Free Sabrina (Big Sky Dreams 2) by Lori Wick

doorway.
    "I don't think we've officially met," that man said, his voice deep. He came toward Sabrina, his hand out. "I'm Rylan."
    "It's nice to meet you," Sabrina said automatically, realizing he was even larger than she first realized and the hand that took hers was gigantic.
    "I didn't get your name," Rylan began, but Becky was suddenly there.
    "Now, Bri, where do you want this little chest?"
    "What is this for?" Sabrina asked.
    "Watch that wall, Timothy," Becky said, taking charge. "She just painted."
    For some reason, Sabrina was embarrassed. There was something about Rylan Jarvik that flustered her. Maybe it was the way she'd first seen him at the livery, or the way she hadn't heard a word of
    67 his sermon, but whatever the cause, it made her want to duck away the moment she saw him.
    "I'm going to help Timothy with the bed," Rylan was saying. "What wall do you want it on?"
    Sabrina had no idea. She hadn't thought that far and now stared at him without saying anything. Rylan didn't know what was hard about the question, but when she didn't answer, he simply went back down the stairs to help the other man.
    "What's the matter?" Becky asked.
    "I think I'm just surprised," Sabrina answered when she found her voice.
    "Watch that step, Timothy," Sabrina heard Rylan say from outside. She turned to Becky.
    "I have to run down to see the landlOrd. Just put things where they make sense to you."
    "All right. I'll take care of it."
    Sabrina waited only until the men were out of the way before escaping. It was true that she did need to ask Mr. Sandgren about the repairs on the stairway, but she also hoped Rylan Jarvik would be gone when she returned.
    "Do you call her Sabrina or Bri?" Rylan asked Jeanette a few hours later.
    "Bri."
    "And she was living here until today?"
    "Yes. She took us by surprise," Jeanette admitted, a frown on her face. She was working to accept Sabrina's move, but it was proving difficult. "I told her she could take her time and look for a place, but then she rented from Sandgren."
    "And you wanted her where?"
    "Ideally, above my shop, but I've got that rented. At the very least I hoped she would get into one of the places Hulett has."
    68Rylan nodded. He understood, even if he didn't completely agree with Jeanette. Parts of town were not as safe, and he realized how that might bother her. Clearly Sabrina didn't share Jeanette's feelings either.
    "Bri came with you on Sunday, I noticed," Rylan said next. "Yes. It was hard for her. She said she missed her church family in Denver."
    "She's a long way from home."
    "She is," Jeanette agreed. "I guess Denver holds some hard memories for her, and a friend suggested she try Token Creek."
    It was a long way to come in Rylan's mind, but he didn't comment on that. He also wondered who might have suggested Token Creek. He had lots of family and friends in Denver and would not have been overly surprised to learn that he knew the very person.
    "More pie?" Jeanette offered.
    Rylan, who had forgotten to eat supper, accepted. Heather, who had just taken Theta to bed, joined them. 'the three of them talked until well after dark.
    "How was your first night?" Jeanette asked when Sabrina got to work on Wednesday, not able to resist giving her a hug.
    "It was great. Thank you for the bed and other pieces. You're too generous, Jeanette," Sabrina added, only to have that lady laugh. "Now you're going to make this harder."
    "What's that?"
    "I've got something else for you," Jeanette said, going in the back and returning in a moment. "This was never picked up, and I think it might be long enough for you." Jeanette held out a navy skirt, with a wide waistband that looked to be just Sabrina's size.
    "I can't just take this from you, Jeanette."
    "Sure you can. I want you to have it."
    Sabrina held it up to the front of herself. It looked an exact fit.
    69
    "I have a white blouse that would be perfect with this," the younger woman said quietly. "Thank you, Jeanette."
    "You're welcome.