Read Online What She'd Do for Love by Cindi Myers - Free Book Online Page B

that.”
    “I’m sorry you were laid off. It sounds like you really enjoyed the work.”
    “I did. I not only liked the work, I had good co-workers I looked forward to seeing every day. I even liked our office. It was a light, airy space near my apartment. I was planning to buy a town home in a new development in the neighborhood next year. I thought I had it made, and that I’d stay there for years.”
    “It’s even harder to leave a situation when you’re so attached to it,” he said.
    She nodded. “It’s scary, when things change that we thought we could count on to remain stable.”
    “That’s when you learn to count on yourself—and the people around you.”
    “I guess so.”
    Now it was her turn to take a step back, to move away from the connection she was starting to feel for him. “I have a bunch of things I need to do at the house before my parents get home,” she said. “I’ll tell Dad you stopped by. Do you want him to call you?”
    “No rush. I’ll stop by some other time.” He straightened. “Maybe I’ll see you again.”
    She took another step back. “Ryder—don’t get any ideas, okay? I mean, I’m here for just a little while, to get my bearings and look for another job. You’re here to oversee this highway project.”
    “And I’m part of all the changes you hate.” He nodded. “I know you don’t like what I do, but we can still be friends. That’s all. You can’t have too many friends, can you?”
    What did he expect her to say to that? “No. I guess not. And I think—I think you’re an okay guy, even if we don’t agree on this highway issue.”
    “I’m still hoping to win you over to my side.” He nodded politely and then headed across the yard, back toward his truck.
    She hugged her arms across her chest and watched him climb into the truck and drive away. She’d told him she liked it here on the ranch because life was simple. But lately, things had gotten very, very complex. Ryder was one more complication she wasn’t sure she knew how to handle.
    * * *
    R YDER DROVE BACK into town, intending to return to his apartment and follow up on some paperwork he needed in anticipation of next week’s ground breaking for the highway. He didn’t want any last-minute glitches to delay the project. The townspeople, as well as his bosses with the state, would scrutinize every aspect of his work, so he wanted it to be perfect.
    But instead of turning toward his apartment, he headed down Main Street and parked in front of the hardware store. Inside, he wandered the aisles, looking at displays of paint and supplies, then stopped in the aisle devoted to housewares. He fingered the edge of a red-and-blue braided rug.
    “Thinking of doing a little redecorating?”
    He turned and recognized Christa’s friend, Kelly. The petite brunette walked toward him. “I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but you look a little lost, Ryder.”
    “My mother’s coming to visit, and I thought I ought to try to fix my place up a little.”
    “Good idea.” She glanced at the display of rugs. “You don’t really seem like the braided rug type, though.”
    “Honestly, all I know about rugs is that you walk on them. And I don’t care to learn more, except I’m trying to avoid giving my mom an excuse to lecture me about growing up and settling down. I figured having an apartment that looked like I actually lived there would help.”
    “You’re in Vicki Harrison’s garage apartment, right?”
    “Yep. I take it one of her sons lived there for a while, so it still looks like a cross between a frat house and Grandmother’s attic.”
    Kelly’s laughter emerged as a snort. “Not a good look. So, what are you hoping for instead?”
    “I just want it to look like someplace an adult man would live. One who’s sort of...settled.”
    She quirked an eyebrow in a quizzical manner. “Does this mean you’re thinking about staying in Cedar Grove long term?”
    “I’m only here for the duration