by Judith Stacy
“Neither of you is helping,” Amanda declared.
She stepped between the two men, caught each of their arms, and escorted them to the door of the cabin.
“Good day, gentlemen,” Amanda said.
Both men stopped, shrugged out of her grasp and walked back into the cabin.
“Grab that other end,” Jason said to Ethan. They picked up the kitchen table and carried it outside.
Amanda opened her mouth to protest, but changed her mind. Jason had that determined look on his face she’d seen so many times before, so she knew anything she said would fall on deaf ears. Stubborn man.
The men made quick work of moving the table, chairs, bed, mattress, bureau and settee out to the porch. Amanda hadn’t wanted their help. She’d wanted to prove to Jason that she could prepare his mountain for her brides all on her own. But seeing how easily the men handled the heavy furniture, she was glad for their assistance.
When everything was sitting on the front porch, Ethan called Todd over.
“You come get me when these things need to be moved inside,” he said to the boy.
He nodded eagerly. “I will.”
Ethan smiled and ruffled his hair. “I’m counting on you, Todd.”
Amanda stepped outside. Jason was on the porch.
“I didn’t want you to do that,” she said. “But thank you.”
Jason pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead with his shirtsleeve.
“I did it so you wouldn’t get hurt,” he said. “I can’t waste a day sending a man down the mountain for a doctor. Business comes—”
“—first around here. Yes, you’ve made that perfectly clear, Mr. Kruger.”
Jason pressed his lips together, fighting off a smile, and pulled his hat on. “Just be careful.”
Ethan came outside. He and Jason stood around for another moment or two, then left. Amanda and Meg waited on the porch, watching them hike down the hillside. Ethan glanced back and waved.
“He’s a nice man,” Amanda said.
“Yes, he is,” Meg said softly.
To Amanda’s surprise, Jason looked back. He didn’t wave, just took a quick peek and kept walking. Still, Amanda’s heart did an unexpected little flip.
“I guess we’d better get started again,” Amanda said, still watching the men.
“Yes, we should,” Meg said, still rooted beside her.
A few minutes passed and neither of them moved.
“You like him, don’t you?” Amanda asked softly.
Meg turned to her then, a denial on her lips ready to be spoken. Instead she sighed. “Yes…for all the good it does me.”
“Your husband?”
“Yes. I’m still married,” Meg said. “And no matter what I feel for Ethan, that won’t change.”
“Have you considered divorcing Gerald?”
Meg shook her head. “I have no idea where he is.”
“Ethan could find him,” Amanda said, and she knew he would. He’d track down Gerald McGee, secure a divorce for Meg. The Kruger brothers were alike in that way. They got what they went after.
“I’ve thought of that.” Meg twisted her fingers together. “Ethan has never done one thing inappropriate. I’m still married and he respects that. But there’s been something between us for some time now.”
“He’s never said anything?”
“No.” Meg shook her head. “He wouldn’t. Not until I’m…free.”
“But you’re not ready for that yet?”
“I can divorce Gerald legally, but what about morally? He’s my husband. I took vows before God.” Meg gazed off into the trees. “And he will always be Todd’s father.”
“Todd is crazy about Ethan.”
“I know. Ethan has spent a lot of time with him,” Meg said. “It’s helped Todd deal with things since Gerald left.”
Amanda sighed heavily. This really was a difficult dilemma. Meg and Ethan were attracted to each other, maybe on the verge of falling in love—yet separated by a man who wasn’t even there.
Meg gave herself a little shake and forced a smile. “We’d better get back to work.”
The next hour passed with Amanda and Meg knocking down cobwebs, washing walls and windows, scrubbing things off the floor that Amanda didn’t care to identify. It was hard work but Amanda was glad to do it. Having a place to live was just another step in the process of bringing her brides to the mountain. And nothing was more important to her than that.
“Hey, y’all.”
Amanda’s back ached as she turned, mop in hand, to find a young woman standing in her doorway.
