[B.S. #1] Tied Up in Knotts Read Online Free PDF Page B

as a complement after the bruising my ego got.” And Clay grinned down at her still-red embarrassed face.
    “The job is still available, and you can start and move in anytime. I’ll have the guys move your stuff from your apartment, when you’re ready.”
    “Oh you don’t have to do that. I don’t have much and can handle it myself.”
    “No way, not in this neighborhood. If all the guys at once would be too overwhelming, I will send only one, and you can take my word for it, he can be trusted. James is a great guy. I think you’ve probably seen him at the diner. He came before me to scope out properties and took a shine to this area. Maybe you are part of the appeal. He did say he liked the diner down the block, and I know the food’s not that great, so it must have some other attraction.”
    Avery looked up at Clay. “Do you mean the large—well maybe not to you—guy who for the last week has had coffee at the diner morning and night? Why then when you were in the other day didn’t you acknowledge that you knew him? You sat at the counter and didn’t join him at the booth he was sitting in.”
    “You’re very observant. We like that around this place. Just another reason to hire you. James has been meeting with a lot of property owners, and I didn’t want our relationship to get out so anyone wouldn’t try to influence our choice. It seems like a lot of people don’t have scruples when money is involved. James, I didn’t have to worry about—I trust him. But others, not so much. Now that we have the building up and ready to open, he will be working with us on the day-to-day operations. In fact, he has the office just right of the reception area, so you two will be getting to know each other well. All I can say is if James tells you something, it’s the same as talking to me, so he will be helping you settle in and get a feel for the job. Any questions, just ask James. He won’t steer you wrong.”
    “Well, the help would be appreciated.” Avery stared off into space, thinking of the yummy man that had been in her thoughts since she first spotted him sitting in one of the booths at the diner. Maybe she would finally get a glimpse of what was under his jacket. He seemed to be very well built. Maybe at the apartment she could try and think of something to get him out of it. Turning up the heat might even get him to strip off his shirt. God, what thoughts were going through her head?
    Clay stood looking at Avery as she schemed. James had better watch out, this lady had plans for him if the glint in her eyes and the secret smile on her face meant anything.
    Clay cleared his throat, snapping Avery from her muse.
    “What time do you want to get started moving? Should I have James meet you here after work so you can start right away?”
    Avery looked at Clay with horror on her face. No way was anyone coming to her apartment until she cleaned up a bit. Clothes were piled high in one corner for the wash. She was so scared of going down to the laundry room, she kept putting it off until she had basically nothing to wear. Also, the breakfast and dinner dishes were piled in the sink, never mind the unmade bed that she rolled out of this morning, excited about the possibility of a new job.
    “I think tomorrow morning at ten should be soon enough. It will give me a chance to gather together my stuff and won’t slow him down. I can get boxes behind the grocery store tonight and be ready by then.”
    “Tell you what, I’ll have James grab the boxes and bring them here so you can pick them up on your way home. You go right by here anyway.”
    “How do you know where I live? I didn’t tell you.”
    Clay thought fast. “Your address was on your application and I noticed it. Since I’ve been in the area looking at a lot of properties, I know where you live.”
    “Sorry again for questioning you, but a girl can’t be too careful. That would save me a lot of time, if James doesn’t mind doing that.”
    “Oh,