Blackstone's Bride

by Teresa Southwick

  “Hadn’t thought about it.”

  “You could take them out to see the land. Show them around. Give them chores. Make them feel a part of things.”

  “I just told you, I’m busy.”

  “Too busy to spend time with them on their first day here?”

  “Yeah. We’re spread thin as it is. I have to ride out to San Augustine Canyon and bring in the cattle.”

  “You can’t put it off for one day?” She stared at him.

  “No.” It was all Jarrod could do to meet her honest, direct gaze without flinching. “Gib will stay here and watch out for them.”

  “I see.”

  Why did those two words put him on the defensive? For some reason, it seemed very important that she understand his situation. “I’m the boss,” he explained.

  “I understand, Jarrod. You have to work to take care of their outward needs, like fattening them up and putting clothes on their back. Gib’s a good man. He can handle their inside needs, the ones that will turn them into well-mannered, upstanding adults someday.”

  The look on her face was innocence itself. But she made him feel guilty all the same. He had a feeling that was her intent. “That’s not fair.”

  “Maybe not. But neither is what happened to those children. They’re hurting, Jarrod. They’re your flesh and blood. They need you. Do they have to be cattle to get your attention?”

  “The truth is, I’ve never been around kids. I’m not much good with them.” Or grown-ups either, for that matter. If he was, Dulcy wouldn’t have left.

  “The man I saw comfort a frightened child last night was very good. Sally didn’t send them to you because of your experience. She did it because you’re her family and she knew you’d take good care of them. She wanted you to teach them the same values the two of you learned growing up here.”

  “Some values I learned. My own sister worked herself to death. Her children are thin and wearing clothes that we’d use for rags. I never knew.”

  “How could you?”

  He folded his arms over his chest and stared at the ceiling, knowing he would have to live with the guilt of his neglect for the rest of his life. “You were right. I should have gone to see Sally. I should have checked on her and the kids. I meant to, right after she wrote me that Reed had been shot to death in a saloon for cheating at cards. I knew that man was little better than worthless. I should have gone—”

  “But you thought there would always be time,” she said softly.

  It wasn’t a question. He looked into her eyes and knew she understood. “Yes. She was young. I thought she would have more tomorrows. I thought I’d get another chance to tell her I loved her.”

  “She knows, Jarrod.” Abby put her hand on his forearm. “She may not have had a lot of material possessions, but she sent you something more precious. Her children. I think that says a mouthful about how much she loved you.”

  “Never thought about it that way.”

  “Here is something else you should think about. This is your second chance—an opportunity to help her.”

  If that didn’t beat all, he thought. Abby Miller, the woman he’d verbally sparred with more than once, offering him comfort. He had the most foolish urge to fold her into his arms and give her a hug. Was he taking lessons from Katie? Or was it lack of sleep that was making him think like a damn fool?

  Whatever the reason, he kept his arms folded. He’d been burned once by a female. He didn’t want to share even the most innocent intimacy with Abby Miller. Thinking like a damn fool was one thing. Acting like a damn fool was entirely different.

  But he found that it was easier to reason himself into not holding her than it was to ignore what her touch was doing to him. He lowered his arms to his sides and her hand dropped.

  He walked over to the cupboard and pulled out some plates. “The past doesn’t matter anymore. The present is what I have to deal with. That means feeding those kids and putting clothes on their backs. To do that, I have to work this ranch and make it pay.”

  She nodded. “I’ll find you a housekeeper, Jarrod, as soon as I can.”

  She seemed determined, and he knew that she was stubborn. If anyone could find him someone to help out with the kids, it was her.

  Oliver raced into the kitchen and looked excitedly up at Lily. “Abby’s comin’!”

  Thank goodness, Lily thought. Abby had left them five days before. Lily had prayed she would keep her word to come back, but was afraid to hope.

  “How do you know?” She set the skillet on the stove and brushed her hands down the sides of her apron.

  “Uncle Jarrod’s here. Said he passed her on the road. Said we needed to clean up proper.”

  “That means Abby brought someone with her?”

  The boy nodded emphatically.

  “Where are Tom and Katie?”

  Just then the kitchen door opened and the other two came inside. They all gathered around Lily.

  She looked at each in turn. “Tom, you know what to do?”

  “Yup.”

  She bent at the waist and said to Katie, “You have to do what you do best. Remember?”

  “Ask questions. Right, Lily?”

  “Right.” Lily smiled at her younger sister.

  “Oliver? Do you have to go to the necessary?” His straight blond hair slid into his eyes when he shook his head.

  Lily smiled. Everything was going to work out fine.

  The back door opened and Uncle Jarrod walked inside. He saw the four of them standing in a huddle and smiled. “What’s this?”

  Lily glanced at him over her shoulder. “Oliver said Abby’s coming and she has someone with her.”