She waved and smiled broadly as she walked inside. Her gaze settled on Amanda. “You must be that Miss Amanda Pierce. Gracious, Miss Pierce, you’ve got this mountain buzzing like a hive of honeybees.”
Meg stopped scrubbing a window. “Amanda, this is Becky. She’s Polly Minton’s niece. Becky just moved here from Georgia.”
Becky made a face and rolled her eyes. “Just got sentenced here, more like it.”
The girl was about sixteen, Amanda guessed, with corn-silk hair and blue eyes.
“This mountain is about as exciting as a Quaker meeting,” Becky lamented. She propped her hands on her hips and drew in a big breath. “So, I figured I’d come on over here and see if I could lend a hand.”
“Doesn’t your Aunt Polly need you for anything?” Meg asked.
“Shoot, Aunt Polly works like a field hand at harvesttime,” Becky said. “She doesn’t hardly let me do nothing.”
“Then by all means, grab a bucket and rag,” Amanda said, and smiled. “I’d appreciate your help.”
By late afternoon the three women pronounced the little cabin livable, then moved out onto the porch and gave the furniture a thorough cleaning.
Todd, who was playing in the trees nearby, called, “You want me to go get Ethan and Mr. Kruger to move the furniture, Mama?”
“Shoot, we don’t need men to move this stuff,” Becky declared, pushing away a stray lock of hair. “Men are slower than cold molasses running uphill. And they’re grumpy as all get-out when it comes to moving furniture.”
Neither Amanda nor Meg could disagree with Becky’s assessment. They started moving furniture. Between the three of them they got it situated just the way Amanda wanted it, then hung the curtains that Meg had loaned her.
Amanda pressed her hand to her back. “You’re a godsend, Becky. How can I thank you for all your hard work?”
“I didn’t come over here expecting no money,” Becky said. “I just came to do the neighborly thing.”
“Well, thank you very much,” Amanda said. “I really appreciate it.”
“See y’all later.” Becky gave a friendly wave and headed out the door.
“Is there anything else I can do?” Meg asked.
Amanda couldn’t imagine asking her for anything more. She’d already loaned her curtains, linens, kitchen utensils and food. Not to mention all the backbreaking labor she’d performed.
“I can’t think of a thing,” Amanda said. “I’ll return your things as soon as I get down to Beaumont to do some shopping.”
“No rush.” Meg smiled warmly. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Meg left, leaving Amanda alone in the cabin. Alone in her new home. It wasn’t much to look at, just a single room with a bed, bureau and washstand and lamp in another corner sectioned off by a curtain, a settee, table and lamp in another corner, and a cookstove, cupboards, table and chair at the rear.
Drawing in a determined breath, Amanda renewed her commitment to her purpose here. Here in the cabin, on the mountain, in the timber country. The first step had been completed, and she was warmed by her accomplishment.
Now, on to the next.
The loggers would be down from the mountain soon to have their supper. Amanda would meet with each of the prospective husbands and determine which brides to send for. She smiled to herself, standing alone in her silent cabin.
This was the part of her busine
ss she liked best. Determining what each man and woman was looking for in a spouse. Finding a compatible mate. Bringing two people together for a lifetime of happiness.
A lifetime of happiness….
Amanda turned away abruptly and busied herself pumping water into the washbasin. Just because it hadn’t happened for her didn’t mean it couldn’t happen for her brides. That was why finding the right husband was so important. Very important, as Amanda well knew.
Amanda pushed the thought aside, focusing on what lay ahead. Meeting with the loggers.
Her breath caught. That meant she’d have to see Jason Kruger again. Could they possibly have another moment together without arguing?
Or kissing?
Chapter Ten
If Amanda had thought things could go smoothly between Jason and herself later that afternoon, she was quickly disappointed when she walked into his office.
Jason sat at his desk, head bent, studying a ledger. He looked up when she stepped inside, his forehead creasing and his brows pulling together. Amanda’s steps faltered. Her first inclination was to ask if she was disturbing him. But she already knew the answer.
