***
Rachel paid for her coffee and watched John hang his jacket over the back of a chair.
He glanced at her as he sat down.
She didn’t know what he was thinking, but it didn’t look good. His frown was out in force, and even the delicious smell of roasting coffee beans didn’t seem to make a difference.
She was glad they were having coffee close to the library. With the snow falling outside, the Lindley Perk Coffee Shop wasn’t a busy hive of activity. There was less chance of someone seeing them here than in town.
If Tess heard about this meeting, she’d assume Rachel had decided to teach Bella. She’d think she was happy to accept the crazy amount of money he was willing to pay to educate his daughter.
Rachel wasn’t here because she wanted his money. She was here because she was curious. She sat opposite him and leaned forward, keeping her voice low. “Why do you want to pay Bella’s tutor so much money?”
John’s gaze moved from the front counter to Rachel’s face. He kept his expression neutral, hiding what was going through his head. “You don’t believe in small talk, do you?”
“I thought it was small talk,” Rachel said quickly and without a smile. “If I was being blunt, I would have asked you what Bella’s tutor has to do for that much money.”
John’s lips twitched. “I take it you’re not impressed?”
“Do you know the hourly rate I’m paid at the school?”
John shrugged his shoulders.
She guessed that a man who had more money than anyone she knew wouldn’t be too interested in what she earned.
“It must be enough to get by, or you wouldn’t do it.”
Rachel snorted. Working part-time barely gave her enough money to pay her bills. She was using her savings, and that wasn’t something she wanted to keep doing.
“So apart from being allergic to my money, what is it about the job that you don’t like?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t say I was allergic to your money. It’s the person that’s prepared to spend that much money that worries me.”
John didn’t say anything.
The waitress brought their drinks across to the table. “One grande latte and one half-strength hot chocolate. Can I get you anything else?”
Rachel shook her head. “Not for me, thanks.”
John said the same thing, then went back to staring silently at her.
Rachel sipped her hot chocolate, savoring the heat of the mug between her hands. “You said there were other things potential teachers would need to be aware of. Do you want to tell me what they are?”
He looked down at his coffee. She could almost see the cogs of his brain churning through what he wanted to say. “Having a lot of money isn’t always a good thing. People can take advantage of you, deceive you in ways you never thought they would. Or they can do worse. My company looks after extremely wealthy clients and their property. We know things about people that would be dangerous in the wrong hands.”
He looked at the empty tables around them. “I get emails from people who make me extremely cautious about Bella’s safety.”
“They send you threats?” Rachel left her hot chocolate on the table. “Why would they do that?”
“They want something to bargain with. I’ve kept a low profile in the media. No one knows much about me except that I have a daughter. And no one, not even the most persuasive person, gets close to Bella.”
“Is that why Tank goes with her to the mall?”
“If I’m not with Bella, Tank or Tanner go with her. Mrs. Daniels wouldn’t be able to keep her safe if someone tried to kidnap her.”
Her eyes widened. “You can’t be serious?”
“I wish I wasn’t.”
“But she’s only a child. Why would someone kidnap her because of what you know?”
John watched a woman push a stroller into the café. “I gave up trying to figure out people’s motivation a long time ago. Up until now it’s been relatively easy to look after Bella. She came with me whenever I needed to travel. Her tutor and a bodyguard came with us. Since we moved to Bozeman, things have been different. Bella needs a routine. She needs friends. I couldn’t give her that when we were moving around the country.”
“Is that why you moved to Bozeman?”
He picked up his drink. “Partly.”
Rachel waited for him to tell her more. When he didn’t say anything, she leaned forward, keeping her voice low. “So the tutor you want to employ would need to know how to look after Bella?”
John shook his head. “I’ve got staff who can do that. Bella’s tutor would need to know how to take orders.”
“You think I couldn’t?”
“You care about Bella. If she was in danger, you’d need to act quickly and follow what Tank, Tanner, or I said.”
“That’s only if I applied for the job.”
John sat back in his chair. “I already know that the salary I’m offering is four times what you’d earn at the local school. I also know that your full-time teaching contract doesn’t start until January. What’s stopping you from saying yes?”
It was Rachel’s turn to squirm under his gaze. “I’ve made a commitment to the school. They might not be able to find another substitute teacher.”
“What if they could?”
“Then I might be interested,” Rachel conceded. “But that’s a big might. It’s not easy finding part-time staff, especially this close to Christmas.”
“And you wouldn’t have a problem with one of my security guards following you?”
She shook her head. “It would only be for two months. Once school starts in January, Bella will be joining her class and I’ll be working full-time.”
John smiled for the first time since she’d sat down.
Her breath caught in her throat. This wasn’t the reaction anyone should have for their potential boss. It was just as well he wouldn’t be at home for most of the day. “What hours would you want me to work?”
“Nine to three.” John tilted his head to the side. “Is that a problem?”
“No, that’s fine. I want to keep volunteering at the library.”
“Does that mean you’ll accept the position?”
Rachel thought about the job John was offering her. She liked Bella, so teaching her would be fun. The money he was offering would make up for some of the saving she hadn’t been able to do when she was teaching part-time. As long as she spent as little time as possible around her boss, she’d be fine.
But before she could accept the position, there was one last thing she needed to sort out. “I need to talk to the principal at Bozeman Elementary. If they can’t find someone to replace me, I won’t be able to leave.”
“I’d better hope they have someone else, then.”
Rachel picked up her bag and coat. “I’ll let you know what they say. When would you want me to start?”
“As soon as possible.”
She stood up and John did the same. “I still think you’re paying too much, but I’m not going to complain. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with Bella.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“Okay, well…” She looked around the café. “I guess I’ll speak to you soon.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be okay. Bye.” And before John could say anything, she walked out of the café. The cold air hit her face, cooled down her body, and made her worry about what she’d just done.