Life Rewired (Aspen Friends, Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

were going. She looked at me and explained, “Miguel’s a good foreman, but he’s not as good at playing the bad guy if some of them start screwing around. Owen steps in when necessary.”
    “Is he onsite every day?” I asked as we loaded into her truck.
    “Two days a week. He loves working with wood and grilling, but he’s in his eighties, so he doesn’t have the energy for it every day.”
    “Wow,” I said, amazed that he’d even want to be there.
    She started the engine and backed out of the drive. “He’s a great guy. His wife, too, but I see Owen a lot more.”
    “And they’re my neighbors.”
    “Along with his granddaughter and your landlord, yeah.”
    I shot wide eyes at her. “The cute strawberry from yesterday plays for our team?”
    “Yep.” Nat laughed at my shock.
    “Well, damn, that means there are at least six lesbians in town now.”
    “More. Viv and Molly can introduce you.”
    I caught the mysterious smile she tried to hide as she sailed down Main Street. There must be something about one of them, and for the first time in years, I was actually looking forward to meeting anyone she or her friends wanted to introduce me to.
    We pulled around the side of the building supply store and parked. As we got out of the truck, I recognized Molly walking toward us. Was this how it was in small towns? Mention someone and ten seconds later, she appears?
    “Hey there,” she greeted, coming to stop before us. Despite it being a cool late April day, she had on cargo shorts and short sleeve polo. Muscular biceps peeked out from under the cuffs of her shirt. Her calves were just as toned. Tan, too, which contradicted the season and elevation. Overall, she was an impressive total package for someone who went for that type.
    “Hi, Mol. Viv said you got in some good practice for the pool tourney last night.”
    “We might even take James and Spence this year.” Delight at the prospect animated her serious face. “Good to see you again, Falyn.”
    “Hi.” My eyes lingered a bit. Definitely impressive, and if she went for the same kind of woman I did, major competition.
    “You up for a bike ride on Sunday afternoon?” She somehow remembered Natalie’s request about showing me the bike trails. Damn, she was nice, too. Now I’d never be able to compete.
    “Sounds great,” I agreed, already looking forward to it. For the first time in two years, I wouldn’t be hanging out in a building store parking lot hoping to pick up a day job.
    “We’ll get some others to join us and find a scenic trail. Nothing too demanding. Should be fun.”
    “Great, thanks, Mol.” Natalie patted her arm.
    “I’ve got a tour group leaving in ten minutes.” She pointed to a shop two doors away.
    “Hike?” Natalie guessed.
    “Horses, which means lots of griping about sore behinds. Yee-haw. I’ll see ya.” She tipped her head and moved past us.
    Natalie glanced at me and must have read something in my expression. “She’s great. You’ll like her, really.”
    “I overreacted yesterday. I get that now.” I had to stop it. With my conniving ex and the hypersensitive convicts, overreacting was a way of life. Before both, I was more reasonable and mellow. I wanted to work toward achieving that Zen again.
    “It came from a good place.” She pushed us into the store where she waved at the woman behind the counter and steered me to the power tool section. “Let’s get you set up.”
    My feet reacted for my pocketbook, stepping back. I knew she was right because everything I had was low grade. They wouldn’t last long on the job. I just couldn’t afford to replace them now. “Listen, I’m a little short.”
    She nodded. “On me.”
    That pesky lump lodged in my throat again. “I can’t do that, Nat. You’ve already done too much.” Way too much.
    “We’ll work something out.”
    Swallowing hard, I tried to remember if the help I’d given her as a young woman compared to this. I didn’t think it did, but