A Family of Her Own (Dundee, Idaho #3)(20)
Author: Brenda Novak

Suddenly her stomach hurt, reminding her of the early labor pains she’d suffered, and she feared her anxiety might bring them back. In any case, it was difficult to breathe. “So this isn’t a job interview at all.”

“Pardon me?”

“This is a handout.”

He looked uncomfortable. “It’s not a handout, exactly, Kate. I mean, there’s no reason to look at it like that. We can always use some extra help around here. And…with a baby on the way, you…well, it’s no trouble to let you live in one of the cabins until you get back on your feet.”

“Who asked you to hire me?” she asked.

“No one.”

She gave him a “we both know better than that” look.

“Well, Booker mentioned it to Rebecca,” he said, backing off. “Then Rebecca called me. But I don’t mind, really. Neither does Josh. Hell, I’m sure Conner and Delaney would let you stay out at the Running Y, if you’d rather.”

Briefly, Katie closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Did she have to be humiliated in front of everyone who’d ever meant anything to her? How had it come to this? She was tempted to blame Andy and the general unfairness of life. But she was the one who’d made the decision to leave with him. She was the one who’d softened and let him back in her bed that day he was crying. And, if she didn’t want to be a charity case, she was the one who’d have to figure out a way to solve her problems.

“Thanks for the offer.” She stood with as much dignity as she could muster. “But I’m afraid I won’t be able to accept.”

Mike’s eyes widened. “Rebecca said you don’t have any other options. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to salvage what I can of my self-respect.” The weariness that had pressed her back into bed whenever she’d tried to get up during the past couple of days stole over her like a lengthening shadow. But she managed to lift her head high and walk out.

She found Booker leaning against his truck, chewing on a toothpick. He watched her cross the driveway, wearing the lazy, somewhat insolent expression that was so characteristic of him—and so deceiving. He never appeared to be paying close attention to anything or anyone, but Katie knew nothing ever slipped past him.

“How’d it go?” he asked.

The way Booker took the toothpick out of his mouth and straightened told Katie he already knew something was wrong. He’d probably noticed the stiffness of her walk the moment she stepped out of the ranch office.

She wished she could hide in a dark corner, away from the rest of the world. But time out wasn’t an option. “It might be a while before I can pay you back for these new boots,” she said, brushing past him.

He turned and, from the corner of her eye, she saw him raise his eyebrows. “What does that mean?”

“It’s not going to work out.”

“But you had the job before you ever came here.”

“That’s just it.” She climbed into his truck and shut the door, forcing him to get in if he wanted to continue the conversation. But when he got behind the wheel, he didn’t say anything. He started the truck and, except for the radio station playing Van Halen, they drove to the farmhouse in silence.

“So what’s the plan?” he asked as they turned into the driveway.

She’d been working that out, ever since they’d left High Hill Ranch. Now she took a deep breath and shifted toward him. “I want to make a deal with you.”

BOOKER CUT THE ENGINE. “What deal is that?” He resisted the urge to check his watch. Delbert and Chase had been expecting him at work for quite a while now, but it didn’t look as though he was going to get there anytime soon.

“I don’t have any money, and I don’t have a place to stay.”

This was not late-breaking news. “You just walked away from both,” he pointed out.

She grimaced and stared out the window for a few seconds before turning soulful eyes on him. “Letting you buy me these boots was hard enough. I just couldn’t…Tell me, would you ever accept that kind of charity?”

“I’ve never been pregnant and unable to do what I normally do,” he hedged.

“Yes or no?” Her voice demanded absolute honesty.

He sighed. “What’s your offer?”

“If you’ll let me stay here, I’ll do all the cooking, cleaning and laundry for you and Delbert, to cover my rent.”

Booker didn’t see how this solution got her out of his life. Having her wash his boxers and change his sheets seemed pretty much the opposite. “How can you do that without risking the baby?”

“I’ll do it a bit at a time, rest in between, be careful not to overdo.”

“That’s your plan?”

“Not all of it, but—” she fidgeted with the bottom of her sweater “—I’m afraid you won’t go for the next part.”

Booker wasn’t sure he wanted to go for the first part. What had Mike Hill said or done to blow what Rebecca had arranged? He hesitated, but his curiosity finally got the best of him. “Try me.”

“I need a computer. I want you to help me sell the Cadillac so I can buy one and pay you back for the repairs.”

“You want a computer instead of a car?”

“Yes.”

“What for?”

“So I can start a home-based business.”

“In my home?”

Her gaze never wavered, but her knuckles turned white as she clasped her hands in her lap. “Just until I make enough money to get out on my own.”

“What type of home business did you have in mind?”

“I’m going to design Web sites. When I was in San Francisco, I worked with a designer to construct a site for the salon. I don’t have a background in graphics or computers, but the designer said I have a natural eye. She also told me it’s much easier than it looks. And everyone liked what I came up with.”

Katie was supposed to be packing up to move over to High Hill Ranch….

“How long do you think it would take to get this business going?” he asked.

“Maybe six months.”

“And the baby’s coming in four.”

She caught her lip between her teeth. “Right.”

He had to give her credit for being straightforward. But he didn’t want to face Katie with Andy’s baby every time he came home. “That’s it?” he said. “That’s your plan?”