Justin squinted. “What happens if this doesn’t work out?”
“Given that Lamar was already on his last chance when I picked him up?” Colt exhaled slowly. “He’ll be labeled incorrigible and put in a juvenile detention center.”
Which meant an awful lot was at stake. Justin had seen enough kids spiral downward. He didn’t want to be personally responsible for the ill-fated future of another. “I want to help.” Wanted to give the kid a safe place to be during the day.
Mitzy regarded him with confidence. “We figured you would.”
“But...” Justin cast a glance over at Amanda, who was lifting toolboxes and a power saw out of the bed of her truck. “I’d feel a lot better about it if the place was finished and the live-in counselors were here.”
“You still want to be named ranch director by the board?” Colt asked. “Instead of just chief financial officer?”
Justin sighed, frustration growing. “You both know I do.”
Mitzy pushed, sage as ever. “This is your chance to prove yourself worthy of the job.”
Justin knew Mitzy and Colt were right. This was a prime opportunity to advance his career in the direction he wanted it to go, as well as a chance to help a kid in need. So the situation wasn’t perfect. They’d manage. “When do you want to start?”
The duo smiled their thanks. “First thing tomorrow morning,” Mitzy said.
* * *
“SO YOU’RE GOING to personally supervise Lamar?” Amanda asked in shock after Justin filled her in an hour later.
To his aggravation, she seemed to think he couldn’t—shouldn’t—do it. “Why does that surprise you?” Justin was more than a little irked to find her among the naysayers who were constantly doubting him.
Amanda surveyed the area surrounding her temporary home site. “From the way you were talking earlier as you showed me around, I had the impression you were more of a numbers guy.”
Being good at something didn’t mean it was the right fit, career-wise. Justin wished he could make people understand that. He followed her back to the trailer. “I studied business and accounting in college.”
Amanda chocked the tires so the trailer wouldn’t roll. Finished, she stood. “What practical experience have you had working with troubled kids?”
Not enough; he’d found out the hard way. But that, too, was about to change.
“I worked at a nonprofit that helped at-risk teens.” He helped her unhitch the trailer.
Amanda undid the safety chains. “And did what exactly?”
“Initially, I was the CFO.” Justin pitched in and took care of the sway bars. “Eventually, I coordinated services for the kids, too.”
“But someone else did the actual counseling and evaluating,” Amanda guessed.
Justin nodded. “Which was quite extensive, given how complicated some of their situations were.”
Her expression pensive, Amanda unlocked the hitch. “I’m sure it was.”
“But?”
Amanda got into her truck to drive it out from under the hitch. “Facilitating services for an at-risk kid is not the same as actually getting through to him or her.” She stepped back out of the cab and headed toward him, her long legs eating up the expanse of yard.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time Justin had heard that particular argument. “I can do this.” He knew it in his gut. All he needed was a chance.
She gave him a skeptical look, then took out a carpenter’s level to check the floor of the trailer. As she moved, the hem of her denim skirt slid up her thighs. “From what you’ve just told me, Lamar sounds like a tough case.” Finding it okay, she stood with a smile. “Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t seem like someone who knows much about defying the system.”
Justin couldn’t deny that was true. He’d gone through life without getting into trouble with authority once. That didn’t mean he couldn’t help those who had.
He was beginning to feel a little irked. “So?”
“Where’s the common ground that will allow you and Lamar to establish any kind of rapport?”
“He’ll respond to time and attention.”
Amanda shook her head. “You think his foster parents haven’t been giving him that?”
“Obviously, Lamar needs even more than what he’s been getting,” Justin countered. “Which is where I come in.”
Amanda activated the trailer’s solar panels. “Want my advice?”
“No, but I expect you’re going to give it anyway.”
Their eyes met. “Leave the life lessons to the social workers. They’ve had lots of practice and they’re good at it.”
She went inside the trailer and returned with a rolled-up awning, which he helped her set up.
“Work on getting this ranch finished and ready for the first eight boys. If Lamar can help you do that, fine, it’ll be a good deal for both of you.” With the awning finally attached, she brushed dust off her hands. “But accept the possibility that the kid might not want to be here tomorrow any more than he apparently wanted to be here today.”
“And if that happens?” he prompted, intrigued despite himself by her perspective on the situation.
Her voice dropped a companionable notch. “If he doesn’t want to help out, don’t force it, because the only way it will ever work is if this is his choice. Not someone else’s.”
Justin studied her closely. “What makes you such an expert on all this?” As compared to, say—me?
A hint of sadness haunted her eyes. “Because I lived it. For a good part of my teenage years I hated everyone and everything.”
Now, that was hard to imagine. She seemed so content and comfortable with herself. Sensing he could learn something from her, Justin asked, “What changed?”
For a moment, Amanda went very still, seeming a million miles away. “Me. I finally realized I had a choice to either continue on as I was, which was a pretty miserable existence, or approach life differently. The point is, Justin, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help himself.” She sighed. “From what I saw, it didn’t look to me like Lamar is there yet.”
He grimaced at the truth of her words. “I know he’s not.”
Another beat of silence. “Then?” she pressed.
I’m not risking another tragedy. It’s as simple and complicated as that.
Justin stepped closer, vowing, “I’m going to help Lamar whether he wants me to or not.” He paused to take her in, appreciating both her beauty and her strength. “I’d like it if you were on board with that. If you’re not,” he paused and shot her a laser-sharp look, “I’d appreciate it if you would keep your feelings to yourself.”
Chapter Two
“I’d rather work with her.” Lamar pointed at Amanda, soon after arriving the following day.
Justin motioned Lamar back to the stacks of paper he had been trying to organize. Some were for state licensing and registration, others were for federal, state and private grants. The biggest—a quarter-million-dollar