Kav, you simply must get Myles home to figure out that Carolyn is his new domestic engineer...then he can discover she doesn't have a car....and he can set about helping her.....

This story is gut-wrenching! The secret fear of every parent...not being able to provide and adequately care for your children........

Myles better scamper on home before Jack loses it...then Myles better be very observant and notice how much Carolyn needs help.

Have I told you lately that this is brilliant?????

Such wonderful posts today! My heart breaks a little more every time I read of Carolyn's plight, though I'm grateful for the glimmer of hope I see, with the lives of the team, Carolyn and Cassie becoming more intertwined all the time. Amazing, amazing writing!

I keep finding myself in tears for Carolyn and Cassie. You are weaving an incredible story together. I found Mrs. Church's name quite ironic. Is Rev. Brambles in the same ball park?

I can't imagine what Jack is thinking, but I'm sure he won't have brains to just ask Sue out right. That would be too much to ask.

Beautiful, poignant story.

kav !! this story is just amazing!! i love it!!

uh oh jack !! wonder how he will react!! myles better let go of sue's hand and run!!

can't wait for more!!

Ah, geez. I could totally see that Jack moment coming... and it's not a good one.

I say Myles should give her leave to tell him about his church-going and soul-searching, since he's obviously feeling bad about interrupting them. It's a thought!

And I guess we know who Myles' maid is!

And perhaps Cassie will find Myles!

Oh, I can't wait for more.

And you're really tugging at my heart here, with Cassie and her mom. I sure hope they hit a good spell soon!! And I sure hope Myles can assure he he doesn't want that money back!

Well, I'm looking forward to more!

sure hope myles tells jack about going to church or at least that there is nothing happening with him and sue, although jealous jack might take some action towards getting sue back

or then again, maybe not....... this is jack we're talkking about

cath

How can you leave us here?!?!?!? Jack, they are only friends and you know it!!!!!

I am so glad you let Carolyn to catch the lady from agency, I wouldn't like you if she would lose the job!

And next part will be when?????


Restie

oh wrong time to walk in Jacky boy......wrong time.....



So Carolyn is at Myles..... i hope they will be able to help each other......

I feel very sorry for Carolyn life hasn't treated her very well lately.... I hope the ladies and the team from Breakfast club, as well as Myles as new employer can make the world a little brighter for her and Cassie!

Myles is so cute when he is so unsure, but yet I feel very sorry for him...no-one has ever taught him how to pray..... that's sad! I'm glad Sue is around. She might have acted a little harsh on him, but I guess he needed that to see she's right.... The scene reminds me now of the first pilot episode, where Sue tells Levi that God will show them the right road towards DC, she sees the sign in her mirrir, looks up and mumbles 'That´s quick!´ or something like that!

First off aren't you the one complaining that Trece has smashed your heart and is tap dancing on the pieces and now you're doing it to Jack?

Secondly, the whole breakfast club is turning out to be quite the scenario. Pancakes for 20? That's nothing I once made spaghetti for 50+ college age swimmers, 10,000 feet up on a mountain (altitude changes how well and how quickly things cook).

Thirdly, I love your story and the gentle nudges Sue give to Myles as well as the ones you give to us!

Sue, Jack and Myles bring new meaning to the words "wrong timing!"

Alright, I'm posting again... just couldn't stay away. lol.

You are really tugging at my heart, here, with Carolyn's plight. Her desperation and fear and hopelessness are so heartwrenching I feel like I could cry (and that's saying a lot). You are doing an excellent job making her emotions real and tangible, and utterly heartbreaking.

Myles has such a fantastic opportunity, here! Perhaps this will change his hardened heart. Maybe he'll fall in love with Carolyn's excellent housekeeping, or something! lol. Or, he may see Cassie at the breakfast club, and that'll do the trick. Whatever it is, I think Myles is in for some changes, and he'll barely know what hit him!

Keep it up!

Honestly, stories like this keep me young... lol, not that I'm even 19 yet. It's more like they're my escape from reality when I need it most. The past few days have been hard, and may get harder, so I am so glad I can retreat to fanfiction land, where my heart still hurts, but for another reason-- one that's meant to be there.

