Chapter 3 The House that Jack Built

He beamed when he saw me, his blue eyes twinkling, the deep cleft in his cheek prominent as he grinned.. He was in a fresh plaid cotton shirt and jeans, wearing boots that looked dusty. I felt a stirring in my heart as I saw him. He looked like a person who would hold your hand and never leave you. Simple and unassuming.

After the school, we visited refused to accommodate me saying they were already overstaffed, my shoulders drooped as we started back. Seeing my look of abject disappointment as we walked back to his truck, he sat for a minute musing, behind the wheel of his truck.

I had grown comfortable with him and after meeting Beth and Joe who were his closest friends, I knew that Jack was no predator. He had a guileless look on his good looking face, his blue eyes blinking rapidly behind his glasses when he was trying to convince someone. I had warmed to him immediately.

Leaning my head against the old headrest of his truck, I thought of the long journey back home and I sighed unconsciously. Somehow, Jack and the pretty little town of Carrow Hill seemed too appealing. I realized with a start that I did not want to leave!

I became aware that Jack was watching me. Turning to face him, I surprised a look of longing on his face. But his question took me by surprise.

He asked, hesitantly,

"Look, I know this is silly but...could you come and work for me? '

I looked up at him from under my lashes, curious. He was a good looking man, with a deep cleft in his left cheek when he smiled. Clean-shaven and smelling good, he looked non-threatening. I had met all sorts on my journey as my Dad had warned me I would but Jack was so obviously not the sort of man my Dad had warned me about.

I stared into his smiling, warm blue eyes and waited for him to go on.

"I need...' he looked shamefaced as he said it, 'Actually, I need a housekeeper. I ...'

My face must have registered my astonishment because he immediately threw his hands up

"I'm sorry...I mean...'

He rubbed his forehead as he muttered almost to himself,

"Damn, I should know better than to ask you. You're a trained teacher, you obviously would not want to keep house for a single man ...'

I laughed and interrupted him, shaking my head, my long wavy blonde hair which I wore in a braid, flying with the vigorous movement. Reaching out, I touched his wrist as it lay on the steering wheel and his eyes shot to my face.

"No, no!' I said, shaking my head, giggling,' It's just that I never did think anyone would employ me as a housekeeper!'

I giggled, again,' I'm not yet twenty. And my Mom used to get really mad at me for leaving my space so messy!'

His silence made me turn to look at him and I blushed at the warmth in his eyes.

"How old are you then, Melissa Tripp? 'he spoke in a soft voice almost as though he was afraid of the answer.

"I'm nineteen. I ...shall be twenty in seven months though,' I said shyly, tucking the tendrils of golden hair behind my ear.

He quickly turned his head and said in a soft voice, almost pensively,

"I am thirty-eight.'

There was an awkward silence. With a start, I realized that I was looking at him like a woman eyes a man she desires to have. I was beginning to feel a strange attraction towards this kind man who had helped me and who still wanted to keep me close to him. We had only known each other for a few hours but I was already comfortable with him, feeling a sense of safety that I had rarely felt before. Although he barely knew anything except for my name and the fact that I was out to look around and explore the world before I took up a full-time job.

He sighed and began speaking.

'Look, the thing is, my wife left me a little more than a year ago.' His voice wobbled and I looked at him sharply. He swallowed and went on,

"She...I haven't been able to get back on track...'

And then, almost half to himself,

"The house is a mess. Andrea was very good at keeping things in order.'

He turned and smiled, his hair tousled, his blue eyes on me, pleading.

"So, could you...? I mean I will pay you...' and he named a sum that had me open my mouth in astonishment.

"Hey, hold on!' I cried in alarm, sitting up straighter. "You live in a house, not a palace or something right? I mean...'

He roared in laughter and I smiled, I could not help it.

"No, my dear Melissa.' He said, his eyes brimming with laughter. The way he said My Dear Melissa made my body tingle. I really liked him. It was simply so old world!

'It's just that I do not want to take advantage of you. And I can easily afford it. So yes, I shall be paying you. Well.'

And then, almost shyly,

"Are you...? I mean, will you consider...?'

I started out and thought for a while, biting my lip. I was almost at the end of my journey. I had not intended to return before the end of summer and it would be great to have a small nest egg saved when I got back.

Turning, I grinned. He was looking at me, literally holding his breath, his eyes fixed on my profile. I simply could not resist that woebegone puppy dog look.

"Yes, I said cheerfully,' I'm in.'

The look of joy on his face chased away whatever inhibitions I had had. But at nineteen, I was the kind to think with my heart, not my head.

After texting my parents about my whereabouts, we set off to his cabin which was tucked away in the woods, facing the lake.

I jumped down from the truck, staring wide-eyed at the view.