Love Inspired August 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Rancher Daddy\Loving the Country Boy\A Father's Second Chance by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Love Inspired
Publisher: Harlequin

Chapter Eight

It was a rare warm evening in late October, and Tess was enjoying some quiet time on Gram’s front porch, reading the latest book from her favorite mystery author. After working at the noisy, dusty mill, the fresh air was a welcome end to her day. Pausing between chapters, she reached over to the wicker table beside her and picked up her dripping glass of sweet tea. While she drank, the call of a nightingale prompted her to glance around to find the source. She saw the bird in a nearby tree and leaned her head back to listen to its repertoire for a few lazy minutes.

Thoroughly distracted from her book, she let her gaze wander around the cozy neighborhood populated by old homes and stately trees. Every front porch was occupied by people either talking or reading actual newspapers. The elderly couple next door was listening to a baseball game on the radio, and she marveled at how the residents of this little town enjoyed the simple things in life.

She heard the crunch of feet in the side yard and looked back over her shoulder to find Heath strolling toward her. Laughing, she teased, “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your sneaking skills could use some work.”

“Tell me about it.” He grinned back, kicking a pile of dried-up leaves out of his way. “Doesn’t anyone in your family own a rake?”

She loved the way he referred to the Barretts as your family. Knowing he viewed her as one of them cemented her growing feeling that she’d finally found her place in the world. “Uncle Tom’s been here a couple times, but he can’t rake them as fast as they fall. I offered to help out, but he told me it’s man’s work.”

“That must’ve gone over well.”

“A month ago I probably would have given him a piece of my mind.”

Heath came up the porch steps and settled into the chair beside hers. He was holding a folder in his hands, and she wondered what was going on.

“And now?”

“I’m getting used to the Southern gentleman thing,” she admitted with a smile. “It kind of grows on you after a while.”

“That’s good, ’cause we’re not planning on changing our ways just to suit you.”

As much as she enjoyed sparring with him, her curiosity got the better of her. “You didn’t come here just to chat, did you?”

“Well—” He drew the word out on a long drawl then shook his head. “I could use your help with something. It’s important,” he added emphatically, as if he feared she’d turn him down if he didn’t give her a good reason to say yes.

“You don’t have to talk me into it, Heath. For everything you’ve done to help me, I’m happy to do something to pay you back.”

She held out her hand, but he pulled the folder into his chest in a protective motion that was baffling and touching at the same time. She’d never seen him act this way, and his reluctance to give up whatever was in that folder made her smile.

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