“Good,” she said briskly walking to his desk. “You’re here. I’d like to discuss a few things with you.”
Jason’s frown deepened as he took in her appearance from head to toe. Amanda, dressed now in her pink skirt with print overskirt and matching blouse, knew she looked more presentable than when he’d last seen her cleaning her cabin, but didn’t think she warranted this much attention.
“Did Ethan move your furniture?” Jason asked.
“It wasn’t necessary,” Amanda replied, stopping in front of his desk. “I took care of it.”
“I told you not to move that furniture.”
His words came out as a command, which did not sit particularly well with Amanda. Still, she forced away her anger, not wanting to waste time on something that was of so little consequence. She ignored his comment.
“The first thing I’d like to discuss with you, Mr. Kruger, is—”
“Now, look, Miss Pierce,” Jason said, coming out of his chair, “when I tell you something ought to be handled a particular way, that’s what I mean to have happen.”
Amanda gazed up at him. “Are you still talking about the furniture?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m not.” Amanda opened her satchel. “Now, first of all—”
“Hold on—”
“No, you hold on.” Amanda stopped, her breath catching in her throat at Jason’s low, determined tone. Across the desk, he towered over her. Somehow he looked taller, his chest wider. But it wasn’t fear his physique evoked in Amanda. It was something else. Something that sent a warm rush zinging through her, urging her to circle the desk and get closer to him.
Though just what she’d do once she got there she wasn’t sure.
Amanda huffed, willing away whatever it was that she felt.
“Very well, Mr. Kruger, you’ve made your point,” she said. “Can we move on now?”
He seemed reluctant to let it go but relaxed his stance and did just that.
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.
“The brides’ dormitory.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve got plans here,” Jason said, and ambled to a cabinet along the back wall of the office.
Amanda smiled. Plans? He’d drawn up plans? He’d put thought into what the women would need and gone to the trouble of preparing a formal plan? She relaxed a little. Maybe this project wouldn’t be an uphill battle after all.
Jason rummaged through the cabinet for a few minutes, came up with a roll of paper, then spread it out across his desk, securing each end with his ledgers. He picked up a pencil and pointed.
“This will house twenty-four men—uh, women, that is.” He glanced up at Amanda briefly before turning back to the diagram. “Six rows, four bunks each. Three rows on each wall. That makes twenty-four bunks.”
“Bunks?” Amanda asked, looking at the plans from the opposite side of the desk.
Jason nodded, then pointed to the other end of the diagram. “Down here there’s a cupboard for each woman.”
“A cupboard?” Amanda asked, turning her head one way, then the other.
“Yeah. See? Right here,” Jason said, tapping the pencil against the paper. “To put their things in.”
“Well, yes, I see it,” Amanda said, twisting her head far to the left. “But, well, frankly, Mr. Kruger, I don’t understand.”
He looked up at her. “What’s not to understand? It’s twenty-four bunk beds, and twenty-four cupboards all in one room.”
“That part is clear,” Amanda said. “What isn’t clear is how you could possibly think my brides would live this way?”
Jason dropped the pencil on the plans. “These are the same plans I used to build the bunkhouse for the loggers. What’s wrong with them?”
“Nothing, if it’s for your men. But my brides can’t live in these conditions.” Amanda waved her hands over the plans. “There’s not enough space between the rows of bunks for the brides to dress, to say nothing of the privacy issue. And what woman could possibly get by with one small cupboard for her belongings?”
Jason drew in a resolved breath. “And I guess you’ve got a better idea?”
“Well, as a matter of fact I do.” Amanda drew a sheet of paper from her satchel, unfolded it and laid it atop the bunkhouse plans.
Jason looked at her for a moment, then propped his hand on his hip and stared down at the paper.
“It’s just a sketch I made,” Amanda said apologetically. “Not as complete as your bunkhouse plans, of course.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and turned his head from side to side, silently studying the plans in front of him.
