Free No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1) by Amanda McIntyre Page A

healthy.” Aimee studied one of the pamphlets. “You’ve had your check-up this year, your periods are normal—everything seems to be in working order, right?”
    Sally nodded. “It’s not really my health that concerns me. There are so many other expenses I hadn’t really considered. Costs of the donor sperm, agency fees, legal fees—and then there are the injections I have to give myself.” She eyed Aimee with a grimace. “And you know how terrified I am of needles.”
    “What does that do?” Aimee asked.
    “It’s supposed to increase the number of eggs. Not every egg is optimum, I guess. And they can freeze the good ones—part of the costs—if things don’t go well the first time.”
    Her friend looked at her, shock registering on her face. “You mean this is the cost for one time?”
    “Not entirely, but it’s a financial commitment,” Sally answered with a shrug. “And there is no doubt each of these kids is truly, desperately wanted.”
    Aimee nodded. “Wow.” She shuffled through the brochures, then glanced at Sally. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but can you afford this? I mean, I know you really want a child of your own.”
    “I checked and my health insurance covers most of the preliminary costs—tests, office visits, evaluation.” She released a quiet sigh. “Then the real fun begins.” Sally gave her friend a weak smile, trying not to let her disappoint show.  She should be content. She was healthy. There was still the chance she could meet someone and have kids of her own. Women these days were having kids in their forties. The number of scenarios had played over and over in her mind and the answer, it seemed, always fell to the bottom line. One that was slowly being eaten away by the renovations to update this old house and make it a safe and efficient place to raise a child. “It’s certainly given me a lot to think about.” Sally stood and resumed her packing. “I’m sorry. Come on, put those down and let’s not let this put a damper on your good news, okay? Besides, I’d like to get to my cabin before nightfall so I can get settled.”
    Aimee nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Where to next?”
    Sally pointed to the dresser. “Everything in the second and third drawers… oh, and grab that robe off the back of the door, please. I’m going to start in the bathroom.”
    “Did Rein seem to think this phase would take long?” Aimee called out to her.
    “A week, he thought. Guess it depends on what they find. This old house has already coughed up a few surprises. Tyler is still waiting on my sink. He must have ordered it from another continent.” Sally dropped her hair dryer and cosmetic bag in the suitcase.
    “I can’t believe this is almost full,” Aimee remarked as they stood shoulder to shoulder staring at the suitcase.
    Sally folded the extra sheeting over her clothes as though wrapping a gift. “There.” She smiled, tugged the lid down, and zipped it shut.
    Aimee grabbed it, preparing to haul it off the bed. Sally stopped her.
    “Get away from that, you crazy woman,” she scolded. “You grab my pillows and book bag.”
    Aimee shoved the bag over her shoulder and grabbed the pillows.
    Granted, the full suitcase was much heavier than she’d thought it would be. Akin to a load of bricks came to mind as Sally braced one knee on the bed and pulled the suitcase to the edge, prepared to let it simply fall to the floor.
    A large hand clamped down over hers on the handle. “Step aside, I’ll get that.”
    She felt the heat of Clay’s all-male body behind her. Frustrated that her life wasn’t exactly going as planned, her ire rose. By golly, she’d been on her own for years, taken care of her dad, and scores of every type of kid—she ought to be able to handle a damn suitcase. “You know, I’m not a helpless damsel in distress.”
    “Never said you were,” Clay replied calmly.
    “Just so we’re clear, I have been known to move a baby grand by myself.” She