Page 46 of PenPal Hero

As he swiveled around to greet her, the legs of his trousers rolled up a little, revealing his flashing ankle bracelet. It was a reminder that everything around him was a facade. Though he was not behind bars, he only had a semblance of freedom. The flashing light at his ankle designated him as government property, tagged and bagged to be used at the local police department’s discretion.

He experienced a stab of longing for the old days — back when he’d been his own boss, answering to no one but himself. Actually, quite a few folks back then had answered to him.

The longing quickly vanished the moment his gaze fell on his visitor.

“Hello, Jackson.” This was unexpected. He wasn’t allowed unauthorized guests, and there was no way Mrs. Malone would’ve overridden her husband’s wishes on that matter. On the other hand, she was over-trusting and a bit absentminded, a combination that made her forget to do little things like lock the doors.

Which meant Jackson Yates was trespassing on private property.

“Hello, Jude.” The bold, you-and-what-army glint in the ranch manager’s gaze told Jude he was probably armed. “We need to talk.”

CHAPTER 9: WEDDING BLUES

September

“Ugh! My brain hurts.” Bonnie closed her eyes and dropped her head between her hands. She’d been studying hard for her real estate broker’s license, as in every spare minute. After two weeks straight of taking online classes, however, she was still a long way from completing the required 180 hours of coursework. She had to take six thirty-hour classes in all, and she’d only just now completed the third one.

I’m halfway to forever!

“It’s supposed to hurt,” Alice called cheerfully from her office around the corner. “The state of Texas has some of the most rigorous requirements in the nation for their brokers.”

“Now you tell me,” Bonnie groaned.

“If I’d told you sooner, you might’ve taken off running.” Her future business partner breezed into the main area of the realty office. “Now you’re too invested.”

It was true. Bonnie groaned again as she raised her head. “I thought you liked me.”

“I love you like the sister I never had. That’s why I’m working so hard to bring you on board.” Alice reached her desk and hiked a hip on the edge of it. She was wearing a rosy pink pantsuit today with autumn gold high-heeled sandals. As usual, she looked stunning.

“I’m already on board,” Bonnie grumbled, feeling frazzled to the bone in her blue and white striped maxi dress and cowgirl boots. Her hair was in simple braids, and she’d pulled on a Stetson to avoid having to style her bangs. Unlike Alice, she didn’t roll out of bed each morning looking like she’d just stepped off a super model runway.

“Well, this will bring you the rest of the way on board,” Alice returned smoothly. “And it’ll come with bigger responsibilities and bigger pay. You’re going to thank me once you get on the other side of…how many hours of coursework do you have left?”

“Ninety hours,” Bonnie squeaked. Though she’d reached the halfway point, the finish line still felt like a bazillion miles away.

“Wow!” Alice looked impressed. “Already halfway there. What a rockstar!”

Bonnie pretended to sing into a microphone, pulling a chuckle out of her friend. “Thanks for letting me plow through some of my coursework during our down time at the office.” It would’ve otherwise taken her a lot longer to get this far.

“Hey!” Alice spread her hands. “It’s work related.”

“With a side of torture.” Bonnie’s brain was swimming with mortgage interest rates, credit scores, and debt-to-income ratios. Her only saving grace was that it was straightforward business math, not calculus.

“I might’ve had an ulterior motive for letting you study at work.” Alice leaned closer to announce in a stage whisper. “I need you to get as many of your classes out of the way as possible before my wedding.”

She was referring to the fact that Bonnie would be covering the office alone a few days before the wedding and the entire week afterward.

Before Bonnie could respond, her phone rang.

Holding up a finger, she answered it. “Underwood Realty. This is Bonnie. How may I help you?” For a moment, all she could hear was elevator music. Had the person who’d called her accidentally put her on hold?

A male voice emerged from the music. “This is Mr. Blackstone. I was hoping you’d meet me at Lane’s diner in about ten minutes, so I can put in my offer on that fixer-upper warehouse.”

“Absolutely. I’ll be right over.” Bonnie gripped the phone tighter, feeling suddenly woozy. She was probably dehydrated since she hadn’t had much to drink this morning.

She disconnected the line, rolling her shoulders as she struggled to shake off the cobwebs.

“Everything alright?” Alice stood as Bonnie started gathering folders into her briefcase. “You look sleepy.”

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