I Cross My Heart Read Online Free

porch steps, went inside, saw the state of things in there and...lost it.”
    “You didn’t know it was this bad?”
    She sighed, remembering all the should-haves she’d ignored in the past year and a half. “I suspected. My parents were never savvy about the ranching business and the Triple G operated in the red quite a bit. When I started making decent money, I sent checks home.” And she should have come herself. “Obviously the money wasn’t used to maintain the ranch.”
    “Why didn’t your dad get some advice from his neighbors? I’m sure anyone at the Last Chance would have been glad to—”
    “Not my dad’s style. He didn’t like to admit he was deficient in any area. That’s why he and my mom didn’t mingle. He didn’t feel equal to the other ranchers, so he kept to himself. Rejected any offer of help. I saw him do it several times. Eventually people stopped trying.”
    “That’s sad.”
    “Incredibly sad.” She glanced around her. “You see the result. After my mom died a year and a half ago, my dad started drinking a lot, apparently. Whenever I’d suggest coming home for a visit, he’d discourage me. To be honest, I wasn’t eager to be here without my mom. She was always the more positive influence. And my career was heating up, so...I used that as an excuse.”
    “Understandable.”
    She appreciated that one-word comment more than he’d ever know. Nash Bledsoe was a kind person, just as she’d decided when he hadn’t lectured her about burning the recliner. She probably didn’t have to worry about him blabbing about her circumstances, but it wouldn’t hurt to make sure.
    She cleared her throat. “I’m not famous enough to have paparazzi following me around, but this would make a juicy story for somebody— Motivational Guru Let Father Die in Squalor. That kind of thing.”
    “Are you worried that I’ll tell on you?”
    “Not really, but after all, you have a personal grudge against me. I guess I couldn’t blame you for thinking about exposing my frailties to the general public.”
    His blue gaze sharpened. “I’m not vindictive, Bethany.”
    “I didn’t think so, but—”
    “I’ll report to Emmett that I found you here burning trash, and after we talked, you decided to take your garbage to the landfill from now on. He doesn’t seem to know who you are. I’d be surprised if anyone in this area realizes that you’re nationally known in the motivational field. Cowboys don’t read those books all that much.”
    “No need. They live a blessed life.” She smiled in gratitude. “Thanks, Nash.”
    “So what are you going to do? I mean, besides destroying this recliner?”
    “I have to sell the place. My life’s in Atlanta now. Keeping property in Jackson Hole makes no sense, except...”
    “Except?”
    “I worry about selling it as is. If the media somehow finds out my dad lived like this... But hiring somebody to fix it up is risky, too. Word could still get out.”
    “So hire me.”
    “You? You have a job.”
    “True, but it’s only sunup to sundown. My nights are my own. My dad was a general contractor and I worked with him every summer during high school and college. And I could use the money.”
    She couldn’t help laughing. “You can’t work on repairs in the dark.”
    “Inside stuff I can, and for outside stuff, I can set up spotlights. It’s completely doable.”
    “Will the folks at the Last Chance object to having you moonlight, literally?”
    He shrugged. “Not if I tell them that we’re old schoolmates and you’re helping me financially by hiring me during my off-hours. They all know I’m saving up for my own place, and this will make perfect sense to them.”
    She considered his offer. Although she didn’t really know him, all her instincts told her he was trustworthy. Besides, he worked for the Chances, who were known for their integrity. That was a recommendation in itself, and he’d certainly be a better bet than taking potluck with