Angel's Rest(85)

“Yeah. I’m looking for a job. Do you know if the store’s owner needs any help?”

Her mom needed lots of help, but she couldn’t afford any employees. At least not before the summer season started in earnest. “My mom owns the store, and I’m afraid we don’t have any openings right now. What sort of job are you looking for? I might be able to give you some suggestions if you let me know what you want.”

“I’ll do just about anything. I’m not picky. I just need enough hours to pay for a place to stay, pay for food. I worked whitewater rafting last summer and I’m certified, so if anyone runs a trip out of Eternity Springs to the Gunnison River, I’m their man.”

So if he needed a place to stay, that meant he hadn’t moved here with his family? He had a backpack hooked over his shoulder. “What’s your name?”

If he said anything even close to Joe Jonas, she was going to faint dead away.

“Sorry.” He flashed a bashful grin that made Lori’s pulse speed up. He extended his hand. “My name is Chase. Chase Timberlake.”

“Nice to meet you, Chase.” Lori gave his hand a quick shake and said, “I’m Lori Reese. Unfortunately, we don’t have any rafting trips out of Eternity Springs. If you’re licensed, you could probably get on with someone in Gunnison. It’s not exactly commuting distance from here. Where are you living?”

“I don’t have a place yet. I just got into town. Rode my Yamaha down the back roads from Boulder this morning. Awesome drive. I’ve heard really good things about Eternity Springs from my mom. Thought it would be a good place to spend the summer.”

OMG, he has a motorcycle. When she got past that interesting fact, his name and mention of his mother registered. “Timberlake? Is Ali Timberlake your mother?”

“Yes. You know her?”

“I’ve met her, yes. She’s a neat lady.”

“I think so. She’s the one who suggested that I’d like living here this summer. I love the mountains and I have a thing for history. Since my ancestor helped found the town, we thought it’d be neat for me to walk in his shoes, so to speak. But I need a job to make it happen.”

Lori thought hard. He was too cute to lose to another mountain town. “It’s still a little early for the summer season, although the Double R might be worth a try. Do you know horses? Do you ride?”

His eyes lit up and he showed her a grin that had just enough wickedness in it to make her weak in the knees. “I’ve ridden most of my life. Is the Double R a ranch?”

“Yes. They have the biggest trail ride program in the area, and even better for you, summer help stays in the bunkhouse. Room and board are included in the job.”

“Excellent. Can you tell me how to get there?”

“Their brochure has a map. We have some up at the checkout. Come with me and I’ll get you one.”

“Thanks.”

She handed him the brochure and was both surprised and pleased when he lingered after looking at it. “I really appreciate your help. Maybe if I land this job, I could buy you a pizza or something? To say thanks?”

Yes! She labored to keep her voice level. “You don’t need to do that.”

“I want to.” He added with a grin, “Unless there’s some big mountain-man dude who’ll come after me with a fly rod or something for trying to poach his girl.”

She laughed. “A fly rod?”

He flashed a grin and shrugged. Flattered and excited, Lori wanted to say yes, but told herself not to be too easy. “I don’t know anything about you—who you are, where you’re from, why you’re here—my mom would tell me it’s not safe to make a date with a stranger.”

“Smart mom. Okay, so how about we meet somewhere public and talk until I’m not a stranger anymore?”

“Persistent, too, aren’t you?” Lori made a show of sighing, even though inside she was giving herself a high five. She tugged the brochure out of his hands, picked up a pen, and copied down her cell number. “If you get the job, let me know. We’ll figure out something.”

“Awesome.” He folded the brochure and stuck it in his pocket, then headed for the door. “Thanks, Lori. I’m really glad I stopped in here.”

“Good luck with the job.”

Lori stood smiling a bit stupidly at the door until her mom opened it and stepped inside a few moments later. “Was that Andrew?” she asked. “Is he pestering you again?”