Free Man with a Past by Kay Stockham Page A

he’s gonna sue you. It ain’t right.”
    â€œHe fell off my roof! What if he’d been injured? Does he have insurance? Is he bonded?” She swung to face him. “ Are you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOh, no.” She moaned and shoved tendrils of wet hair out of her face. “The books said—”
    â€œThose books don’t know everything. They don’t talk about the good people, just the crooked ones. Stop worryin’. Joe ain’t gonna sue you.”
    She swung around, arms wide as she faced Wilson. “ How do you know that? If you live in the country is there some other set of rules? If so, you people need to make a handbook and clue us outsiders in.”
    Joe chuckled. He couldn’t help himself. The sight of Ashley in her foot-stomping upset arguing with someone so similar and like-minded as his father was entertaining to say the least.
    â€œIt’s the same set of rules everywhere, people’s just forgotten ’em.” Wilson lifted his walker and dropped it to the floor again as if to emphasize hispoint. “Too sue-happy these days. Wastin’ everyone’s time and taxpayers’ money.”
    Sensing no end to the argument, Joe cleared his throat. “I’m not suing anyone,” he stated firmly. “I jumped, I’m not hurt and even if I was hurt I wouldn’t sue.” Ashley turned to face him and he stared into her intriguing eyes. He liked the way her pupils were ringed with deep amber flecks, the hazel cast more golden than brown.
    â€œYou gave me a job,” he continued, softening his tone when he saw her glance into the living room where Max slept. “I took it and the potential problems that came with it. Besides, I doubt there are very many roofers out there who haven’t fallen off a roof or ladder at some point in time in their career. It’s part of the job.”
    Wilson grunted. “See?”
    Thunder boomed and the house rattled. Ashley jumped in response, and then turned toward the living room with a deep sigh. “I’ve got to check on Max. I should’ve already.”
    â€œThe boy’s fine. He’s so tuckered out he’s slept through the whole storm. Even the big boom.”
    â€œLooks like another one’s getting ready to roll through,” Joe murmured after glancing out the door to keep from seeing Ashley’s worry for her son etched across her features. He knew that kind of worry, that kind of fear, wanting to make everything okay for them, no matter how small the problem.
    Lightning streaked across the sky, miles away but fierce.
    â€œWere you hurt, missy?”
    â€œNo, I’m fine, but I can only imagine how awful Joe feels. I landed on top of him,” she admitted with a wince.
    Wilson’s bushy brows rose. Outside, thunder snapped, lightning flashed and the light above their heads dimmed, then came back on. The wind picked up outside once again.
    â€œOh, great. Looks like we’re going to lose power after all. I’d better change and get dinner started while I can.” Ashley glanced in his direction, her frown deepening. “Thank you, Joe. I’m sorry if I offended you by asking—”
    â€œNo problem.”
    She nodded. “Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? See a doctor?”
    â€œI’m fine,” he murmured. “After a good night’s sleep I’ll be ready to go again. No problem.”
    The relieved smile she flashed him took his breath away, and he told himself to stop being a fool. She’d smiled because she hadn’t lost her cheap labor. Nothing more.
    Ashley turned and hurried up the stairs between the living room doorway and hall, and unable to help himself, Joe watched the sway of her hips as she climbed, her rain-soaked jeans making the sight lethal.
    â€œYup, I’d say havin’ her fall on top would have any young man ready to go.”
    Joe’s dumbfounded