Read Betting on Love for Free Online

cook?
Again, he thought of Wyatt’s scolding that Drew was too competitive.
And why would I feel so threatened by the woman?
    He picked up a small stone, walked closer to the pond, then threw it, watching as it skipped along the top of the water. All these thoughts weren’t getting him anywhere.
    He needed to find someone to fix the dump truck, and he didn’t care if he was being silly—he had no intention of asking Melody Markwell for help. Instead, he’d just have to pay extra to have someone drive down from Lexington or Louisville.
    He turned and headed toward his pickup. He’d have to go home and call around to find out who he needed to get to look at it. The sound of gravel crunching beneath tires drew his attention to the road. He smiled and waved when he realized it was his dad. Then he saw who was in the passenger seat.
    He groaned and squinted to the heavens.
Lord, help me to be nice. I can’t stand that woman.
    His dad stopped the truck then stepped out of the cab. He patted Drew’s shoulder a bit too hard. He understood his dad meant for him to be nice. If he could say it out loud, he’d assure his dad that though a war of fury was raging inside him that his dad would go behind his back like that, Drew would make every attempt to be a gentleman to the much-too-cocky and snappy gal. His dad cleared his throat. “Brought you some help for the dump truck.”
    “I see that.” Drew tried to smile as he spit the words through clenched teeth. Everything in him wanted to tell her to go home. He couldn’t believe she’d thought he’d bring her out here for sinister motives. Not only did it go against everything he believed as a Christian, but it also hurt his pride that she would think him that kind of guy.
    Melody hopped out of the cab then grabbed her toolbox from the bed of the truck. She walked toward Drew. “I’m doing this for your father, and only because he agreed not to sell his 1967 Mustang until I’ve had the chance to save enough money to buy it.”
    Drew gasped. He looked at his dad. “Your Mustang? What? Dad, what is she talking about?”
    His dad waved his hand in front of his face. “I was planning on selling her in a few months. Melody’s taken quite a liking to her, and I knew she’d be in good hands if Melody bought her off me.”
    Melody headed to the dump truck. Drew stared at his dad. “Since when were you going to sell the Mustang?”
    He nodded to the woman who now had the upper half of her body stuck underneath the steering wheel of the truck. “Since I saw that little lady’s eyes light up the first time she saw it.”
    “But you love that car.”
    His dad looked at him. “Really? You think so. I bought that thing three years ago, and I still haven’t taken the time to get her running. Melody’d have her on the road in a week’s time.”
    “But you don’t just sell your car because—”
    “No buts. I want to do it.” His dad crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned against his pickup. He nodded toward Melody. “That woman’s a good girl. God wants her. She’s had a hard life, and she hasn’t decided yet if she trusts Him. In every way I can, I want to show her that she can.”
    Drew watched as Melody worked on the truck. His dad’s words stung, and he had a feeling his dad intended for them to. He walked to Melody and cleared his throat. “Do you need any help?”
    “Nope.” Her tone sounded tense, but he wasn’t sure if it was from concentration on the truck or frustration with him. He figured it was probably a little of both.
    “I appreciate you doing this.” He tried to sound kind and sincere. At the moment, he felt more like a scolded little pup. “No problem.”
    He heard a popping noise, and then she lifted herself out of the truck and swiped her hands along her hips. “All done. She should work for you now.”
    “Are you kidding?” Drew looked at his watch. “That fast?”
    She pointed toward the ignition. “Try her out.”
    He