and refuses to pay out for new steps at the post-flood prices. Any chance you can teach me to do the work while we help her out?”
“Sure. I’ll email you the material list tonight, then she can order her supplies and have them delivered. Once they’re delivered, I can give a few hours after work to help you assemble the steps. With two people, it won’t take long at all, but she’ll need to give her steps time to cure unless she’s got magic at her disposal.”
“She doesn’t, but one of our neighbors does; he’s a stone crafter. He just doesn’t have the time to do the full installation. It’s his busy season.”
No kidding. “Any day during the week should be fine to help with that.”
“What’s your going rate for the work?”
I shook my head and waved him off. “Neighbors help neighbors. If she’s the type who wants to repay, I have a grill and could use a good steak or two for it.”
“I’m sure she can handle acquiring a few steaks in exchange for help getting her stairs rebuilt. I’ll keep an eye out for your email.”
I nodded. The microwave beeped, and I took out my lunch, determining I’d made a good guess for how long to heat my food. I transferred my chili to one of the office bowls, rinsed my container, and delivered it to my deskbefore following my boss into his office, armed with a spoon and a few regrets I wouldn’t get to read a book over my break. However, even a little overtime helped, and aware my living situation might not be as stable as I’d prefer, I’d be squirreling away every cent.
