The Soldier's Redemption by Lee Tobin McClain

Author:Lee Tobin McClain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-04-06T18:11:33+00:00

Chapter Eight

Almost two weeks later, Finn listened to the thunderous applause in the community center and smiled over at Kayla, who stood on the other side of the stage. She looked stunning in a white dress that fit her like a glove. Her brown hair fell loose and shiny around her shoulders, and her smile was as joyous as his.

They’d generated so much interest in the ranch, just by talking up the open house with friends and neighbors, that they’d been asked to share their story at the monthly town meeting. The event was tomorrow, and they’d been working like mad, but from the response they were getting, it seemed like it might actually be a success.

As the meeting broke up, people crowded around him, asking questions and offering congratulations. He looked over and saw a similar group surrounding Kayla.

Funny how conscious he was of her at every moment.

“Well, you done it,” Long John said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I think you just got the open house a couple dozen more visitors. Folks are excited.”

“That thermometer thing you put online is rising up fast,” Willie added, coming up behind Long John and reaching out to shake Finn’s hand. In his other hand, he held up his phone, displaying a donation meter already half-full. He squinted over at Long John, then looked back at Finn. “Say, we need to talk to you a minute. In private, like.”

“Sure.” Finn glanced around, then ushered the two older men toward a quiet corner of the community center. “What’s up?”

Long John and Willie glanced at each other. “We’ve got ourselves an awkward situation,” Long John said. “See, we were given a gift card for that new restaurant up Cold Creek Mountain.”

“Cold Creek Inn?” Finn whistled. “Nice.”

“My daughter wanted to treat us,” Willie explained. “Thinks I don’t get out enough or some fool thing.”

Finn chuckled. “Why don’t you ask Dana Dylan to go with you?” He nodded at the white-haired dynamo who’d asked Willie out a number of times.

Willie raised his hands and took a step backward. “No, no way. I don’t want to encourage her.”

Finn lifted an eyebrow. “Because your heart’s somewhere else?”

“His heart ought to go on out with Dana,” Long John grumbled.

Finn shouldn’t have opened that door. The two men’s rivalry over Penny was mostly good-natured, but their friendship was too important to fool with them.

Apparently Willie felt the same way, because he slapped Long John’s shoulder. “I’d rather have dinner with my buddy here than any woman. Don’t have to clean up my act for him.”

“Then you two use the gift card,” Finn said. He was still confused about why they’d brought him into it.

“But we don’t either of us like that kind of food,” Long John said. “Nor a place where you have to get all gussied up to go.”

“And it expires tomorrow,” Willie said. “If my daughter finds out I didn’t use it, she’ll be upset.”

“So we were thinking...”

“Since you and Kayla are all dressed up,” Willie said, “I’d like for you to use it.

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