Again, keep up the awesome work!!!

Oh wow. This is a really tough situation. I think there are a lot of people who are going to learn something about lfe in your story.

Especially Myles. He seems to take a lot of things for granted and I believe that when he gets to know Cassie and her mother more, he'll be more grateful for the things he has (and hopefully be able to help them as well )

I was totally going to say that!

Um well, actually, see, it's hard to write fluff when your heart is in a million pieces under somebody's heel! Good recovery, huh? It's going to get better, honest!!!!


The trouble with praying for inspiration unceasingly was that it never came at a convenient time – like right now for instance. Sue blew the bangs off her forehead in a sigh of frustration as a feeling washed over her that she needed to finish this conversation with Myles. You better be my backup, she prayed none to reverently as, taking a deep breath, she ignored Jack’s confused look, the doubt that lurked in his eyes, the incredulity in his expression and bravely smiled an apology.

“Jack, could you give us a couple of minutes – we’re in the middle of something important here.” Her hand still pressed against Myles’ chest and she felt the rapid acceleration of his heartbeat as he digested her words. He looked down at her as if she’d gone mad, and, she reflected, she probably had.

It wasn’t always easy to prioritize things the way God wanted you to. She was living proof of that this very second. Her own heart plummeted as she watched Jack leave the room without a word. What must he be thinking?

“Sue…” Myles began to protest but she cut him off, refusing to allow them to get off course. This was too important and Myles was going about it all the wrong way.

“We’re not playing games anymore,” she told him firmly and gave him a little punch in the chest to silence his attempt at denial. “Don’t you dare lie to me, Myles. You’re doing everything you can think of to fulfill your end of the bargain without really doing it.”

“Well, you would say that, you just shredded the only evidence I had,” Myles rebuked hotly.

“That was just busy work so you didn’t have to get down to the challenge at hand. You were trying to pray without really praying and I won’t let that slip by. You ‘re the one who asked me to help. Did you really mean it?”

Myles slumped back into his chair, suitably chastened. He had been avoiding the depth intended in the exercise by skimming over the surface in subterfuge. Trust Sue to find him out and call him on it. “Yes,” he mumbled gruffly with his head down.

“I couldn’t see that,” Sue complained.

He lifted his head. “You know I said yes.”

Sue smiled. “But I wanted to see you say it. Myles, why did you start attending church?”

He couldn’t quite meet her eye as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He’d rather undergo a polygraph test than endure the penetrating stare of Jack’s prodigy. “I don’t know. And that’s the truth. I suppose I was just curious at first and now…I’m searching.” He whispered the last words but she could read them clearly.

“What are you searching for?”

“Well if I knew that I wouldn’t be searching for it, would I?” Myles suddenly exploded out the chair and walked agitatedly around the office. He could hear the ping of the elevator and the murmur of voices in the hallway. Soon he’d gain a reprieve from Sue’s probing questions and oddly enough, he wasn’t sure if he would be relieved or not.

Conscious of the fact that they didn’t have much time before the rest of the team came surging back to the bullpen, Sue risked speaking her mind. “You’re never going to find it if you keep running.”

Her soft words penetrated his thick hide as no amount of debating and pontificating could have done. Of course, she was right. He was running…in terror if truth be known, only he would never tell her that. He was beginning to feel too much. Emotions long buried, even some never felt before, were breaking through the surface of his carefully organized life and he didn’t know how to restore order to the chaos they brought. Better to shove them back down, bury them up and let things be like they were before. Before what? Before the first day he took that first hesitant step into The Church of the Redeemer. Something changed inside him that day and he didn’t like it. This stretching and growing, spiritual muscles taut with tension as he tried to learn to flex them one by one. Frankly, he was afraid of the new strength he felt lurking there, reluctant to let go of the familiar for some intangible feeling that may or may not be valid.

He found it impossible to look at Sue, not wanting to face her pity…and disgust. He could feel her looking at him, waiting patiently for his reply. He suddenly knew that she would wait all afternoon if she had to, and on into the evening without complaint. She might be prodding him along, but she'd let him set an honest pace. He closed his eyes momentarily, trying to block the wave of emotions that came crashing around him. When he opened them again, Sue was back at his side, looking up at him with compassion, not pity after all.

