“Doesn’t hurt that she’s cute either.” They high-fived each other and started pulling equipment from Jesse’s truck.
Linc squinted at Jesse. “Don’t you go trying to set me up,” he warned.
“Why not? Last I heard, she wasn’t dating anyone. Especially not you. In fact, I can’t recall the last time you went anywhere with anyone besides your mother.” This was new. Linc hadn’t shown an interest in any woman since he’d returned from university. Jesse suspected there was a bad romance in Linc’s past, but never had proof and Linc refused to discuss it.
Linc stopped walking toward the red brick building, a load of eavestroughing in his hands, and looked seriously at Jesse. “I don’t ask much of you, but I’m asking you to stay out of my personal life. Beth’s pretty, she’s nice. We get along. But, we’re just friends,” Jesse said as he shifted his load to rub one hand over his chin.
“Youwouldmake a nice couple.”
“Perhaps, but we’re just friends. I thought she might be dateable, but there’s no spark. I need more than just someone who is comfortable to be around.”
“I agree with that.” Jesse nodded. “Don’t settle, man. If she’s not the one, don’t settle for less. You won’t be happy.”
“I won’t. I’m out of practice but I’m tired of being alone. Chatting with Beth is helping me build my confidence up. I saw someone last week but she was gone before I worked up the nerve to talk to her. Beth’s helping me past that. Swear that you won’t tell anyone. If you do, I’ll kick your ass.”
Jesse offered his hand. Linc shook it. “I swear. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But, really, you can’t go wrong with Beth. She’s kind, understanding, cute… Heck, I’d date her. Not that she’d go for the homeless type when she could have a rich rancher.” He chuckled. He had a great relationship with Beth, who knew fully who he was and why he downplayed himself.
“Homeless, now there’s a joke. You’ve got triple my money. Or more. When are you going to give up the poverty façade and get on with your life?”
Boy, there was a question. One he wasn’t prepared to answer any more than he was prepared to slide out from under his disguise. “How about we drop the subject and get on with fixing the eavestroughs instead?”
Linc nodded. “You going to check in, or am I?”
“I’ve got this one. I was given a donation for the center yesterday. Eighty bucks for half an hour’s work. From someone who thinks I’m destitute.” He ambled up the walk and knocked lightly on the door, careful not to wake any sleeping babies. The inside door opened and the screen door burst open, nearly slamming into his face. He caught it with one hand.
“Mr. Jesse. I knew you’d come.” Four-year-old Ashly Nazrene smiled up at him, blue eyes sparkling beneath her mop of overgrown black curls.
“Good morning, Miss Ashly. How are you today?” He winked, making her blush. She was adorable. Someday, he’d have a kid like her.
“Are you here to fix the troughs?” She stumbled on the unfamiliar word.
“Yes, I am, princess. But,” he paused, “you aren’t supposed to open the door, are you?”
“But I saw you coming and I missed you,” she said sadly, staring at the ground.
“And I missed you, too. Can you do something for me? Next time, can you wait for Miss Jasmine to open the door? I promise I’ll wait to talk to you.”
“’kay.”
“That’s my best girl.” He ruffled her hair. “Now run and get Miss Jasmine for me, please.”
She hurried away, clearly eager to impress her idol. Jesse breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t safe for her to open the door. Silver Creek Crisis Center was a safe haven for women and children from abusive relationships. It served Silver Creek and three other nearby towns. Nobody got past Miss Jasmine and her security guards, but anyone could push right past Ashly and terrorize the residents. Especially an irate ex-husband.
“Jesse Phillips, good to see you,” Miss Jasmine exclaimed, her ochre-brown face lighting with a smile that doubled the wrinkles in her aging countenance. She was seventy-five if she was a day. Fit and strong, she took no crap and protected her charges like an angry mamma bear. Jesse suspected she had an abusive relationship in her past. Like Linc, her past was off limits.
“Morning, Miss Jasmine. Linc and I are here to replace those gutters. You might want to warn the ladies, we’ll be up and down ladders all day. We don’t want to startle anyone who sees us through the windows.”
“Already done. We don’t have any babies today, just toddlers, so go ahead and make all the noise you want. I’ll unlock the gate when you need to work around back.”
“That won’t be for hours yet. We’ve got a lot to do out front. But thanks.” He dug into his pocket and extracted the cash Hailey had given him. “A small, anonymous donation.”
She waved the funds away from behind the screen door. “Young man, it’s enough that you do all my repairs for free. I’d prefer not to have to take charity, but it is the nature of what I do. Thank you. I appreciate this, and everything you do for me and my families.” Her expression was stern.
He laughed. “You’re welcome. You do great things here. Which is why I help out. Pay it forward. The money’s not mine. I was paid to help someone out. They thought I needed the funds. I’m giving them to you, on her behalf. Stop being stubborn and accept the donation. You know I don’t need it.”
She smiled softly and took the money. “Thank your anonymous benefactor for me. Jesse Phillips, you are a good man. Someday, you’ll make someone a fine husband.”
“God willing, ma’am. God willing.” Heat suffused his face. He’d like a wife, a life partner, but so far, nobody had sparked his interest. Except maybe Hailey Masters. He cleared his throat. “We’ll just get started then.” He pivoted on his heel and jogged down the steps toward the ladder Linc was setting up. “We’re good to go. Miss Jasmine’s told everyone we’re here so nobody will be shocked.”
