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She spun around, hand to her throat When she saw him, she wilted “Gabe You scared me”

Whilea clear view of his son, he started toward her “That’s two I owe you”

“What?” Her face was sed with dirt and pale as paste

Gabe frowned Soht here “Never mind Are you okay? You look upset”

Her huge blue eyes greider “Where’s AJ? Don’t leave AJ alone”

“AJ’s right there See?” He angled his body to give her a clear view

She blew out a long sigh “Of course he is I’o”

“Hey” He caught her ar on?”

Part of his brain said tothat Manny called hi into people, usually women, who needed help How did a man walk ahen a woman needed him? Wasn’t that why God made iven man instructions to take care of the woman?

Right, he thought gri for the last one had nearly cost him his son

“I had a scary , old empty houses I’m fine now”

Gabe squinted, thinking there wasspooked in an empty house She was not fine

Go back to your porch, Gabe Let it go That’s what his brain was saying, but hisI can do?”

She weighed the offer, her bottoht between her teeth He wished she wouldn’t call attention to the fact that her mouth was full and soft and curved upward at the corners

“Would you mind some company?” she asked “I’m sorry I don’t usually iht now”

Yep Soh he wondered why she didn’t tell hi out of the ordinary

“No ihbors help each other Remember? You helped me out with AJ the other day Co day”