“I’m still not sure,” he said quietly, “not certain what it is I’m searching for, but I know I want to try. Tell me what to do.”

Sue had never seen Myles Leland III so open and vulnerable and she marveled at the miracles God could indeed perform. She likened Myles transformation right up there with Moses parting the Red Sea.

“Prayer is just having a conversation – just pretend you’re talking to yourself and invite God to listen in. Don’t think about it or plan it or try to orchestrate it, just be open to inviting Him in.”

What if He doesn’t want to come in? He didn’t voice his secret fear out loud; couldn’t risk the confirmation he just might see in her eyes before she could hide it. His own father had never thought he was worth getting to know, why should this one who had so many other more worthy sons and daughters to bask in? He heard Bobby joking outside in the hallway, and Jack’s curt response.

“We’re about to be inundated,” he warned her.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it encouragingly. “It really is easy, Myles. Once you start talking to your Father, he’ll start talking back and your life will get less complicated as you listen to his advice.”

Jack was back in the bullpen; his eyes firmly fixed on their clasped hands.

Myles smirked. “You were doing pretty well until that last bit, Thomas. Mind running that by me again? You can start by telling me how uncomplicated your life just got in the last oh, fifteen minutes or so thanks to You Know Who.” He pointed Heavenward, and, with a wicked glint in his eys, kissed her hand before releasing it and walkin across to his desk.

All right, Kav, I'm holding you to that promise that it'll get better!

I like how Myles realized that Sue was pushing him because she's honestly trying to help him...and how he was able to be painfully honest with her in return. Now, Sue better get going and talking to Jack! Methinks she's got some explaining to do....

Myles!!!!!

I can see the steam coming off Jack's head. Kav, you are killing us here and poor Jack. Please end his misery soon. Isn't it about time that they go grocery shopping anyways?????? More posts tonight????

Poor Jack! He's so in love and is a bit confused about Sue and Myles. Me also thinks the time for that trip to the supermarket is way overdue!

I think seeing Myles and Sue talk is doing Jack some good. Let him stew for a while - give him something to think about!

Now - the grocery store is next....yes?

For a minute Flip I thought you were offering to do my grocery shopping this week...darn it!

Is stewed Jack just a new type that all of you love?

Carolyn was on sensory overload; assaulted by the sheer decadence that surrounded her. Finding it difficult to settle down to work, she wandered through the house, transfixed by the home decorating magazine decor. People really did live like this. She walked softly, almost reverently having no desire to break the tranquil spell of the house.

It was the stillness she appreciated the most. She had to strain to detect any noise from outside. The silence enveloped her, soothing her ragged nerves. There were no honking horns, revving engines, loud parties or guttural street language here. Just sublime peacefulness, and, if she listened hard enough, the gentle stirrings of the wind in the trees.

The rooms were tastefully and expensively decorated and no expense had been spared in the architectural detailing. She trailed her fingers along the shiny surface of an antique writing desk, the wood felt smooth and warm to the touch. She was pretty sure this was what heaven would be like, and she got to visit once a week. It seemed almost sacrilegious to take the money they would pay her to keep this home clean and tidy.

A mouth-watering aroma wafted out from the kitchen. Carolyn breathed deeply, her stomach rumbling a hungry protest as she followed her nose to the large capacity crockpot where a stew was simmering. The temptation to lift the lid and steal a taste was almost too much to bear. She admired the state of the arc kitchen with the stainless steel appliances, opening cupboard after cupboard to marvel at the vast array and quantity of food there. She tried to memorize every detail to tell Cassie later. A story was already forming in her mind – about a little girl who was really a princess only she didn’t know it until a stranger took her away to the palace. The palace would be like this house – she wouldn’t have to use her imagination to furnish it for her; that had already been done, right down to the stocked larder. She rather thought that if she had a kitchen like this she would take the doors off all the cupboards just so she could have the satisfaction of looking at all that food so carefully stored there.

