“These eggs are wonderful,” she changed the topic.
Betty beamed. “That’s because they’re fresh.”
Celeste had a feeling she was going to like it here. Aside from the fact the people were a little strange, they still seemed friendly. She only had to remember that Brian apparently wasn’t a morning person. He’d frowned an awful lot.
Brian went straight back to his office. He didn’t breathe easy until he was sitting at his desk.
What the hell had happened to the delicate, wraithlike creature he’d hired? In her place was a sexy, sensual, vibrant woman. How was he to know she would look all curvy beneath those robes?
This wasn’t going to work. She would be too much of a distraction. He’d just have to find a way to tell her that he couldn’t use her after all. He’d give her enough money to last her a few weeks, a glowing recommendation, and…and what? Buy her a car?
No, he wouldn’t do any of that. He’d seen the look in her eyes when he’d told her she could work here on a trial basis. She’d been excited.
He stood and went to the window, staring out at the past.
The first job he’d ever had was for Mr. Miller at the feed store. He’d been thirteen and Mr. Miller had told him he was too young. But Grandpa had hurt his back and couldn’t work. Cal had gotten a job in town, but it still wasn’t enough.
After a lot of pleading, Mr. Miller had given Brian a chance and the family had managed to make it through the summer. He still remembered how it felt to be able to pull his own weight. He kind of figured Celeste felt the same way.
So maybe he’d keep her at least until she proved whether she could do the job or not.
He sat back down and started going through the mail. Who said he even had to be around her? Rhonda managed the spa. If there were any problems, she could handle them. He’d just show Celeste around.
But there had been something different about her. He wasn’t sure, but she almost seemed lonely. He wondered if she had anyone-a relative or a friend. Everyone needed someone.
Brian snorted. Cal would be laughing his fool head off if he knew the direction Brian’s thoughts were going. Always trying to fix something, Cal would say. He’d be right. His habit had gotten him into more trouble more times than he wanted to think about.
Like Wanda Jo. He’d tried to fix her, but she’d turned the tables and showed him a whole lot more than he’d ever expected. Yeah, like he needed to think about her when she was happily married to Ape Man.
He sat forward in his chair and cleared his mind of the past, glancing at his watch. Celeste should be almost finished by now. He tapped his fingers on the desk, then picked up the mail. A couple of bills, a brochure on a horse sale coming up next month. Nothing that couldn’t wait. He tossed the mail to the side and glanced at his watch.
Then he realized how anxious he was to see Celeste again. He was a fool. But that didn’t stop him from jumping when the buzzer on his phone went off.
“Yes?”
“Celeste is back.”
He could feel his heart racing inside his chest. No, he wasn’t just a fool. He was a complete idiot. Anyone would think he was a virgin. It had been so long since he’d been with a woman, he felt like one.
Brian didn’t say a lot as he walked Celeste out the back of the main house and toward the east side. A stone path led the way to the building he’d had built a couple of years ago. He hadn’t planned to have a spa, but so many of his guests asked about one that he decided it made good business sense.
“It’s very serene,” she said.
He looked around. Yeah, he guessed it was. He’d paid to have it landscaped. There were trees on each side of the path, small ones. The landscaper had called them Japanese plum trees. They were kind of neat looking the way the trunks twisted, and combined with music from hidden speakers, it was nice.
“You pay for what you get and I only have the best.” He held the door and let her go in first. The foyer was circular. Something about peace and harmony. A load of B.S. if you asked him, but his guests enjoyed it.
He watched Celeste from the corner of his eye. She was taking everything in, and from the expression on her face, he had a feeling she liked it, too. For some odd reason, that pleased him. And he admitted the entrance was impressive.
Celeste couldn’t believe she was going to be so lucky to work in a place this tranquil and beautiful. Pale yellow walls and music like gentle rain greeted her. She liked this area of the ranch. It made her feel relaxed and welcome.
“Hello, Mr. Braxton.” A woman, who was probably in her fifties, spoke from behind a desk.
“Rhonda, this is Celeste, our new massage therapist.” His gaze moved back to Celeste. “Rhonda is the brains of the spa. She makes sure everything runs smoothly. If you have a problem, she’s the person to talk to, and if there’s anything you need, just ask her, and she’ll get it for you.” He turned and abruptly left.
“Wow, you’d think his tail feathers were on fire. I don’t think that man ever slows down.” She turned her attention back to Celeste. “You’ll love it here, though.”
Rhonda was pretty, with deep auburn hair, and she had a good aura surrounding her.
“Right now, I’m only temporary. Brian thinks I’m too young and can’t have very much experience, but he felt sorry for me and is using me on a trial basis.” She had a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “I’m not sure he’ll keep me. He seems upset with me about something this morning.”
Rhonda’s gaze swept over her. “Oh, honey, you certainly don’t look too young, and that may be the problem. Brian hasn’t dated anyone in a long time.”
She could feel the heat rise up her face. “I really don’t think he’s attracted to me.”
“Oh, yeah, he’s attracted. Any man would be-if he was straight, that is. And by the way, experience isn’t everything. Amy had experience, the last massage therapist, and she was good, but she lacked that certain extra something. Brian thought she was suited for the job and kept her.”
“Hopefully, I’ll make this a permanent job.”
“I hope not.”
Celeste’s eyebrows shot up. “I beg your pardon?” Had she run up against more opposition?
“You may be very good at what you do, but you’re too young and pretty to be stuck way out here in the middle of nowhere. Unless, of course, you and Brian hit it off.”
She relaxed. “I think I’ll like staying here until I do move on, and believe me, Brian isn’t at all interested.” Angry, a workaholic, dry-but interested? No, not a chance. Although it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine his arms pulling her close.
And she’d better get those thoughts right out of her head.
“I hope you’ll be around for a long time.” Rhonda stood. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest of our little spa. I’ll tell you, this is the most relaxing job I’ve ever had.”
“Do many people use the spa?”
“Enough, but as busy as we get, I still feel a sense of renewal while I’m at work. If you ever want to practice massages, let me know. I’ll willingly take one any day.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“We have two women on staff who do pedicures and manicures: Jill, you’ll meet her later, and Lillie, who also does hair. They’re in the salon area, which we fondly call the gossip room. The guests usually get to know each other fairly well while they’re getting pampered.”
“It sounds like fun.”
“Oh, we can create quite the party atmosphere.”
They walked down a hallway. Rhonda opened a closet door. “Here are all your lotions, towels, there’re even stones. Brian ordered a lot of stuff that Amy never used. She wasn’t much into a lot of the New Age stuff. What about you?”