This series has 3 volumes completed, and I'm posting them as full volumes. I can split them into sections if I get requests for that. Volume 4 is in progress, and I have no idea when, or if it may be finished.
Book One opens with our 3 main characters coming together, then growing as they learn about each other.
* * * * *
Ready Maid Family Book One
HELP WANTED: Live-in Domestic to care for single, mid-thirties male. Apply in person. References preferred, but not required. Compensation based on experience and performance.
Early February
Tuesday
Sylvia Mitchell read the ad for the fourth time as she sat in the kitchen of the little apartment she had rented when she had come to town four months ago. She had been looking for a job since she got to town with no success, and what little money she had was running out fast.
It was almost too good to be true. If she could get this job, both of her problems, money and a better place to live, would be solved.
Trying not to let her hopes get too high, she got up and went into her bedroom, wondering what she had in her small wardrobe that would help her get this job.
(-)
Julie Bedford pulled her van out from behind the strip mall she had parked behind the night before and turned onto North Oak Street. She grinned as she looked at the shelf under the front console. Her laptop, both her tablets, backup battery pack, and phone were all fully charged. She'd gotten all of her clothes washed at the Suds-n-Duds, and Sandy had let her charge up all her devices while she played pinochle with him.
Glancing down at the newspaper laying on the dash, she decided that the quickest route would be going up Grayson to Clark, then onto the expressway. The address was only a couple blocks from exit 28.
She hoped that there weren't too many other people applying for the job. A live-in position would be a great way for her to put some money away, and build up her bankroll.
She really wanted to get an apartment, or a house, even if she had to share it with someone for a while. She loved the retired old UPS package car, the long, wide rear compartment was roomy enough for a full sized mattress, and the shelves built into the back gave her lots of room for her stuff, but she knew that eventually, she'd get robbed, or busted for parking in the wrong place, or would run out of money.
(-)
'This isn't going to work'. Gage Carson thought to himself as he looked out the window. A long line stretched from the front porch almost to the gate two hundred feet away. He estimated that there was close to eighty people, mostly women, waiting to apply for the job he had listed in the paper.
He had already talked to almost a dozen of them, and none of them were what he wanted. There was no way he'd be able to get along with most of them. The ones he did like personally, didn't really have the other traits he was looking for.
Leaning back against the wall, he thought for a moment, then turned and went out into the hall to talk to the latest group of women he'd already let into the house.
(-)
Standing at the gate to the unobtrusive manor house, Sylvia sighed as she looked down the drive at the line of women outside the door. She doubted if she'd even get interviewed, much less get the job, but the bus ride had taken almost an hour, then it had taken her another fifteen minutes to walk the rest of the way. The least she could do was put in an application.
As she approached the line of women, a girl stepped from the door, her head down. She glanced at the other women and shook her head, then trudged down the walk toward the gate.
"Excuse me, but do yo..." She began, speaking to the woman in front of her.
"I don't know nuthin' honey." The woman said curtly, not bothering to turn around. "I'm here for a job, not to make friends, and you're the competition. So leave me alone."
For the next ten minutes, Sylvia stood quietly, lost in her own thoughts. What was she doing here? She could cook and keep her own house clean enough, but didn't know anything about housekeeping. What kind of care did the man need? She didn't have any medical training, and didn't even know anyone with a disability or a handicap.
A quiet murmur went through the line as a man came out of the doorway, standing and surveying the crowd waiting to enter the house. He stepped to one side, and half a dozen women came out the door, made their way down the steps, then moved quickly for the gate.
"Ladies, I'd like to thank you all for coming out today." Gage said as he danced down the steps and walked slowly down the line. He smiled at a tall blonde girl, nodding toward the door. As she went into the house, he continued down the line. He had picked two other women before he reached Sylvia, and she stood up straight, throwing her shoulders back by habit. He smiled as he stopped in front of her.
"Yes, I think you'll do nicely." He said softly, looking her up and down. "What's your name, miss?"
"Sy...Sylvia, sir. Sylvia Mitchell." she replied, meeting his gaze.
"It's nice to meet you, Sylvia." He said, lifting his hand and pointing toward the house. "I'm Gage Carson, would you mind waiting for me inside? I'll be with you in a minute."
"Yes sir." She said with a small smile. "I..."
But Gage was already moving down the line, stopping to look one or two of the women over, then stepping back, pausing, and raising his voice.
"If I could have your attention for a moment ladies..." he said, then waited for them to quiet down and look at him."Thank you all for coming out today, but I've chosen my candidates. If they don't work out, I'll be placing another ad in a few weeks. Please be careful going home."
He turned and strode briskly up the walk, catching up to Sylvia as she was going through the door.
"I didn't expect this kind of turn out." He said quietly as he stepped up next to her. "But it looks like I got a nice lot to choose from. I hope one of you will be what I'm looking for."
"I'm sure I am, sir." Sylvia said softly as she moved over to stand with the other girls.
Glancing at the other women, she noticed that like her, they were all tall and full figured. There was a redhead, a brunette, and two other blondes. One of the blondes and the brunette were wearing pantsuits, the other blonde was dressed in jeans and a tight fitting t-shirt, and the redhead had on a loose black knee length skirt and a white button down shirt like her own.
"Okay ladies, I'm Gage Carson." He said as he looked them over. "I'm looking for a live-in domestic, who's duties will include keeping the house clean, preparing meals, and taking care of my needs as I deem necessary. Any questions so far?"
"How big is the house?" One of the blondes asked. "And will we be doing any work in the outbuildings?"
"The house has twenty-six rooms, not all of them being used right now, but I'd like to open them up." Gage told her. "That's why I want to hire some help. I'm only using three or four rooms on the first floor, not including the kitchen right now. You won't have to do anything in the outbuildings, I'd actually prefer that you stayed out of them. Most of them are in need of repair."
"You want to tell us more about these 'needs' we'll be taking care of?" the brunette asked.
"Bathing, grooming...and whatever you're open to." Gage said lightly. "But nothing uncomfortable or illegal, I can assure you."
"No thanks, perv." The brunette laughed as she turned and headed for the door. "I think I'll pass."
