Chapter 9
Ben was crossing the yard toward Shane’s shop when Erin caught up with him.
“Ben? Can I talk to you?”
Ben turned at her approach with a smile and his eyes ran over her. She hugged Joey’s jacket around herself, not intending to use Ben’s fascination with her to get what she wanted. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I need your help.”
“My help? With what?”
He was fifteen and probably wouldn’t understand an adult being illiterate. She couldn’t trust him with the knowledge; nor should she burden him to keep it a secret. Yet, she needed a job, and she needed money. She had to ask Ben to do this favor for her.
“I need to get a job.”
“Okay. There might be something in town. Or you could ask my dad. There’s always work around the ranch.”
The ranch? She’d never given that a thought. She might
