Rainfall

By Traci Lynne

Victor Anderson has always seen Darcy Miller, his employer’s daughter, as the rich, materialistic, spoiled brat she seems to be. But when she shows up in front of his house one day with a flat tire, everything starts to change. Victor encounters a new side of Darcy—one that intrigues him and draws him in. Even so, as their relationship starts to blossom, he fears losing everything he has ever worked for.

For Darcy money was never an issue. She buys all the latest fashions and enjoys extravagant trips all over the world. But as she gets to know Victor, she realizes something has been missing from her life. When he arrives at her family’s secluded cabin in Aspen to work, tension and emotions rise, setting in motion a chain of events that could either break them both or be the best thing that has happened to either of them.
Full of suspense and passion, this romance novel tells the story of a wealthy socialite and the maintenance man on her family’s estate as they develop a deep and unexpected love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532097713

Traci Lynne

TRACI LYNNE is a wife and mother of two children; she and her family live in Southeast Michigan. She fell in love with books at a young age and eventually joined her school newspaper, which sparked her passion for writing. As the passion grew, so did her need to share her stories with the world. The result is her first novel, Rainfall.

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Copyright © 2019 Traci Lynne.

Author Credits: Traci Simmons

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9772-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9771-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020905023

iUniverse rev. date: 07/09/2020

Contents

Acknowledgements

1 VICTOR

2 DARCY

3 VICTOR

4 DARCY

5 VICTOR

6 DARCY

7 VICTOR

8 DARCY

9 VICTOR

10 DARCY

11 VICTOR

12 DARCY

13 VICTOR

14 DARCY

15 VICTOR

16 DARCY

17 VICTOR

18 DARCY

19 VICTOR

20 DARCY

21 VICTOR

22 DARCY

23 VICTOR

24 DARCY

25 VICTOR

26 DARCY

27 VICTOR

28 DARCY

29 VICTOR

30 DARCY

31 VICTOR

32 DARCY

Dedicated to my Dad

Acknowledgements

T HANK YOU TO MY AMAZING husband, D. S. Patel who has fully supported and encouraged me to follow this dream.

Thank you to Joe and Delilah for always making me smile and giving me a reason to keep pushing forward.

Thank you to my mom for all of your support and for teaching me to always follow my heart.

Thank you to Jalisa for giving me hope and falling in love with these characters just as much as I have.

Thank you to my editor, Jay who has managed to do an incredible job in assisting to make this dream a reality.

1

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VICTOR

I LET OUT AN AGGRAVATED SIGH and rolled my eyes in disgust. I had been trying to work as fast as I could before Ms. Darcy Miller and her snotty friends arrived home. The front door closed and the sound of laughter and the clanking of their high heels hitting the marble floor filled the foyer. Darcy was the only daughter of Edward Miller, the owner of Miller Holdings, the largest and richest shareholding company in Colorado. They walked through the large living room where I was standing on a ladder replacing the last few light bulbs in a gold chandelier that hung in the center of the room.

I have bags in the car, go get them for me, she ordered.

I looked around and realized that she had been talking to me. Excuse me, I said. I am not your personal butler.

My father pays you to do whatever I say. So, I say ‘go get my bags,’ she repeated, not looking at me.

Ms. Miller, I began, trying to remain calm, it is not my responsibility; you bought the stuff, you, go get it! The response was terser than I intended, but I didn’t care.

I’ll get it, Vic! Carl, the family’s butler, said as he rounded the corner. May I please have your keys, Ms. Miller? he asked. She smiled sweetly at him and handed him her keys.

Thank you, Carl, I said as I replaced the last bulb. I stood at the top of the ladder and watched as Darcy sat on the couch with her friends. She brushed her long, golden curls over her shoulder, making it easy to see straight down her shirt from the height I was standing. She might have been pretty if she was not so stuck up and materialistic. She had that spoiled, self-righteous demeanor – a kind of ugly that went all the way to her core. I climbed down the ladder and began picking up my mess when her father came in.

Mr. Anderson, I have a list of things I need done by this weekend, said Mr. Miller. We’re having a gathering outside and the place must look spectacular. I have a decorator coming in on Friday at six in the evening and I expect it all to be completed by then. Do you understand?

I hated it when he spoke to me like that; it was like he was talking to a child. I don’t know how many times I’ve bitten my tongue around him; normally I would’ve just gone off on someone speaking to me like that, giving them a piece of my mind. The problem was that I needed this job, the money was great, but I was barely making ends meet with the three jobs I held. If I lost this job I would lose my house. By the end of the year all my major debt should be paid off assuming I didn’t have any more unexpected events. I’d spent my life savings and most of my last two years’ salary on a tragedy that should never have occurred and that I had never expected.

