Читать книгу A Daughter's Redemption - Georgiana Daniels - Страница 14

Chapter Six

The more time Robyn spent with Caleb, the harder it was to resist the growing attraction. What good would it do to get to know him better when she’d soon be gone? She craved a loving, stable relationship, but she knew this couldn’t be it—even though she caught him sneaking glances at her and sharing more frequent smiles. Life on the road with Mom had taught her not to get too attached.

An ache pierced her back, a by-product of hunching over the porch’s loose floorboards all morning. She sat tall and stretched.

“Are you ready for a break?” Caleb’s rugged voice startled her from her thoughts.

“Only if you are. I can keep going until we’re done.”

He set aside the nail gun and rubbed his face. “You go on ahead. I need to keep working. I hear there’s a storm coming, and I’d like to have more finished before it hits.” His biceps drew the fabric of his T-shirt taut as he reached for another plank.

Robyn’s arms felt like noodles. She’d mistakenly thought she could easily handle these tasks after spending the past year moving surfboards and boxes at the shop. But that was nothing compared to the heavy-duty work over the past several days—when Caleb didn’t stop her and handle the tasks himself. She stood and tugged at his arm. “Come on, you deserve a break. I insist.”

He glanced at the sky, then back at the hole in the porch. “I’ll take a short one. Let me grab my food from the truck.”

The half sandwich she’d saved from breakfast was still on the counter inside. After paying for the blinds, she’d had just enough money to buy a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly. She still had one more paycheck from the surf shop coming, but after that she’d have to break out the credit card. Hopefully the renovations would be done soon so Ginger could list the property.

She unwrapped the sandwich and met Caleb outside. “Mind if we walk? I need to stretch.” A path cut between the cabins and led to the forest. She motioned for him to follow.

Judging by the way he eyed the pile of lumber, he was anxious to finish the job, but he finally consented, the same way he had every day this week. Each time he opened up a little more, but he remained more guarded than anyone she’d ever known. She’d never met the strong, silent type before and she enjoyed the challenge of drawing him into conversation.

Grass and wildflowers covered the path until it was hardly detectable and certainly nothing like she remembered. How many times had she walked this trail with Abby when they were looking to ditch their housekeeping duties? Surely, dozens.

She savored the first morsel, unsure how long it would be until she could stock up at the grocery store. “Do you have another job lined up after this?” The question was met with an extended pause, which she suspected meant he didn’t.

“I don’t know what God has in store for me.” He took a large bite of his twelve-inch sub.