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tilting his head as he held her gaze. “My dad had a heart attack and almost died. I came home, but if we continue to live in close quarters, he’s very liable to have another because I won’t let him take over my life. I need to be close for the next couple of months in case of emergency, but I also need something to fill my time. Something where I can just...” He shrugged.
    Be alone with his thoughts, work through stress. Allie could have finished that sentence for him because she knew the feeling well.
    â€œ...do something physical.”
    For a moment common sense battled with empathy. She needed the barn hauled away and Jason honestly looked like he needed the job, for reasons other than the money, but this was Jason Hudson. Did she want him on the property, putting her on edge? Because that was what the guy did. He put her fully on edge. On the other hand, the feed-store advertisement he’d taken was one of many, and not one of the ads had produced results.
    â€œOne-day trial,” she finally said. “And you have to sign an agreement releasing me from indemnity if you happen to hurt yourself. And I only pay minimum wage.”
    His expression didn’t change. “I don’t know how much I can get done in a day.”
    â€œIf I’m not unhappy, we’ll talk about another.” He raised an eyebrow and she said, “I don’t like commitment. Take it or leave it.”
    She expected him to leave it, but the half smile, which in turn triggered a slow warming sensation in her, told her he wasn’t going to leave it. “Don’t try to charm me,” she warned.
    â€œInto what?”
    Bed was the first word that popped into her head. He’d probably charmed a number of women into bed. “Anything,” she said with a snap.
    â€œYou got it. No charm. When do I start?”
    â€œTomorrow,” she said matter-of-factly.
    â€œSure thing. I’ll go find some tools.”
    â€œAnd I’ll find those agreements.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    J ASON PULLED INTO the family driveway hoping Kate didn’t walk out in a frustrated huff as he walked in. He wanted a little backup when he told the old man about his new “job.” Max was getting stronger every day and had made it clear that he no longer required a sitter. As long as someone was with him when he took his walks—which Jason intended to keep doing—Max didn’t mind some time alone. But that didn’t mean he didn’t want Jason on call.
    After he broke the news to his dad, he needed to buy some work clothes and gloves. Boots. And a hard hat. It would be ironic to have spent years in a physical occupation and then get taken out by a falling board or beam.
    Except he was pretty certain Allie would laugh her ass off.
    Let her. Safety first and all that.
    Jason pocketed his keys as he walked into the house. “Hey, Dad. Ready for the walk?”
    The dogs jumped to their feet. “Yeah.” Max pushed himself out of his chair. “You’ve been gone awhile.”
    â€œI, uh, took a temporary job.”
    â€œDoing what?”
    â€œI’m tearing down a barn for Allie Brody.”
    â€œI’m not even going to ask how this came about,” he said, grabbing his Vandals cap off the sideboard. He sounded so disgusted that Jason had to fight the urge to laugh. Yes, he was turning out to be quite a disappointment now that he was no longer ripping up the gridiron “Have you ever torn down a barn?”
    â€œNo.”
    Max simply shook his head and headed for the door, the dogs on his heels. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “Are you still living here?”
    â€œUntil I buy a place...if that’s okay with you.”
    Max nodded and pulled the door open, but Jason had the distinct feeling that the wheels were turning in his head.
    * * *
    T HE NEXT MORNING when Jason showed up at the ranch wearing his new boots, with his new gloves stuffed