10. Nora
10
NORA
B ella turned the laptop around to show Nora the screen. “What about this one? It’s a little outdated, but it’s cheap.”
Nora stuffed another pile of clothes into a garbage bag before craning her neck to see the photos of the house. It was more of a shack. It had probably been well used by seasonal workers over the years, and the cracks in the walls showed the lack of insulation. It would be a cold winter in a place like that. They’d spend too much on firewood to make the price cut worth it.
“I don’t think that one will work,” Nora said as she turned back to the dresser she was emptying into bags.
Bella turned the laptop back around and kept scrolling. “That was the last one within your budget on this site. Let me see if I can find a private renter. ”
“Just forget it. That budget is generous. We can’t even afford that much, and you’re not going to find anything cheaper.”
“We can’t give up. There has to be something.”
Nora pinched the bridge of her nose. She’d been all over the internet and checked every newspaper and listing in town. There wasn’t a single place she could rent. Her dad had nothing, and she had a little bit of nothing. It didn’t add up.
Bella’s husband, Mav, walked in and looked back and forth between Nora and Bella. “Everything okay in here?”
“Same as always. Thanks for checking,” Nora said.
Hollis walked in behind Mav. “What’s next?”
Nora looked around, but her brain was empty. “I’m not sure yet. Give me a minute.”
Mav and Hollis had been a huge help over the last few days. They’d shown up every chance they got to help move the bigger furniture. Between Mav, Hollis, Clint, and her dad, they almost had the house gutted. Most of the furniture had either been sold or was waiting in an enclosed trailer to be driven to wherever she and her dad ended up next.
Bella rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times. “We still haven’t found anything.”
“And you’re not going to. It doesn’t exist,” Nora reminded her .
“Then you can stay with us,” Mav said. “I know Bella has already offered.”
Nora shook her head. “Thanks, but I can’t do that.”
“Your dad is welcome too,” Bella added.
“Still no, but thanks for the offer.”
Hollis shrugged. “Sorry, but I live with Mom and Dad right now, and Dad’s not doing good.”
Hollis’s dad had bone cancer, and the doctors weren’t giving his family a good report. At this point, they were all hoping he made it through Christmas.
Maybe her dad could get a job at Price Quarter Horses. With Hollis’s dad unable to help, they could probably use another hand.
Or maybe her dad could get a job at Redemption Ridge Ranch. They were gearing up for the Christmas season, and they had plenty of holiday activities planned. It wasn’t the ranch work he was used to, but it was close enough.
Nora pushed her fingers into her hair and let out a long breath. “Actually, Clint offered his place. He said he could move in with his parents and let us stay in the cabin.”
Mav clapped his hands. “Problem solved. Let’s get your stuff over there.”
“But I don’t want to do that. I can’t just kick him out of his house. That’s ridiculous.”
“Not really,” Bella said. “Clint would do anything for you, and I have it on good authority that he’s probably more than happy to let the two of you stay at his place for a while.”
Nora stared at her friend. “Are you insane? We’re talking about taking over someone’s home. He built it himself. I was there. I can’t just usurp it.”
Hollis crossed his arms over his chest. “Bella’s right. Clint won’t mind. It sounds like your best option.”
Nora groaned and let her chin fall to her chest. “Ugh. I hate this.”
“If I know Clint, he’ll be thrilled,” Mav said. “What are you waiting for?”
Nora’s head jerked up. “Clint makes knee-jerk decisions and doesn’t think things through. He won’t be happy moving back in with his parents.”
“It’s temporary,” Bella reminded her. “And Clint’s heart is really that pure. He’d give the shirt off his back for a stranger, but he’d do just about anything for you. He’s always had a soft spot when it comes to you. We all know it.”
Nora sucked in deep breaths through her nose. Things were coming to a head, and she was being herded into a corner.
Bella glanced at Mav and gave him a sad smile before looking back to Nora. “We have to go pick up the kids. Are you gonna be okay?”