She placed her hand against her gnawing stomach, the hollowness curving her belly inward between her jutting hipbones. Thou shalt not steal, she lectured herself severely and turned her back on the row of cupboards. Though her stomach screamed its protest, she fought for control. So much food for one man – would he really notice one small tin of tuna missing? It was just a whisper of a thought, but a nagging one that wouldn’t go away. She allowed herself one last sweeping glance of envy before she bustled out of the room and out of temptation’s way. It would be better to start at the top of the house and work her way down.

* * *

Myles had a gut feeling. He didn’t often have them and this one was strong. He wrestled with it for the better part of an hour before throwing his pen down in disgust with such an audible sigh that even Bobby looked up in concern.

“That maid should have called by now. I think I should go check and see if my house is still standing.” He was only half-joking.

“Maybe she didn’t see your note,” Tara suggested unperturbed.

“I left it right there on the kitchen counter underneath the muffin tray. She couldn’t miss it – I made my famous applesauce cinnamon muffins. Who can resist those? And I told her to take a few.” His mind made up, Myles stood, putting on his jacket. “Wonder Dog do your job and get Sue.”

Levi obliged by pawing Sue’s lap and pointing his nose across the room.

“Sorry Sue, I have to cancel our date,” Myles said regretfully. “Unless you want to come with? I’m going to run to my house and back in an hour.”

Sue's eyes shot daggers at him but he pretended not to notice.

"No? Pity. Maybe I can make it up to you later," he breezed past her desk and out the door leaving the rest of the team gaping at his retreating back. Mental note to self: wear kevlar vest this afternoon and steer clear of Hudson.

I'm enjoying Myles trying to 'help' Sue.....a kevlar vest, huh?

What a scene - Carolyn's honesty...and hunger....wow!

Looking forward to Myles finding her. He's got to help!

myles you rock

how strong is carolyn...resisting the temptation when she is so hungry

Yeah...Myles is going home...Wahoo!

Poor Sue, she is going to have a lot of explaining to do....

Sleep well and thanks for one more post

Sheesh now I'm hungry and flip didn't even offer to do my shopping!

I almost hope it rains all day tomorrow so I can sit here by my computer and wait for you to post!

Kav, your stories have my emotions on a see-saw! I think Flip's comments show what I mean... Yeah, I hope Myles knows how to run... and fast!Yup, totally agree with Flip...I just hope Myles won't be too dense to figure out just how much Carolyn and Cassie need his--and the team's--help.

Funny but possibly very true!!

Myles you high-tail it back to your house, realize who your new maid is, make her eat some good food and help her and Cassie out as much as you can and she will allow!

Carolyn's hunger was palpable. I kept thinking just make a piece of toast, Myles won't care. Her character shines through and the contrast is amazing.

I love Myles' way of "helping" Sue and the kevlar vest comment

Kav, your ability to twist, turn, manipulate, and cajole your characters is stupendous.......wonderfully done!
And poor Carolyn......starving and here she could be eating muffins! Thoughtful of Myles, btw. which is more than I can say for his comments to Sue! Oy. Steer clear of Jack is an understatement!

Jill

loved that line and Carolyn s honesty and integrity, can't wait for her to meet Myles and for jack and Sue to start talking

As always i am in completely awe of your talent......


Myles maybe you need a full coat of armour this afternoon....

QUOTE

Mental note to self: wear kevlar vest this afternoon and steer clear of Hudson.

he might need it !!!

Kav,

I have jsut managed to catch up with this story, it is fantastic. There are so many different levels, all fantastic.

I hope Myles reacts appropriately when he finds Carolyn, and hope Jack listens properly to Sue when she explains...

Soph

Pontificating!!! What an excellent word!

Am I really really stupid, cos I just don't understand why we’re talking about groceries all of a sudden. Did I miss something? Unless Jack is going to the supermarket to get a chill pill (only I suspect they might not actually exist) Perhaps he injured himself jumping to conclusions and chucking a sad (it’s like a cross between a tantrum and a sulk, something of a specialty of mine.)

Myles He seems to be really enjoying messing with poor clueless Jack.

