Page 23 of Lone Star Longing
He plowed on before she could say no. “I know this is going to add another hour or so to your day, but I really don't know who else to ask, who can help me out. And if a hundred isn’t enough, I can double it. I’ll do what I can to get my sister or someone to come to town to take over for you, but she’s got kids, you know, and it’s hard for people to get out this way, just to open the door for an exterminator and a plumber.”
“Who are they?” her father asked. “I don't want Lacey out there alone with people she doesn’t know.”
Beck hadn’t thought of that, how vulnerable she’d be. He kept his gaze on her. “Xavier Mendez is the exterminator, you know him. The plumber is from Kimmel, and I can see where that would be a concern. I didn’t think about it.”
“I can take care of myself,” she told her father. “I’m not worried about Xavier, and I can let him in. I’d want to meet the plumber first before we go out there. Maybe at the diner. Can you tell him that?”
Beck nodded. “I’ll give you the number and you can set everything up yourself. I know, I’m sorry, I know you don't like to go out there.”
“I’ll do it,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “I could use the money.”
She didn't elaborate, and he didn't press. Instead, he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills. He counted out five hundreds and placed them in her hand.
“I’ll give you back what I don't earn,” she said as he scrawled numbers onto a scrap of paper.
“No, keep it. If I need you longer, I’ll get it to you, next time I’m here, but I don't know when that will be.” He looked into her eyes as he passed over the bills and the paper. “I’m really sorry to put something else on your plate, but you’re the only one I know that I can trust, and you already have a key to the house.”
“I understand.”
“Sorry, I just really can’t stay.”
“I understand.”
“Thanks for doing this.”
“Thank you for...paying me.” She folded her fingers around the bills. “Be safe.”
“Ah.” Her words took him by surprise. “Thank you. You too.”
Relief washed over him as he walked away from the house back to his car. He was free, off the hook. He had a problem, he paid someone to take care of it for him, and now he was free.
So why did he feel guilty?
Chapter Seven
“HE’S NOT GOING TO COMEback,” Mrs. Conover said.
