Married For Jeremy (Under Fire Book 1) Read Free

too?” Ellen looked up at him in surprise.
                  “No, but I know the area, and I can show you around a bit.”
                  “Okay.”
                  “Sunday morning work?”
                  “Yeah, that could work. I’ll just go to mass on Saturday night.”
                  “Oh, so you’re a church girl?”
                  “As much as I can be, yeah.”              
                  Ellen paid for the boots, then left the store, wondering what Katie would say if she found out they were going hiking together.
     

Chapter 2
     
                  James arrived at the Beaverdam trail parking lot a little before Ellen did. He parked his truck and unbuckled his seatbelt. He’d offered to take her more as a courtesy, but thinking about it now, it was practically a blind date. Hopefully it would turn out all right and not embarrass them both.
                  Ellen pulled into the parking lot and James stepped out of his truck to meet her. She was wearing jeans, hiking boots and a blue windbreaker. Her dark curly hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing dark sunglasses. “Hi,” she said with a smile.
                  “Hey.”
                  “So, do you think I’ll get to see a real beaver?” she asked.
                  “It’s possible, though the beavers are moving further from the trail now. I think they’re scared of all the tourists. This time of year though, we might get lucky.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s a bit of a tough trail in spots. Are you up for that?”
                  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
                  “Okay, let’s go then.” Leading the way, he headed for the trail head.
                  “So, how long have you been in this area?” Ellen asked as they walked along.
                  “All my life. What about you?”
                  “I’ve been here a month or so. Couldn’t find work back home, so when a position came up here, I moved.”
                  “Yeah, the area isn’t bad. I like how it’s not that populated.”
                  “Why? Don’t you like being around people?” Ellen looked at him in surprise.
                  “Not especially,” James said. “I don’t like the city at all, and honestly, I’d rather be out here in the wild then with a bunch of people.”
                  “I guess,” Ellen agreed reluctantly.
                  “I guess with your work, you have to like people,” James commented absently.
                  “Yeah.” Ellen carefully stepped over a tree root. “I do enjoy my job. I’m finally starting to get to know the residents.”
                  “Yeah, there are a lot of them. My grandma has been there for almost five years now, so I know pretty much everyone’s names at least.”
                  “You come there a lot don’t you?” Ellen stopped and looked at him.
                  “Yeah, I try to go every day.”
                  “That’s very dedicated. A lot of the residents are so lonely because no one visits them.”
                  “Yeah, well I do what I can.” James shoved his hands in his pockets. “Grandma raised me, so I figure I should at least try to take care of her in her old age.”
                  “That’s good.” Ellen smiled.
                  “Com’on this way,” James said when they reached a fork in the trail. “The other trail tends to be a real mess this time of year.”
                  “Why is that?”
                  “Parts of it tend to wash out when the snow melts.”
                  “Oh, I see.” Ellen was impressed with his knowledge.