Page 32 of Bear's Heart

“Do what’s best for you.I just thought you might like to be living closer to your two job sites.”

“What about you?Won’t you hate having me around so much?I’m sure I’ll end up getting on your nerves.”

“I’d rather you be here than some stranger.I’m picky about housemates.I like things clean.I know you.You’re not a lot of work, and I’d never have to give you the no drinking, no smoking, no parties lecture.”

She laughed.“Oh, you don’t know me.I could very well throw parties every weekend.Live bands, dance floor, keggers, you name it.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“No, you wouldn’t.”She thought about his offer, not sure if he was truly open to renting her a room.“But are you serious?About renting me a room?”

“It’s a three-bedroom house.I don’t need three bedrooms, and I’m not going to rent you a room.I’m going to give you a room.If you’re working for free, you should at least have free room.Don’t you think?”

“I do like saving money.”

“Take your time to decide, because there are negatives for you.You’d be driving to Bozeman for work, and then you’d have to deal with me, and I’m not always Mr.Cheerful.”

“I’m nearly done with the internship and my classes wrap up the end of summer, which means I just have my projects.”She paused, smiled.“And I’ll buy you a flag, maybe a pirate flag or a bear flag and when you’re in a bearish mood, you just hang the flag and I’ll know to steer clear.”

“You’re hilarious,” he said dryly.

“I know.I make myself laugh.”

“When do I see you again?”he asked.

“Tomorrow afternoon.I’m coming back to measure for your new appliances.”

“I’m doing new appliances?”

“The new washer and dryer, remember?”

“Oh, yes, I do, and if you think you can squeeze a dishwasher into that kitchen, measure for one of those.I hate doing dishes by hand every night.”

“I’ll work on it.”

*

Josie made plansto meet Ansley for a quick early lunch as Ansley’s gallery didn’t open until noon on Saturdays as she stayed open until ten in the evening.

They met at Rosita’s, the Mexican restaurant on Main, and both ordered the chicken taco salad with extra guacamole and wasted no time diving into a proper catch up as it had been over a month since they’d seen each other.Ansley shared that she was busy painting, working at the gallery, and spending an evening or two each week with her uncle on his ranch.Her brother Lachlan was still there, and he’d settled in well, and was thinking that the Campbell ranch in Paradise Valley should break even at the end of this year, and with luck, be profitable the following year.

“That’s not luck,” Josie said as their salads arrived.“That’s hard work.”

“He’s happy there, and that’s the good thing.”

“It’s also great that your uncle Clyde gets to stay in his house.He has to love that.”

“I can’t see him in a senior home,” Ansley agreed.“He’d be so difficult.”

“How is his health?”

“Up and down.Some days are good, and some days he’s just so childish.He’s beginning to have tantrums and thank goodness Lachlan has a cool head.He doesn’t let Uncle Clyde get to him.But he will need more care as time goes on.Probably full-time care.”

“Which is expensive.”

“The money isn’t the issue.It’s getting my uncle to agree to anything.”Ansley shook her head.“Enough of that.I find it rather depressing.Let’s talk about you.You must be so excited to finally have your design projects squared away.You’ve got six months to work your magic.Can you do it?”

“If I had to rely on any other contractor than Rye, no.But Rye is so good, and we work well together.It makes me happy to team with him.”Josie pushed some of the lettuce around, uncovering bits of corn and cheese.“I have a question for you.”

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