Mr. Miller reached inside the breast pocket of his suit and pulled out a letter. He handed it to me, and I unfolded it to see that my to-do list was the full page.

Mr. Miller, I have two other jobs, and this is a lot to finish in four days. I’m going to have to work double overtime, I said.

That’s fine; I’ll make sure that you’re well compensated.

Okay, I’ll get it done, I said. I know you don’t want any major work done after seven, but would I maybe be able to do some of the quieter work around that time. Just for this week, I can’t afford to lose either of my other jobs. I could also use that extra money.

You’re working for someone other than me? he asked, shocked.

I just said that, I responded, speaking rather rudely. The fact that I just told him I held two other jobs and he initially ignored it annoyed me.

Vic, watch your tone, Carl said as he carried arms full of bags into Darcy.

Heeding Carl’s warning, I answered. Yes, I thought you were aware of that, I said, calm and apologetic.

Who else do you work for?

I inwardly frowned at his nosiness. The Lincolns next door, and the Smiths in Denver.

Where do you live? he asked.

I live in Marshall, I told him.

Okay, he began, doing the calculations, it takes you about forty-five minutes to get to Denver. Drop that account and I’ll pay you what he does above what I already pay you.

I didn’t even have to think about it. Great, thank you! I’ll let him know tomorrow.

For this week, you can start no earlier than six in the morning and work no later than eight in the evening.

Thank you, I told him. I guarantee it’ll all be finished by Friday night.

If you have it finished by Friday afternoon, I’ll give you an extra bonus. He shook my hand and left. I didn’t care for people like him who just flaunted their money and tossed it around like it was water, but I was over twenty five thousand dollars in debt not including my house and car payments. I could use the bonus and by getting rid of the Denver account I saved money on gas.

As I left, I glanced back one more time at Darcy and her friends as she held up this huge ball gown. The bodice was full of these fake diamond gems; the bottom was just layer upon layer of tulle, not to mention the color. It might have been ok if it was more of a ruby red, but it wasn’t; it was almost like a neon red. It didn’t look good on her at all, but her friends complimented her on it. I shook my head and left. After all, who was I to say anything?

The next morning, I had just finished cutting my lawn and headed to the front yard to pick up a few tools when I noticed a Bentley parked on the dirt road in front of my house. It wasn’t unusual to see a car that expensive passing through my neighborhood, so I didn’t pay much attention and continued with my task.

Excuse me? I heard this soft but sweet-sounding voice so I turned around and there she was: Darcy Miller, standing there in a pair of black legging pants along with a pale pink top that stopped mid-thigh, her black boot settled about mid-calf making the outfit look incredible. I made a mental note that the dress she had picked out should have been that pale pink instead of that red.

Hello.

I have a flat tire, and my cell phone died, she said. Do you have a phone I can use to call a tow truck?

A tow truck? For a flat tire? I asked skeptically and wondered why she didn’t recognize me.

Well I don’t know how to change it, she said, seeming embarrassed by that fact. Maybe it was the look I was giving her that made her cheeks flush pink, but I found it very appeasing.

I smiled. Pop your trunk and I’ll change it for you. She opened the trunk and I noticed several bags full of clothes. I’m going to need to get in there. I’m a little dirty, I said, holding out my hands to show her the dirt. I don’t want to get your new stuff dirty.

Oh, it’s not new. It’s old stuff that I’m donating.

Did I hear her correctly? She was donating old clothes? I wiped my hands on my jeans and agreed to help her put the stuff in the back seat. She wasn’t paying attention and grabbed my hand as we reached for the same bag. She didn’t pull away as fast as I assumed she would’ve and the fact that she had dirt and sweat on her hand didn’t seem to bother her. It confused me, this wasn’t the woman I had seen yesterday, this wasn’t the Darcy Miller I knew.

We finished moving the bags and as I changed the tire she made small talk with me about things like the weather, and she asked questions about what I was doing when I was doing it.

Do you have a restroom I could use? she asked as I finished.

Yeah, right this way. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and led her into my house. To be honest, she was the last person I had ever expected to be there. She stepped in the front door and I half-expected her to make some snide remark about the size of the home but she just glanced around. I pointed, The bathroom is right down there, second door on your right.

