Page 16 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“How much will it cost?”
“An alternator belt is pretty cheap.An alternator, not so much.Either way, the labor can be expensive.”
Her brow furrowed.“I can’t afford an expensive repair.”
“You’re in luck because I’ll do it for free.”
“Why?”she asked.“Why would you do that?”
He chose his next words carefully because he could tell she didn’t trust him.She was suspicious of his motives and protective of her son.She probably didn’t want his charity, either.“I like to fix things.It makes me feel… less broken.”
Her eyes softened.They were a golden-brown color, like topaz.“You’re not broken.Lost, maybe, but not broken.”
He didn’t argue.He was lostandbroken, and this detour into Texas wasn’t helping.It wasn’t the salvation he’d intended it to be.Instead of facing his problems, he was avoiding them once again, digging himself in deeper.
“Are you looking for work?”she asked gently.
“Not really.I’m still enlisted.”
“You’re on leave?”
He nodded.“Until January.”
“Then what?”
“Then I report for duty at Camp Pendleton.”
“That’s in California.”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to walk there?”
He gave a wry smile.“I might.”
She folded her arms over her chest.“There’s something strange about all of this.”
Jason stayed quiet, his stomach churning.
“You showed up out of nowhere last night and overpowered three men—”
“Three drunks,” he interrupted.“And you helped.”
“One had brass knuckles.”
Jason pointed to his temple.“I remember.”
“Now you’re bringing me breakfast and offering to fix my car.Who are you, my guardian angel?”
“Hardly,” he said.
“So you aren’t doing this out of the goodness of your heart?”
She’d handed him the perfect opportunity to explain why he’d come here, but the words stuck in his throat.What would she think of him if he told the truth?She needed his help.He couldn’t afford to alienate her.He also couldn’t afford to deceive her.He had to tell her something about his connection to Mike.
“I knew your husband,” he said finally.
Her face paled at the revelation.“What?”
