Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(57)

“About what?” she asked and then reacted with playful sympathy when Whit sneezed. Jared put down the poker, thinking he was just stirring more airborne debris.

“Are you superstitious?”

“As long as she didn’t meet a violent end, it doesn’t bother me. When I was sitting outside the other day, this little place intrigued me. It needs a thorough cleaning, but I like it. Only I’m not sure…”

“Not sure about what?”

“You said you were planning to buy the whole place, rather than just lease it. You could fix this place up and charge a premium rent for it. What I paid Marvin for rent wouldn’t even come close to what you could make.”

Kendry glanced at him and shook his head. “It was never our intention to rent this place out. That would mean others coming and going, which would put a damper on us enjoying our privacy out here.”

Jared knew what Kendry left unsaid was the fact that he was—hell, they both were—hoping that she might eventually make their house her home and Whit’s. For now it was just a dream, though. And one they knew was too soon to express to her.

He also didn’t mention what they had no intention of accepting rent money from her. It might keep her from actually accepting the offer and moving in with her dad instead.

Presley Ann lifted a sheet from one of the chairs, a solid oak straight-back chair by the look of it, and nodded. “I can more than make do in this place, if you’ll have me?”

If I’ll have you? I’m thinking of all the ways I want to have you, kitten.

Presley Ann pulled out her smartphone and tapped the screen. Smiling at the two of them, she put the phone to her ear. “Lydia? Hey. I’m doing fine. Remember when we talked and you told me that it was okay to ask for help sometimes? Yeah. I really do.” She went on to briefly explain the busted pipe and her emergency exodus. “Can you come? LuAnn, too? You’re kidding! Please thank them for me. Yeah, anyone else you want to bring is welcome. I really appreciate it.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes when she ended the call but she was smiling. “We’ll have help soon. Lydia is calling everyone to see who can come. Chance and Clayton are going to take a horse trailer to the apartment to load up all my stuff. Chris Potter and Julian Alvarez were there with them and they said they’d help. Can you go meet them? And what about the chief, Kendry? You’re supposed to be on shift right now.”

Kendry waved the question away. “Chief said to help you, and I’m on call tonight in case they need me.” What he didn’t mention was that the O’Hara brothers had also offered to come help—an offer which he and Kendry had pointedly refused. Those two were persistent.

“What about you?” Jared said, enjoying the gleam in her eyes as she surveyed the house, but understanding what it also meant. “You can’t clean and air out this place all by yourself.”

Presley Ann’s smile practically lit up the room. “I’m not. As a matter of fact, Lydia was clear about that. She should be here with a crew soon and as small as this place is, it shouldn’t take long. Besides, Whit is overdue for his nap. Can I put him down in the house? I think all the dust may be bothering him.”

By the time they had Whit down for a nap, Lydia and her cleaning crew had arrived, comprised of LuAnn, her husband, Maynard, and two musclebound guys with red hair from the Rockin’ C Ranch named Tank and Troy. Ethan Grant and Adam Davis also showed up. While Ethan helped the rest of the guys, Adam checked out the air conditioner and heater for her and made sure they were still working properly.

Presley Ann giggled as she made her way across the yard as the men emptied the house of furniture, placing it all in the yard for cleaning, and so Presley Ann could decide if she wanted to use it or store it.

Lydia met her out front with a hug and an inquiry about if she was doing okay with the upheaval. Then she said, “Charity and Justine are headed over to your apartment to supervise the men while they pack everything up, so they’ll know where everything is once they get the horse trailer over here. Once they arrive, Justine will watch over Whit for you while we work.”

Troy came out of the house and yelled, “Hey, gorgeous! Look what I found!” He held up a radio and plugged it in to an outlet by the door. Static sounded and he said, “It works!” He nodded as he tuned in a station and went back to work. Jared turned to Presley Ann and liked the big smile on her face as she bobbed her head, too. Seeing her happy in a situation that would depress anyone else surprised him.

She looked up at him as if sensing his questions and said, “Having friends is really nice.” With a sniffle, she hurried forward to join them. Jared drew in a sappy sigh as he watched her curls bounce and her hips sway with her movement.