Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense) Read Free Page A

someone, right? And with the work we’re gonna need done, we’ll be the laughing stock of the town when they see it!”
    Amelia grabbed a notepad and a pen and sat at the table as she jot down some ideas of what the ad could say. “Dad, I realize this. Maybe there’s someone out there who just wants some food and a roof over their head. We can provide that, right?”
    Her dad let out a laugh and leaned against the counter top as he looked out of the window. “Hon, this isn’t the twenties. Men need paychecks now.”
    “We can pay whoever it is some wages, but I’m hoping the selling point will be a rent free place. They can stay in the bunkhouse in the backyard. You know how rent has gone up like crazy because of Austin.” She tapped the pen against the table and shook her head. Who was she kidding? Her dad was right. It was all about money nowadays, even with the recession going on. It was like she was living back during the depression. Things weren’t like that now.
    Her father sat beside her at the table, resting his hands on his cane as he looked over her notes. “You can try, Amelia. There’s no harm in trying, I guess. You never know.”
    “I wouldn’t be so frantic if an angry loan shark wasn’t after us. Daddy, I still can’t believe that you went to someone without talking to me about it.”
    “I was desperate. It was a solution at the time.”
    Amelia buried her face in her hands. “I’d still be frantic, but that letter is so threatening. You think we might go to the police with it? Can’t be too careful, right?”
    Her dad’s eyes widened. “No, we better not. I’m sure it just means the interest rate will go up or something. The cops won’t do a damn thing but say we’re in the wrong and not them.”
    There was more to it. Amelia had a hunch that her father wasn’t telling her the whole story. It would be her priority to get right down to the bottom of it, but she had to take everything a step at a time. The most important thing was seeing if anyone would be dumb enough to answer an ad offering hardly any pay to work a good sized ranch alone, putting in long hours. She had to phrase it where it didn’t sound so bad, but she didn’t want someone walking in blindside on a situation and bailing five minutes into the gig.
    Poising the pen on the paper, she began to write what came to mind. They could proofread it later.
     
    Medium sized ranch in small town near Austin seeking a ranch hand to take care of animals, harvesting crops, and upkeep of ranch equipment. Experience preferred but not necessary. Competitive salary along with room and board offered. Call 512-555-3278 and ask for Amelia for more details.
     
    Amelia read it over. It had to be short and to the point. The newspaper charged too much as it was. Sliding the notepad to her dad, his eyes scanned it. A small smile parted his lips. “Competitive salary?”
    “I know, Dad. It’s a lie, but I gotta get some interest if we’re gonna have a chance. I don’t think anyone will call if I put laughable salary or next to nothing salary, right?” She tucked her hair behind her ear and read it again. “I’m not even sure a ranch hand will solve our problems, but maybe whoever comes in can help generate some sort of crop to give us a little income.”
    “I think it could do some good. Everything is just sitting right now. You do what you can, but it’s enough work for five men. If someone does take the job, he’s got his work cut out for him, that’s for sure.” He patted her hand. “How about we cross those bridges when we get to them? Take that ad to the paper, get it in print, and we’ll see what pops.”
    Nodding, she ripped the top page from the pad and folded it up. “We’re running out of time.”
    “I think this will turn out better than you think.”
    “Yeah?” She was certain her dad was just being optimistic to keep her from having an anxiety attack. Sometimes it was helpful and sometimes she hated that he