Debt Collector Read online

  “No,” Andrew said. “He always eats before.”

  “Oh.”

  Silence fell over us again. I looked down at my fingers, unable to think of anything else to say. It wasn’t like me to be at a loss for words. I always had something to say. It was a huge source of annoyance for my best friend Kaddy. As I sat there with Andrew, I felt like I’d forgotten how to string two words together.

  Our eyes met, and I smiled shyly. Andrew didn’t look away this time. He held my gaze, and I realized that it was for the first time. Even when we went over the Benson contract, he did his best not to look at me. Now, though, I could see every color of his eyes.

  I hadn’t noticed it before, but Andrew’s eyes were two different colors. One was bright green, almost the same color as mine. The other was a pale blue, tinted with strings of grey.

  “Wow,” I said, unable to stop myself. “That’s something I’ve never seen.”

  “What?” Andrew frowned.

  “Your eyes,” I said. “They’re two different colors.”

  “Oh.” Andrew nodded. “Yeah, it’s weird.”

  “Kind of cool, though.” I shrugged. “It makes you unique.”

  “Or a freak,” Andrew said. “Whichever way you want to look at it.”

  Andrew wasn’t going to make this dinner easy. I sighed and adjusted my napkin again. Luckily, Liam reappeared just a few seconds later. He was pushing a large cart full of dishes. As he unloaded the dishes, I made a move to help him, but he stopped me quickly.

  “Oh no, Miss Sophie,” Liam said. “Please sit. I’ve got it.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Of course.”

  Liam smiled at me and began loading the dishes onto the table. He arranged them neatly, taking care to make sure both Andrew and I could reach them all.

  I thought Liam’s presence would make me feel more comfortable, but if anything, I was suddenly more nervous. It felt like Andrew and I now had an audience, someone there to critique our awkward interaction.

  I cleared my throat and turned back to face Andrew. No matter how awkward it was, I was going to keep talking until he warmed up. I wouldn’t spend the entire evening in silence.

  “Have you always worked for the company?” I asked. “Or did you just take over after your father passed?”

  “I’ve always played some role,” Andrew said. “I traveled a lot in my twenties, procuring artifacts and things.”

  “That must have been fun,” I said. “I’ve never been outside of Maine.”

  “No?” Andrew raised his eyebrows. “That’s surprising.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Your father,” Andrew said simply. “I know how much he loves expeditions.”

  “He did.” I nodded. “He and my mother used to travel all the time, but I never went with them. It was too expensive, and my schooling was too important. He doesn’t travel much anymore, though.”

  “Why not?” Andrew’s voice was tight. I could tell he didn’t like talking about my dad.

  “When my mother died, he just lost interest,” I said. “It was something they did together.”

  “I’m sorry about your mom,” Andrew said. He looked at me softly, his expression kinder than I’d ever seen it. “I didn’t realize she’d passed away.”

  “About six months ago.” I nodded. “It’s been hard. Mostly on Dad.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Andrew fell silent again. Something passed over his face, an expression I didn’t recognize. He seemed conflicted. It was hard for him to talk about my father, and still, I didn’t know why. In that moment, I thought about asking him. If anyone would tell me, it would be Andrew. I had a feeling he would jump at the chance to verbally eviscerate my dad’s character.

  It was for that reason that I didn’t ask. Our conversation was finally beginning to progress. Andrew was talking to me without his usual snotty attitude. I didn’t want anything to ruin that. Not yet.

  “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing toward the food.

  “Oh,” I said. I’d almost forgotten about eating. “Yes.”

  With Liam’s assistance, we each filled our plates and began to eat. Liam took two steps away from the table and stood against the wall. He was silent and still. So still that I often forgot he was even there. When I remembered, I felt a guilty pang in my stomach.

  “Won’t you sit down with us?” I asked, turning around to face him. “I’d love your company, Liam.”