Thank you, she said, heading to the bathroom. I headed to the kitchen to wash my hands and grab a glass of water. A moment later I heard her footsteps come in.

Your wife does a good job of keeping up on the house.

I’m not married.

Oh, well, then your girlfriend.

I do everything on my own, I said, making it clear I was not involved with anyone.

Oh, everything is so clean and organized I just assumed that you had a woman living here.

I work hard for what I get, and I like to make sure that I keep it nice, I said. I can’t afford to buy new stuff every other week.

She was noticeably taken back a bit by my attitude.

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude. Would you like a glass of water or anything?

She was being completely different from the girl I had seen around the mansion.

No, I should get going, but thank you. She turned and started to leave before turning to face me again. My name is Darcy Miller. She held her hand out to me.

Victor Anderson, I said, taking her hand. I had thought that by hearing my name she would realize that I work for her family.

It’s a pleasure to meet you Victor. I wasn’t prepared for the way she said my name, she hadn’t said it any particular way, but like I said this was not the woman I’ve seen in the mansion. She seemed sweet and humble and I really noticed her beauty, but I had to remain cautious. The real Darcy – the one I knew – was in there somewhere.

I’ll walk you out, I said, releasing her hand. I followed her out to her car, and she leaned inside to grab her purse. She walked back over to me and held out a fifty-dollar bill.

Here, for changing the tire.

I can’t take that, just pay it forward.

What do you mean? she asked, as though it was a concept that had never occurred to her.

Do something nice for somebody else today. I wasn’t going to take her money; she hadn’t worked a day in her life to earn it and it was her father’s money anyway. This was the Darcy I knew, just like her dad, flaunting her money like it was just a piece of paper.

She stepped up to me and placed her hands on the band of my jeans. My breath halted at the touch. She peeked up at me from under her long lashes and for a moment I got lost in the gorgeous honey color of her eyes.

Victor, please take the money. She bit her lip, drawing my attention away from her eyes.

You should go. The rain is coming.

Rain? she asked.

The storm we’re expecting, I said. Can’t you smell the rain? She shook her head. I can, which means that it’s close. I lowered my head so that my lips were close to hers. If she wanted to play this game I could play too.

I love the rain, I whispered. Her breathing picked up, as did mine. This was a dangerous game; I was risking my job. Then it hit me, after everything Mr. Miller has done, all the bad things, this would be my revenge. I suddenly felt her hand push into my pocket and knew she was placing the money in there, but I can’t say that her hand in my pocket didn’t do something to my body.

You should go. Once it starts your clothes will get wet.

Uh huh.

I had to laugh at the thought of her clothes in a pile on my floor and the look on her face when she found out who I was. They look expensive and the rain and the dirt road will ruin them.

Hmmm, hopefully I’ll see you around.

I had to laugh again, knowing that I would be at her house in about an hour. Goodbye, Ms. Miller.

2

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DARCY

I CLIMBED INTO MY CAR AND as soon I turned the key the rain began to come down. I looked at Victor, shocked that he knew how close the rain was. He smiled at me and I watched for a moment as he lifted his head to the sky and his face became pained. It began to pour, and I didn’t understand why he didn’t make any attempt to go inside. He just stood there as the rain soaked through his dark jeans and white tank top forcing them to cling to his tight abs and thighs.

I could see him take a deep breath before he looked back at me, he gave me another smile and a small wave before heading back into his house. His house was small, but it seemed cozy which was completely different than what I was used to. In my home, I could walk through the house at any given time and never see anyone. I put the car in drive and headed to my original destination, the women’s shelter.

I had just bought a bunch of this season’s hottest trends and decided to donate last year’s clothes. I had been through a lot with my ex, Marc, and had spent a week in the shelter last year. I didn’t tell anyone where I was, but that wasn’t unusual for me, I normally would leave to go to Paris for a week or so, so nobody bothered to look for me. I didn’t really fit in with my expensive clothes and such, but it made me realize that I had it better than the women in there and if I could help, then I would.

These women had nothing, most of them left abusive partners with only the clothes on their backs. The worst was seeing abused women who had their children there with them. I gave them credit for getting out of such a bad situation and hoped that they wouldn’t go back.

I got out of my relationship with Marc about six months earlier with the help of the women at the shelter. I owed them a lot and if it wasn’t for their support I might still be in the situation. My parents – well, my dad – and my friends loved him and hoped that we would get married, but the first time he hit me I knew it would never work. I never told anyone about it because he cheated on me with my cousin Heather, who was at the time my best friend.