“This is a two-story building,” Jason said, still not looking up at her.
“Yes,” Amanda said and smiled, pleased her drawing was readable.
“Twelve rooms upstairs.”
“All good-sized rooms.”
Jason grunted. “And there’s a kitchen.”
Amanda tapped the plans. “With a pantry, of course.”
“Of course.”
“And storage rooms,” Amanda said.
“Yep. I see that.”
“The best part of the whole dormitory is this large room downstairs,” Amanda said, pointing. “It can be used for many, many things.”
Jason nodded. “It’s a big room, all right.”
Pleased, Amanda asked, “Well, what do you think?”
Slowly he lifted his gaze from the plans to her face. “I think, Miss Pierce, that you’re crazy as hell if you think I’m going to spend the kind of money it will take to build a monstrosity like this.”
A few seconds passed before his words sank in. He’d said them so nicely, Amanda missed his meaning at first. Then her spine stiffened.
“A monstrosity?” Amanda’s temper rose along with the color in her cheeks. “You have the nerve to call my plan a monstrosity—when your own plan is idiotic?”
Jason yanked his bunkhouse plans off the desk. “This is a workable plan. I’ve built it already, and I can tell you for a fact, Miss Pierce, that it works just fine.”
Amanda’s chin went up. “You have no foresight, Mr. Kruger.”
That made him mad. His nostrils flared, his chest swelled and his shoulders widened.
“No foresight?” He bellowed the words across the desk at her.
“Exactly.” Amanda grabbed up her plan and waved it in the air. “My idea could earn you back every penny you spend. And I’m not even going to insist on a share of the profit.”
“A share of the profit!”
“Would you stop shouting at me?”
“I’m not—!” Jason clamped his mouth shut and glared at her.
Amanda glared right back.
Minutes crawled by as they stared at each other across the desk.
“You are so stubborn,” Amanda said.
“And you aren’t?”
She tossed her head. “I never said I wasn’t stubborn.”
“But you’re convinced you’re right?”
“Exactly.”
Jason pressed his lips together. “I hate to break the news to you, Miss Pierce, but that’s exactly what being stubborn is all about.”
She thought for a moment. “I don’t see it that way.”
Jason shrugged, then plucked her dormitory plan from her hand and slapped it down on the desk. “Okay, Miss Pierce. Convince me.”
Amanda circled the desk as Jason dropped into his chair.
“First of all,” Amanda said, pointing to the plans, “the brides will live in the upstairs rooms until they’re all married, which should happen very soon after their arrival. As newlyweds, they’ll need a place to live, giving you the opportunity to rent out the rooms.”
She glanced down at Jason. He kept his eyes on the plans and didn’t say anything. Taking that as a good sign, Amanda kept going.
“Now, this large room on the main floor can be used for many things. We’ll hold dances, we can—”
“Dances?” He glanced up at her.
“I’m planning a get-acquainted social as soon as the brides arrive,” Amanda said. “Church services can be held there. It can also serve as the school. So instead of having to construct three buildings, this one will serve for everything.”
Jason studied the plans, thinking.
“So, actually, Mr. Kruger, I’m saving you a lot of money.”
He glanced up at her then, his face tense.
Amanda ventured a small smile. “You can thank me now.”
Jason made a little grumbling noise and rose from his chair, forcing Amanda back a step. He walked to the window and stared out for a moment.
As much as he hated to admit it, she’d come up with a good idea. If he hadn’t been so befuddled by the sight and smell of her, he’d have seen it for himself. Probably.
Jason rubbed his neck. The woman was too pretty to be this smart. Or too smart to be this pretty. He wasn’t sure which. Either way, it was a combination to be wary of.
And want to roll around in bed with.
He leaned forward and rested his head against the glass panes of the window as his body reacted to the thought that had bounced around in his head so much of the time lately. That woman brought out strong feelings in him. Anger, annoyance, surprise. And they all led to the same place. And left him in the same condition.
