Jordan wasn't at all sure what he expected but he definitely didn't expect to see Bethany indulged in a full blown conversation with the most feared, most stubborn horse found on the farm. To top it all off the was responding to her in its own way. That in itself was telling simply because the horse usually doesn't give anyone the time of day or get close enough to anyone to be petted.

Bethany Thomas was surprising him each time he turn around. He hated surprises, which meant he needed her to go as soon as possible. She was hard to figure out, one minute she's throwing sassy comebacks at his brother that woman usually find irresistible and the next minute she's being cute and adorable with a grumpy horse.

OK cute and adorable? Yeah definitely time for her to go soon.

"OK first thing's first a job. Have you tried applying anywhere?" He asked

"Yes, I've been turned down by every single one of them" came her soft reply

Well dang, everyone? This woman really do have it hard.

In this moment as he looked at her he realized just how lonely and vulnerable she looked sitting here in front of him. With her rich blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail giving her an innocent look. A few loose tendrils fanned her soft skin. Jordan was stupid he knew Bethany was far from an angel but he couldn't help wondering who she really was under this rich girl act she's gotten so use to.

Last night he didn't really get a good look at her but now sitting her he saw just how beautiful she really was. She was a natural beauty. With her face void of any makeup he could see a small arrangement of freckles dusting her small delicate nose. She worried her bottom lip, her very cute full bottom lip.

As though sensing his scrutiny she looked up at him with her light baby blues and his heart slammed against his ribcage when he read the raw honest need in her eyes. Not that sexual kind, just the need of his help to survive. It's been awhile since anyone had needed him and it scared the daylights out of him. Then he noticed her shivering and guilt ran through him when he realized he had brought her out of the house in the cold with nothing but his T-shirt on.

He got up and removed a jacket from the hook in the corner and wrapped it around her. She accepted it with a grateful smile.

"So look, I'm going to help you" he announced

"Help, me?" She asked as though the gesture was foreign to her.

"Yes" he said

"But why?" She asked in a bewildered tone.

"Because there's no one else to help you" he simply replied

"But you guys don't even like me" she said

"I have no sort of feelings towards you whether like or dislike" he replied

I do however think you're hands down one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen, not that I'll tell you that anyway.

"What do I have to do to pay you back?" She asked skeptically

"You have nothing that I want. Not every kind gesture needs to have payment, then it wouldn't really be a favor. The room you're in it's yours for as long as you need it, find a job, save some money to get back on your feet then you're free to leave. Eat whatever you want. Food is always there. Entertain your ...guest at their place" said Jordan

That last bit got her attention. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and for a minute he thought she was about to cry. That is until she doubled over and started laughing. He leaned back in his chair and observed her. Somehow he must have missed the joke.

"No one thinks I'm good enough to be around their pets. What makes you think I'd have guests to entertain then?" She started laughing again

Jordan however didn't think it was at all funny. He realized she laughed to keep from crying. There was no humor behind her laughter. Just a reminder of how she had fallen from grace. He had no doubt that she never before lacked a number of people who had been at her beck and call simply because of the money that was attached to her. That's the irony of being rich. It sometimes changed the people around you instead of changing you.

"I can make some calls around town for you. I'm sure my friend Brian over at the diner could use an extra hand. If you're into office work I know the insurance office was looking for a secretary. Or..."

"I couldn't sleep last night so I was looking for list of job openings. The middle school is looking for a activity coordinator for inside activities, I thought that sounds fun" she said

"I don't think that job is available until the kids are back in school. You'd be sitting around waiting you could have already gotten a job" he explained

"Hmmm, true. OK well I read that a new gallery is opening in town and they want a recep..."

"No!" He exclaimed in a cool tone.

He saw her wince and shrink lower into the chair. He didn't mean to sound so harsh but as soon she mentioned the gallery the image of his sister's face sporting a look of betrayal popped up before his eyes.

"Sorry" he heard her mumble

"No I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to come out like that. It's just that I thought you knew." He said

"Know what?" She asked confused

"That gallery belongs to Jessica and Javier. Their grand opening is in a few days." he explained

"Oh, I didn't know" she said quietly.

"Now you do." he replied

He kept looking at her face as she sat silently. Then she looked up at him. She was smiling but he only saw sadness in her eyes. They type of sadness that ran deep. He's known sadness like that before so he knew exactly how she was feeling.

"So he did it" he didn't say anything. He just sat and listened. He had a feeling she just needed someone to listen. "He always said he wanted to own his own art gallery just like his grandfather. It was his life's goal. I remember how thrilled he was at the idea of taking over his grandfather's gallery after college, even if it meant being stuck with unwanted baggage, me" he looked away from the disappointment on her face, in this moment it was too much. "I wanted to be the one to help him get that. I was happy when our grandfathers told us about the clause in their will. So I a transformed myself into the girl I thought he would be proud to have on his arm, pathetic right?" She asked with a bitter laugh

"No." He replied

In this moment he realized that Bethany was not just skin deep like everyone thought she was. And surprising he found himself, intrigued.

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