by Deb Kastner
It was a challenge keeping Audra from bobbing up and down to show Lindsey where to find containers for leftovers, dishcloths, a scouring pad and dish drainer. She finally relented and allowed her aunt to move her chair closer to the sink so they could chat while Lindsey washed dishes.
“I still can’t believe Grandma and Grandpa went all those years without a dishwasher.” Lindsey grinned over her shoulder. “You, either, for that matter.”
“The house is too old. We’d have to tear out some cabinets, redo the plumbing...not worth the hassle.”
“But it’s a huge kitchen. You’d lose very little cupboard space, and only right here by the sink.”
“Charles always said the same thing. Said if we had the kitchen remodeled to be more wheelchair-friendly, he’d take over the cooking and cleanup.” Audra heaved a mournful sigh, then dabbed her eyes with her sweater sleeve. “He would have done anything for me.”
“He was a wonderful man.” With fond memories of her uncle parading through her thoughts, Lindsey scrubbed another plate and rinsed it under the faucet. As she set it in the drainer, her gaze drifted beyond the window.
Though darkness had fallen, vapor lights at the Navarro ranch lit the gravel lane and the area outside the nearest barn. The SUV and horse trailer were still parked there, and Spencer appeared to be in deep conversation with the deputy. Spencer gestured toward the barn, then gave the man a firm handshake. They must have come to some agreement about fostering the horse.
Apparently forgetting her promise to stay seated, Audra stood and joined Lindsey at the sink. “Spying on our handsome neighbor, I see. Wondered why you suddenly got quiet.”
“I wasn’t spying. I just—” Pointless to deny the truth, although she preferred neighborly interest to spying.
“Oh, looks like Deputy Miller brought him another rescue horse. He must get one or two new ones every month or so. Can’t turn ’em away.”
Lindsey cast her aunt a knowing smile. “Remind you of anyone?”
“If you’re referring to my penchant for taking in homeless favorite nieces, then I plead guilty as charged.”
“I wasn’t exactly homeless, you know.” Lindsey set the last of the cooking pots in the drainer, then dried her hands.
“Well, you weren’t planning on staying in St. Louis after quitting your job, were you?” Squaring off with Lindsey, Audra shook a finger in her face. “And if I ever find out the only reason you quit your job was so you’d be free to come help me—”
“Absolutely not. I’d been thinking for months about leaving the company but hadn’t come up with strong enough motivation. I have you to thank for nudging me off dead center. And while we’re getting your finances back on solid ground, I’ll have plenty of time to figure out what I want to do next.”
“Or...you could stay with me and find a suitable but stress-free job right here in Gabriel Bend.” Audra gathered a handful of flatware from the drainer and began sorting it into a drawer. “That’s what I’m praying for, anyway.”
After all her aunt had been through, she still believed God heard her prayers? Lindsey shook her head. “Not sure I have that kind of faith anymore.”
“Oh, honey, if you’re sure, then it isn’t faith.” Closing the drawer, Audra slid an arm around Lindsey’s waist and smiled at their dim reflection in the window glass. “Anyway, I’ve got enough for both of us. God answered my prayer by bringing you here, didn’t He? So I’m confident He’ll take care of the rest.”
Despite her faith struggles, Lindsey couldn’t deny a sense of spiritual intervention in her decision to leave her dead-end job and come to Gabriel Bend. She only hoped God would show her a way to keep Audra on the ranch she loved. Yes, it was entirely too much for one person—or even two—to manage. Not to mention Lindsey’s ranching knowledge was limited to watching over the fence or from the back of a pickup as her grandpa and aunt tended the cattle. Even after his disability, Uncle Charles had done his part, too, either from horseback in a specially designed saddle or pulling a hay-filled trailer behind the ranch’s army-green Kawasaki Mule. Charles had also been the one with the most business sense. Bereft of his wise fiscal management, it was no wonder Audra’s growing debts had pushed her close to bankruptcy in recent months.
But this ranch was the family legacy, and Lindsey’s heart clenched to think how close her aunt was to losing it. There was a lot of rebuilding to do, but perhaps once she cleared up Audra’s financial situation, she could hire reliable help for her aunt to keep the ranch going.
Spencer, perhaps? He’d already been pitching in. If his grandfather, grouchy old Arturo Navarro, would only get past whatever ridiculous grudge he continued to harbor against Lindsey’s late grandfather, the possibility might be worth exploring...
But not tonight. It was all too much to think about right now. After two days on the road and a meal of her favorite comfort food, she could barely keep her eyes open. “I think the trip is catching up with me. Mind if I turn in early?”
“Not at all. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Lindsey kissed her aunt’s cheek. “You get a good night’s rest, too. We can start looking over your finances first thing in the morning.”
Copyright © 2020 by Myra Johnson
Love Harlequin romance?
DISCOVER.
Be the first to find out about promotions, news and exclusive content!
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Instagram.com/HarlequinBooks
Pinterest.com/HarlequinBooks
ReaderService.com
EXPLORE.
Sign up for the Harlequin e-newsletter and download a free book from any series at
TryHarlequin.com
CONNECT.
Join our Harlequin community to share your thoughts and connect with other romance readers!
Facebook.com/groups/HarlequinConnection
ISBN-13: 9781488070853
Opening Her Heart
Copyright © 2020 by Debra Kastner
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at [email protected].
Love Inspired
22 Adelaide St. West, 40th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.Harlequin.com