The Mechanics of Mistletoe - Liz Isaacson Page 0,37
at the counter,” Lincoln said. “Out front.”
“Great, lead the way,” Bear said. He glanced at Sammy, who called to say she’d be right there. Out front, there was much less of the oily smell and more room to move around. A computer sat on the chest-high counter, with a jar of brightly colored jelly beans next to that.
Bear went to the other side of the counter and pulled out a stool. “Okay, let’s see.” He pulled out a plastic container, which had a clear lid. “Mac and cheese.”
“Thanks, Bear,” Lincoln said. “This looks good.”
“It sure does,” Sammy said, sidling up beside Bear. “Where did you get this?”
He handed her one with mashed potatoes in it. “There was a food truck.”
Sammy leaned into his arm, and Bear paused to absorb it. “Thanks, Bear.” She glanced at Lincoln, who’d already opened his lid and had a plastic fork in his hand. “Should we pray, Link?”
“Sure,” the boy said, and Bear quickly swiped off his cowboy hat.
Sammy grinned up at him, and he wasn’t sure what that was about. “What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’ll say it.” She closed her eyes, and Bear did too. He heard her breathe, and then she said, “Dear Lord, we’re grateful to Thee for our health. Thank You for this food. Please bless all those who are suffering at this time, and help all of us here in Three Rivers to stay safe and get back on our feet. Thank You for Bear and his cowboy family who’ve come to help us, and bless all of them with all they stand in need of, according to Thy will. Amen.”
“Amen,” Bear said loudly, and he started to settle his hat back on his head. Sammy caught his hand and she moved hers up to his face. She touched his beard, and then ran her fingers along the top of his ear.
“Uh,” Bear said, but it was more of a grunt. He was aware of Lincoln sitting only a few feet away, but Sammy stood in front of him and his sight was partially obstructed.
“I’ve never seen your hair,” Sammy said. “Looks nice.”
“At least I’m not bald is what you mean,” Bear said as she lowered her arm and he stuffed his hat back on his head. He grinned at her and pulled out a meal with mashed potatoes too.
Sammy smiled and picked up one of the plastic forks. “Another of Lincoln’s camps canceled this morning.”
Bear shook his head. “I’m sorry, Sammy.”
“It’s okay. I just need to figure out what to do with him.” She sat next to him and looked at him. “You didn’t get the pea salad, bud. This is the best stuff there is.” She forked up a big bite of the pea salad.
“Maybe we can share,” Lincoln said, and a brilliant smile filled Sammy’s face. Bear could watch them all day and never get bored.
“Sure,” Sammy said. She glanced at Bear. “Sit, Bear. We won’t bite.”
“Right.” Bear sat down and opened his meal. “Lincoln could come work on the ranch with me,” he added. “I can meet you at the shop in the morning. He can come spend the day at Shiloh Ridge. And I’ll bring him back to you.”
Sammy said nothing, and when Bear dared to look at her, she wore shock in those pretty eyes.
“Can I?” Lincoln asked.
“What?” Sammy whipped her gaze to him and back to Bear. “No.”
“Why not?” Bear and Lincoln asked together.
“He’s eight,” Sammy said.
“I know exactly what to do with an eight-year-old on a ranch,” Bear said easily, not getting her resistance. “I’m happy to do it.”
Sammy clenched her teeth and looked at Lincoln and then Bear, a storm raging across her face.
Great, Bear thought. He’d done something wrong, and he didn’t even know what.
Chapter Twelve
Sammy couldn’t believe Bear. He continued to sit there, eating, and she couldn’t get her voice to work.
“Can I have some pea salad?” Lincoln asked.
Sammy pushed her container toward him, though it smelled delicious and her stomach had been clenching for want of food for an hour before Bear had shown up. With Lincoln absorbed in lunch, she turned toward Bear.
“I don’t need you to fix everything for me,” she said quietly, keeping her eyes down.
“That’s not what I’m doing,” he said.
“Regardless,” Sammy said, looking up and into those electric blue eyes. “That’s how it feels to me. Sammy needs help with her parents’ house, so let me call my window guy. Bam. New windows before anyone else on the block.”