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“Home is a good mile away.”
She shrugged.
“It’s dark.”
“I have a flashlight.”
“How about I come with you?”
Again she shook her head. “I’ve put you through enough tonight. I’ll be back in the morning for the truck if you don’t mind if I leave it here.”
“Why would I mind?” he asked innocently.
* * *
DANI ARRIVED AT Gabe Matthews’s driveway early the next morning just as a tow truck pulled out, a sports car attached to the towline. How much was this going to cost her? It’d looked as if the car had simply ended up in the grassy ditch last night when she’d walked by leading Lacy, but knowing her luck, the frame was now bent, or some chunk of special German-made chrome needed to be replaced.
Well, such was life.
But why was life always this way when money was tight? When she was trying to live on a shoestring budget as she started her dream business...the one that Marti Kendall had pretty much told her was doomed.
Yeah, we’ll see about that, Marti.
Jingling the keys in her sweatshirt pocket, she continued down the driveway. Worrying didn’t do a lick of good. All she could do was focus on the positives, and there were positives. She had a place to start her business; a place where she could live rent-free.
After she and Jolie had talked Allie and Mel out of instantly selling the ranch following Allie’s divorce, the sisters had agreed that as long as one of them wanted to live on the place, they would keep it. If Dani and Jolie didn’t want to live on the place, they would revisit the idea of a sale. Dani didn’t see that happening. Her father had once told her that he didn’t regret not having a lot of money because he had something better—a life that made him glad to get up in the morning. That was what Dani wanted. In a way she was lucky that her company had folded when it did. It gave her the kick in the butt she needed to start living a life that made her glad to get up in the morning.
She walked over the cattle guard at the Staley gate and paused for a moment, studying the house. It’d literally been years since she’d been close to the house, but it looked better than ever. Even though no had lived in it for the past year or so, the windows sparkled in the early-morning sun, the cedar appeared freshly oiled and the lawn was green and manicured. The Staleys had paid a pretty penny to keep the place they’d grown tired of maintained as they’d waited—and waited—for a buyer. Apparently they still hadn’t found one if Gabe’s company was only leasing.
She’d decided against checking in with Gabe before leaving in the truck. It was early—barely after sunrise—and she imagined a guy on vacation would want to sleep in. She’d just started for her beat-up vehicle when a voice behind her made her jump.
She turned to see Gabe standing on the porch, wearing jeans and a gray-and-black plaid shirt, half-buttoned, with the tails hanging out. His dark hair was still rumpled from sleep, his feet were bare and he wore glasses. Dark horn-rimmed glasses that made him look like a sexy scientist. “You’re here early,” he said, running a hand over the back of his head.
“My sister is coming later this morning.”
“She could have given you a ride.” He walked down the damp stone steps. Dani pulled her eyes away from his bare feet and fixed them back onto his face.
“I like walking.”
“I noticed. How’s the mare?”
“I put her in a stall in the barn. As far as I know, she’s still there.” She took a few steps closer, turning the keys over in her hands. “I saw your car...leave.”
“It’s a company car, so I figured it’d be best to have it checked out.”
“What company?”
“I doubt you’ve heard of it,” he said with a half smile. “I’m a consultant for a company that designs parks and gardens for towns and universities.”
“Does the company have a name?”
One of his eyebrows lifted slightly at the question. “Gabe Matthews, Consultant, LLC.”
“You’re forcing yourself into a vacation?”
“It was either that or a heart attack.”
“Do you have other employees?”
“I contract my help for the most part.”
Which only brought more questions to mind, but Dani forced herself to step back. Her neighbor’s business had nothing to do with her. “Well, let me know what the damages to your car are.”
“Danica, I don’t quite know how to break this to you, but you’re not paying.”
“I’m not?” The words came out on a note of challenge.
“That’s what insurance is for.”
“What about the deductible?”
“My company has a top-notch insurance policy. Low deductible.” He stepped onto the purplish flagstones. “I’ll tell you what you can do.”
