CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Talon started. “You want to get a job in Wolves Hollow? Why? You don’t need to...”
“I don’t have anything.” Bianca swallowed hard. “Everything I have has gone up in smoke. I need a find a job as soon as possible.” She paused and added, “And a place to stay.”
“You’re staying here,” Talon said at once.
“I...I can’t. I have imposed on you long enough, Talon. I will leave and find my own place in Wolves Hollow...”
Talon growled. “Are you scared of me, Bianca?”
She gasped and shook her head quickly. “No! No, of course not. I...”
“Then why do you want to leave?”
“I...” She winced. “I need to find my own way, build a life...”
Talon growled again. What way? What life? Her life was here, with him!
“You’re safe here,” he said, keeping his voice calm. “The bedroom is yours. You can lock the door every night...”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s not that at all. I know you won’t hurt me,” she said. “But I need to find a job, any job...it’s important! To me.”
Talon blew out a rough breath. “Why? Why is it so important? You have everything you need.” He threw out his arms. “I will provide...”
Bianca began to shake her head rapidly. “You don’t have to provide me with anything. I will pay you back...”
His brows shot up. “Pay me? For what?”
Bianca gestured at herself. “My clothes...”
“I bought them for you,” he snapped. “They’re yours.”
They stared at each other in tense silence. Bianca’s green eyes were flashing with defiance and Talon saw the stubborn set of her jaw. She pushed away from the table and stood up.
“Thank you, Talon, for all the help you’ve given me. I will make my own way to Wolves Hollow. It’s not too far from here. I’m sure someone will hire me. Once I get my first paycheck, I’ll come back and pay you...”
“Bianca,” he snarled, surging to his feet.
She stared back at him unflinchingly. Talon scrubbed a hand down his face. He saw that the stubborn little human was determined to get a job and stand on her own two feet.
He exhaled slowly. It was clear that Bianca wanted to regain some control over her life. She had lost everything and he hadn’t heard her mention any family. The woman had nothing and no one. Having a job and some financial independence would help her find her footing, he supposed.
“I know a place that’s hiring,” he said finally. “I’ll drive you to town later. I need to get some supplies from the shops.”
The corner of her mouth twitched. She knew that she had won.
“Thank you, Talon,” she smiled.
Talon watched her clear the plates and carry them to the sink. There was a spring in her step and a sparkle in her eye. Bianca wasn’t someone who enjoyed being idle. She liked keeping herself busy. Maybe she’d had a hard life and she had learned that no one owed her a living.
But she wasn’t bitter or pessimistic at all. Even after losing everything, she was still hopeful and determined. She simply picked herself up and carried on.
This tiny, delicate little human was stronger and tougher than she looked.
As she washed the dishes, Bianca looked out the window and saw the shed at the back of the house. She peered at it curiously but didn’t say anything.
Talon came to stand beside her. “That’s my workshop,” he told her. “I build all kinds of stuff in there.”
She glanced at the kitchen table and chairs. “Did you build everything in your house?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” She dried her hands and looked around. “You have a really nice place. I really like it here.”
“So you’ll stay?” Talon blurted out. He didn’t want to hear any more crazy talk about her moving to her own place in Wolves Hollow.
Bianca smiled slyly. “Only if you let me pay rent.”