Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 10

Siobhan chose a small corner table in the cafe across from Harlowe & Co. The only coffee shop I knew of was the one across from The Old Town Tavern. It was a truck parked on the side of the road, where the smoke and noise of passing cars drowned the fresh aroma of coffee. In contrast, the place where Siobhan took me was wafted with freshly baked bread and perfectly brewed coffee. Warm lighting and pastries behind glass looked too perfect to be real. The quiet hum of acoustic music was calming, a complete contrast to the one back at the store.

“That overgrown toddler!” Siobhan grunted, her nose flaring as she read Beckett’s long, unreasonable grocery list.

A giggle fell from my lips. It was a bit hilarious to see someone so sophisticated being riled by my boss. Siobhan was once again in a sharp suit jacket, and underneath it was a pristine white mini dress that made her a tad younger than her age. It made her mossy eyes brighter, those same eyes that were now frowning at me.

“This isn’t funny, Andi. No wonder no one lasted more than two weeks with him,” she sighed, dropping the list on the table. “That list is just… just insane!” Even in her infuriated state, Siobhan’s voice still sounded businesslike–not too loud to gain attention, but sharp enough to hit her target on point.

I wrapped my hands around the mug, taking my time as I took a sip. I ordered salted caramel, and the taste of this coffee was divine; it made me moan. This kind of taste was something out of my world. It felt like I was once again stepping into another woman’s life.

Siobhan watched me closely, one brow arched in that intimidating way she had, then she giggled. “You’re…” she searched for words. “Strange.”

I blinked at her. “Strange?”

She nodded with a hum. “Yes, that best describes what I see. Beckett gave you this stupid list, you bought everything.” She cast a glance at the pickup truck parked in front of the cafe. It stood out because the back was overflowing with tennis balls and Christmas decorations. “And you still find time to enjoy sipping your coffee languidly.”

My smile was timid as I set the cup down, rolling my shoulder in a shrug. “This is the best coffee I’ve ever tasted,” I admitted honestly, a memory crossing my mind. Mom said I made the best coffee. Perhaps she was just saying that because she was my mother, but I always try my hardest to make her nice coffee and meals. I wish she could taste this coffee too.

Siobhan cleared her throat. She must have seen the solemn memory that crossed my mind. “Well, I’m glad you liked that After what you’ve been through, you deserve more than just coffee.”

We both giggled at that. This was very kind of Siobhan, trying to ease the tension in my shoulders after what happened at the store. I had honestly forgotten about food when I jumped from one store to another. If this cafe’s coffee is this good, I can’t wait to taste the scone, cinnamon roll, croissant, and coffee cake that we ordered.

“But on a serious note,” Siobhan’s voice took a business curve as she sat up taller. “Tell me what happened at the mansion And please don’t tell me things are okay” She raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows at the list on the table. “That’s evidence of Beckett’s abuse of authority”

I let out a long breath. “I will tell you, but can you promise not to meddle?”

Her eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “Andi, you are my responsibility, and I can see that Beckett is being an asshole.”

Asshole wouldn’t even cover what he did today, and he would probably do worse tomorrow, but I can handle his bratty attitude. Siobhan doesn’t know how badly I need this job, that I would sleep outside it Beckett decided to take away my privilege of using the pool house.

“Because,” I trailed off, thinking of a better way to put my desperation into words, one that Stubhan would understand. “I’m a grown woman who grew up in a trailer park, Siobhan. I grew up with people like Beckett.”

1/3

019

Chapter 10

10 vouchers

She looked at me knowingly with those mossy eyes. She was peering deep into my soul, like a Michelin inspector would inspect a restaurant, turning me over side to side, searching for any flaw. “I can do that, but I need you to promise me one thing, too.”

I blew a sigh. “What?”

“That you will call me the moment he lays hands on you, and I mean it, Andi. Even if he just so much as pulls a strand of your hair,” she said explicitly, as if commanding a K9 to find illegal substances in Beckett’s mansion.

“I promise,” I said, blinking at her.

“Put my number on speed dial,” she commanded, sounding like Caleb.

“Alright.” I raised my hand and took my phone, placing her number on speed dial 2, then showed it to her.

“Who’s on speed dial 1?” She frowned.

“My little brother,” I giggled.

Siobhan’s laugh was unfiltered. That was the first time I heard her genuine laugh, and probably the last. “So that’s why he sent you away, huh?”

Our order arrived, and my stomach grumbled. “Yup.”

By the time I reached the estate, the sky was sliding into shades of orange and purple. I passed by Basil and waved at him. He was watering the plants in the front yard, pausing to stare at the back of the pickup truck, then he removed his straw hat, pressing it onto his chest. I think he might have murmured a prayer.

I parked the truck, and Basil was already there to help when I stepped out. Since the estate was far from the city and surrounded by forest, the sound of the heavy music pumping inside the mansion could be heard from the parking lot.

“Thank you,” I said to Basil as he helped me unload the boxes from the truck.

He nodded. “Where will everything go?”

The kitchen,” I said.

Basil frowned. “Everyone is at the back. It’s probably best if we unload this tomorrow. You just park the truck in the garage.”

“Everyone?”

“The young master has visitors,” Basil said. I still have to get used to hearing Basil calling Beckett Young Master. It sounds like I’m an extra in some sort of Telenovela on TV, where our boss is a rich, spoiled brat who’s hellbent on making my life miserable because he is sad and lonely.

“Oh, okay.” I put the boxes back that I had taken. Basil was ready to get back into his work when a question crossed my mind. “Who are his visitors? And should I just go back to the pool house or should I go and say lu to the boss?”

Basil thought for a moment, conflicted. It seemed that he wasn’t asked anything very often. Hasil was old enough to be my grandfather. His gray hair was long, always tied in a low ponytail, and his work clothes were Kamiseta, pants, a straw hat, and rain boots. Despite the age lines on his face, anyone would see he was still tit to do his job.

“They are using the pool. You will see the young master on your way to your quarters,” he said. His strides were long when he turned around. I gathered he wasn’t accepting more questions.

2/3

2:16 pm

Chapter 10

10 AUTHEN

kay.” Imurmured into the air and jumped back inside the truck, parking it in the garage. I was three steps away from the car when remembered there were perishable goods in the back seat. My sigh was heavy when I realized I needed to go to the kitchen to stack the goods in the bulge “My day isn’t over just yet, huh?”

With two large bags weighing down my shoulders, I dragged my feet into the house. The music was booming through the entire mansion, and I could already smell smoke and

the moment I set foot inside

I wondered where the dogs were, because all I could see on my way to the kitchen were empty beer cans and red plastic cups. This meant more work for me. When I reached the kitchen, I saw people. Tall and massive people crowded the kitchen, and it looked like a storm surge of garbage had taken place.

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” I murmured to myself. It was when the people in the kitchen stopped talking that realized l had said those words louder than I should have.

3/3