Read Online North Dakota Weddings by Elizabeth Goddard - Free Book Online Page B

did he really have when it came to his faith?
    He had a feeling he was about to find out.
    Andi cleared her throat, causing him to realize he hadn’t responded to her question about his brain food.
    “Well, I can see you’re one of those people who needs coffee before they become human.”
    “I’ve got a lot on my mind today.” Guilt threaded his conscience. What was the matter with him? The woman was actually paying attention. “Like your favorite mantra, I’ve got work to do.”
    “Then you’ll need one of these for that brain of yours.” She pulled out a Hostess cupcake, unwrapped it, and stuck it out to him. Her hundred-watt smile burned away his irritation.
    A grin broke through his frown, spreading until he laughed. How could he not? “Give me that.”
    He grabbed the chocolate gooey-goodness and stuffed part of it into his mouth.
    “There, that’s better. I’ve done my job.” She smiled again, then flipped her ponytail as she snapped around and waltzed away.
    Enchanted by her spell, Vance was unable to do anything except gape.
    Andi the builder had somehow wiped away his tension, using her strange magic. She was unpredictable. He weighed the trait, deciding he liked that about her, and finished off the cupcake and coffee. As he began work on his blindsiding tactic, he hoped he could be unpredictable as well.
    He hoped he hadn’t made the discovery too late.

    After picking Elisa up from school, Andi headed back to Ground Zero. Best not only to drop her troubled sister off, but to pick her up as well. That way she could stave off concern over Elisa getting into trouble. At least while she was working.
    They’d spent the morning pumping out the water in the equipment building. Guy Landers had stopped in to do a quick electrical check afterward. He’d told her he’d discovered the problem right off, when she was leaving to get Elisa. Arriving at Ground Zero, she noticed Guy’s truck was gone now. She and Elisa rode the elevator down.
    This morning she’d learned she’d won a bid on a job for Nielsen Remodeling. Things were finally looking up, putting her in a good mood, and for some reason, she found herself wanting to share the news with Vance. Since he’d not been in the greatest of moods, she kept the news to herself. Instead, she’d tried to encourage him, lighten things up, surprising herself. As she exited the elevator, she wondered how he was feeling now. Andi marched straight to the equipment room, the blast door propped open, and peered inside. The lights were on, lifting her spirits even higher.
    She stepped through the door and looked around the large room—almost as big as a two-story house. The diesel generator as well as other equipment had been removed. All that remained were the four shock absorbers in case of a bomb blast. Though she grew up hearing stories about the Cold War era, it was difficult to imagine living with that fear, even though there were still plenty of armed missile sites around the country, especially in North Dakota.
    “So this was why you were anxious to get back.” Elisa stepped into the room behind her.
    “Yeah, I wanted to see if the electrician got the power working. We pumped the water out so he could work.” Andi motioned for Elisa to come all the way in.
    “The place is a mess.”
    “You think?” Andi teased, happy Elisa took an interest, no matter how small. “It feels good when you transform a mess into something beautiful.”
    “So, why did I have to come? Why can’t you just drop me off at the Rhubarb Festival? It started today, you know.”
    Andi kept her focus on the room so she wouldn’t react. Did Elisa honestly think with her attitude that Andi would drop her off for a little fun? She’d been having a little too much fun for months now. Hence, summer school.
    “I wanted to check the power. But starting tomorrow, I’m going to put you to work so you can learn responsibility.”
    “I’ve got homework, you know.”
    This coming from