So sorry, Pam....I don't even want to do my own shopping! But, alas, that is where I am headed now...so I'll be happy to pick up anything you need/want....just let me know!

Jellybean - Sue and Jack (at Sue's request) are going to buy the groceries to fix breakfast for the school's breakfast club. They are helping Lucy, who is helping her grandma, with the program. Does that help?

Ack all this talk about groceries reminds me that I need to be heading that way too!!!!! And I don't have a car so I get to do it with a little old lady grocery cart!


Ask him.

She couldn’t find the words – not across the bullpen within distance of everyone else.

Hungry. You. She had his attention – and the rest of the room’s as well. You and I go to restaurant.

Jack considered her proposal thoughtfully for a minute, and then looked at his watch as she nervously chewed her lip waiting for him to reply. It had never occurred to her that he might publicly reject her offer. Please say yes.

Her spirits soared when he signed Noon. Across the room Tara and Lucy released their pent up breaths, exchanging worried glances. Myles and Sue? That was just so wrong!

* * *

Opening the door, Myles noticed that the alarm had not been set but there was no car in the driveway. He looked suspiciously around the hallway. “Hello? Anyone here?” He frowned when there was no response. Had the maid come and gone already, forgetting to set the alarm? Angrily he strode through the house. The vacuum cleaner was still in the living room, the kitchen had yet to be touched and it looked as if his note hadn’t even been read. What had the twit been doing all morning? He picked up the phone with the intention of calling the agency and demanding an explanation when he heard a thump upstairs. He made his way back to the foyer in time to see an apparition of laundry making its slow descent down the stairs.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” he exclaimed in surprise.

Carolyn’s frightened shriek was muffled by the bedclothes, which seemed to explode all around her as she lost her footing and tumbled down the stairs. Arms flailing wildly, she grasped for some sort of purchase to break her fall. Not twice in one day, Father, please, help me. No sooner had the prayer entered her mind then she was grasped firmly by strong arms and settled onsolid ground again. Looking up in surprise she gasped “You!” in the identical shocked tone that he echoed the same exclamation.

“You live here?” Stupid question, Carolyn.

“You’re the maid the agency sent?” Intelligent response, Leland.

Her face flushed in embarrassment as she hastily began gathering up the scattered bed linens. “I’m sorry, I’m not usually that clumsy…” liar, “but you startled me.”

“Sorry,” Myles said reaching for a pillowcase at the same time she did. Their hands collided and so did their heads and they both yelped in surprise again. Myles laughed first. “Why aren’t you using the laundry shoot?”

Carolyn looked at him blankly. He wrestled half the bedding out of her arms and led the way through the kitchen to the laundry room where he indicated a large laundry basket strategically placed beneath a vent in the ceiling. He grinned at her wide-eyed wonder.

“Efficiency saving device. They used to be common in turn of the century homes and I had it incorporated into the house plans.”

“You built this house?”

“Just made a few alterations to suit my needs once I purchased it,” he said off-handedly. “Why didn’t you call?”

She was looking confused again. Not the brightest light-bulb in the box, he thought, oddly disappointed. But then if she had brains what would she be doing cleaning houses for a living?

“I asked you to phone me when you got here.”

Carolyn’s head was spinning, partially from the shock of seeing the tooth fairy man, as she had come to think of him, and partially from her tumble down the stairs, but largely because days of hunger had left her light-headed and definitely addled of brain.

Myles watched the colour recede from her face and her eyes glass over. His arms were out, his legs braced when she crumpled. “Hey, are you all right?” Another stellar observation, Leland. She’s unconscious in your arms.

unconsious in Myles arms....works for me!!!!

Jill

Oh! Poor Carolyn!

At least she's fainted into the changing Myles Leland's arms. I'm sure his reaction at this time will be much better than it would before he went in search of his something more!

Ack! I just had a thought! (And it hurt! ) What if Myles calls Sue, needing her help, and it interrupts her lunch with Jack? ACK! IFFFFF that happens, Sue just needs to bring Jack with her..it will help explain the situation and give Carolyn something to stare at while Myles and Sue talk. hehehehehe...of course, staring at Jack may make her faint again...

and me

cath

Okay, I’m loving Myles’ progress, no matter how reluctant he may be… but my gosh! Does he get some sick pleasure out of Sue and Jack’s discomfort? Haha. Kisses her hand?! I mean, come on!

