#FeatureFriday for ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAVEN. If you don't have a copy of Beth and Daniel, not only can you get it for free, but you can fall in love with the calm, quiet cowboy and the single mom!
“What do you mean I can’t get keys to the apartment? I’ve got one week to settle in before school starts. I need the key.”
The owner of her rental complex leaned back on his beat-up truck and shrugged in slow motion. Beth wanted to scream. She wanted to kick something. Most of all she wanted to start unloading the boxes she’d brought with her from Calgary before she completely ran out of steam. Her boys had crawled into the front seat of the moving van, three sets of eyes gazing down as they waited in silence.
“Sorry, ma’am, but see, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. There was a fire a couple of nights ago. Far end of the complex, but the fire marshal shut down the whole place until the wiring can be inspected.”
She tapped her good foot. If he would talk a little faster, the conversation might be done by the end of the weekend. “Are there any other apartments for rent in town?”
A slow shift of the shoulders. “There were. Until yesterday. All the other occupants of the apartment house had to find alternative arrangements too. I think just about everything available got snapped up.”
The throbbing in her temples couldn’t be good. She rubbed her fingers against her forehead. Now what? Head back to Calgary and beg her parents to let her stay with them again? Drive three hours twice every day to get to school once her teaching position began?
“I’ll have to check into a hotel or motel.” She couldn’t afford it, but… “Do you know which one would be the cheapest for a long-term stay?”
The old codger raised a brow. “Well, you could try the motel, but if you give me a minute, I bet we can do you one better. Since it’s partly my fault you’re in this mess.” He gestured at the U-Haul. “You need a place to dump all that anyway. Won’t fit at a motel, I’m guessing.”
He hauled out a cell phone, and she turned her back to stop the hysterical giggles that wanted to rise up and overtake her. The incongruity of his worn overalls and the shiny new phone was too much to handle when she stood on the verge of a breakdown.
“Mommy. Are we lost?”
She smiled at Nathan, his blond head poking out from the window of the truck. “No, we’re in the right spot, only there’s a mix-up. We’ll get it figured out.”
Lance popped up beside him. “Are we still going to live here? It smells.”
Oh Lord. “Yes, we’re moving here. You’re going to school here. I’m teaching here. Nothing has changed since the last time you asked, twenty minutes ago. And it doesn’t smell any worse than your bedroom before we cleaned it up to get ready to move.”
Nathan laughed at him and Lance stuck out his tongue. Robbie forced his way between his brothers, all three of them hanging precariously from the window. “I have to go pee.”
Beth sighed. She glanced at her erstwhile landlord who was still talking on the phone. He laughed at something then motioned at her, flashing a thumbs-up while he continued to yatter. A 7-Eleven across the street caught her eye, and she motioned for the boys to back up.
“Bathroom break for everyone. I’ll buy you a Slurpee, then I expect you to stay quiet until I get this little issue solved. We’ll hit a park as soon as we can, okay?”
They clambered down, and she pulled them in tight for a hug. Life had been hellishly tough at times lately, but these dirty, smiling faces made it all worthwhile. She waved a hand at Mr. Jordon then pointed across the street. He never broke stride in his discussion, which now seemed to be about feeding tomato plants with fish fertilizer to get the best yield. She really hoped somewhere in the conversation he had managed to find them a temporary home.
They recrossed the street ten minutes later, three contented boys clinging to sweet frosty drinks. Didn’t take much to make her crew happy.
Mr. Jordon grinned, pride filling his face. “I talked to my friend, Mike. He said there were no troubles with you taking possession of Grampa Peter’s homestead for a bit. His oldest sons have been living in it, but there’s plenty of room at home for them temporarily like. You’re even welcome to rent the place with the furniture if you need it. Six months sound good? I’ll promise you space back here at the end of that time since we weren’t ready when we promised.”
“A house?” Hope brightened her weary load. What she wouldn’t give for a house to live in, instead of an apartment. It would be so much better for the boys, but she knew exactly what her expenses were going to be, and the cost for a house was probably out of reach. “How much does he want for rent?”
Mr. Jordon snorted. “He didn’t want a damn thing, but since I figured you’d have issues with that, he said to tell you he’d take what you were going to pay me. No first and last. Just get him the money when you can. Any furniture you want to use, you use. Anything you don’t want, there’s an outbuilding to store things in.” He eyed her leg brace. “Who’s helping you unload the truck?”
“We are.” Lance spoke up. He’d been hanging back politely but marched forward to stand wide-legged in front of her, his fists resting on his hips. Her heart ached at the sight. Only eight, and he was already trying to take care of her. “We’re Mommy’s helpers.”
Mr. Jordon nodded sagely. “And mighty fine ones too, I bet. But you see, I know a few other young men, strapping strong fellows like yourself. Perhaps I can get them to help as well. You know, so you can show them how it’s done.”
Lance’s face lit up and Beth breathed out slowly. It looked as if her insane idea to take her family to a place with a quieter pace of life might work after all.
She smiled at the older man. “I’d like to see the house before I make any commitments, but I really do appreciate your help.”
He laughed, peeling himself off his truck and yanking the door open. “Didn’t do nothing. Tell you what, you follow me. We’ll take a spin out to the Peter’s place. The Colemans are all working right now, so we won’t be disturbing anyone. If you’re happy with the place, we’ll come back and get you put up for the night at the hotel. That’ll give the boys time to clear out their things, and tomorrow I’ll get my grandsons to help your fine moving team get you settled.”
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