Be Mine at Christmas(73)
Author: Brenda Novak

The look on his face must’ve revealed his rage, because Deanna lifted her hands in a placating gesture. “From what I can tell, it didn’t go too far. Cierra’s strong, determined. She got away before anything…serious could occur. But…she’s understandably rattled.”

Attacking her wasn’t serious? “I want to see her,” Ken said.

“I can’t force her to come down,” Deanna responded. “Maybe if you give her some time, come back in the morning—”

“I’m not leaving. I have a job for her, a position in Boise, with someone I know and trust. Unless you can offer her as much, tell her to come down.”

Deanna’s older sister walked into the room. Ken had the impression she’d been listening while working in the kitchen. “You should have her go with him,” she murmured to her sister. “The way things are now she’ll only run away the minute we’re not looking. You heard her when we got her in the truck. She kept saying Baker was going to call the immigration people, that she had to leave town right away.”

Ken’s mother got to her feet. “Do you think he really called them?”

Gabe wheeled his chair forward until he drew even with her. “He’d better not have.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Ken said. “We need to get her out of here.”

With a nod of agreement, Deanna went back upstairs and eventually returned with Cierra, whose sweatshirt was stretched out, as if someone had been yanking on it. The deep scratch on her neck and the bruise on her cheek made Ken wish he’d done a lot more damage to Stu Baker than he had. “You okay?” he asked.

As usual, she raised her chin, daring the world to bring her to her knees. “Sí.”

Although Ken was dying to know the details—so he could hold Baker accountable for what he’d done—he didn’t ask about her ordeal. Cierra was a private person and the situation at Baker’s had no doubt embarrassed her. She wouldn’t want to talk about it in front of anyone else. Instead, he introduced his parents, whom Cierra met with as much polite reserve and dignity as if they were royalty.

“Ken has some good news for you,” his mother announced.

“I found you a job,” he said. “A good job.”

Cierra lifted a hand. “I know you…are trying to be nice. You have been kind to me, and I am…grateful, sí? But I will go my own way now.”

“Just hear me out,” he said. “It’s in Boise, which is an hour and a half from here. Even if Baker called ICE, they won’t find you. Not if we leave right away. And my friend really needs you.”

It was obvious she hadn’t planned to let him sway her, but when she heard that his friend needed her, she hesitated, and Ken realized how important it was to her that the need be legitimate. “It’s true,” he continued. “This is no favor. His wife, the mother of his three children, left them last year to pursue a modeling career. He’s a busy man, trying to run his import company, and he could use a housekeeper and caregiver for his children. Since many of his imports come from South America, he’s very excited that you speak Spanish.”

“The children…their mother left them for a career? She could no do both?” From Cierra’s expression, it was clear that she couldn’t conceive of making such a choice. “Who is watching the children now?”

“A nanny who’s getting married and moving away.” Ken was getting through to her, he could tell. “So what do you say? Will you at least give it a try? I know you’ll like Larry. He’s a good guy who’s been through a lot and could really use a break. And he’s offering room and board and fifteen hundred dollars a month.”

It was a fair offer. Ken hoped her pride wouldn’t keep her from accepting it.

“But your friend has not even met me,” she said.

Forever the skeptic. “I told him how wonderful you are.”

She blushed at the compliment, and her eyes shifted to his parents before returning to his face. “I will help him. Of course I will help.”

Relieved, Ken smiled and felt his heart skip a beat when she smiled back. “Good. Let’s go.”

THE HOUSE WAS BEAUTIFUL, a mansion. Cierra had never seen anything like it. At five foot seven and at least two hundred and fifty pounds, Larry wasn’t nearly as handsome as Ken, but he was nice. She immediately felt safe around him and, as far as she was concerned, the children—three girls ages eight, six and four—were a bonus. They had to take her to the Christmas tree first thing to point out all the brightly wrapped packages that waited there for them.

Their innocence settled on her like new-fallen snow, helping her slough off the memories of Baker—what he’d said, what he’d done and what he’d attempted to do. The hours spent dealing with him, the fight that had erupted when she refused to disrobe, didn’t matter anymore. He hadn’t got what he wanted. And she already felt like someone else, someone stronger and better than the poverty-stricken immigrant she’d seen through his eyes.

Maybe that was partly because she now wore one of the dresses Ken’s mother had given her. Hannah had said Cierra could pay her back out of her first check if she wanted to, but that she should look presentable for her job, and she’d been right. Cierra liked the way the dress floated around her knees, the stylish tights that went underneath and the ankle-high boots Ken had insisted they buy. She hadn’t felt so pretty in a long time.

Glancing up from where she sat on the floor, admiring all the Christmas gifts with the girls, she found Ken watching her and couldn’t help grinning back at him. On the drive, he’d told her he’d come to Boise often to see her. But she didn’t believe him. He’d probably get together with Tiffany as his family expected. Then he’d forget all about her. But she was glad to have known him for the week she had. She’d always treasure the memory of their kiss in the Jacuzzi. That was the best Christmas present she could think of.

He surprised her by staying longer than she’d thought he would—for dinner and a movie. She guessed he was trying to help her make the transition, to be sure she felt safe and happy, and that made her love him all the more.

When the movie ended, Larry said his goodbyes to Ken. Then he went in search of the children’s current nanny, who’d been on the phone with her fiancé most of the night, so she could get the children to bed.