Page 10 of Purr For Me
“Makes me want to buy a truck just so you can do that to it,” Kade commented.
It was impossible for Lexie to ignore the pride his praise created. “That was for a job Sully had a little while ago. It was a 1960 Ford F-100. The customer wanted it restored as a birthday present for his dad, who was a rancher. He sent me a picture of their family’s ranch and I created the design from it.”
The way Kade’s eyes lit up made Lexie smile. “Do you have any pics of the finished job?”
“Yeah. We take pics of all our jobs. Not only because we like to show them off, but as a proof of the work we do.”
“Can I see them?”
Lexie shrugged. “Sure.”
With a few more mouse clicks, she located the correct folder, pulled up the pics of the truck and moved out of the way.
Kade stepped in front of the computer and let out a low whistle. “That’s incredible. I can’t believe how much detail you got on it. There’s even a horse and a cow.”
Out of nowhere, sorrow hit Lexie, and she couldn’t breathe for a moment while she fought it off. When the sharp pain in her heart faded to a dull ache, she said, “This was a really fun job because it was so different from most of the stuff I do. We don’t have a lot of requests for country scenes on cars, so it was a nice change of pace.” She swallowed hard. “It was almost a year ago. My first job when I started here, right after Jason stole our money and ran off with that whore. I owe Tom a lot for hiring me, even though Marcus didn’t want him to.”
Kade’s mouth curved in a wry smile. “Let me guess; that’s why you’re putting up with me.”
Guilt flickered across Lexie’s face, but she had to be honest. “Yeah.” Not caring to expound upon her reply, she changed the subject. “Anyway, let me show you the designs I came up with for your car.”
She reached for the mouse, but Kade rested a hand on her forearm.
“I learned Jason’s in Michigan. I have men there looking for him. I promise I’ll find him in time.”
“My P.I.’s there, too.”
“Lexie, I’m not my brother. Please don’t judge me by his actions. We’re nothing alike. I’m not the bad guy.”
Despite the sincerity in his eyes, Lexie couldn’t let her guard down. Kade might not be his brother, but the Colter men still had a reputation where women were concerned. “You say that, but I remember you always had women lined up just itching to get into bed with you.”
“I’m not married. I never disrespect the women I’m with.” His expression grew shuttered. “Besides, just because they wanted me didn’t mean I wanted them. Like I said, Lexie, there’s a lot you don’t know about me. Maybe it’s time you learned what I’m really like.”
Lexie’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
Kade’s friendly smile didn’t put her at ease. “I mean, I’d like us to get to know each other a little better. I’m not your enemy.”
Why this sudden need to know her? Was he trying to keep her on his side to save Jason? Pulling her arm away, Lexie wondered at the way her skin tingled from his touch. “I don’t know what you want from me, Kade.”
“I don’t want anything from you. I just think it would be good for us to be on friendly terms while you work on my car. I’d rather have a good time instead of being at each other’s throats, wouldn’t you?”
Lexie resisted crossing her arms over her chest because she didn’t want Kade to know how defensive she felt. “Do you know Jason mortgage my cabin?”
He looked at the ground. “Yeah. And I’m so thankful you haven’t pressed charges.”
“Yet.I haven’t pressed charges yet.”
He looked directly into her eyes. “Please give me a chance to make this right. If I can’t find Jason, I swear I’ll ensure you won’t lose the cabin. If he goes to prison—”
“Stop. I would never want Jason to go to prison. He’s sick. He has an addiction, and he needs help. Prison won’t help him.”
The relief on his face proved he loved his brother. “Thank you for being so understanding.” He stood looking at her with a puzzled frown. “Very understanding. What are you not telling me?”
“My mother was an addict.”
He waited for her to continue, but she wasn’t up to sharing so, finally, he shrugged and added, “You understand then.”
She forced her lips to curve into a small smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”