“What’s that?” she asked, her eyes never leaving his. They were the most amazing stormy gray, and looked even grayer because of the shirt he was wearing.
“You can give me a ride to town when I get the call to pick it up.”
“I could do that,” Dani agreed. “And maybe even buy you lunch.” It seemed the least she could do. Then maybe she could get answers to the questions she probably shouldn’t be wondering about in the first place.
“Or dinner. My treat,” Gabe said.
“That isn’t exactly me buying you lunch.”
“You can buy a drink later.”
Dani shook her head. “Lunch.”
“I’m not hitting on you,” he said on a note of amused exasperation.
“You’re not?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
He smiled crookedly. “Maybe a little, but in a neighborly sort of way.”
And maybe that was a bit flattering, but Dani shifted into retreat mode. She still had some Chad issues to work through before diving back into the dating—or even the quick-drink—pool. “I don’t know you and I don’t go out with guys I don’t know.”
“How do we get to know each other?”
“I guess we go to lunch.” Because that was as far as she’d let things go, even if he was the best-looking guy she’d seen in forever.
“Lunch it is.”
* * *
OKAY. DANI BRODY truly was skittish. He had to take care not to appear to be hitting on her, but he had to admit, it was a bit difficult when everything in him reacted to her in a positive way. A very positive way. It didn’t help that she looked pretty damned delectable wearing jeans she probably hadn’t expected to be seen in since she’d arrived so damned early. Form-fitting, well-worn, frayed holes at the knees...he blew out a short breath, shaking his head as he watched her ass while she stepped up into the truck. Yeah, the woman could wear jeans.
She started the engine and with a quick wave swung the vehicle into a circle and drove past him. The old truck groaned as she shifted gears, and not because she was bad with a clutch. No, this was more of a transmission-on-its-last-legs groan. Well, when she sold the ranch to Widmeyer, she’d have plenty of money for transmissions. She could buy property elsewhere and set herself up in style. New house, new truck. Big barn. Just without quite as much acreage as she had now.
He went back into the house and almost turned around and went back out again. He’d been rattling around alone inside of the elegant box for three days and now, without the car, he had no means of escape. Granted, he had work to do, but he preferred to work in the evenings, losing himself in his plans until somewhere along the line he realized it was early morning and he needed to go to bed. That was what had happened last night and it’d only been a fluke that he’d woken up and glanced out the huge window next to his bed to see Dani walking down the drive.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. When his friend Neal Widmeyer answered he said simply, “I’m going to need more to work on while I’m here to keep from going stir-crazy. Have anything you can send my way?”
“Not at the moment,” his friend said. “Go mingle with the locals.”
“I have no wheels.” Briefly he gave a rundown of what had happened and then Neal laughed.
“Sounds like you have your pretty neighbor right where you want her—beholden to you for not suing.”
“True,” Gabe said. “But she’s not very friendly.” Actually that wasn’t totally true. She was friendly, but only superficially so. She had barriers that Gabe was going to have to work around.
“I know charm is not your strong suit, but you’ll have to see what you can do. Push the envelope.”
“What are you talking about? I’m charming.” Gabe settled his hip against the black granite countertop, staring across the room at the state-of-the-art stainless-steel range and cooktop. Maybe he could take up cooking.
“No. You have money. There’s a difference.”
“You’re saying woman only like me because of my money?”
“Pretty much.”
“Bullshit. They like me because of my... Never mind.”
“Dream on,” Neal laughed. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re getting to know Ms. Brody. I’ve never seen Dad so determined to bring in a project.”
“Probably because he’s never been bent over and so thoroughly screwed by someone he trusted.” Gabe crossed to the front door and stepped outside to look out across the fields at the Lightning Creek Ranch. He could just see the rooftops of the two barns between the tall poplar trees. “Let him know that I’m doing my best to help him rectify matters.”
“Can you hurry?” Neal was only half-kidding.
Gabe gave a soft snort. “I don’t think this is a hurrying situation.” And even though Stewart was showing uncharacteristic signs of impatience, Gabe intended to approach the matter methodically, just as Stewart had taught him.