I think it’s time Myles tried some real praying, and while he’s doing that for a good, long time, God can work with Jack and Sue. Hehe.

Next post
Okay, after reading that last post, it’s official. Myles definitely enjoying torturing Sue. Haha. He’d better be making it up to her in a much better way than making Jack turn into a Shrek-like, green-eyed monster. I mean, I’ll bet Jack’s fuming like crazy by now!

And I feel so much for Carolyn. How ironic, he’d left food for her, and she totally missed it. Poor thing. Myles had better cheer her up somehow… but I have a bad feeling she’ll just feel embarrassed. Myles, prove me wrong!!

Next post
Oh boy! Well, the meeting went better than I’d expected it would.

And Myes, FEED HER!!! This woman is definitely bright and intelligent and fantastic. But maybe you’re the one that needs to realize how skinny she is, and how physically exhausted she is. You’re holding her! It shouldn’t be too hard. Something’s amiss, man, and you’ve got the surveillance skills to realize it.

Okay, ranting over.

*Lizzy smiles*

Keep it up, Kav! You’re writing beautifully. D

So glad Myles has figured out who his new maid is...and now that Carolyn has fainted I'm certainly glad he's there to help! I look forward to seeing where this goes...

I agree with Lizzy...Hopefully, Myles "feels" how hungry she is. What an entrance Myles.

more please.....Hopefully, your trip to the grocery store provides you loads of inspiration

How embarassing. I forgot all about shopping for the breakfast club. I was distracted feeling sorry for Carolyn, yeah that was it...

She calls Myles the toothfairy man!!! That is just too cool!!

Poor Carolyn! I hope Myles will realise what her problem is...and I hope he will make her eat and drink properly! This story is excellent, Kav! It has so much potential, on the romantic level as well as on the spiritual. I feel like this last post has been a turning point in at least 5 lives, am I right?

Flip...hehehehehehe

and Kav we need MORE!!!!!!! * can i play the sick card*

Thanks flip I did mine yesterday! Then I made the gourmet meal of frozen pizza for dinner (well I did bake it)! I couldn't remember the ingredients for stewed Jack.

Kav no need for the little old lady cart - get a wagon. It doubles great for dragging things around the yard when gardening. I love mine and I can get lots of groceries in it too.

Now about the story - when are you posting again because it isn't raining here today but it is a little brisk so your story is adding some coziness.

I'm sure hoping we get a couple more posts today??!!??

Pretty PLEASE!!

I think I can manage a couple I'll have to if I want to get this finished in time.


“I did not faint.”

“Oh? Perhaps you took one look at me and feel into a swoon then?” Myles asked sarcastically as he crouched down beside Carolyn who was now sitting at the kitchen table.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped back.

“Now you’ve gone and hurt my feelings. You don’t think I’m swoonable material?”

Carolyn, still distinctly nauseous, struggled to process his words. She thought he was trying to be funny, but she wasn’t sure. Had she just insulted him? Her head was swimming and she was finding it difficult to concentrate. This was happening more and more lately. She’d get a distinct buzz and then she’d zone out, but she’d never fainted before.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you. I’ll get right back to work.” She tried to slide past him but he blocked her way.

“You’re in no condition to work,” he protested.

“But I have to. I’m not near finished and I need the…” Her voice sounded desperate to her own ears.

“Surely you’re entitled to a sick day?” he said dismissively.

She shook her head and then regretted the action as the dizziness returned. “I just started with the agency – I’m still on trial and I don’t get any benefits.” Father, this has to be the worst day of my life. Please let him understand. I can’t lose this job.

She lifted her head to look at him and for a brief second her mask slipped and he saw past it into a pain so deep that he caught his breath. Agony. He had never imagined it could look that…raw. In a flash it was gone, replaced by a smooth veneer that even a week ago he would have happily believed. Today though, something stirred within his breast. A tiny prickle that gave him pause. How can I help her?

