Page 57 of Mr. B

“You’re all grown up.”

He picked up a T-shirt and put it on.

Cassandra took off her wet jacket and hung it by the door, then tousled her hair with her hands.

“Is that all you do to your hair?”

“Yes. It’s the perfect haircut.”

Or the perfect hair. “I’m sorry I keep…”

“Running away?”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“It’s okay not to hate me.”

“I never hated you, Cass.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Maybe a little for a year or…seventeen.”

“Do you think you’ll ever be able to set that aside?”

He blew out a breath. “I’d sure as hell like to.”

Chapter fourteen

“The roof is DOA.”

Wes shaded his eyes against the sun that had come out after the rain had stopped. Two men were on the cabin’s roof, surveying the damage. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but after conferring for a few minutes, they climbed down the ladder and walked over to him.

The man who had introduced himself as Biggs removed his gloves and tucked them into his back pocket. “The whole damn roof needs to be replaced. Same with the room. A lot of rain fell last night.”

“I’m aware.”

He sniffed, then ran a finger under his nose. “Won’t happen until spring, though.”

“Spring?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll have a few feet of snow soon. Can’t work in that.”

“Where does that leave us?”

“Was someone staying on that side?”

“Yes. She was in bed when the roof caved in.”

“Ah.” He took out a dirty handkerchief and blew his nose. “Not good.”

“No. Not good at all.”

“She okay?”

“Physically, yes.”

“She’ll need new digs.”