Sea Breeze 01 - Breathe

on the table and handed me folded black clothing.
    “Everyone wears uniforms while the family is in residence. Also, you won’t be cleaning the house anymore, but you will help me in the kitchen and help Mr. Greg in the gardens. And tonight I need you to serve supper. Mrs. Stone has requested that all servers seen by family and guests are attractive in appearance. William, the young man I hired to assist Marcus in serving the family, called in sick about ten minutes ago, and you are all I got. You’ve proved to be a hard worker, and you seem to be serious about this job. Your age concerns me since the master of the house is around your age and is an idol in most girls’ eyes. My gut tells me that is not an issue for you. I hope you continue to show such maturity.”
    I didn’t really know what to say after that mouthful from her, so I only nodded.
    “Good. Now, you’re to wear this every day when you work in the house. I’ll have two more made in your size, and they are to be left here each night to be washed and pressed. Make sure you continue to enter at the same location and immediately change in the laundry room. When you’re working outside you’ll need to change into the shorts that match this. They will also be kept in the laundry room. Now I need you to help me begin preparing for the evenin’ meal before you put these on. You gotta be tidy and clean when you serve.”
    For the next two hours, I chopped, sliced, stirred, and stuffed all types of meats and vegetables. By the time Ms. Mary told me to get changed and tidy up my hair, exhaustion already filled my body. I changed into the black skirt, which hit right above my knees, and the white buttoned shirt with a round collar. I put a black apron on over my shirt and skirt. Pulling my hair loose, I piled the curls up high on my head. I washed my face and hands and sighed at the face mirrored back at me. My mother’s face had landed me a job as server tonight, but my reserved personality had gained me Ms. Mary’s trust. Where my mother’s eyes sparkled with mischief, mine stayed serious and guarded.
    Jax Stone’s smile had dazzled me in person as much as it did in the millions of pictures I’d seen in magazines and on posters. However, it didn’t mean I would be silly enough to be attracted to him like the rest of the world. With a deep breath, I opened the door and went back to the kitchen where Ms. Mary stood waiting.
    “Okay, now remember, you set this in front of Master Jax at the exact moment Marcus here”—she waved to a tall young guy with sandy blond hair I’d not met yet—“places Mrs. Stone’s in front of her. They will be the only two at the table tonight. Mr. Stone and their son Jason will be arriving in a few days. So tonight you two will be the only two serving.
    “Make sure you stand back quietly behind Master Jax while he eats, and follow Marcus’s lead. He’ll help you with anythin’ you aren’t sure about.”
    I turned my full gaze on Marcus, who seemed to be only a few years older than I was, probably college age. His smiling green eyes immediately relaxed me.
    He held out his tanned hand and grinned. “Marcus Hardy.”
    I slipped my hand into his, and he shook it. “Sadie White.”
    He nodded, still grinning, and reached for his tray. “I saw your brave performance yesterday as you secured your job here. It amazed me how your eyes went from nervous to determined in less than a second.” He picked up the tray in front of him, and I smiled and lifted the tray set before me.
    “You’ll follow me . . . since I’ll be serving Mrs. Stone’s food.” He gave me a wink before turning and heading down the hall toward the entrance to the dining room.
    The large room wasn’t new to me. I’d scrubbed the floors in there that morning. Marcus took his place behind Mrs. Stone, who sat with her back to the entrance. I walked around to stand behind Jax, who sat at the head of the table. I looked to Marcus to guide me. He nodded, and we set the salads down at the exact same time. I stepped back. Marcus nodded for me to stand beside him, so I did.
    “I still don’t see why Dad is making Jason go to the interview at Yale if he doesn’t want to go there.” Jax’s voice sounded so smooth it seemed almost unreal.
    I felt as if I’d walked into a movie, and I stood watching the scene before me.
    “Your brother doesn’t know what is best for him. He has the brains to be more than just Jax Stone’s younger brother. He