  “Maybe another time, Miss Sophie,” Liam said. “I’ve already eaten my dinner.”

  “Not even some dessert?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows playfully.

  Liam chuckled, but shook his head. He resumed his stoic stature as I turned back to Andrew. He was watching me curiously, a slight frown wrinkling his forehead. He didn’t look angry, though, just uncertain.

  “It’s strange to be somewhere so nice,” I said, laughing to myself. “This place is huge. I’ve gotten lost a few times already.”

  “You’ll get used it,” Andrew said. “It’s not as big as you think.”

  “Much larger than my house,” I said.

  “Where do you live?” Andrew asked.

  “Here in Augusta,” I said. “Just on the other side of Market Street. It’s a small house, nothing special.”

  Andrew nodded. He took a few bites of his food, glancing around the room. Part of me felt bad for him. He didn’t seem to know how to behave around company. It was as if his entire body was plastered to a board, keeping him stick-straight and uncomfortable.

  “Where were you working?” Andrew asked. “I mean, before…”

  “Before you enlisted my servitude?” I asked, smiling slightly.

  Andrew smiled back. “Yeah, before that.”

  “There’s this little café in town,” I said. “Michelle’s. Have you heard of it?”

  Andrew nodded. “I’ve passed by a few times.”

  “I work there,” I said.

  “At a café?” Andrew frowned. “How does that work?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Do you take care of their books?” he asked. “Or their payroll?”

  “I work part-time on their books,” I said. “But mostly, I work as a barista.”

  Andrew looked more confused than ever. “Barista?”

  “Someone who makes coffee,” I said simply.

  “No, I know what a barista is,” Andrew said impatiently. “I just don’t understand why you work at a coffee shop. Don’t you have an accounting degree?”

  “I do.”

  Andrew continued to frown. He, like my father, didn’t understand my line of work. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to explain myself to Andrew Hopper.

  “And that makes you happy?” Andrew asked, surprising me. That wasn’t at all the question I’d been expecting.

  “It does,” I said with a nod. “Happier than anything else I’ve done.”

  Andrew nodded. He seemed to understand, which surprised me even more. I expected him to scoff, to tell me I was an idiot. I thought he would agree with my dad about my wasted potential. Instead, he let the subject drop easily.

  As the night went on, Andrew and I nibbled at our food and kept up an easy stream of conversation. He seemed to relax more with each passing minute. His shoulders were no longer tense, his chest sagged a little as he sunk into our conversation. He even cracked a smile a few times.

  “Do you miss traveling?” I asked him.

  “Sometimes,” he said with a shrug. “But honestly, I’ve always been really good at the business side of things. The digs and expeditions were more my father’s speed. I like the comfort of being in one place.”

  “I can understand that,” I said. “Though I would give anything for a little more life experience.”

  “Oh?” Andrew asked.

  I nodded. “The chance to travel around the world, to uncover ancient artifacts. It sounds like a dream come true.”

  “Why don’t you?” Andrew a
sked. “You can do that, especially with your father’s connections.”

  “Maybe one day.”

  “One day often turns into never,” Andrew said wisely.

  I smiled softly. He smiled back at me, and I found myself lost in his eyes. They were more captivating than I’d realized. The pale blue one was full of depth, but the green one pulled me in. It shone brightly, making Andrew look happier than I’d ever seen him.

  His dark hair was styled in the same way it always was, but that night, it seemed more casual. His outfit, a tight sweater and a pair of slacks, fit him well. Every article of clothing hugged him perfectly. I had to tear my eyes away to keep from staring like a fool.

  “Um,” I said, clearing my throat. “When do I get to see some of the artifacts you have? Liam said you’ve been busy cataloguing in your office. If you ever need help, I’d be happy to assist.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Andrew’s voice was sharp as he cut across me.

  “Oh,” I said. “Okay. Well, I’d love to see them. I can’t even imagine how amazing it must be to see them in person.”

  “That will never happen.”

