Free Christmas in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 1) by Cindy Kirk Page B

young. His hair, the same shade as Cassie’s, was spiked up with gel. If he was trying to hide the fact that his hairline had done some serious receding, it wasn’t working.
    The look in his eyes, that predatory gleam with an underlying mean edge, was the same. She remembered the stories she’d heard back in middle school, how he and his friends had beat a possum to death . . . just for fun.
    The thought made her stomach roll.
    “Isn’t there school today?” Beck asked casually.
    “Yes, sir. The bus picked up the boys a few minutes ago.” Dakota flushed. “I stayed home so I could take Mom to her doctor’s appointment.”
    “’Cause I can’t drive.” Clint placed a hand on his back and forced a wince. “Back injury.”
    Ami knew for a fact Clint drove all the time . . . when it suited him.
    “These almond bars are delicious.” Cassie grabbed another from the tin.
    “Thank you. They’re very popular.” Ami took a sip of coffee and smiled at Dakota. “Next time you’re by the shop, stop in. I’ll give you some more almond bars to bring home for your mom.”
    “Dakota don’t get into town much.” Clint’s gaze fixed on the girl. “We like to keep her close.”
    “Oh, Clint, honey.” Cassie gave a nervous laugh. “She’s in Good Hope for school every day.”
    Ami reached over and gave Dakota’s hand a squeeze. “Stop by, please.”

C hapter S even

    Ami hid a smile as Beck reached for a third kouign amann. The walk back from Cassie’s home must have stimulated his appetite.
    Though she’d planned to broach the subject of Beck giving her a job on the walk back from the Lohmeier home, the conversation had focused more on the abject poverty of the home and the jerk that was Clint Gourley.
    Beck also had concerns over the way the man had leered at Dakota. Ami made herself a promise. If the girl didn’t come to her in the next few days, she’d seek her out.
    Once she’d made that decision, it was time to get down to business. No more letting the conversation flow like a meandering river.
    Eliza had spotted her and Beck when they passed by the general store on their way to Muddy Boots. If Ami didn’t call Eliza to report in soon, the executive director of the Cherries would be calling her.
    The problem was, lately it felt as if all she’d been doing was asking Beck for favors. She certainly didn’t want him to get the mistaken impression she was using him.
    Ami knew he was concerned about his head cook situation, and she hoped that if she could help with that, he’d be willing to help her complete her Cherries assignment by agreeing to open his house to the tour.
    “I’ve come up with a solution to your need for a cook.” Once Ami saw she had Beck’s attention, she pressed forward. “I texted Hadley this morning, and she agreed to increase her hours on the weekends. Karin, a college student who worked for me last year, has also agreed to help out. Since you don’t serve breakfast, I can get a lot of my baking done before I come over to cook for the lunch crowd.”
    If Beck was surprised she’d brought up the job again, it didn’t show. “You’ll pay out more in wages than you’ll bring in.”
    “Not if you pay me what I’m worth.”
    The figure she named had his jaw dropping open.
    Recalling Hadley’s admonition, Ami took another sip of coffee. When Beck remained silent, she stuffed a piece of pastry in her mouth so she wouldn’t be tempted to fall into nervous chatter . . . and sell herself cheap.
    Beck cleared his throat. “That’s a lot of money.”
    Ami lifted her chin and met his chocolate-brown eyes head-on. “I’m worth it.”
    “The amount you’re asking is twice what I’m paying Janey.”
    “You’d only be paying me that for a month.” She took a huge drink of coffee to wash down a chunk of pastry that had lodged in her throat. “Considering all the increased money you’ll be making because of the holidays, your budget can handle it.”
    Ami tried to