“You’re right. Best not to hurry and screw things up further.” He cleared his throat, then asked, “Did you hear from Serena?”
“Off on her vacation and she swears she won’t check in.”
“Right. Well, when she doesn’t check in, will you have her call me?”
“Uh, sure.” Gabe wondered why Neal didn’t simply call her himself, but decided against asking questions. At least not at this point in time.
“Thanks. If I find any work, I’ll send it, and in the meantime I know Dad’s fine with you picking up contracts.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Not with your charm.”
Gabe hung up and smiled. When he and Neal had first met, neither had seen their friendship lasting so long. Why would they have? They’d had nothing in common except for being forced to work at the same youth center during the summer before their freshman year. Neal had been there because his father had wanted him to see how the other half lived and Gabe because his youth probation officer had thought it was a good idea. Meanwhile, Gabe’s best friend, Sam Cody, had been enjoying all summer had to offer. Gabe had been pissed and Neal had been doing his best to rebel against Stewart—while still showing up for work on time.
Gabe’s lips twisted on the memory. Oh, yeah, Neal had been quite the rebel.
At first Gabe had tolerated Neal hanging with him—the kid had money and money was handy—but eventually he’d come to trust Neal as much as he was able to trust anyone. Considered him as much of a friend as Sam, even though he never let the two of them hook up for any length of time. Sam didn’t understand Neal. Sam wanted to work him, exploit the rich kid. Gabe hadn’t allowed that to happen. He felt protective of Neal and, in a weird way, he’d learned something about life from the kid. Living with a foster family more concerned with getting a monthly stipend than actually parenting the moody teenage boy in their care, Gabe had done whatever he pleased in his off hours, while Neal had curfews and responsibilities. He couldn’t stay out all night. He had to study. He had dreams and aspirations that seemed very exotic and out of reach to Gabe. College. Grad school. A retirement plan.
Things Gabe never thought he’d have, but did, thanks to Stewart Widmeyer.
CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_9bfae418-8b4b-573e-a54d-fd2cdd394458)
“I HAVE NO idea how Lacy got out,” Dani said as she helped Allie fold her winter clothes and put them in a plastic bin to haul off to school in Idaho. “Unless she dropped to her belly and crawled out under the bottom rail. The gate was latched. There wasn’t enough room to get a running start to jump. I’m mystified.”
“You’re just lucky she went to the neighbor’s instead of heading for the county road.” Allie held up a sweater, grimaced and put it back down again. “I can’t face this one. Want it?”
“No. And I’m aware I’m lucky,” Dani said drily. The donation pile was about five times larger than the folded clothing in the plastic bin.
“Do you think someone let her out?” Allie asked just a little casually as she folded a sweatshirt and put it into the bin.
“Why would someone let her out?” Dani asked, shocked at the question.
“No idea. It seems about as realistic as her crawling under the fence or jumping over it from a standstill.”
“Gus did go a little nuts just before I got into the shower yesterday.” The Pyrenees-border-collie mix raised his black-and-white head at the sound of his name, then laid it back down on his paws with a heavy sigh. Gus wasn’t exactly a ball of energy unless he was chasing a bunny, his chosen prey.
Allie stopped folding. “I don’t like this.”
“You aren’t talking about the sweatshirt, are you?”
“No.”
“Did you have trouble with...intruders when you lived here?” Dani asked reasonably, shaking open a black plastic bag.
“I had trouble named Kyle,” her sister retorted bitterly.
It took Dani a second to realize what her sister was getting at. “You think Kyle let the mare out?”
“Last time we talked he was pretty angry.”
“Why would he do something like that?”
“Because I taunted him about the fences and gates?”
Dani let out a sigh. “Kyle isn’t responsible for everything bad that happens here.”
“But he is responsible for a lot of it and if we sold the place, we wouldn’t have to put up with him.” Allie sat down on the edge of the bed, her expression intense as she said, “You shouldn’t have to deal with him alone while I’m at school.”