The cheating was the easier excuse to tell everyone. My dad still pressures me from time to time about getting back together with him, but I won’t. I won’t be the abused trophy wife. I wonder how he would feel about someone like Victor… Yes his house was small but he seemed sweet and he was incredibly sexy. I arrived and luckily the rain had stopped long enough for me to unload my car.

Hi, Olga! I said as I entered the kitchen after returning from the shelter. Olga was our family chef and like a second mom to me; she pretty much raised me since I was a little girl.

Hi, sweetie.

Do we have any fruit? I asked.

Of course, she said (she always did have whatever I asked for). I’ll get you some. Anything specific?

No, Tiffany and Heather are coming over to go swimming and I just wanted a small snack. I ate lunch at the shelter.

I’ll get it and bring it to the pool.

Thank you, I told her. I left and headed to my room to change into my bathing suit. I stood staring at my drawer full of designer bathing suits trying to decide on which one to wear. My thoughts lingered for a short minute wondering which one Victor might like, not that he would see it, but it was a thought. I decided on a neon green bikini, the color always looked good against my tan skin. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and headed down to our indoor pool. Olga had already put my fruit on one of the tables along with a glass of water. I sat down to eat when my new best friend Tiffany had come in.

Hi! she said excitedly and gave me a quick hug.

Oh my God! Before Heather gets here I have to tell you about this guy I met today.

Ooh, spill.

I got a flat tire in front of this house and I went to use the phone since mine died. Well this guy was in the front yard wearing this tank top that showed his amazing muscles, he was built – I mean six-pack and all. He has these deep brown eyes and dark hair; he was so hot.

What does he do? Tiffany asked. Does he make a lot of money?

I laughed. I don’t know Tiff, we didn’t talk about it. He changed my tire and that was pretty much it. I didn’t want to tell her about the way I could smell the sweet scent of mint as his warm breath crashed against my lips. She would think I was crazy to let someone I just met get that close to me.

Are you going to see him again?

I doubt it. I didn’t get his number and he didn’t ask for mine.

You’re hot, she asked, shocked. Well, he’s a jerk for not asking. You can do better. Oh, Marc called me he was asking why you weren’t answering any of his calls.

I’m done with him. I don’t want to talk to him or see him, I can barely look at Heather.

Are you still complaining about me and Marc? Heather asked snidely as she came into the pool area. I rolled my eyes and got up to get in the pool. It was easier to just avoid the drama she would have caused if I stayed there.

A few hours had passed, and Tiffany and Heather had left. I picked up my dishes and took them to the kitchen. The modern kitchen housed an island with a sink in the middle. I emptied the glass of water into the drain before hearing a loud thump followed by a deep groan.

Shit! I heard a man shout, and Olga walked in.

Are you okay? she asked him as he stood up.

Victor? I asked, confused. Are you stalking me?

He grabbed his forehead which was wet from the water I poured down the sink.

Hardly, he responded.

Then what are you doing in my house? I demanded.

My job, Ms. Miller. I’ve been the maintenance man here for the last couple of years.

And you didn’t bother to tell me this earlier? I was furious. You almost kissed me, and you didn’t bother to tell me that you work for me?

It’s not my fault that you are so self-absorbed that you don’t know who works here, he retorted. And if I’m not mistaken, you were the one with your hand down my pocket. By the way, I put the money on your dresser.

You’re an asshole! I shouted.

Why don’t you just go back to whatever pointless task you were doing and let me do my job. Olga can I get some ice? He rubbed his head and she nodded.

Don’t get him anything. He tried to take advantage of me.

Advantage? Of you? Are you kidding me? I changed your tire. I didn’t do anything else except offer you a glass of water. Then you were the one who came up to me, you put your hands on me. I didn’t even want your money and I definitely didn’t try to kiss you.

I huffed and stormed off. I needed space from him. He was sexy earlier and now he was just plain rude and the fact that he worked for my family didn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t be with someone who worked for my father.

The rest of the day had passed, and I avoided him as much as I could. Dinner was over, and I decided to go for another swim before I settled in for the night; it would help me release some of the pent-up frustration I still felt about Victor. I took a few laps and when I got to the end I saw a pair of legs standing on the edge of the pool. I wiped my face and looked up.

Marc, what are you doing here?

You’re not answering my calls.

Because we’re done, I said, resolutely and calmly. We’re not getting back together. I climbed out of the pool.

You need to take me back, he pleaded. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen with Heather.

