Page 23 of Second Chance With a Cowboy

Leni exchanged looks with her sister. “I guess it would be okay. One of the Johnson girls, Emily, is scheduled to work today. She’s still learning the drinks, but she’s great at managing the register.”

“It sounds great to me,” Lorna said. “Experienced help that I don’t have to put on the payroll and figure out taxes for? Yes, please. And honestly, I could really use my sister today.” She turned to Elizabeth. “I know your family runs a restaurant, so I have every faith in your shop skills. And don’t worry, within the first three days of taking over the place, Leni had re-organized my supply closet, created an opening and closing schedule, and made color-coded cards detailing exactly how to make all the drink recipes.”

Leni looked down at her feet. “Sorry. It just made more sense to have it all organized and the recipes and closing procedures written down. And your supply room was total chaos—you had the plasticware next to the syrups and the coffee next to thecleaning supplies. Now it’s all logical, and you can easily find things.”

Lorna laughed. “Don’t be sorry. I love having an engineer for a sister. And I know you can’t help yourself when it comes to organizing and creating structure. So, I especially love it when my house and my store benefit from your giant brain.”

“That settles it then,” Duke said, putting what was left of the food into the refrigerator then wiping the last few stray crumbs from the counter into his palm and dumping them in the sink. “We’d better get going.”

Leni wrote her and Lorna’s numbers down then got the spare set of shop keys from the kitchen drawer and passed them all to Duke. “Emily should be there before ten, and she can show you how to get everything set up. And these are our numbers so don’t hesitate to call or text us with any questions. And if you get stuck, or have a big rush, call me and I’ll come down to help out.”

“Don’t you worry,” he said, giving her a wink. “We’ve got this. You just take care of your family.”

After Duke and Elizabeth left, Dodge took Max outside to help him work on the railings while Chevy carried the bassinet down to the back living room. Maisie helped Leni get the sofa bed made, and the room set up while Lorna nursed the baby.

“Ugh, I think there’s still blood matted in my hair,” Lorna said, as she nestled a sleeping Izzy into the bassinet.

“I can help you figure out how to cover your bandaged foot and forehead so you can take a shower before they put the cast on your ankle,” Leni told her. “Then we can pack up some of your bathroom stuff and a few clothes to bring downstairs for you.”

“I brought a book, so I’m happy to sit in here and watch the baby if that would help,” Maisie offered.

“That would be great,” Lorna told her.

It took almost an hour for Lorna to shower and for her and Leni to get everything moved down to the living room.

“I’m exhausted, and it’s not even noon,” Lorna said, leaning her head back so Leni could brush out her wet hair.

“I’d love to take Max down to the library to check out some books if you want to take a nap,” Maisie said. “And if you have a stroller, I can take Izzy too.”

“You’re so sweet,” Lorna told her. “The baby usually sleeps for a few hours in the morning, so I have another hour to nap, but I’m sure Max would love to go. He loves going to the library. But you’ve already done so much.”

The librarian waved away her objection. “Nonsense. I’m happy to help. And I think this morning has been a ton of fun.”

“First tacos and now taking Max on an adventure. I don’t know how to repay you.”

Maisie looked down at the sofa where she ran her finger over a broken seam. “You don’t have to repay me anything, but I could always use another friend or two.”

“Sold,” Lorna and Leni said at the same time, then the three women laughed together.

Maisie collected her things while Lorna crashed out on the sofa.

“I’ll walk you out,” Leni told her, following her onto the front porch. Just to be polite. Nothing to do with wanting to check on the progress of the railings. Or the cute cowboy who was helping to build them.

Country music was playing from a speaker on their toolbox, and the two brothers were laughing with Max as Chevy held a board up to the frame they’d built along the side of the stairs while Dodge set a screw. They’d already made great progress. One of the railings looked to be finished.

Chevy held his hand out to steady Maisie as she maneuvered down the front steps and around the tools and boards.

“Oh, I love this one,” Maisie said, as a new song started.

Still holding her hand, Chevy pulled her into his arms and crooned loudly along with the lyrics as he two-stepped Maisie down the sidewalk. She stumbled as he spun her around in an intricate maneuver, then her face went pink as she let out a nervous giggle.

“Now, be careful with her,” Dodge warned. “That’s my girl you’re tripping up there.”

“Tripping is right,” Maisie said with a laugh. “On my own two left feet. I can’t do those complicated steps.”

“You know who can?” Chevy asked as he passed Maisie off to Dodge then bounded up the steps to sweep Leni into his arms. “This girl right here. She’s a great dancer.” He triple-stepped her around the wide front porch then as the tempo of the chorus picked up, he swung her around, twisting their arms over and around their heads as he skillfully executed a pretzel.

It had been years since Leni had country danced. Heck, years since she’d danced at all, other than the few times by herself in the kitchen when a good song came on. But somehow, with Chevy, the boy who had taught her how to swing dance and two-step, she fell back into their old rhythm and all the steps came back to her as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

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