Page 45 of Love and Memories

“You don’t need to know how to do anything. We’ll start from scratch. I could really use some help cleaning out the cabins. There are a few on the western ridge that need repairs. You and I could clean while Travis rebuilds the porch.”

“I can do that,” Bella said.

Tammy wrapped an arm around Bella’s shoulders, leading her toward a white work truck. “Good. We can gather supplies and head on over. Travis, if you’ll head over to the barn, Matt can help you load the lumber and stuff.”

Travis nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Tammy rolled her eyes as she guided Bella beside her. She leaned in to whisper, “That boy is my favorite. Don’t tell anyone I told you that.”

Travis backed up to his truck and continued watching the women until they disappeared into the main house. He should be relieved someone else was taking care of Bella for a little bit. He should be glad to be free of the hold she had on him.

Why did he want to follow her? It didn’t make sense.

Prying his attention from the door where Bella had disappeared, he got in the truck and drove over to the barn. Matt Benson waited in the breezeway and directed Travis as he backed up to load the materials.

Tammy’s truck was parked in front of the small cabin when Travis and Matt pulled up.

“Thanks for bringing Bella,” Matt said.

“Thanks for giving her a chance. She’s more than ready to get to work.”

Matt chuckled as he got out of the vehicle. “That’s a rare thing these days.”

Travis jerked his head toward the cabin. “I’m going to check on her before we get started.”

“Go on,” Matt said with a wave as he rounded the truck to the tailgate.

The worn boards on the porch creaked beneath his boots, and he slowed his steps. Inside, Tammy swept a broom back and forth in front of a stone fireplace while Bella wiped down cabinets in the small kitchen.

“Everything okay in here?” Travis asked.

Bella rested back on her heels and beamed up at him with a megawatt smile. “Great. I know this sounds weird, but I think I’ve done this before.”

“Yep. She has some great tricks for deep cleaning and knows what products work best on different surfaces,” Tammy added.

“You think this could have been your job?” Travis asked.

Bella shrugged. “Could have been. I’m definitely enjoying it.”

This was better than he’d hoped. Bella was starting a new job, and even though it wasn’t considered glamorous, she was happy to do it.

“That’s a great start. Sounds like this match-up was meant to be,” Travis said.

Tammy propped an arm on the top of the broomstick. “She also told me about some other things she’s remembering, and it sounds like her memories might come back soon at this rate.”

Bella’s shoulders sagged as she relaxed. “Yeah. Maybe talking through things will help.”

“Well, we have all day to chat,” Tammy said.

“I did remember something else last night before bed. At least, I think it’s a memory. It might have been a dream. It was an apartment with white walls and brown carpet.”

Travis’s shoulders tensed. Had that been her home? If so, where was it?

“I bet it’s difficult to separate dreams from memories,” Tammy said. “Don’t rush it. You’ll be fine here until you remember.”

Bella dipped her rag into a bucket of water with a sigh. “You’re right. I’m feeling much better about things now that I have something to do.”

“Oh, I’ll give you plenty to do,” Tammy said. “Just let me know when you’re feeling tired. I heard you need to take breaks often.”

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