Page 32 of Redemption

He shrugged. “Why not? It’ll be interesting to see what happens. Just no drinking on the job.”

Since the accident, I vowed never to touch a drop of alcohol, which wasn’t a biggie when I was in prison but I wanted to keep it that way. I had zero interest in drinking ever again.

“Not an issue,” I replied.

The guy nodded. “Great, start Friday? Get here for seven.”

I was so astounded that I’d gotten a job that I think I just stared at him for a full minute.

“Do you want a picture?” he joked, a rusty laugh leaving him.

I blinked, clearing my vision. “Sorry no. I just, really didn’t expect you to say yes.”

He shrugged again, a lazy lift of his shoulders. “Eh, I’m being selfish, I think you’ll make me some money.”

“I’m not sure I will but I won’t push my luck. I really appreciate this, uh, what’s your name?”

“Max,” he said.

“Nice to meet you, Max. I’m Jack,” I held my hand out.

“Ya don’t say.” He shook my hand and he had such a mischievous smile that I decided so far, I liked Max.

I left the bar and walked back towardsthe ranch, feeling the crushing weight lifting from my chest. I had somewhere to stay. I had found a way to work off some of my guilt for the Cartwright family and now I had a job that would earn me a little money too.

Life was looking up.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Katarina

“Do you need me to come to the ranch and kick his ass?” my best friend, Gertie, snarled.

I snorted, missing her and her fire. We had been friends since we were kids and had even gone to college together, living large and loving life. Two spitfires with the brains and attitude to take on the world.

But when it was clear Daddy was struggling here with the girls and managing the ranch alone, I’d quit and come home, leaving Gertie behind. I liked to think that if I had stayed, we would be traveling the world and living like queens. I’d always wanted to travel and get away but now the thought made me squirm. The idea of being away from this place for so longwas painful.

“You there?” Gertie yelled and I tugged my phone away from my ear.

“Dang, girl. Yeah I’m here, you don’t need to shout. And no, your offer, as gracious as it is, isn’t necessary. He seems to be keeping to himself.” I paced the porch watching the stars twinkle in the sky and thought I heard her sigh down the line. “But if you ever need an excuse, feel free to stop by.” I tried to keep the hope out of my voice but failed miserably.

I missed Gertie. I hadn’t seen her for a year now. She was married and living in Montana with some big business hotshot she met after I left college. I didn’t like him personally, but he seemed to make her happy. That said, she’d been ducking my requests to visit and I didn’t know if it was because me and Gary didn’t get on. He was too domineering and ordered her around. Gertie wasn’t herself around him.

There was a silence on the call before she spoke. “I’m sorry it’s been so long; things are just so crazy here with the business and I…”

“It’s fine. I didn’t mean to pressure you,” I hastily added, hearing the stress and anxiety in her voice.

“Soon, I promise.”

“Soon,” I repeated and we slipped into silence. I leaned against the railing looking up at the moon and sighing deeply.

“Whatchya thinking?” Gertie whispered. “I can tell there’s more on your mind.”

Ipshed. “Just the usual: the ranch, the girls, the convict in the cabin.”

Gertie snorted. “How are you feeling about everything? Now Charlie’s gone, there’s a lot riding on your shoulders, girl.”

I scuffed my sneakered foot along the wooden porch. “Yeah, there is. Honestly, I don’t know. I think I’m hanging by a thread right now.” I choked back a sob. A rare moment of vulnerability that no one could conjure in me but Gertie.

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