  Andrew’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. I frowned and stared at him, trying to decipher the expression on his face.

  “Why not?” I asked softly.

  “You won’t ever see those artifacts,” Andrew said firmly. “Or my office.”

  With that, he wiped his mouth and threw his napkin on the table. It landed on his plate just as he shoved himself backward. He stood up quickly, his eyes suddenly dark and detached. All the progress we’d made was now nonexistent. We were back to square one, and I didn’t know why.

  “Dinner is over,” Andrew said. “I’ll trust you can find your way to bed.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Andrew didn’t wait for me to respond. He spun on his heel and marched out of the dining room. I watched him go with my mind spinning. I replayed my words over and over in my head, trying to figure out where I went wrong. What had I said that upset him so deeply?

  When I turned to face Liam, he was looking at me with a deep sadness on his face. I shook my head and silently asked him to explain.

  “Maybe you should head upstairs, Miss Sophie,” Liam said quietly. “I’ll clear the dishes.”

  “Okay.” I slowly stood up, not sure what to do next.

  “Would you like some tea in your room?” Liam asked. “I’m happy to bring some up.”

  “No, thank you.” I shook my head. “Goodnight, Liam.”

  “Goodnight, Miss Sophie.”

  I walked slowly out of the dining room and through the halls. When I reached the staircase, I glanced behind me toward Andrew’s wing of the house. I knew he was somewhere over there, either in his study or his bedroom. Part of me wanted to search him out and demand answers to all the questions whirling around in my head.

  Instead, I climbed the stairs slowly and disappeared behind my bedroom door.

  Chapter 11

  Andrew

  “Mr. Andrew?” Liam said, pushing open the library door slowly.

  “In here,” I said. I waved him over without looking up.

  When I woke up that morning, I sought refuge in the library. It was far enough away from Sophie’s room that I felt certain she wouldn’t wander in. Still, part of me almost hoped she would. There was something about her that kept pulling me in, despite my best efforts to avoid her.

  “I was hoping we could talk,” Liam said when he finally reached me.

  I laid my book down on my chest and lifted my face to meet Liam’s gaze. He was standing above me with a deep frown etched on his face. I’d seen that same expression a thousand times before. I knew it well.

  With a sigh, I sat up straighter and gestured for Liam to sit down. He pulled up a chair to sit across from me. When he sat down, he made sure to keep his posture straight and perfect, as always.

  “What is it, Liam?” I asked.

  “It’s about Miss Sophie,” Liam said. “And the dinner you two shared last night.”

  “What about it?” I sighed and looked away. This was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

  “You were rather harsh toward her,” Liam said.

  I looked back at him with a sharp glare. Was he really going to lecture me about Sophie? Did he not remember the things she said at dinner?

  “She was trying to weasel her way into my study,” I snapped. “Didn’t you hear her?”

  “She was offering her help,” Liam said calmly. “And expressing an interest in your work. That doesn’t mean she’s planning something duplicitous.”

  “Why else would she want access to my study?” I asked. “To the pieces I have in there?”

  “Curiosity,” Liam said. “You heard her yourself. She loves those artifacts. She was raised around this world, just like you. The only difference is, she didn’t get to travel and see these things uncovered. That was a privilege you had, Mr. Andrew.”

  “I find it hard to believe she never went on a single dig,” I said coldly. “Her parents were always gone. Always exploring.”

  “She said she didn’t go with them,” Liam said simply.

  “And you believe that?” I asked. “You believe her?”

  “She seems perfectly trustworthy to me,” Liam said.

  I snorted and looked away. Liam was being naïve. We both witnessed Rick break into my home. We caught him red-handed in my office. If that was any indication of the Newman family’s way of life, I couldn’t possibly trust Sophie. Not with the priceless artifacts currently housed inside my office.

  “She’s not her father,” Liam said softly.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “How many times have you told me that you are nothing like Mr. George?” Liam asked. “It’s been your mantra since he passed away.”

