Loving The Country Boy (Barrett's Mill Book 4) by Mia Ross

herself in Heath’s arms. Again.
    “This feels familiar,” he teased, grasping her shoulders to steady her before he stepped away. “You really need to get some more practical shoes.”
    Normally, the slip and unwanted advice would have only soured her mood further. But to her astonishment, she found herself laughing instead. “Yeah, I know. Maybe Jenna will help me pick out some new clothes at the mall.”
    “You want fashion help from Mrs. Overalls and Sneakers?”
    “Good point.” Seeing an opportunity to needle him, she said, “Paige dresses well. It’d be fun to shop with her and get to know her better.”
    “Thanks for the warning,” he grumbled as he turned to go.
    “Heath?” When he looked back, she smiled. “Thanks for catching me.”
    “Anytime, magpie.”
    He flashed her the kind of grin that had probably weakened a few knees over the years and headed back to the production area. Because she simply couldn’t help it, Tess allowed herself a moment to admire him as he strolled away. He moved with a fluid power born of the quiet confidence he carried with him everywhere he went. It struck her that his strength of character came from meeting challenges head-on and winning. His self-assuredness wasn’t an act, something he projected with the intent of impressing anyone. That was simply who he was, and she suspected he’d never even considered trying to be anyone else.
    One day Tess wanted to feel that kind of poise herself.
    Now that she’d put the dizzying orbit of Avery’s social circle behind her, she realized it had taken a lot from her and given nothing in return. She’d exhausted herself trying to fit into that group, only to find that in the end she didn’t have what it took.
    By contrast, the moment she’d arrived in Barrett’s Mill for Scott and Jenna’s wedding, she’d felt more welcome than she had in her entire life. That was why she’d come back, she recognized as she walked across the lobby to boot up her computer and get started. As good as she felt about helping her family during a difficult time, they were doing even more for her. They treated her with respect, accepting her for who she was rather than attempting to mold her into something else entirely. Through their generosity they’d given her something no one could buy, no matter how much money they had.
    Hope.
    * * *
    Heath was getting a real education in turn-of-the-century technology. The hands-on kind, he added silently while he strained to loosen what was left of a bolt that had busted off in place and was preventing him from replacing what looked like a hand-forged metal strut. Paul’s mind was understandably elsewhere these days, so Heath had volunteered to do a thorough inspection of the antiquated machinery that powered the waterwheel. Within ten seconds, he’d keyed in on a section that wobbled so much, he was afraid it would fly off any day now.
    Dangling from the underside of the mill house was tough on his still-mending shoulder, and he rubbed it to ease the strain. When that didn’t help, he leaned back against the framing timber, closing his eyes while he let the tight muscles relax.
    “Are you okay?”
    He opened his eyes to find Tess staring down at him, a bottle of water in one hand and an anxious look on her face. He regretted the worry clouding those beautiful eyes, and he smiled to ease her concern. “Just taking a break.”
    She tilted her head as if she didn’t quite believe that but to his surprise, she didn’t call him on it. “You don’t look very comfortable hanging that way.”
    “It’s not an easy position to get in. If I take a break, I have to climb down again, and I’m not keen on doing it more than once. I’ll be done soon enough. I think,” he added wryly.
    “I thought you might be thirsty.”
    After their earlier exchange, her thoughtful gesture was a pleasant surprise. This woman had more twists and turns than a mountain road, and he caught himself wondering how many more