The Billionaire's Touch (The Sinclairs #3)(56)

“I have no idea,” he answered honestly. Evan rarely knew the first name of any of his employees.

“He’s a new driver?”

“He’s been with me for years,” he corrected.

“And you don’t know his first name? Does he have a wife and children?” she whispered adamantly.

“I don’t concern myself with my employees’ personal business. If I did, I’d never get anything done.”

Evan knew he was in trouble from the moment he saw the disapproval on her face. “That’s not true and you know it. He’s a personal employee. He takes care of you. Maybe it’s true that you need to be impersonal with some people, but not the people you let into your personal life.”

Evan shrugged. Truth was, he didn’t let anybody into his personal life. Hell, he’d never really had a personal life. It was always all about business.

Stokes drove the car.

Evan worked in the backseat until he reached his destination.

They didn’t exchange personal comments.

He watched as Randi leaned over the front seat. “What’s your first name, Stokes?”

To give Stokes credit, Evan noticed that his driver seemed completely unflustered. “Gerald, madam. My family calls me Jerry.”

“Are you married?” Randi questioned conversationally.

“Yes, madam. The wife and I just celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary,” Stokes told Randi in a stoic voice.

“Children? Grandchildren?” Randi prompted.

“Three wonderful children, six grandkids, and now three great-grandbabies so far,” Stokes answered, his voice warming as he spoke about his family.

“You didn’t want to retire?” Randi shifted positions so she could lean closer to the driver from the backseat.

Evan hated that.

“No, madam. I lost my job when I was almost retirement age. Mr. Sinclair was kind enough to give an old man a chance instead of hiring a younger body. I needed the work then. My daughter was sick and needed help. He made it possible for me to help her with a more-than-fair income as his driver. I’ll be a loyal employee until the day I can’t drive anymore,” Stokes answered, his voice a little more emotional as he spoke of his employer and his past.

Evan fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, wondering why he never knew about Stokes and his family. It wasn’t that his driver wasn’t willing to talk. Evan realized he’d just never bothered to ask.

He made a vow to find out if Stokes was financially set for the rest of his life. The man usually traveled everywhere with his car, always there at Evan’s beck and call. If he had family, maybe it was time for him to enjoy some kind of retirement.

“I hired you because you were qualified. I’ve kept you on because you’re one of the best employees I’ve ever had,” Evan stated loud enough to be heard by Stokes.

“Thank you, sir,” the driver replied humbly, his voice filled with pride. “We’ve reached your destination.”

Evan looked out the window to see that they were parked right in front of the Center. People were filing into the building slowly, all dressed for a party.

“It’s an open party, Jerry,” Randi said brightly. “Would you like to come in and get something to eat?”

Stokes turned around and smiled at her. It was the first time Evan had ever seen his driver actually smile.

Stokes shook his head. “No . . . but thank you, madam. I’ll just pop over to that little restaurant with the lobster rolls. Great food there.”

“Sullivan’s,” Randi answered with a kind smile and a nod. “Have a nice dinner.”

Evan waited as his driver got out and opened the door for him. He stood and said quietly to Stokes, “Talk to me when you’re ready to retire. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, Stokes.”

His driver nodded. “I know that, sir. Thank you.” He paused before adding, “That’s one sweet girl you have there. She’s a keeper.”

“I plan on keeping her,” Evan answered fiercely. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

He saw Stokes smile in the dim light. “Very good, sir.”

Evan moved to the other side of the vehicle, but Randi was already out of the car and headed straight toward him. She seemed totally unconcerned that she had to open her own car door. Most of the women he knew would have sat and waited for somebody to do it for them.

Not his woman. He needed to be faster if he wanted to keep up with her.

Randi had been independent most of her life, and she knew nothing about the rituals of the super-rich.

That was one of the things Evan liked about her. Randi was unpretentious and as real as a woman could get.

She just found out more about my employee in two minutes than I have in all the years Stokes has worked for me.

He offered his arm as she reached him, and he dismissed Stokes to go have his dinner.

“It wasn’t that painful, right?” Randi asked quietly as they walked arm in arm to the front entrance of the Center.

“What?”

“Learning something about your employees. He idolizes you.”

“I pay his salary,” Evan replied solemnly. “But you’re right. I’m glad I know his situation. I can set him up for retirement as soon as he’s ready.”