is out of the question. My money needs to go to the more demanding repairs.â
He nodded. That didnât mean he liked the thought of her trying to handle this project on her own. Pulling out his wallet, he withdrew his business card and handed it to her. âSince you donât know me from Adam, hereâs my card to prove I have a little bit of experience with these sorts of things.â He wanted her to trust him. Why it mattered so much he had no idea, but it did.
She took the offered card, her gaze drifting over it. âAs Iâve already said, hiring on a professional isnât in the budget. But with the good Lordâs help weâll figure it out.â
He fought the urge to frown. The good Lord might be watching over them, but home renovations were not something heâd be seeing to. And even with Godâs guidance Audra Marshall would not be able to do this on her own. âIâll stop by tomorrow to repair the back door.â
âThat wonât be necessary,â she said without hesitation. âJust tell me what I need to do and Iâll do it.â
Stubborn. Determined. Prideful female. Carter mentally ticked off a list of appropriate descriptions for Audra Marshall while he came to terms with her refusal of his offer. But it was her house. Her door. Her decision to make. So he grudgingly explained what she would have to do to fix the door. At least temporarily. âIf thereâs anything else I can do to help,â he told her, âjust give me a ring. My cell phone numberâs on the bottom of the card.â
She glanced down at the light gray business card she still clutched in her hand and then back up at him. âThank you, but Iâm sure it wonât be necessary.â She held out her hand, intending to give the card back to him.
âKeep it,â he insisted and then added with a tempered smile, âJust in case.â
He waited, fully expecting her to refuse him again. Instead, she nodded, setting the card on the kitchen counter beside her.
Odd how such a small victory had him feeling like heâd won the Super Bowl. âReckon I oughta go get that Frisbee down so you and the little ones can get back to settling in.â
âI suppose so,â she said, her gaze taking in the room. âWe have a bit of cleaning to do to make the bedrooms sleep-ready.â She started from the room, limping slightly as she went.
âYour calf okay?â he asked as he followed.
âStarting to feel a little tender.â
âTry not to baby it,â he said. âI know itâs uncomfortable to walk on, but you have to keep that calf muscle stretched out.â
âI think you went into the wrong line of work, Mr. Cooper,â she said, flashing a smile back at him over her shoulder. âYou really should have been a doctor.â
âI was a volunteer firefighter for a couple of years after I graduated from high school, during which time I received training in first aid, but my true calling is construction.â
âI have to wonder,â she said with a smile.
He let out a husky laugh. âTrust me. These hands are far better off hammering nails than tending to patients. Iâm blue collar through and through.â Reaching past her, he opened the screen door, holding it until she was safely out on the porch. Then he stepped out behind her.
âBut you own your company,â she replied. âWouldnât that make you more white collar?â
âNot for a second,â he answered honestly. âI work right alongside my crew doing any type of physical labor the job calls for. The work can be hard. It can be dirty. And, on occasion, dangerous.â
âIââ
âHere you go,â Lily hollered as she raced up onto the porch, ending any further discussion about his chosen occupation. Smiling, she held out the bottle of water she and her brother had gone to retrieve for