Free Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy Page A

firm can always advise you about financial matters.”
    “People are always telling me and Laura that we should have gotten more involved in the finances of our farm, and I’m starting to see they were right.” She gave Frank a small smile. “But I’m just concerned about figuring out how this farm is doing and making sure we can continue the routine you’ve taught me during the last few days for our bookkeeping.”
    “Well, I still have to start a few audits at some other farms, and I’m at a standstill with your audit.” He opened his briefcase and removed a business card. He flipped it over, writing his information on the back. “I’m leaving my business card. My work number is on the front, and I’m writing my home number on the back. My e-mail address is listed there, too.” He pressed the card into her hand, relishing the warmth of her skin. He hesitated before pulling his hand away, still trying hard to ignore their attraction.
    He sat at the computer and opened a document, his leg jiggling. “Even though we’ve been through the whole budgeting and bookkeeping process together, I’ve still typed up notes for you and your stepmom about the accounting process for your farm. I tried to make the file easy for you to use.” He pressed a few keys on the keyboard. “Laura might need my detailed notes since she wasn’t here when I was teaching you everything.”
    “So you’re all finished?” He wished he could keep coming here each day, but being around Emily was torturous, knowing how she felt about his personal life and beliefs.
    He told her the truth. “No, not completely. I have some loose ends to tie up, but I can do those at the office. Remember those papers I was telling you about?”
    “Yes?”
    “Well, when you find those, I can complete the audit.” He glanced at the papers piled on the floor. “I don’t want to waste time searching for something since we charge by the hour.” He pulled a notebook from his briefcase. “I’m going to write down what I’m looking for.” He scribbled the information, sensing Emily watching him the entire time. When he was finished, he pointed to the last two items. “I can’t find your father’s tax returns for the last couple of years.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “I know he filed his taxes—” He touched her arm, and she calmed down. “I know he did. When I was going through his bank statements, I could see the direct deposits in his account from the IRS tax refund. But it’ll still help me out if I could find those files.” He glanced around the office again. “I know they’re around here someplace.”
    “You want me to look for the things you have listed here?” He nodded. “Please. When you find them, I can come back out here and complete my job, or, if you prefer that I not come, you can scan and e-mail the files to my office.”
    Silence surrounded them, and Frank was at a loss for words. Since she’d had her conversation with him about his drinking and her religious beliefs, they’d continued working together in her father’s office, sometimes making small talk. The attraction he felt for her refused to go away, so maybe it was best that he not return to her home after all. She finally spoke. “I can probably scan them and e-mail them to you if it’s quicker. I don’t want to waste your time by making you come out here.” She tucked his card into her pocket and sat in the chair beside the filing cabinet, stacking the manila folders into a pile.
    Frank stood beside the computer, and his heart pitter-pattered. “It’s never a waste of time coming out here.” The urge to kiss her rushed through him, but Julie’s face hovered on the fringes of his mind. Emily dumped some folders into a box, mumbling about looking through them later. She picked up the container and walked into the kitchen, and Frank followed her, holding his briefcase and car keys. He wondered when he’d see her again. She placed the box on the table and