Shelter
Page 25
Jamie flushed. “Elijah doesn’t need to hear stories of what I did as a kid.”
Elijah chuckled. “Sure he does. I need something to prove Jamie Zanetti isn’t perfect.” He grinned at Rosa. “No one has a bad word to say about him.”
“I should hope not,” Rosa said. “He’s perfect.” She kissed Jamie’s cheek. “Except when he’s not doing what his mother tells him.”
Jamie groaned.
“What’s all the noise?” Jamie’s father walked into the kitchen and glanced at Jamie’s ankle. “What have you done?”
“It’s just a sprain.”
“Damn. I was hoping to get your help in the shop tomorrow. Elsie called in sick and your mum and I have plans for our anniversary.”
Jamie hesitated. “I should be able to put some weight on it.”
What was he thinking? “Guy told you to stay off it all weekend, he ordered elevation and ice.”
Jamie scowled at him. “It’s their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
How beautiful. They shouldn’t miss out. Elijah hesitated. Though maybe it would seem strange. Never mind, they could always say no. “I have the morning free,” he said. “If you can show me what to do, I can help out.”
Mr Zanetti frowned. “Sorry, who are you?”
Oh, right. He held out his hand. “Elijah Johnson. We met at Kit and Lincoln’s wedding.”
Mr Zanetti shook it. “Right. I thought you looked familiar. Harold.”
How could Elijah convince him, he was reliable? “Jamie could even stay seated and supervise, tell me what to do. I just need to be gone by three so I can milk Kit’s cows.”
“You’re Kit’s farmhand!” Harold made the connection. “She’s always praising you.”
Elijah flushed. “The feeling’s mutual.”
Harold glanced at his son. “What do you think?”
Jamie nodded. “We’ll manage. Joy will be there as well, won’t she?”
“Yeah.” He turned to Elijah. “Thanks so much. We’ll pay you going rates. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Saturday off, and I’ve got something special planned.”
“Which he won’t tell me about,” Rosa added.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I did.” The affectionate smile and the way his gaze tracked his wife’s movements in the kitchen showed Elijah how much they still loved each other after all these years. It was sweet, the kind of love he wanted in his life.
“Why don’t you stay for dinner?” Rosa asked. “It’s just about ready and Harold can fill you in on what’s required.” She went back to the stove.
Did Jamie want him to stay?
Jamie smiled and gave a small nod. “Go on. Mum’s food tastes as good as it smells.”
Elijah’s heart squeezed. “All right. Thanks. I’d love to.”
Maybe the attraction wasn’t one-sided after all.
Want more? You can buy it now.
Also by Claire Boston
The Texan Quartet
What Goes on Tour
All that Sparkles
Under the Covers
Into the Fire
The Flanagan Sisters
Break the Rules
Change of Heart
Blaze a Trail
Place to Belong
The Blackbridge Series
Nothing to Fear
Nothing to Gain
Nothing to Hide
Nothing to Lose
First Response Series
Shelter
Shield
Harbour
Protect
The Beginner Writer’s Toolkit
Self-Editing
About the Author
Claire Boston is a contemporary romance author who enjoys exploring real life issues on her way to the happily-ever-after. She writes heart-warming stories, with resilient heroines and heroes you’ll love. In 2014 she was nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Award for Favourite New Romance Author.
When Claire’s not writing she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds.
Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and her grubby, but adorable Australian bulldog.
You can connect with Claire through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/clairebostonauthor) and Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/clairebauthor), or join her reader group (http://www.claireboston.com/reader-group/).
First published by Bantilly Publishing in 2019
Copyright © Claire Boston 2019
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or, in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Shelter: First Response Series
EPUB format: 978-1-925696-34-9
Mobi format: 78-1-925696-35-6
Print: 978-1-925696-36-3
Large Print: 978-1-925696-37-0
Cover design by Amygdala Design
Edited by Ann Harth
Proofread by Teena Raffa-Mulligan