Poor Dad Made Jokes While Working, Not Knowing His Client Was A Billionaire Loving Him
Puns and Portfolios
Over the next week, Hunter prepared for the project. Kate texted him occasionally with questions or ideas.
Her messages were always professional but tinged with humor. He realized he was looking forward to seeing her again.
By the time he arrived the following Monday, Kate wasn’t there.
Instead, her assistant, an efficient young man named James, let Hunter in.
James explained that Miss Thorne was traveling for business. She had left explicit instructions.
“She also asked me to give you this,” James said. He handed Hunter an envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note. “Hunter, sorry to miss the start of the project. Business calls.”
“James will help with anything you need. I’ve included an advanced payment to cover materials.”
“Looking forward to seeing your progress when I return. Kate.”
Beneath the note was a check that made Hunter’s eyes widen. It was for half the project total.
This was far more than the standard deposit he requested.
For the next two weeks, Hunter worked on the bookshelves. Kate remained abroad.
He sent daily progress photos, often accompanied by terrible puns. “Shelf improvement is a journey, not a destination.”
“Or, I’m raising the bar with these shelves.”
Kate’s responses came at odd hours, sometimes with matching humor. “Your craftsmanship is on another level, unlike my jet lag.”
Hunter found himself checking his phone more often than usual. He looked forward to her replies.
There was something about their exchanges that brightened his days. Even though they were ostensibly just about the job.
One evening, as Hunter was putting Lily to bed, his daughter caught him off guard. “Dad, do you like Miss Kate?”
Hunter paused in the middle of tucking her in. “Of course I do. She’s a nice client.”
Lily rolled her eyes with exasperated wisdom. “No, Dad. Do you like her? Like-like-like her?”
“Where did that come from, Lily Pad?”
“Because you smile at your phone when she texts you. You didn’t even do that when you were dating Miss Rebecca.”
Hunter felt his face warm. “Miss Kate and I aren’t dating.”
“She’s just a client who happens to have a good sense of humor.”
“Mm-hmm,” Lily hummed skeptically. “Can I meet her again?”
“Maybe when the project is finished,” Hunter said, kissing her forehead. “Now go to sleep, nosy Parker.”
That night, Hunter found himself unable to follow his own advice. Was he developing feelings for a woman he barely knew?
She was clearly from a different world than his. It was ridiculous.
Yet, he couldn’t deny how his heart jumped when he saw her name.
Three weeks into the project, Hunter received a text from Kate. “Back in town tomorrow. Would love to see the progress in person.”
“Is 4:00 p.m. workable?”
The next afternoon, Hunter was putting the finishing touches on the shelves. He heard the front door open.
He turned to see Kate walking into the study. She looked both immaculately professional and travel-worn.
“Wow,” she breathed, taking in the transformation.
The shelves covered the entire wall. The rich walnut wood gleamed under the recessed lighting.
The rolling ladder was mounted on brass rails. He’d added custom details and hidden drawers.
There were adjustable bookends and even a small built-in bar cabinet.
“It’s even better than I imagined,” Kate said. She ran her hand along one of the shelves.
“You’re incredibly talented, Hunter.”
“Thanks,” he said, feeling oddly nervous.
“There’s still some finishing work to do, but the structure is complete. What do you think of the ladder placement?”
“Perfect,” Kate smiled, then seemed to hesitate.
“I actually brought something. A housewarming gift for myself, I suppose.”
She retrieved a shopping bag and pulled out a beautiful leatherbound book.
“The first book for my new shelves. It seemed appropriate.”
Hunter took it, turning it over in his hands. “A Carpenter’s Guide to Historic Woodworking,” he read.
“This is… this is a first edition, Kate. This must have cost a fortune.”
She shrugged. “I thought you might enjoy looking through it while you finish the project.”
“It has some amazing techniques from centuries ago.”
The thoughtfulness of the gift caught him off guard. It wasn’t just expensive; it was personal.
It was chosen specifically with him in mind. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
He was suddenly very aware of how close they were standing.
“I also wanted to ask,” Kate began, then paused.
“This might be completely inappropriate, and please feel free to say no.”
“But would you and Lily like to have dinner with me tonight?”
She wanted to celebrate the progress on the shelves.
Hunter hesitated. This definitely crossed the client-contractor line he’d always maintained.
