Free Behind Closed Doors by Debbi Rawlins

have anything in mind?”
    Bethany looked disappointed, and he almost smiled. “Well, for starters, she should have to paint whatever wall she defaced. What was it this time?”
    “The calving shed. It’s isolated from the rest of the buildings and we haven’t used it since late spring. If Troy hadn’t cut through the north pasture, no one would’ve seen her.” Thinking back, Nathan shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense she’d pick the middle of the afternoon when the men are working outside. It was almost as if she wanted to get caught.”
    “Okay, now, that definitely doesn’t gel. We had a talk just this morning. I trusted her—” She shook her head in despair. “How about I drop her off at your place every day after school and on weekends until she’s repainted the whole shed? Heck, throw in anything else you need painted.”
    Nathan smiled.
    “I’ll buy the paint and have her pay me back every last cent.” Beth blinked. “Those gallons you had stored with the lumber...”
    He didn’t say anything. Judging by the sudden slump of her shoulders, she knew the answer.
    “I didn’t make the connection. I thought it was for a winter project.... It doesn’t matter...I’ll write you a check for that, too.”
    “The court’s already put it on the restitution list.”
    “I don’t care. You shouldn’t have to wait.” Bethany stared down at her clasped hands. “Can she start tomorrow?”
    He thought about it for a few moments. “Tell you what,” he said. “I bet you could use her help at the boardinghouse.”
    She shook her head, the loose hair from her ponytail fluttering around her face. “I already pay her to do small jobs for me.”
    “I’m talking about her working for free.”
    “Half the money I give her goes to victims. Like you. So I don’t mind paying her. Look, I understand why you don’t want her around the Lucky 7. Or want me there, for that matter, but—”
    “Hey.”
    “I’d wouldn’t stay, just drop her off and pick her up, for however long—”
    “Stop,” he said, and took her hand. Her skin was cold. He waited for her to meet his eyes. Damn, but he wanted to kiss those pretty lips. “I never said I didn’t want you at the ranch.”
    “No, but I knew what you were thinking.”
    Nathan smiled. “I seriously doubt that.”
    “Why?”
    “You would’ve slapped me.”
    She narrowed her eyes, then laughed. When her gaze swept down to their joined hands, he regretted teasing her. She didn’t pull away, though maybe she felt obligated, which wasn’t what he wanted. “What, then?”
    “I don’t like seeing you penalized,” he said, releasing her hand. “You don’t need to be running shuttle service twice a day.”
    “I’ll make sure her mother participates.”
    Disappointment settled in his gut. On the one hand, he didn’t want Beth burdened, on the other, he’d get to see her. “I can drop her off in the evenings when I go to town.”
    “Come on...you never go to town.”
    “I was there yesterday.”
    “Yes, but—” She pressed her lips together and glanced away. “I know you mostly avoid it.”
    “Not necessarily. I just haven’t had a reason to go.”
    Her gaze shot back to him. She searched his face for a long moment. “But you do now?”
    “I might.”
    “Oh.” She smoothed back her hair. “Okay.”
    Nathan watched her shift nervously, and hoped he hadn’t just made a mistake. This afternoon he’d decided to invite her out to dinner, but that was before this thing with her niece. He didn’t hold Liberty’s actions against Bethany; he just didn’t want her to feel pressured.
    She gave him a tentative smile. “When do you think you’ll know?”
    “Depends.” He relaxed. “You did promise to buy me a beer.”
    “Oh. Good. I was worried you’d tell me to take a hike. You looked pretty angry a few minutes ago.”
    “I was,” he admitted. “Your niece has quite a stubborn streak. Hope it doesn’t run in the family.”
    Bethany’s