  “So?” I asked, my frustration growing.

  “Isn’t it possible that Miss Sophie feels the same way?” Liam asked. “Perhaps she, like you, is nothing like the man who raised her.”

  “How can I take that chance, Liam?” I asked. “What if you’re wrong about her? What if this whole thing was just a ruse to steal from me?”

  “Do you believe that?” Liam asked.

  I didn’t answer. Two days ago, I would have said yes. I believed the Newman family to be capable of anything. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

  “I don’t know what to believe,” I said. “But I know I don’t trust Sophie around my office.”

  “That’s your choice,” Liam said. “But I think you would do well to remember she’s a guest in your home. While what her father did was terrible, Miss Sophie has done nothing wrong.”

  “Yet.”

  “Mr. Andrew,” Liam said warningly.

  I sighed and shook my head. He was right. So far, Sophie had given me no reason not to trust her. And yet, I couldn’t shake the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  It was hard to believe her questions came from curiosity and not something more. Now that she was living in my home, it would have been all too easy for her to sneak off with something valuable. Maybe that was her father’s plan all along.

  I shook my head and looked out the window. My paranoia was getting the best of me. I couldn’t let myself dwell on the past. What Rick did was criminal, but it was over. He was no longer welcomed in my home, and once Sophie’s job was done, she too would be gone.

  “She’s here to help you,” Liam said.

  “She’s here to help her father,” I corrected him sharply.

  Liam nodded. “That’s true, too.”

  “What do you want me to do, Liam?” I asked. “Induct her into the company completely? Hand over the key to our warehouse and turn a blind eye to whatever she does with it?”

  “Of course not,” Liam said. “I just wish you would be kind to her while she’s here.”

  I glared at Liam, but my expression quickly softened. I sighed and shook my head. Liam was right, and I hated him for it. It was
easier to distrust Sophie, to keep her at arm’s length, and pretend like she didn’t exist. Being near her only made things more complicated.

  “Just think about it,” Liam said. “That’s all I’m asking.”

  Liam got his feet. I nodded and watched as he made his way back across the room. He didn’t look back as he disappeared into the hallway. Once again, I was alone to dwell on my own thoughts. I thought it was what I wanted, to enjoy my solitude, but it wasn’t.

  Suddenly, the library felt barren. I couldn’t stand to sit there for another second.

  ***

  I stood outside Sophie’s door for a few minutes. My hands were clenched into fists at my sides as I tried to work up the nerve to knock. I felt ridiculous. There was no reason for me to feel so anxious. This was my house, after all. Every room in it was mine, and yet, I was scared to intrude on Sophie’s space after the way our dinner ended the night before.

  Finally, I took a deep breath and stepped forward. I raised my fist and knocked three times fast. As I took a step back to wait, I heard hurried footsteps on the other side of the door. When she opened the door, her face was warm and welcoming. It wasn’t until she saw me that her expression shifted. Her eyes darkened, and she took a tiny step backward.

  “Oh,” she said. “I thought you were Liam.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you,” I said.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked, her tone professional and short.

  “I was wondering if you wanted to go for a ride with me,” I said. “It’s been a while since I’ve taken the horses out.”

  Sophie’s eyes narrowed even more. She was suspicious, and I couldn’t blame her. I stood back and waited. When she opened her mouth to speak, I fully expected to hear her decline my offer.

  “Sure,” she said. “Now?”

  I blinked. “Yeah,” I said. “Now would be good.”

  “Just let me grab my boots, and I’ll meet you outside,” Sophie said.

  I nodded and retreated down the hall. I was shocked that she’d said yes, but my chest felt warm at the thought of spending some time alone with her.

  When Sophie met me outside, she was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that barely fell to her waist. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. I looked at her closely and realized she wasn’t wearing any makeup. I hadn’t yet seen her look so casual, and yet, my attraction to her was stronger than ever.