“Yeah. Of course.” She was going to be fine. There wasn’t another option. “I think I need to take a break and go talk to Clint. ”
Bella wrapped her arms around Nora’s neck. “Let us know how it goes.”
“Thanks. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Mav gave her a wave before following Bella out.
Hollis jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll go see if your dad needs anything.”
“Thanks. I appreciate all you’re doing.”
Hollis gave her a single nod. “Not a problem. And for what it’s worth, I think you should give Clint a chance.”
Nora tilted her head as she studied her friend. “What kind of a chance? A chance to give up his home?”
Hollis rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I mean… Never mind. Just don’t write him off as someone who is making rash decisions. He knows what he’s doing.”
Nora tucked her chin. Hollis was right. She’d been looking at Clint as the impulsive teenager he’d been, but he’d proven himself differently in the last few years. Not only had he been there for her through thick and thin, but he helped others too. He’d been helping her dad with the ranch all summer, and she hadn’t even asked him to.
“You’re right. I’ll do that.”
With a satisfied nod, Hollis left her alone in her old bedroom. She took in the blank walls and emptied drawers. Her childhood was disappearing right in front of her .
Why did she care about the past? She was a champ at letting things go when the memories were bad. She hardly ever thought about her mom leaving or the long hours she worked in high school to keep the ranch running.
She’d always been practical. Why was she letting nostalgia slow her down when she needed to be getting stuff done?
She shifted in front of the mirror over the dresser. Her hair was falling out of a ponytail, and dark semicircles hung beneath her eyes.
Lifting her chin, she strode toward the bathroom. She’d get a shower and pull herself together before heading over to Clint’s to admit defeat.
Nora parked in front of Clint’s cabin and flipped the visor down to check her reflection.
Hair? Moderately tamed.
Eyes? Covered in concealer courtesy of Bella.
Attitude? Defeated, but that couldn’t be helped.
She was showing up without warning, but Clint’s truck was parked out front. If he wasn’t home, she knew where to look for him.
Shaking her sweaty hands out, she trudged up the porch steps and raised her hand to knock.
The door opened, and Clint greeted her with a smile. “It must be my lucky day. ”
“No, I don’t have a check from Publishers Clearing House.”
Clint rested his arm against the doorframe and gave her a once-over. “A pretty woman is standing on my porch. That’s better than a check in my book.”
Nora rolled her eyes. “You’re so full of it.”
“I never lie.” He gave her a wink and stepped to the side. “Come on in.”
She stepped past him, and the smell of fresh-cut wood followed her. “You been chopping firewood?”
He closed the door behind her and pointed to the stack by the fireplace. “Just restocked.”
All the confidence she’d plastered on with makeup couldn’t prepare her for this talk. Clint didn’t deserve this.
“Where are you headed all dressed up?” he asked.
Nora looked down at the flannel shirt and jeans she wore. “I’m not dressed up. This is what I always wear.”
He swirled a finger around her face. “I meant your makeup.”
“Oh, I just put on a little. Is it too much?”
“How in the world am I supposed to know? I don’t wear makeup.”
Nora propped her hands on her hips. She’d put a little effort into her appearance so she didn’t show up asking for a handout looking like a hobo, and Clint was making her regret it. “I’m not going anywhere. I just came over to… talk.”
Clint flopped down onto the couch and patted the seat beside him. “Then let’s talk.”
She paced in front of the fireplace as she searched for the best way to start. “I want to take you up on your offer.”
Clint rested his arm on the back of the couch, looking all too relaxed for this conversation that was tearing her up inside. “What offer is that?”
“The offer to…stay here.”
Clint’s lips spread into a Cheshire cat grin. “My house is your house.”
Nora flopped her hands down at her sides. “I hate this. I don’t want to do it, but I can’t find a place for us. Dad wants us out of the house ASAP because some meatheads came by earlier looking for more money. This nightmare keeps getting worse and worse.”
