Page 16 of Gideon's Gratitude

I pushed through the underbrush and into the clearing. Normally, numerous trucks lined one side of the driveway, but today, Archer’s pitiful SUV sat alone.

I winced and offered up a word of thanks. The tree had fallen straight across the front half, right on top of the front seats. Anyone in there would’ve been killed instantly.

Some of my anger dissipated.

Riley’s team was dismantling the tree, a tow truck had backed in, and Taryn, the driver, was hitching up the vehicle. Straight to the scrapyard. And the thing was new. Or relatively new.

I wasn’t a big car guy, but I could spot quality and expense. This had cost Archer a pretty penny.

Well, that was why people were required to acquire insurance. Hopefully replacement value.

Taryn waved and I waved back. She and her fiancée had a reputation of being friendly.

Lots of people in Mission City had reputations of being friendly—I just didn’t know most of them. I rarely left the mountain.

I pivoted my attention.

When I spotted the owner of said demolished vehicle, my anger flared back up.

Archer stood next to Riley as they surveyed the home.

The monstrosity of a house that felt even bigger than it usually did. Likely because my own place was so small in comparison.

The guy towered over me, but barely topped Riley.

The woman was uncommonly tall, uncommonly beautiful, and unerringly charming. She’d done much to allay my concerns about having a construction site next to my home. Nothing either of us could do about the inconvenience, but she ensured her crew were always respectful and considerate. As considerate as they could be.

Except the couple of times they’d been working before and after regular work hours. When they’d broken the bylaws about quiet.

I’d felt guilty reporting them—but I needed downtime. As long as she and her crew were here, I never seemed to get peace. That said, it appeared most of the outdoor work was done. Still, vehicles were constantly coming and going. Always some kind of noise.

The chainsaw started up again, and I flinched. I wanted to cover my ears, but that likely wouldn’t help. This would trigger a migraine for sure, and yet I didn’t retreat to my safe side of the land divide. The trees did buffer a bit of the sound, but I had the tall, handsome man in my sights, and I wasn’t going to let him go.

You’ve got this.

I stomped over. Or tried to. Last night’s torrential downpour saturated the ground, and the mud clung to my boots as I crossed the yard. Still, when I got to the gravel drive, I clomped.

To no effect, since the chainsaw was hard at work.

This was so not going how I’d envisioned.

I was about to turn tail when Riley spotted me.

She waved enthusiastically, her thick braid of black hair swinging with the gesture. Somehow, she made her standard hard hat look stylish. The brim shaded her eyes from the brilliant sunshine that’ddissipated the fog. Her pale-green eyes shone with happiness when I approached.

“I understand you met Mr. Chamberlain last night.” Her grin was wide. “I can’t thank you enough for taking him in. I would’ve come out, of course, but you saving me the trip last night is appreciated.”

As that’d been utmost in my mind, I returned her smile, although I knew it lacked the brilliance of hers. Heck, even her teeth sparkled. I cut a glance to Archer whose gaze shot back and forth between Riley and me. Was he attracted to the woman? They certainly made a handsome couple. Tall, elegant, fashionable, and attractive. So gorgeous that mere mortals didn’t stand a chance.

Uh…what?

Focus.

I thrust out the cash. “I don’t want your money.”

Riley’s eyes widened before she schooled her features. “I’ll just leave you to discuss this. I need to oversee the installation of the flooring in the primary suite.”

Calling bullshit on her obvious excuse wouldn’t be polite, but it tempted me. I didn’t know her well, but her scruples were well known. And discretion had to be part of her contract, undoubtedly.

---