isn’t close?”
Amanda shook her head. “I have two much older siblings. I haven’t seen them in years.”
“Do you talk to them?”
“An occasional text or email, but we’re not close. Not like the Abbotts are. What about you?”
“I’m a one and only, but I have a best friend named Leslie who grew up next door to me who’s like a sister.”
“It’s good that you have her.”
“For sure. When I lost Jack, Savannah’s father, Les was the one who saved me. Others were there and tried to help, but she was the only one I wanted.”
“I’m so sorry you lost him.”
“Thanks. I think of him every day, and I see him in Savannah all the time. She smiles like he did.”
“I give you credit for surviving that.”
“I didn’t have any choice. I had a child to think about. I thank God for her all the time. She’s the one who truly saved me. Before she arrived, I didn’t think I was going to survive it, but she gave me a purpose and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
With some directional help from Amanda, Dani pulled into Landon’s driveway.
“Could I ask you something, Dani? And will you promise not to tell anyone I asked?”
Dani put the car in Park. “Of course. Anything you want.”
“Is the assistant manager position at the warehouse still open?”
“It is. We’ve had a lot of applicants, but no one who’s truly qualified yet.”
“I might be interested.”
“You’d probably be overqualified.”
“Maybe, but I’m looking to simplify my life, get off the travel bandwagon and put down some roots. I like it here, and I’d love to work for the Abbotts. I don’t have warehouse experience, but I know retail, and I think I could be an asset to you.”
“I’m sure Linc would go for it. I can ask him if you’d like.”
“Hold that thought for a short time, if you would. I need to figure out a few things before I decide for sure.”
“No problem. Keep me posted. We’re looking to have someone in the job by mid-August.”
“That timing would be ideal. Let me get back to you, and keep it between us for now?”
“Will do. You know where to find me when you’re ready.” Dani got out of the car to help Amanda up the stairs to the porch.
“Like Lucas, I’m looking forward to being back to normal so I won’t need help for the simplest things.”
“I’ll tell you the same thing I say to him—chill out and relax while you can.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thanks for the ride and the info about the job.”
“My pleasure. Are you guys going to Sunday dinner?”
Landon hadn’t mentioned it to her, but he probably would. “I suppose we are.”
“Great, see you then.” Dani waited until Amanda had slowly made her way inside the house, using the key Landon had given her, before she drove off.
Amanda went straight for the woodstove and used the wood Landon had brought in before he left for work to stoke the fire. She couldn’t believe how chilly it still was in the mountains in early June.
She’d changed into pajamas and one of Landon’s warm flannel shirts when the phone rang. The caller ID said Butler Vol FD, so she took the call. “Hey.”
“Hi there. I wondered if you’d be home yet.”
“Just got here about fifteen minutes ago. Thank you for arranging my ride with Dani.”
“No problem. Did you have fun with the girls?”
“So much fun. My stomach hurts from laughing.”
“That sounds about right.”
“Megan told me you also arranged for piano lessons for me.”
“I meant to tell you that, but I got distracted earlier.”
She smiled at how he described their afternoon in bed. “Is that right?”
“Oh yeah. Very distracted. I hope it’s okay I asked Hunter about teaching you.”
“It’s very sweet of you. So far, you’re being an awesome partner in crime.”
“Glad you think so.”
“Megan invited me to dinner one night this week and said Hunter could show me some of the basics while I’m there.”
“If it's a night I’m working, I can go with you as long as I have a radio with me.”
“Really? That’d be awesome.”
“Sure, we can make that happen. I have to tell you… Normally, I like working nights, but not so much this week.”
“And why is that?”
“Gee, I wonder. Could it be the smoking-hot woman who’s sleeping in my bed?”
“I thought we were exclusive. What’s her name?”
“Haha, you know her well, in fact.”
“Not really, but I’m working on getting to know her better. You’ll never guess what happened tonight.”
He groaned. “I’m not