“What kind of jobs are there in history?” Mr. Czerski asked.
Why the flip did he care? They were showing more concern over her choice of major than her own dad who was footing the bill.
“Of course, there are jobs,” Mikah said.
Not that many.
His dad gave him a look. “How would I know? Do you know anyone with that degree?”
Piper calmed down. A master’s degree was a stepping-stone, so the question was actually somewhat fair. “I’ll get my PhD next, which opens up my options.” But not by much. Piper shifted on her feet, wishing they could continue this in front of the fire.
Mr. Czerski nodded. “Ah.”
“No job for a while then.” Mr. Czerski gave Mikah a steady look, making him realize Piper would be a burden to her mate for an indefinite number of years and tie him to a single location. He turned back to Piper. “But we didn’t let you answer. What do you do with the Snowers’ organization?”
Purity Minder. Nope. Couldn’t say that. “Part-time assistant to my cousin Dahlia, she’s a project manager with the organization.”
His mother looked more confused. “Ah.”
Zee punched Mikah’s shoulder. “Nepotism never hurt anyone in this family. Dad’s good name got us this far, eh?”
Zee diminished his brother while praising his father.
“Let them get settled.” Mr. Czerski made a move to head out. “And we have to go if we’re going to be there by sunset.” His words got them moving again. The door opened and a gust of cold came in as they left.
Piper scurried farther into the house and away from the chill. The problem was it sounded like there was a guestroom shortage. “If I’m putting you out, I can totally stay at a hotel.” At this point, she was rather hoping for an impersonal hotel, but she didn’t want to go back outside into the weather, so she found herself in a conundrum.
Mikah shook his head, and his eyes hardened. “Even when Zee’s not trying, he makes life that much more difficult.” He hefted her bag. “You’re no bother, I’ll show you upstairs.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Yep.”
She followed him up the wide wooden staircase.
Mikah set her bag on the cedar chest at the foot of the bed. “This room has a nice view in the summer.”
It was autumn, and outside, snow flurries and grey mist obscured most of the view. Winters must be hellish here. She shivered. Should have brought warmer clothes. “I hate putting you out.”
“You’re not. The study was my bedroom. They’re renovating. And there’s a guest cottage outside, no one’s hurting for space.”
She rubbed her arms. “Can I talk you out of a sweatshirt? The temp’s fifty degrees colder than in Austin, I can’t take the drop.”
Mikah’s posture eased, and he dropped his arm around her, pulling her to his side. “Come on, I’ll hook you up.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist and rubbed her frozen palms on his back, making him shudder. “They really don’t let Zee and Francesca stay in the same bedroom? They’re engaged.”
“My parents can be old-fashioned.” Mikah hugged her and then moved down the hall. He stopped at a closet and dug through it, he handed her a navy sweatshirt.
Piper pulled the flannel sweatshirt on and was instantly warmer. “Much better, thanks.”
He stared down at her and traced his thumb over her jaw, sending flickers under her skin. “I need to go for a run. Will you be okay?”
Piper resisted the urge to cup his hand. “Yes, but will you? Running in this weather? Or is there a gym?”
He laughed and stepped back. “Yes, and yes.”
Too bad. He could have warmed her up some more while they had the house to themselves. Piper didn’t share her thoughts, just simply nodded. “I’ll work on my paper. I’m doing a section on the Boleyn’s fortunes after Anne.”