“Are you hungry? Have you eaten today?” Her hesitancy was all the answer he needed and relieved to have something to do, he moved over to the crockpot. “This is what I came home for,” he lied as he efficiently filled a bowl with the steaming stew. “A colleague’s grandmother is ill and I’m going to send her home with some of my famous turkey stew. You might as well have some. I always make too much. I like to cook you see, but preparing a meal for one is so boring. I tend to overdo it and then give it away to friends. If I don’t it will go bad and I end up throwing it out.”

“You could freeze it,” she suggested as she gave rapt attention to his every move.

He was aware of her interest. Feed your neighbour. Now where had that thought come from? She hungers for more than just one meal. That one came out of nowhere as well. He was distracted by Carolyn’s movements. It looked like she was preparing to get up. His window of opportunity was closing and he whipped up his speed as he buzzed around the kitchen. An appetizer and the garnishes would have to be foregone.

“Sit back down and try this. You can be my taste tester,” he said encouragingly. “It’s already served.” He placed a tray in front of her and he noted with satisfaction that she seemed mesmerized by the arrangement before her.

She was sure she could live off the smell of it alone. She closed her eyes and inhaled the ambrosia, opening them quickly again in case it might somehow vanish when she wasn’t looking. He had filled a sunny yellow mug with milk, still frothing at the rim. She watched in fascination as the bubbles popped one by one, leaving the surface smooth and rich. It was a hearty stew, packed with colourful vegetables that gave the meal a festive feeling. And there was bread – a soft crusty whole-wheat roll that he had slathered with butter. It was so terrifyingly beautiful she wanted to weep. She self-consciously blew her nose instead and then wondered how she could manage to get this incredible feast to Cassie.

“I should really finish cleaning. I’ve lost time as it is and I can’t be late picking Cassie up. It’s very kind of you…I could parcel it up and take it with me. I’ll do the dishes.” She rose from her seat only to have a hand push her back down.

Her shoulders were bony, he thought inconsequentially…or perhaps not. She was all over bony, he knew for he’d carried her the scant distance from the laundry room. But she was hollow where a woman’s curves should be and he had distinctly felt her ribs as his hand spanned her waist when he settled her in the kitchen chair. She hungers for more. There it was again, thoughts in his mind that weren’t quite his own. Either he was going mad or…Show me how to help her.

He opened his mouth and words came pouring out. “Nonsense, sit and eat and I’ll put aside more for you to take home. It must be hard cleaning house for other people and then going home to face all the same chores there.” Myles bustled around the kitchen as he talked, pulling two disposable plastic containers from the cupboard and heaping more stew into each of them. He expertly pulled apart the crusty rolls, slathering them with butter and neatly zipping them into a plastic lunch bag. Almost as an after thought he grabbed the muffins from the island counter and tossed four into another ziplock. All the time she watched him in wide-eyed wonder. “So – is there enough salt?”

Startled by his question she realized she had yet to taste the food he had put in front of her. Hastily, she drew the spoon to her lips and closed her eyes in ecstasy as a burst of flavour traveled down her throat. “Perfect. It’s heavenly.”

He felt like an intruder watching her in an intimate connection with the food as she savored each mouthful and he could tell she was growing self-conscious again under his scrutiny.

“Will you look at that? I’ve slopped turkey all over my shirt. I’ll just go change while you finish up,” he said and discreetly left her alone.

She waited until she heard his footsteps on the landing above before she abandoned the spoon all together. Breaking off a piece of bread she shoveled up some of the stew and popped the combination into her mouth, repeating the process again and again until the bread was gone. Then she lifted the bowl to her lips and licked every last remnant of flavour from the china. She was breathless when she finished and had to rest a minute before grabbing up the mug and guzzling the milk down in one long gulp. She was washing the dishes when he came back downstairs.

“That didn’t take long,” he said, smiling.

“It was wonderful. You’re a very good cook,” Carolyn suddenly felt shy and embarrassed and very aware of his 6-foot frame towering over her.

“Dessert?” He asked, tossing her a muffin.

