Until the Iris Bloom by Tina Olton

Author:Tina Olton [Olton, Tina]
Language: ara
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781532012389
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2017-05-09T04:00:00+00:00

After getting the February checks into the mail, Julian considered taking a two-week break. After only a week, though, he realized the bank statements would be in, and he decided he should check for problems. His desk was cleared by midafternoon, and he called Tidy for an appointment. He drove by on his way home. Miraculously he found a parking place directly in front of the green porch. He sprang up the steps of the stoop and jabbed the doorbell. Not waiting for Tidy to holler, he swung open the outer gate to charge inside, but his entry was blocked.

A young man, short, Hispanic-looking, in brown pants and a white T-shirt, his feet bare, stood squarely in the doorway. He had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and shiny black hair—a handsome dude. Julian startled himself with that expression. Handsome or not, what was he doing in Tidy’s house?

“I’m Pedro. Tidy’s here; come in.”

Julian’s bewildered face amused Tidy. “Surprised you! This here’s Pedro. He’s my new tenant. The bitch didn’t work out, so Pedro’s here. Paid me a whole month’s rent. Cash. I got plenty of money now. You don’t need to worry about paying those bills anymore.” She beamed at Julian. “I’m fixing the money problem myself.”

Julian had forgotten about the new renter. “My name’s Julian. I look after Ms. Bourbon’s financial matters. I visit every week or two.” He glared into Pedro’s eyes, making sure Pedro understood how seriously he took the “look after” part. He didn’t care for the fact that Pedro was a man. It didn’t sit right.

Pedro returned Julian’s scowl. “Lucky for her she has so many people taking care of her.”

“I’m trying to remember if Tidy told me about your job. You work …?”

“I got a job.”

“Driving a cab.”

Pedro shook his head. “Ms. Bourbon’s confusing me with someone else.”

“So what do you do, exactly?”

Pedro’s short, compact body quivered as every muscle reacted. “I work for a janitorial service.” The words lined up like stones.

“Regular hours?”

“You think I’m some kind of day laborer?”

Pedro’s strong accent did suggest he hadn’t been in the States long, but his English wasn’t bad, Julian grudgingly admitted. “I’m wondering if you have a green card.”

“You insulting me?”

Julian ignored the challenge. “Who do you work for?”

If Julian had been a little more streetwise, he would have seen the possible danger. Pedro’s whole being was like a clenched fist. “Nate’s Nighttime Cleaning.”

“You work at night.”

“Aren’t you the smart one.”

“Your hours are what?”

“What business is it of yours? You her bodyguard? You look too puny to me.”

Julian seethed. The suggestion that his six-foot-two-inch frame was inferior to Pedro’s five-foot-five … stocky or not … He was incensed. But Pedro had the build of a weight lifter. Julian was a runner. They were in tight quarters—weight lifter’s advantage.

Julian took a step back. “Look, I’m sorry. I want to be satisfied that my friend is okay—financially. It would help if we knew your employment is secure.”

Pedro hesitated, and Julian sensed a minute release of tension. “You want to know if I can pay the rent? I can.

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