Page 33 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“Black widow?”Marcus asked, hopeful.
“Yep.It crawled away like this.”She tickled his ribs to make him giggle.“Are you boys ready for lunch?”
Marcus nodded and showed her the work they’d done on the railing.It was misting again.She walked down the steps with caution while Marcus chattered away.He wanted to stay outside with Jason.She made a quick meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.They ate at the kitchen table as rain began to fall in earnest.
“Are we going to work in the rain?”Marcus asked.
Natalie shook her head.“You need a nap.”
“I don’t need a nap,” Marcus argued.“I’m five.”
“Have some quiet time in your room, then.”
He trudged away with reluctance.She’d discovered that giving him the option to nap was more effective than insisting upon it.
“Is he slowing you down?”she asked.
“I don’t mind,” Jason said, eyeing her sandwich.“Are you going to finish that?”
She wasn’t, so she gave it to him.She also warmed up a generous slice of pie, which he rapidly demolished.When he looked up from his empty plate, she smiled.
“You might go broke letting me work for food,” he warned.
“I’ll take my chances.Tea?”
“Sure.”
She made two cups.
“Does it rain a lot here?”
“Not really.We need more rain.”
“Does it ever snow?”
“Very rarely.”
“Missoula’s probably buried.”
“Do you miss it?”
After a short pause, he said, “It’s hard to sleep outside in a blizzard.”
She noticed that he hadn’t really answered her question.“When Marcus has quiet time, I usually try to read.”
His brows rose.“You read?”
“I work at a library.Of course, I read.”
“Are you a librarian?”
“Library assistant.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Two years of college.”Plus, a decent paycheck, better hours, and full benefits.
He nodded his understanding.“I have a book with me.I read at night or when the weather’s too bad for walking.”
