Page 45 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
It was an intriguing idea.“I wonder how much he’d charge,” Ansley said.
Ivy shook her head.“I don’t think he’d charge you.If you covered the supplies, he would be happy to help.”
“Can’t do that.I’m not a charity project.You are amazing neighbors and you’ve done so much, but that would be too much.He should be compensated for his time—”
“You could make a donation to our favorite nonprofit instead,” Ivy said.“I’m active in an organization that helps kids with disabilities ride.That way it’s a win-win.”
Ansley couldn’t resist Ivy’s confidence or smile.“I’m not sure it’s a win-win for Sam, but getting my pictures framed here, instead of lugging them elsewhere, is a huge timesaver.”
“Sam,” Ivy called to her husband.“Can you join us?We have something to ask you.”
Ansley shook her head at Ivy.“Not now.He’s relaxing—”
“He’s fine, and this is a good time.He’s in between commissions now.”Ivy smiled as her handsome husband approached.“He’s just finished the most gorgeous dining room table for Bitterroot Designs.There’s nothing he can’t make.”She reached out to clasp Sam’s hand when he was at their side.“Ansley needs some custom frames for her paintings, and I thought you might be able to help her.”She stood up, vacating her seat for him.“You two talk.Sophie and I are going to serve the dessert.”
Ansley watched Ivy and Sophie walk away.They both looked awfully smug.But I suppose if you had a Wyatt husband you could afford to be a little cocky.Ansley didn’t have that confidence and she apologized to Sam.“Sorry about dragging you into this, Sam,” she said as he sat down.
“Tell me what you need.”
She quickly explained about her medium and small canvases needed to simply be framed for the exhibit.She pulled out her phone and showed him a few of her finished works.“The frames don’t need to be fancy.I can also paint them once they’re built.”
“Or I can do that if you’re running short on time.”He paused.“How are you doing on time?”
She hesitated.“Not good.I’m behind.”
“When is the show?”
She told him and he gave her a pointed look.“That’s less than two weeks away,” Sam said.
“I know.”Ansley pressed her lips together, feeling anxiety rush through her, but at the same time not wanting to put pressure on Sam.“But I can—”
“No, you can’t.I’ve got it.Don’t worry.”
“Sam, I—”
“I got this.”He raised a hand to fist-bump her.“Don’t worry.I won’t let you down.”
She smiled at him, grateful, reassured, but later that night when in bed she couldn’t sleep, thinking of how amazing the Wyatts were, and how lucky she’d been to meet them.
The Wyatts were the kind of neighbor everyone needed.The kind of neighbor that knew when to step up, and when to mind their own business.They’d been stepping up for the past two weeks without making a big deal out of it.
One day, she’d pay them back—somehow.But until then, it was such a comfort to have good people near her.She needed Sophie’s smiles and Summer and Melvin’s hugs.She needed good people to remind her that she was valuable even as she struggled to heal her banged-up heart.It still stung how Rye had shut her out, but she’d recover.It would just take time.
*
Rye had juststepped from the shower when he heard a knock on his door.It was either his sisters or his mom since Jasper and his dad never came out to his trailer.“Hold on,” he shouted, grabbing a towel with his right arm, and struggling to wrap it around his hips.
Covered, he went to his door and opened it.His mom stood on the threshold.
“Looks like I caught you at a bad time,” she said.“I can come back.”
“Everything okay?”he asked.
“Yes.Just wanted to talk to you.It’s hard to find time lately for a proper conversation.”She gestured to his nearly nude status.“But this is probably not the best time, either.”
“I’ll dress.Give me a moment.”He opened the door wider to let her enter.
A few minutes later, he was back wearing loose sweatpants and a hoodie that he could zip over his shoulder and arm.His mom was sitting on the small couch, hands folded primly in her lap.