The smile melted from Clint’s face, and he stood.
She stopped him by holding out her hand. “We have a lot to talk about, but first I want to talk about payment.”
“There isn’t a payment, and I want to know more about the guys you just mentioned.”
She shook her head. “We’ll get back to that. I need to pay you.”
“No. Back to the other subject.”
Nora sighed and spread her arms out. “I don’t know anything. They just came by threatening Dad, and he got spooked and said we need to get out. He had a gun, and–”
“A gun? Are you serious? Were you there?”
She’d been trying to downplay that part herself, but Clint’s concern only reminded her that she’d been stupid enough to bring a crowbar to a gunfight. “Yes, but we’re both fine.”
“I can’t say the same for those guys when I find them.” Clint pushed his hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“It happened so fast! Can we get back to talking about the move? I really don’t know anything about them. Full disclosure, they’ll probably find out where he is, so we need to make sure everyone is aware of that danger I’m bringing to your doorstep.”
“Let me deal with them. You just worry about packing up your stuff. I’ll move things over here while you’re at work. For the love of all things good, please keep your eyes open. I can’t be with you twenty-four seven, and I need to know you’re safe.”
“I’ll be fine, and I’m not living here for free.”
Clint fisted his hands at his side and huffed a breath through flared nostrils. “Fine. You can do some chores around the ranch, and we’ll call it even. If your dad needs a job, we can get him on the payroll starting next week. Are you happy now?”
Her breaths were coming quicker, and her shoulders were rising and falling in deep swells .
Clint’s stern expression softened. “Shoot, Nora. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She shook her head and swallowed the grit clogging her throat. “You didn’t.”
His strong arms surrounded her, and she gave in to the temptation to rest her head on his chest. Her breath hitched as he barricaded her on all sides.
“I’m sorry. I know you’ve got a lot going on, but I’m just trying to help.”
“I’m not upset with you. Not at all. It’s this stupid situation.”
Clint tightened his hold on her. “I wish I could make it all right. I know living here isn’t what you want.”
She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of his clean shirt. “It’s not so bad for a bachelor pad.”
“Thanks to you.”
Nora lifted her head. “What did I do?”
“You talked me out of the mini fridge in the living room.”
“That was a little ridiculous. You have legs, and you can walk to the kitchen when you need a drink.”
“It was for my snacks. Pickled eggs, olives, pepperoni. Some of the best snacks are in the fridge.”
Nora rested her forehead on his chest. Why did it feel so right being in his arms? She wanted to burrow into the cocoon he’d made and live there.
No. She was living in his house, not in his arms .
Boundaries.
She raised her head and took a step back. “So, how does this work?”
Clint’s arms slowly fell from her sides as she moved away. “How about we figure it out over dinner at Mom and Dad’s? Tell your dad to come, and we’ll start moving things around this evening.”
“That soon?”
Clint looked around. “I figured you’d want to get settled, now that you know where you’re going.”
Nora nodded. “You’re right. There’s no sense in waiting. I’ll go get Dad and meet you at your parents’ in an hour.”
A smile spread over Clint’s face. “They’ll be really happy to see you.”
“They’ll get tired of me soon.”
Clint shook his head. “You’ve been hanging around here for more than half my life, and you haven’t worn out your welcome yet.”
Rolling her eyes, she stepped past him and headed toward the door. “Give me time.”
Clint wrapped his hand around her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned, ready for another one of his jokes, but the look on his face said he wasn’t playing around.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said low and sure, leaving no room for doubt. “I don’t like what’s going on, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
What had she done to deserve Clint’s allegiance? God must have known she’d need someone in her life who would stand beside her without running over her.
Clint did everything right, and the surge of gratitude welling in her chest was morphing into something else–something scary and out of control.
“Thank you. I don’t know if I can say that enough.”
Clint jerked his head toward the door. “Go get your dad. It’s gonna be a good night.”