Page 57 of We Redeemed the Rain

Overwhelm choked out my immediate response.

She didn’t move her hand so I stepped out of her touch, finding my tongue. “No. You are, uh, here to rest. You should rest.”

“I could hardly rest knowing you’re running yourself ragged. There’s so many animals. I don’t know howthreepeople could do it. Let alone one.”

“I’ve done it before.” But I hadn’t. Not to this extent.

“Please tell me what I can do.”

“Nothing I can think of.”

“Could I at least call about the warranty? I’m sure you’ll need the semi by the weekend, right?”

“Yeah, next rodeo is a three hour drive.”

I met her gaze again. She was so sincere and too kind. Why? Despite spending two nights at the rodeo and being in each other’s company for hours, I hadn’t asked her a single question about her life or given her a few minutes of undivided attention.

“Let me help.”

I opened my mouth to tell her ‘no,’ right when we heard a twangy, hoot of a greeting. “Mornin’!”

Bea’s gaze darted to Hank, who strolled over like he had all day. The seventy-somethings man waddled more than walked due to stiff joints. Yet it’d never stopped him from showing up toget out from under Sally’s yammerin’at 8 a.m. every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. He was as faithful as a dog.

I didn’t want to slow down for pleasantries, but figured my manners had enough strikes against them as it was. “Hank. Good morning. This is Bea.” I waved toward her then motioned my hand back toward Hank. “Bea meet Hank.”

“Nice to meet you, Hank.” She gave him a genuine, unrushed smile.

He dramatically pulled the cowboy hat off his bald head and pressed it against his rounded gut. “The pleasure isallmine.” He didn’t release her hand after their shake and glared at me. “Where’d you find her? I daresay she’s outta your league, Mr. Taggart.”

I rolled my eyes as she giggled behind her hand and wiggled her other out of his.

“She’s a guest. Use your manners, Hank.”

He winked at her. “Sally tells me I’ve never had much manners.” Then he turned to me, putting chubby fists on his wide hips. “Glad you finally decided to get back here. Got good news and bad news. Whatcha want first?”

My body slacked at the prospect of something bad.

He pressed on. “Guess I’ll start with the good. Good news is not’aone of them horses got sick after shot day. I watched ‘em all like a hawk. Bad news is the Ranger wouldn’t start up this morning.”

Air rushed out of my chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Sorry, boss. I ain’t. I checked the plugs and the battery.” He shrugged, clueless.

“Alright.”

Bea’s eyes were on me. I didn’t look, but I could feel them. I quickly gave Hank the rundown on how we were going to get the horses to their pastures without moving the trailer while Bea awkwardly hovered nearby until we were done making a plan.

When Hank sauntered off with the Chevy keys, she approached, her suitcase dragging behind her. “Tag?”

“Yeah.”

She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ears. “I’m helping.”

I shook my head.

“I want to. Just tell me where to find the warranty phone number.”

“Bea.”

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