She caught it automatically and had crammed nearly half of it into her mouth before she realized what she was doing. Luckily he had turned away, busying himself with preparing a care package his co-worker’s grandmother.

“I took the liberty of calling the agency while I was upstairs,” he informed her off-handedly. “I told them I required your services tomorrow as well. They switched your schedule, so you can take the rest of the day off and finish up here tomorrow and still get your full pay. Now, where’s your car?”

Carolyn was beginning to feel much better now that she had some food in her system and his high-handedness rankled her. She chose her words carefully though, since he had been so kind. “That wouldn’t be fair and I’m feeling much better now. Thank you, it was just a dip in blood sugar, that’s all. I can finish working here," she firmly assured him.

Myles looked at the clock. “Does your little girl go to a babysitter after school?” The panic-stricken look on her face was all the answer he needed. “Then why don’t you let me worry about what’s fair. You’ve made a good head start here today and you can finish up at a more leisurely pace tomorrow. I don’t mind at all. In fact, if it will make you feel better I’ll let you clean out my fridge and stove to even things out. Now, you still haven’t told me about your car.”

She had that deer-in-the-headlights look again and Myles knew there wasn’t a car. He also knew that the agency required each employee to have one. Their brochure included services such as shopping errands and it was something he definitely had availed himself of with former maids.

“It broke down. I had to take the bus,” Carolyn admitted reluctantly, thinking that she really wasn’t lying. Her car had broken down, just not on the way to work this morning. “It was towed. I should have it by tomorrow.” She barely blushed as she told the untruth.

“Then you’ll need a ride into town. I have to get back now anyway, so why don’t I give you a lift? That should give you a couple of hours to rest before Miss Cassandra needs picking up.” He parceled up her food and handed it to her in a brown shopping bag with rope handles. Grabbing Alice’s rations he headed for the front door and turned expectantly when she didn’t follow.

“The laundry…your kitchen, I should at least tidy up a bit…”

“It will all be here tomorrow. I certainly don’t intend doing anything with it this evening. Come alone Miss…I don’t even know your name.” Myles frowned at this obvious oversight on his part.

“Stevenson. Carolyn Stevenson. Didn’t the agency tell you?”

“They probably did, but I didn’t pay attention,” Myles admitted, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at this confession. He hadn’t bothered remembering because she was just a maid, but now that he had met her he realized that she was much more.

Carolyn found the ride into the city torturous. He talked a mile a minute, punctuating his witty remarks with questions that caught her off guard and she revealed far too much. Now he knew that she nearly had an English degree in Children’s Literature and where she’d gone to school. He knew the make and model of her car and even her license plate, though she couldn’t quite figure out how that had come up in the conversation and now he was intent on taking her right to her door. Only all she had was a car door and she couldn’t bear the shame of him finding that out.

“Really, just drop me off at an intersection and I’ll be fine,” she insisted again as they stopped at a red light.

“With all that stuff you have to carry?” he asked scornfully. “I’ll take you home, it’s not that far out of my way. Left or right?” he asked referring to the next intersection up ahead.

“Right.” Carolyn saw the familiar structure of the public library. “Stop here,” she instructed and had the car door open before he could give a word of protest. She struggled with her seatbelt as he peered around the neighbourhood. “There aren’t any apartments around here,” he complained.

Freeing herself at last, Carolyn practically leapt out of the car. “It’s fine. Perfect. Really. I…I have an overdue library book. I’ll just return it and go straight home. It’s just around the corner. Honest. Thank you so much for the food and everything. Bye.”

She had disappeared behind the revolving door of the library before he could navigate into a parking spot and Myles drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. She was cagey, that Miss Stevenson, but intriguing. Something wasn’t quite right here and he intended to find out what that was. Too impatient to waste the precious minutes it would take him to reach the Hoover building, he dialed the office.

“Tara? I need you to do a check for me. Carolyn Stevenson.” He rattled off the information he had subtly gleaned on the drive into town and added, “Put a rush on it, will you?” Pocketing his cell, he turned the key in the ignition and merged with traffic again as something warm and glowing filled his chest.