Page 33 of Hometown Girl

Beth noticed the sweet expressions on everyone’s faces as they nodded and reminisced along with her sister.

“We want to bring that back. The simple joys that kept our families strong. I’ve done my share of traveling ...”

She had. Beth envied her that. Beth had lived a confined life while Molly saw the world. It had changed her sister, certainly, but deep down, she was, and always had been, Molly. It was like she never questioned herself. While that sometimes got Molly into trouble, Beth was often paralyzed by all her own second-guessing.

Not her best trait.

Molly went on. “I really believe there’s no place in the world like Willow Grove, and we want to be a part of this community in a memorable and important way. And we will be, for as long as you’ll have us.”

The crowd applauded again as Beth tried not to think about the ramifications of another professional misstep.

“So, why don’t we talk through the way today is going to work?” Molly sounded like she was leading a pep rally, and the people in the barn responded with a cheer.

Beth wondered if they’d all be this excitedafterthey got their work assignments for the day.

She took a step back as Molly started outlining some of the jobs that needed to be done. Only then did she dare a glance in the direction of the good-looking stranger. She was surprised to find his eyes focused squarely on her. This time, instead of pulling her eyes away, she challenged his look with one of her own, locking onto his gaze and wondering if it would set him off balance the way it did her.

She doubted it, but when she detected the slightest lift in his eyebrows, she almost lost her resolve.

Was she flirting?

How ridiculous. She pulled her eyes away and focused on Molly, who was explaining what needed to be done. They’d consulted with Ben on this part too, just to get a list going, but secretly Beth hoped someone would take charge of the whole day and instruct all these people in the tasks that were most pressing.

“There’s weeding, yard work, sweeping out the barns. The barns will need some serious attention, and we haven’t even started talking about the orchard or the trees.”

Already Beth felt overwhelmed. Ben had warned them not to expect anything to look much different at the end of their work day, and she knew he’d never leave his business to give them the kind of help they probably needed. He just couldn’t—he’d worked too hard.

Still, she wished someone with some know-how would come forward and take a bit of the guesswork out of this whole project. Beth felt like a child who’d just been thrown into the deep end of the pool without a life preserver.

“We have to clear out the old before we can bring in anything new,” Molly told the group of willing workers after assigning them to various tasks. “And don’t forget to head back here for lunch at noon. We’ll be grilling hot dogs and burgers, and several of the ladies from Willow Grove Community Church brought dishes to pass. We promise they all have clean kitchens.”

The crowd laughed, and once Molly was finished, they dispersed to their respective jobs. Mr.Handsome sat for a long moment as the others shuffled out around him. He took what seemed to be the last drink of his coffee, stood and walked straight toward her. Beth stiffened—like a junior high girl at her first dance.What if he talks to me?

Her mouth went dry.

He met her eyes as he threw his coffee cup in the trash can right beside her, then quietly strolled out of the barn. Holy smokes. She needed to get ahold of herself. Beth Whitaker was not one of those girls who went weak in the knees over a guy. No matter how good-looking and mysterious he was.

She felt foolish that she’d half expected him to talk to her, when really he was just looking for the garbage can.

Get a grip.

She turned and found Molly and Callie staring at her. “What?”

“What was that?” Callie’s eyes were wide.

“What?”

“Whatever that long, sexy gaze was between you and Drew the handsome cowboy,” Callie said.

“He’s a cowboy?” Beth didn’t date cowboys. She’d always gone for guys in suits and ties. Guys like Michael. Of course, look where that had gotten her.

Molly shrugged. “Looks like a cowboy to me. A cowboy in a baseball cap.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re smitten with him, aren’t you?” Molly waggled her eyebrows, looking every bit the little sister she was.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

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