LITMIR.BIZ

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emergency fund. Besides, she hated to pack up Jeff and Kelly again. “But how would I be helping?”

      “I know zilch about decorating. I’m a bachelor. Spent a lot of my life living out of a single-wide trailer with my mom and brother.” While my stepfather shouted orders from back at his ranch, he added silently. “I don’t know anything about colors and styles and I can see how well you’ve taken care of the place.”

      “How much rent would you want?”

      He shook his head. “I don’t want any rent, but if you could include me at mealtimes, I’d be grateful.”

      “That doesn’t quite seem fair. Us living here and you in the cottage.”

      “I was planning to move into the cottage anyway while I did the work, so the house will be empty if you and the kids move out.”

      Maura knew he was probably lying, but bless him, he was trying to help her. She never wanted to be beholden to a man again. It had taken her a long time to stand on her own and not be afraid. But the truth was, she had to think about the kids, keeping a roof over their heads. They loved it here. How could she uproot them again? Besides, she had nowhere to go but back to the shelter once she wore out her welcome at Abby and Cade’s. At least, Wyatt Gentry was offering her time to figure out where to go.

      “I appreciate your offer, but I feel that if I’m going to stay I need to do something more.”

      “What is that?”

      “I’ll not only cook your meals, but do your laundry, too.”

      When he started to argue, she stopped him with her raised hand. “Take it or leave it, Mr. Gentry.”

      A slow smile came over his handsome face and a strange feeling erupted in her stomach. “Lady, you got yourself a deal.”

      Chapter Two

      Maura ended up running late for work. But she couldn’t just walk out on Wyatt Gentry. After all he was going to be her landlord. She was both excited and relieved that they could come to terms so she and the kids could stay…for a while.

      She pulled her car into the parking lot of the Mustang Valley Guest Ranch Center, and escorted Kelly through the doors of the bright red-and-blue building of the employee’s day care. Since summer had ended and the seasonal workers were gone until next spring, there were only four other children there.

      The Little Pony Day Care had been a lifesaver for Maura. She had very few skills for today’s job market and could never have made enough money to be able to afford someone to watch Jeff and Kelly, let alone a licensed day care. But Maura had been offered the free service along with her job. Best of all, Kelly loved staying here.

      “Give me a kiss, sweetie,” she said to Kelly.

      Her daughter puckered up and kissed her. Not long ago, Kelly wouldn’t willingly leave Maura’s side. Now, she was a happy, independent child.

      After last night, Maura was afraid her daughter might revert into her former shell, but she relaxed when Kelly ran over to her friend, Emily, and began to play. So Wyatt Gentry’s surprise arrival hadn’t caused the child any lasting problems. Maura wished the same was true for herself. She now had a man practically living in the house, and he’d be sitting at her dinner table every night.

      “Bye, Mommy. I love you.”

      “I love you, too, pumpkin.”

      With a wave goodbye, Maura hurried out the door and across the complex to the strip mall that included a general store and the cabin check-in and rental area for the guest ranch. There was also a souvenir shop, a video arcade, the Mustang Western Clothing Store, then came Abby’s Treasures that carried nice collectibles and freshwater pearls from the local Concho River. And last in line was the flower shop.

      Maura unlocked the front door to the Yellow Rose. She stepped inside and a wonderful floral fragrance engulfed her, causing her to smile. She loved working with the flowers, loved to arrange bouquets for the ranch guests. And if that weren’t enough, she was lucky to work for a wonderful family like the Randells, especially Abby. With virtually no experience, Abby had taken a chance on Maura and given her a job. The few things she had known about flowers had come from Carl Perry, her parents’ gardener.

      A lonely, only child, Maura used to follow Carl around the estate. The poor man answered every question she’d ever asked and taught her everything about flowers, from pruning to fertilizing. Her mother had always insisted there be fresh bouquets in the house daily. What Grace Howell hadn’t known or cared about was that Maura was the one doing the floral arrangements. But her parents hadn’t noticed much about their daughter until she’d married Darren Wells. And then they’d disowned her completely.

      Maura pushed the bad memories from her head and thought about how lucky she was. She had Jeff and Kelly with her, and even received a salary for what she loved to do. Thanks to Abby’s encouragement, for the past few months, she had created special bouquets for the guest cabins, and just recently, Maura had been approached to do a local wedding in San Angelo. And she had appointments to talk with prospective brides about doing two more. The Yellow Rose’s business was growing and it was more than Maura could handle by herself. She needed to hire an assistant.

      Maura put her purse away in the small office. Grabbing the rose-monogrammed apron off the hook, she tied it around her waist. She went to open the shutters, turned the Closed sign to Open, then picked up the fax with the list of today’s bouquets. There was an asterisk beside the cabin number of the bridal suite and the name of the couple who would be arriving this afternoon. Maura smiled. Her favorites were the newlywed arrangements. She went down the list of the four other cabins that would be occupied by three o’clock. She needed to get busy.

      Maura started toward the work area when the bell over the door sounded. She turned around expecting to find a customer, but instead Abby Randell rushed through the door.

      “I didn’t think you’d ever get here,” Abby said, her green eyes sparkling.

      At thirty, the beautiful woman wore her auburn hair short with the ends flipped up. A pair of hoop earrings hung from the tips of her earlobes. Tall and slender, she was dressed in tailored navy slacks and an ecru crepe blouse. Abby was the mother of two young boys, Brandon and James.

      “Sorry I was late, but I needed to talk with Wyatt Gentry.”

      “I know. I wanted to come by the house, but I had an appointment with an artist this morning. He’s agreed to let me sell his paintings at Abby’s Treasures. Forget about that.” She waved her slender hand. “Look, Maura, you and the kids can move in with us. Cade and Travis will come by later and help get your things. Don’t worry, we’ll find you another place. It was a crazy idea to put you in the old Randell house, but at the time it seemed the best and fastest solution.”

      Maura tried to interrupt her friend, but she couldn’t get a word in. Finally Abby ran out of steam. “Really, there’s no need,” Maura said. “I’m going to stay where I am.”

      “What?”

      “Wyatt Gentry insisted we continue living in the house…for now.”

      Abby crossed her arms. “And just where is this…Mr. Gentry going to live?”

      “In the foreman’s cottage,” Maura announced. “At least while he finishes the repairs to the outside of the house.”

      “Why would he let you stay?”

      Maura was puzzled herself. “I’m not exactly sure.”

      Abby studied her for a while. “And you’re okay with this?”

      What choice did she have? “He seems like a nice man.” She also had to admit that Wyatt Gentry was a very handsome man. That was, if she paid attention to those things. “And he’s giving me time to find another place to live.”

      “Then we’ll go looking for another place as soon as possible.”

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