Fortune's Second-Chance Cowboy

Finished with her brief summation, Sasha paused and looked at Chloe. “Well, have I managed to scare you off yet?”

Chloe didn’t have to hunt for words in order to answer her. As far as she was concerned, what Sasha had just outlined was her mission in life. Helping boys like the ones she spoke of.

“No, of course not. It’s obvious that all these boys need help, and that’s what I’m here for. What kind of a counselor would I be if I turned tail and ran at the first sign of a problem?”

“Possibly one who slept better at night?” Sasha suggested, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

“The exact opposite,” Chloe contradicted with feeling. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep, knowing I didn’t even try to help these boys. That I’d failed to reach out to them. Nobody deserves to have their dreams shattered the way these boys have, or to have their mothers beat them every time they descend into an alcoholic stupor.”

Chloe knew the sort of first impression she made and the image that she projected when people first met her. She made people think of a sweet Girl Scout selling cookies door-to-door. But she wasn’t interested in selling cookies.

“Believe me,” she said, “I know life isn’t all milk and cookies, but it shouldn’t be all pain and sorrow, either.”

As she spoke, Chloe could feel that she was really getting into the spirit of this new job she was about to undertake. She also felt she had a lot to offer.

“I know what it’s like to grow up without a father and be raised by a single mother. I know what it’s like to have to do without things other kids have, and I definitely know what it’s like to lose someone and how that can cut right into your very soul.” Her eyes met Sasha’s, determination shining in them. “I think I can really help these boys,” Chloe told her sister-in-law with fierce feeling.

Sasha beamed at her as she took the woman’s hands in hers.

“I think you can, too,” she said. “And I’m really glad Graham suggested that we hire you.” She let go of Chloe, then tilted her head as if in thought for a moment. Then she said, “You know, we have an extra bedroom right here in the house. It might be easier for all of us if you lived here, on the premises.”

Chloe hesitated, which prompted Sasha to quickly make another suggestion.

“We also have a small guest cottage on the property right behind the house. Now that I think of it, that might be more to your liking. You’d still be on the premises, but there wouldn’t be that feeling of having Graham and me breathing down your neck,” she added with an understanding smile.

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t feel that,” Chloe protested.