Hoping for a Father by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-01-09T20:27:56+00:00

Chapter Eight

“I need Thursday evenings off, starting this week.”

A few days later Mandy blinked, surprised to see Drew standing in the doorway of her office, but even more surprised by his request.

“Okay,” she agreed after a glance at the wall schedule. “Doesn’t look like it’s a problem until the last week of June.” She made a note.

“By which time I’ll probably be gone.” He nodded, pushed back his Stetson. “Thanks.” Her curiosity must have revealed itself on her face because he snickered. “Go ahead. Ask me.”

“None of my business,” she said and bent to recheck her latest computer entry.

“Guess anyway,” he said, his voice lighthearted.

Playful Drew. She hadn’t seen this side of him since—never mind.

“I have some accounting to do, Drew. It’s not the best time—” Mandy bit her lip. Maybe if she just played along, he’d leave quicker and she’d be able to breathe again.

“Work,” she guessed, but she knew her response came too late from the way his eyes lit up at the word accounting.

“Wrong. I’m joining John Purdy’s men’s Bible study.” He chuckled at her surprise. “Courtesy of Oliver. Miss Partridge suggested to him that I might enjoy their men’s group. Do you think I have to thank her?” He made a face.

“Yes, because that is a special group of men. Enjoy it.” Mandy bent her head, hoping he’d take the hint and leave. As if.

“Did I see Jeff Sanderson in here earlier?” Drew’s scrutiny was intense.

“Yes.” She laid down her pencil. “Turns out I owe him a big apology.”

“Because?” One imperious eyebrow arched as if he highly doubted that.

“Turns out he really does want to have dinner with me,” she began, holding up a hand to forestall his interruption, “to discuss my thoughts on an appropriate and memorable gift for his wife after the birth of their child.”

“Oh.” Drew blinked.

“Oh, indeed. Shame on me for thinking bad thoughts about him.” Mandy huffed out a breath that blew her bangs awry. “Now, please excuse me. I need to get back to work.”

“What’re you doing?” Drew pulled up a chair, sat down beside her uninvited and grinned. “Excel. I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. It’s still my least favorite program,” she grumbled.

“Meaning you’re still no good at the formulas.” He studied the screen. “Dare I ask what you’re trying to do?”

Mandy exhaled. Clearly Drew wasn’t going away just yet.

“Ben has always lumped supply costs together, but I want to keep separate spreadsheets for different operational facets of the ranch,” she told him, secretly grateful that he’d come along and was willing to help. If there was one thing Drew knew, it was spreadsheets.

But his proximity made her nervous. Businesslike, she reminded herself.

“You even want to track the guests’ meal costs?” he asked, his surprise obvious.

“Everything. If we know where the money’s going, we can be more mindful about how we spend it.” Mandy pointed out what she’d created so far. “I also want to split off the vet bills for each animal, see which ones repeatedly need treatment. Maybe we’re missing something that we could do to cut back on their medical needs.

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