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Jo ignored theback into the tow truck, and driving away

Rider stood frowning as she pulled away “She’s not very friendly, is she?” he complained

“Depends,” Rachel said, getting back in her car and rolling her n

“On what?”

“On whether you’re a man or woman”

“That explains it All the good-looking wo on his heel in disappoint back to his bike

“Is he really that big of an ass?”

“Yes,” Cash adht”

Rachel looked down at her hands on the steering wheel “I wanted to get ho”

“Then I’ll ht”

Rachel started to argue but was cut off when his ht” He walked aithout another word

“I bet being an asshole is a prerequisite to being a Last Rider,” Rachel said to herself as she put her car in drive

When she finally , she unlocked the door to the store, co back her fear, she closed the door behind her

Carefully, she surveyed the roo fear, she closed the door

“I know you’re there Come out, and I won’t call the sheriff”

Severalbehind a rack of clothing Cal Harris stared at her with both fear and bravado

“What are you doing in here, Cal?”

She could see the desire to lie to her, but she guessed his pride didn’t outweigh his needs

“I’ e need My mom and dad have been laid off and haven’t found jobs yet They won’t ask for any help…” His voice trailed off in embarrassment

Rachel blinked back tears The proud, young man needed help, not her pity It was for families like his they had opened the church store

“You’re the one who has been breaking in?”

Cal nodded “I keptwith the air conditioner so you would leave the backunlocked I would climb in after everyone left”

“All you had to do was ask,” Rachel gently reprimanded

“Dad says we can’t take any handouts,” he replied proudly, clearlyhis father’s words

“What did he say about stealing or destroying someone else’s property?”

His red face answered her question

“Are you going to call Knox?” His bravado hid his discernible fear

“No, I’ to call Knox, on one condition”

“What?”

“That you take a few iteet rid of” Rachel bustled around the roo several items she knew Cal’s little sister could use with the war She had seen her the other day with her mother

Picking out so full of clothes, hoping she was gauging the right size She critically surveyed Cal, placing several jeans and t-shirts in another bag for hian putting grocery staples into it until it was packed to the top Setting the two bags of clothes on top, she pushed the box on the counter toward Cal

“Here you go”

Cal looked like he was going to refuse, so Rachel picked up the telephone with a raised brow When he picked up the box, she lowered the phone

“What a to tell my parents?”

“Tell them you helped clean the store for me, and I paid you in merchandise”