Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson Page B

there was no way she’d get an offer from the company she’d just met with. The fact was that Emma wasn’t cut out for office work. She couldn’t type fast, she didn’t know Excel or PowerPoint or any of the other programs she’d been asked about, and she wasn’t exactly the most organized person around either.
    But what she could do wasn’t in demand right now.
    It appeared as though she was headed for a cashier position, or worse, the fast food industry. She’d even consider waitressing, but most places would want her to work nights, and she couldn’t do that. Emma had promised her brother she’d be there for the girls, and a promise was a promise. She’d already left them with Sam far more than she was comfortable with, although with the girls starting school next week, that wouldn’t continue for much longer.
    With a sigh, Emma tossed the letter into the garbage and headed for the back door. She found Sam sitting on the top steps, watching the girls play.
    “Hey girl,” Emma said, dropping down next to her.
    “How did the interview go?” Sam asked, looking hopeful.
    “Not that great,” Emma admitted. “I was way under qualified and couldn’t come close to pretending that I wasn’t. Speaking of which, have you ever heard of a program called Accent or Axis or something like that?”
    “You mean Access?”
    “Yeah, that’s it.” Emma frowned. She couldn’t even remember the stupid name. “I guess that’s a pretty important program to know for the position. And I don’t know it.”
    An expression of sympathy crossed Sam’s face. It was a look Emma was getting really sick of seeing on other people’s faces when they looked at her.
    “Maybe we can find a YouTube video on it, and you can learn how to use the program that way?”
    Emma waved her off. “You’re sweet, but no. I think I need to start looking for a different kind of job.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”
    “You’re too good to me,” Emma said with a wan smile, looking closer at the grass and dried, scattered grass blades on the concrete. “Did the lawn get mowed?”
    Sam nodded, then laughed. “Kevin told me not to tell you. He said you’d never notice.”
    Emma held back a groan. More than anything, she wanted to yell at him again and tell him to stop. But how could she do that when she was the one who’d told him he could? Although it would be nice not to worry about how her lawn would get cut, it drove her crazy that she couldn’t pay Kevin back. Or Becky, for all the dinners she’d brought over. Or Sam, for all the babysitting. This was getting out of control. Emma needed to find a job.
    “I really wish I could pay you, Sam.” It was killing her that she couldn’t, but Sam couldn’t exactly take a credit card.
    “I love watching them. It doesn’t feel like work at all. Someday I’ll let you repay me by giving me art lessons. Kajsa showed me some of the pictures you’ve painted. You’re amazing.”
    Hope flared in Emma’s eyes. Finally, something she could do for someone else. “Sam, I’d love to give you lessons if you’re really interested. Tell you what, after you get settled into school next week and know what your schedule will be like, let’s talk and find a time that works.”
    A broad smile spread across Sam’s face. “Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks, Emma.”
    “Thank you, Sam.” The thought of giving back felt good. Really good. Emma hadn’t realized how much she’d missed that feeling lately and couldn’t wait to get started. The girls could even sit in on them as well. It would be fun. Definitely something to look forward to.
    Sam said something about dinner before waving goodbye to the girls, but Emma was too lost in her thoughts to do more than wave back. She was already thinking about the lessons. They’d start off with some simple sketches, work up to charcoals and eventually pastels and water color. And when Sam was ready, Emma could even introduce