turned around to see Ralph shuffling toward them, his shoulders bent forward, his dark eyes snapping from under the brim of his Mississippi Braves ball cap.
Carrie exhaled a heavy sigh. This is what she’d dreaded. “No, Ralph, you haven’t been replaced.”
The old man muttered a soft curse and tugged at his cap. “Better not. No one’s putting me out to pasture.”
Seth stepped toward him and extended his hand. “Hello, Mr. Ralph. Remember me? Seth Montgomery.”
Ralph ignored the hand, pointing a finger at him, instead. “You’re the rapscallion who threw all my hay out of the barn loft onto the floor so you and your hoodlum friends could jump into it.”
“Yes, sir. That was me.” He gestured toward his uniform. “But I’ve rejected those ways and embraced the law.”
Ralph harrumphed. “You the one trying to take my job?”
“No, sir. Never. But I’d like to be your apprentice, learn the ropes from the master, so to speak.”
Carrie watched the anger fade from the old man’s dark eyes and the shoulders straighten. “Fine by me, but you’d better stay on your toes. This ain’t a job for slackers.” Ralph wagged a finger at them as he walked away.
Carrie dared a look at Seth. “Thank you. That was very sweet. You preserved his pride.” Seth unleashed his smile in her direction and her insides wobbled.
“So, does that earn me the position? I promise I’ll keep him in the loop. I like the old guy.”
Carrie knew she’d regret it, but she really had no choice. Mavis was right. She had to stop worrying. Seth was only trying to help. “Fine. But I warn you, you’ll hear from me a lot between now and the picnic. Especially those last few weeks.”
Seth grinned and held out his hand. “Deal. And it’s even better that we live next door. We’re a good team, Carrie. We can work together on the picnic and help Jack.”
She took his hand. It was warm and strong and filled her with a sense of security. Seth would always make those he cared about feel secure. Being protective was in his nature. She’d seen that firsthand in the way he’d stepped up to take care of Jack. He would make a great father and a devoted husband, when the time came.
And he would choose a woman of strong character from a good family. Not someone like her. A thief with a criminal record.
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