But he’d been thinking about Kate as more than a client for weeks.
“We’d love to,” he heard himself say.
“But fair warning: Lily will absolutely demand to hear more jokes.”
Kate’s smile lit up her entire face. “I’ve been saving some just for her.”
Dinner that evening was at a casual pizza place near Hunter’s home. It was Kate’s choice, which surprised him.
He’d half-expected an upscale restaurant. But she’d insisted on somewhere Lily would enjoy.
They sat in a red vinyl booth. Lily enthusiastically explained her school science project between bites of pepperoni pizza.
Hunter watched Kate. She listened to his daughter with genuine interest.
She asked questions and shared stories of her own childhood experiments.
“So, what does your company actually do?” Hunter asked when there was a lull.
“You mentioned business software, but that’s pretty vague.”
Kate took a sip of her soda. “We develop enterprise resource planning systems.”
“Software that helps businesses manage their operations more efficiently. It’s not very exciting to explain.”
“But you’re the boss?” Lily asked, impressed.
“I’m the founder and CEO,” Kate confirmed.
“Which mostly means I spend a lot of time in meetings and on airplanes.”
“Do you have kids?” Lily continued her interrogation.
Kate smiled, but Hunter noticed a flicker of sadness in her eyes. “No, I don’t.”
“I’ve been very focused on my company for the last ten years.”
“Dad says his job is me,” Lily announced proudly. “But also building stuff. He’s excellent at both jobs.”
Kate caught Hunter’s eye with a warmth that made his chest tighten.
After dinner, Kate insisted on walking them back to their house. Hunter protested that her driver could take her home first.
“I’d like the fresh air,” she said simply.
Lily skipped ahead, collecting leaves and investigating sidewalk cracks. Hunter found himself walking close beside Kate in the cool air.
“Thank you for tonight,” he said. “Lily had a great time.”
“So did I,” Kate replied. “She’s an amazing kid.”
“She likes you,” Hunter observed. “And she’s a pretty good judge of character.”
Kate was quiet for a moment. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“After you bought me a priceless book, I think you’ve earned one personal question.”
“Are you happy with your life? I mean—” The question caught him off guard.
“That’s a big one.”
“You don’t have to answer.”
“No, it’s okay.” Hunter considered the question seriously.
“Yes, I am. It’s not always easy.”
“Money’s tight, and sometimes I worry about giving Lily everything she needs.”
“But we’re together. I love my work and at the end of the day, that’s what matters.”
He glanced at her. “What about you? Running a successful company, buying amazing houses. Are you happy?”
Kate’s pace slowed. “I love what I’ve built. I’m proud of it.”
“But lately, I’ve been wondering if I’ve missed something important along the way.”
“Success is lonely sometimes.”
“Is that why you wanted built-in bookshelves? To make a house feel more like a home?”
“Partly,” she admitted. “I’ve moved seventeen times in the last decade.”
“Always to sleek modern apartments that never felt like mine. I wanted something permanent for once.”
They reached Hunter’s front porch. Lily was already sitting on the steps, sorting her leaf collection.
“I should go,” Kate said, but she didn’t move.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the house?” Hunter asked.
“Actually, I have meetings all day,” she hesitated. “But I’m free Friday evening.”
“Maybe… maybe we could have dinner again. Just the two of us.”
Hunter felt his heart rate pick up. “Like a date?”
Kate met his eyes directly. “Exactly like a date.”
He grinned. “I’d like that very much.”
The next morning, curiosity finally got the better of Hunter.
While waiting for Lily’s school bus, he did what he should have done weeks ago.
He Googled “Catherine Thorne Tech Company.” The results made him nearly drop his coffee mug.
Catherine Thorne wasn’t just successful. She was Thorne Tech’s founder.
She was one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the country.
Her company’s software powered nearly half of the Fortune 500.
There were articles about her in Forbes, Time, and Business Insider.
They all praised her business acumen and innovative approach.
And he’d been sending her dad jokes about shelves.
Hunter spent the rest of the day in a daze. He alternated between disbelief and a creeping sense of inadequacy.
What could someone like Catherine Thorne possibly see in a struggling carpenter?
He had a small house and a bank account that flirted with overdraft notices.
By Friday, he’d nearly convinced himself to cancel their date.
