Free Change of Heart by T. J. Kline Page B

knock sounded at her door. “That better not be who I think it is because there is no reason for him to be here this early.”
    Setting Puma and his bowl on the floor in the entry, Leah opened the door. She rolled her eyes when she saw Gage standing on her porch, holding out a cup of steaming coffee and a smile. “Good morning, Sunshine.”
    “I think I might have to kill you.”
    “You hear that, little man?” Gage didn’t wait for an invitation and walked into her entry, scooping the kitten from the floor and pressing the mug of coffee into her hand. “Your mom is threatening me again.”
    “I’m only letting you live because you brought me this.” She took a long sip of the brew. “I need it after last night.”
    Gage eyed her, his gaze sliding over the loose T-shirt and yoga pants she’d slept in. “Long night with Junior?”
    “Every time I fell asleep, he’d pounce on my feet. For such a sweet kitten, he’s got some sharp claws.”
    Gage chuckled quietly. “Well, I’m sorry to come over so early but Dave called. He said the part came in yesterday and he’ll have the car ready for you today. If you want, I can drive you into town so you can pick it up. I thought while we were there, we could pick up a few things for this little guy, too.”
    Anxiety burrowed deep into her chest, and she tried to hide it by taking another sip of coffee. She didn’t have the money to pay for her car repairs yet, let alone to buy anything for Puma. Her solitary credit card had been maxed out before she arrived, and she only had a few hundred dollars to her name, which the auto shop would wipe out easily. Maybe she should ask Jessie for an advance. Not a lot but enough to pay for the car repairs. She cringed at the thought of approaching her boss of a mere few days and asking for money.
    That will make you look like a real winner.
    Gage eyed her speculatively. “Go, get ready. I’ll take this little guy out to use the bathroom, and then I’ll buy you breakfast.”
    “I don’t think—”
    “Not asking you to think about it,” he interrupted, reaching for her shoulder to turn her around and press her toward the hallway. “Now, go before I change my mind and just take this little guy to breakfast instead.”
    “Puma,” she said as she made her way back down the hall to her bedroom.
    “Puma? They’re sleek, and he’s nothing but a cotton ball.”
    “Yeah, well, let him attack your feet all night and see if you don’t change your tune.”
    Leah heard the front door shut as Gage took the kitten outside and grabbed a towel before turning on the shower, trying to figure out the best way to sneak off to find Jessie without Gage realizing what she was doing. She could only imagine what he already thought of her. He already thought she was bitchy; she didn’t want to tell him she was broke, too.
    Slipping under the warm spray, Leah tipped her head backward and lathered up her hair. She knew she shouldn’t care what Gage thought. He was a visitor at the ranch and only for a short time. In reality, he was more of a nomad than she was, and she found herself wondering what his story was.
    He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d just hang out on a ranch for a month. He’d said he was here to visit his brother, and Jessie had mentioned that he was overseeing a new office opening in San Francisco, but so far, he hadn’t left the ranch long enough to even drive to the Bay Area, let alone oversee anything. Not that it was any of her business where he went. Nor was she going to let him know that she was watching his comings and goings.
    In truth, she was watching for him, and that detail had her more than irritated with herself. Gage had stayed at her house until Justin left last night, well after nine, but even as she escorted him to the door, she found herself wanting to ask him to stay longer. As much as she wanted to deny it, she was having a difficult time keeping her guard up when Gage was around.
    He was