LITMIR.BIZ

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around unattended. “Maybe you should stick with me, honey.”

      “If it makes you feel better, I’ll keep a close eye on him while we go check that pasture fence.” Martin nudged Jason. “You ever string wire?”

      Jason’s eye grew wide. “No, sir.”

      “Well, how can a young man leave Hawk Ridge without stringing wire?” Martin peeked over at her. “We’ll be real careful.”

      She’d make this a very quick shower. “Listen carefully to Mr. Martin, okay, Jason?”

      “Thanks, Mom.” Jason fell in line with Martin, and the two of them headed to a field away from the pens.

      “C’mon, darlin’. Let’s get you cleaned up before you catch a cold.” Grace tugged on Melanie’s blanket.

      Melanie looked at the sprawling log ranch house and fell in step. “I appreciate the offer, but my clothes are still in the truck.”

      Grace shook her head. “Not to worry. We always have extras.” She threw a glance over her shoulder. “Gabriel. A little soap and water might do you good, too.”

      Melanie snuck a peek at the well-built cowboy who’d just battled an angry bull. He stood and squinted into the sun as if wrestling with a decision. Apparently resigned, he tipped his hat back with one finger and headed down a path into the pines.

      Melanie grinned as she turned back to Grace. Not hard to tell who ran the show around the Circle D.

      Hair still wet from his shower, Gabe propped one leg along the top of his desk as he read the repair receipt Manny had handed him. Replacement parts for the old truck were pricier than he thought. The cost wasn’t the only problem they had on their hands.

      A noisy bark in the yard announced his time of grace ended. Father, give me words to comfort the blow of this painfully expensive situation. Gabe sensed Melanie carried a load of pride along with her penchant for responsibility.

      She swept into his office on a whirlwind of dog, laughter and sunshine. “I called and rescheduled the interview. Glad they’re flexible.”

      Oh, she has a beautiful smile. Not that he had time to daydream about Melanie Hunter, but he had noticed a couple things about her. Especially dressed in his old flannel shirt and jeans. Even back when he could fit into that size, they’d never looked that good on him.

      The familiar scent of soap and shampoo filled the air as she tucked her hair behind her ear, the sunny blond strands just sweeping her shoulders. She smelled good, looked good and felt good. Gabe stood and slapped his thigh to call Fletcher. Tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, Fletch trotted over to him and heeled.

      “Glad he’s trained so well.” Melanie caught her breath. “He’d be a handful if he didn’t listen.”

      “Don’t let him fool you. Fletcher has his own agenda most of the time.”

      Her laughter faded to a smile as she looked around his office. “Nice place you have here.”

      Stacks of paperwork were piled around his desk and heaped onto the floor. Magazines and periodicals flowed over his filing cabinet. A cup of coffee gathered dust on the side table. Gabe winced. “Someday I’ll unearth my desk.”

      “Never know what you’ll find.” She tapped a stack with her finger. “Looks like filing isn’t a priority, is it?”

      “You may not believe this, but I know where to find all the important stuff.”

      She wrinkled her nose. “You’re kidding, right?”

      “I think better when all my work is in front of me.”

      “Looks like you’re shaping a trail to the barn.”

      Her even white teeth matched the sparkle in her eyes. His balance faltered when he realized she smiled at him. Gabe grabbed the folder from the nearest stack and indicated the chairs in front of his desk. “Here, have a seat. I have some news for you.”

      Melanie shot him a wary glance and stood her ground. “Good news or bad? Doesn’t matter. I think I’ll take my news standing up.”

      “I have some of both for you. The good news is that Manny can fix your truck as soon as the parts get here.”

      “That’s great!” She hurried toward the door, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Sorry to bother you, but maybe you can give us a lift into town where we can rent a truck for a few days?”

      “I can take you anywhere you want to go. But wait, there’s a bad side to this news, too.”

      She stopped and turned. Her round eyes narrowed and her slender frame stiffened as if awaiting a blow.

      Gabe drew a breath. “Older trucks like yours are easy to putter with, very few complicated electronic parts to get in the way. The problem you have is the major component you need won’t get here for at least two weeks.” He handed her the page of internet research on parts and ship times.

      “Two weeks?” Her voice remained steady as she scanned the page.

      Gabe glanced at the remaining paperwork in his hand and winced. “There’s more.” He handed her the parts estimate.

      She sucked in a breath and snapped her gaze up to meet his. “Is this a joke?”

      His stomach pitched against tense, tired muscles. “No joke. Your truck may be simple to repair, but the parts aren’t mass-produced any longer. The common parts will be interchangeable, but something as large as a radiator, well…” he trailed, praying for the right words. “Let’s just say it took a bit of searching to find a used one for your make and model that inexpensive. Insurance?”

      Melanie eased into the nearby chair and set her elbows on his desk. “Liability. I can cover the other guy, not myself.”

      His standard offer to pray with her and ask for the Father’s help was on the tip of his tongue, but for some reason, he hesitated. He leaned against the edge of his desk. She’d never indicated how strong her faith was, or even if she had faith at all. Trust in the Almighty remained Gabe’s answer, even if it meant holding his words at the moment. Okay, Lord, so what do I do?

      “I’ve waited so long for a job like this to come up.” Her voice almost a whisper as she compared the two pieces of paper. “Now, even if I get it, I won’t be able to pay this and move.” Eyelids closed, she tipped her head back. “I guess I’ll cash in my vacation time and just go back to work.” She sat up straight and blinked. “I have to tell Jason.”

      Her agony twisted his gut. “How much time did you have?”

      “Three weeks. Three long, glorious weeks.”

      Gabe glanced at his calendar. Just enough time. “I might be able to help you.”

      She looked up. Any spark of light in her eyes, gone.

      It was a long shot, but he’d never know until he asked. “Look around this office. I haven’t a dream of catching up any time soon.”

      She looked around. “Looks more like a nightmare to me.”

      He shook his head. “Seasonal deadlines. Stock reports, financials, the like…and I have this barbecue planned for the Fourth of July.”

      Her brows drew close as if trying to make sense of his rambling.

      “It’s just a simple barbecue picnic to go along with the auction.” He rushed on before she refused. “Plan for about a hundred families. You’ll have help from the local ladies with food. They’ve been this route before—you just need to be the one in charge.” He held his breath as he eyed her frozen features, worried she might explode any moment. “Don’t worry about the auction. I’ll take care of that.”

      Seconds passed before her clenched jaw relaxed. She tilted her chin and squinted up at him. “You want me to plan a party?”

      Gabe

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