Free Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1) by June McCrary Jacobs

trimming bushes and flowers would not be a good idea as she would likely hack them to death. Instead, she decided to follow through with her plan of spreading compost over the entire garden to aid in weed control and water conservation.
    Robin loaded her wheelbarrow with compost from her compost bin, and began the rhythmic process of raking it carefully over the roots of her trees, shrubs, and plants. If she was lucky, it would take her hours to accomplish the task. Betting with concentrated, physical exertion she would forget about a certain man, she threw herself into the task wholeheartedly.
    At noon, Robin stopped working because she was hot, thirsty, and hungry. She forced down a chicken sandwich, some cold tea, and a bowl of fresh fruit salad. Within thirty minutes she was back at work. This time Miss Praise meandered down the garden path to keep her mistress company. The old cat’s tail twitched and swirled as she kept a keen eye on the bird feeders while listening to her keeper’s frustrated commentary.
    Robin hummed her favorite church hymns in an effort to comfort herself. When she felt less upset, she quietly talked out the unbearable situation with Miss Praise in an effort to feel better about the way things had turned out with the town’s newcomer. She thought maybe in another two hours she’d finish the composting chore. She recognized it would take a lot longer to get the good-looking newcomer out of her mind.

 
    Chapter 8

     
    Jeff didn’t know what to do with himself when he arrived home. Self-loathing invaded each cell of his body. He decided a shave and shower were necessary after his active morning. By the time he finished getting cleaned up, he was hungry. He made himself a peanut butter sandwich and munched on a couple of apples. The food was tasteless, and he wondered how he’d ever live with himself after this morning. He choked on his resentment toward Mr. Brownstein and deep disappointment in himself over how he’d treated Robin earlier.
    How could he ever make it up to her? Was there any way he could redeem himself in her eyes while at the same time regaining his own self respect? He’d have to come up with a strategy, create an effective plan, and follow through with it until he accomplished his goals. At his desk he began jotting down ideas and a timeline for accomplishing his goal.
    If he handled things properly, maybe he could keep his job and win over the girl’s heart just like in an Indiana Jones or James Bond movie. Except he wasn’t an action hero and this was not some fictional Hollywood script. This was real life—Robin’s life and his life. That was what really bothered him. He’d jeopardized his own integrity and potentially harmed a kind-hearted woman who didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of his little drama.
    He busied himself doing his laundry and unpacking the last of the few personal items he’d brought with him to Bonita Creek. He wished he had a pet to keep him company. His memories rolled back to his boyhood pet beagle, Hunter. He and Hunter had many adventures together. Hunter never criticized Jeff or whined when he didn’t spend as much time as he should with his loyal companion. Since he wouldn’t be in Bonita Creek for long, Jeff quickly pushed aside the thought of rescuing a pet from the local animal shelter. Maybe when he moved back home in a couple of months he would consider getting another dog to keep him company on his runs and on those lonely days and nights at home. For now he would just suffer through with only himself for companionship. What a lucky guy I am, he thought, I get to spend all my time with the biggest loser in the world.
    Desolation crept into his mind and took over like some alien force. He thought of the many relationships he’d tried to forge with women over the years. It seemed there was always something wrong with the women he chose. They were too quiet or too boisterous. They were too timid or too aggressive; too