It’s not just Heather, I said, more emotionally than I would have liked. You hit me on more than one occasion. I deserve better than that. I started to walk away, and he grabbed my arm. I cringed waiting for his assault, but he just pulled me into his body.

Come on, we were good together, he said. And I only hit you because you didn’t know any better. You need to learn how to behave.

I behave just fine, thank you. I don’t need you to teach me a lesson. I pulled away from him…

That’s when his hand came down across my cheek and knocked me into the pool. I hit my head against the edge and began to get dizzy and disoriented. Then everything went black.

Come on! I heard. Don’t do this! After I heard that shout, my mouth filled with water and I coughed to spit it all out. Thank God!

I opened my eyes to see Victor kneeling above me and I swear I saw a tear in his eye.

Carl! She’s awake, he shouted.

My head hurts, was all I was able to choke out. Then I noticed a towel on my head.

It’s ok, Victor said. Just stay awake. An ambulance is on its way.

What…what happened?

I don’t know. I came in to check the levels in the pool and you were face down in the water, he said as his voice cracked.

You saved my life? I asked, still unsure what had happened.

Yeah, he said as he began to brush the hair out of my face, and I could feel my eyes growing tired. No, you can’t sleep. Let’s get up. I’ll help you walk; you have to stay awake.

He helped me up and wrapped his arm around my waist and I rested my head on his shoulder. So, tell me what your favorite color is, he said.

Yellow, I answered and knew he was trying to keep me awake. Yours?

Green, he said. What about your favorite food? We began to walk around the pool.

Sushi, and caviar. You?

Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. Favorite ice cream flavor?

Strawberry, I said, enjoying this more than a wounded person should. Let me guess: you like chocolate.

He laughed. No, my favorite is butter pecan.

What’s going on? Is she okay? my father asked. He and my mother had gone to dinner and must have just gotten home.

Mr. Miller, she hit her head. Carl called an ambulance and it should be here soon, Victor said as we continued to walk.

How did you hit your head? my father asked.

I don’t know, I must have slipped on the edge. I lied, remembering everything in perfect detail.

Mr. Miller, I found her face down in the water, Victor said. She wasn’t breathing at first. I did CPR and she had spit out some water. She could have drowned. His voice cracked again, and he cleared his throat. I need to keep her walking though; she hit her head and could have a concussion.

Are you sure that’s a good idea? my father asked.

She has to stay awake, Victor said. My father nodded and we continued our trip around the pool. What kind of movies do you like?

Horror, the scarier the better.

He laughed. Me too. We were on the other side of the pool from my father when Victor placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned into my ear. I really like this bathing suit. I laughed. Listen, I’m sorry for not telling you who I was. I thought you would have known.

I just need to pay more attention. The paramedics had arrived and took me to the hospital.

The next morning, I woke up in the hospital room since they wanted to keep me overnight for observation. My parents had gone to breakfast and I laid in bed staring out the window when there was a knock on the door. I turned my head to see Victor walk in.

Good morning, he said.

Oh my God, get out! I said and covered my head with the blanket. I heard him laugh and felt his hand pull the blanket down.

You look fine. I was on my way to your house and just wanted to stop by and see how you were. I know you said yellow was your favorite color, so I stopped to buy you some flowers. The roses at the shop were nice, but I thought the daisies were so much prettier and a symbol of friendship.

He sat the flowers on the bedside table and sat on the edge of my bed. I’m hoping this will be a fresh start to our relationship.

Thank you, I said. Daisies are my favorite.

It’s such a simple flower that I never would have guessed.

Rich girls sometimes like simple things, I replied calmly.

I’ll keep that in mind, he said with a smile, then it faded to seriousness. So, what really happened in the pool? I gave him a confused look. You have a bruise right here. He ran his thumb over my cheek. And you hit your head up here. He moved his thumb to the gash in my forehead. It doesn’t make sense.

I don’t know.

Okay, it’s your secret. We sat for several minutes in silence. Can I be honest?

Sure.

I’ve seen the red dress you picked out for the party this weekend, he said. I don’t think it will look very good on you. It’s red and poofy, the color doesn’t look good on you and all that extra fabric makes you look bigger than you are.

My friends said it looks good on me.

No offense, but have you ever thought that maybe they’re telling you that to make themselves look better? Take it from a man’s point of view: the more fabric the less alluring it is. I think you would look amazing in like a gold color, oh, what do they call it? Champagne, and definitely more form fitting. He mumbled something under his breath.

What? What did you say?

That’s my secret. He smiled and it was contagious. This was the man I met on that