  “That’s right. She’ll be here in about ten minutes.” He took a basin from a shelf beneath the window and pumped some water into it.

  “What do you want us to do, Uncle Jarrod?” Lily asked.

  “We need to put our best foot forward and make a good impression. Can you clean up Katie and Oliver? Make sure they’re presentable?”

  “They’re muddy from playing by a waterfall we found, but I’ll do the best I can.”

  He frowned at Katie and Oliver. “Do you know how to swim?” When they shook their heads, he said, “Don’t go there alone again. Do you understand?”

  “What if Lily or Tom goes with us, Uncle Jarrod? We can go then, right?”

  “Do you know how to swim?” he asked the two older ones. They nodded, and he said, “Right, Katie. Now you run upstairs and change into clean clothes.”

  Lily took the two little ones by the hand and led them up the stairs.

  Abby pulled her team to a stop, pushed the brake handle forward, then wrapped the reins around it. “This is Blackstone Ranch, Bea. What do you think of it?”

  The white-haired woman beside her looked around and nodded approvingly. “Very impressive. It’s quite a large house, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. It’s very comfortable,” Abby answered.

  “And four children,” she said.

  “They’re wonderful children, Bea. You’re going to love them.”

  Abby had told the other woman the whole situation. Beatrice Peters was fifty-five years old, and very young at heart. They had known each other since Abby was a little girl.

  “I’m sure I will. I’ve missed being around youngsters.”

  “I know.”

  The front door opened and Jarrod Blackstone stepped out on the porch. He had changed from the plaid cotton work shirt she’d seen him in earlier. Now he wore a long-sleeved white one with the cuffs neatly buttoned. His hair was still damp from combing it. Lines of fatigue around his eyes told her that Katie still wasn’t sleeping through the night. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Jarrod, but she was sure Beatrice Peters was the answer to his problems.

  As Abby stood to climb out of the wagon, Jarrod quickly walked down the porch steps.

  “Hello, Abby.” He held his arms out to help her down.

  “Jarrod,” she said, then cringe
d at the huskiness in her voice when she said his name.

  She hesitated before putting her hands on his wide shoulders. When he circled her waist with his hands, she assured herself that he couldn’t possibly know how hard her heart was pounding. After he set her on the ground and turned to help the other woman, she took a deep, steadying breath. How could she have told Bea this place was comfortable?

  “Ma’am,” he said, lifting Bea down.

  Abby cleared her throat. “Jarrod, this is Beatrice Peters. Bea, Jarrod Blackstone.

  “Mr. Blackstone.” The older woman smiled warmly at him.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Peters.”

  “It’s Miss Peters, Mr. Blackstone.”

  Jarrod frowned at Abby. She knew what he was thinking. A woman who had no children of her own wouldn’t know the first thing about this job. Abby was convinced that Bea was perfect for it. If Bea wasn’t, then she would have to keep looking. That meant another trip to the ranch. Another face-to-face meeting with Jarrod.

  That was out of the question.

  She wouldn’t allow anything to sway her from her goal. She was leaving to find her father. Not even her attraction to Jarrod Blackstone could stop her.

  “I’ve known Bea for a long time. The children will love her,” Abby said.

  Jarrod looked skeptical, then turned his gaze back to the other woman. “Before we see whether or not that’s the case, Miss Peters, may I ask what your qualifications are?”

  “I’m a retired teacher, Mr. Blackstone.”

  “I see. So you would be able to give them schooling in addition to your other responsibilities?” There was a spark of interest in his voice.

  “That’s right,” she said briskly. “And I’m no stranger to hard work. Each summer, I’ve been employed at the boardinghouse in Hollister to tide myself over.” She reached into her reticule and pulled out several folded papers. “These are letters of introduction and recommendation from Mrs. Edelman, who owns the boardinghouse, and Mr. Cooper, the president of the school board.”

  Jarrod took them from her, then gestured to the house. “Won’t you come in?”

  Abby noted that there was a decidedly more welcoming tone in Jarrod’s voice. She was irritated that he thought she would bring just anyone off the streets of Hollister. “Are you sure you don’t want a letter of introduction from the mayor first?” Abby asked, shooting him an angry look.

  “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Jarrod answered.

  “Now, Abigail, don’t be impertinent. Mr. Blackstone is merely being cautious and thorough. After all, the welfare and safety of these children are his responsibility. Isn’t that right, Mr. Blackstone?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And one can’t be too careful where children are concerned. Isn’t that also true, Mr. Blackstone?”

  “Absolutely, Miss Peters. And won’t you please call me Jarrod?” he asked in an amused tone.

  “I’d be delighted, Jarrod,” Bea said, her light blue eyes twinkling.

  A realization dawned on Abby as she looked at the older woman, who was smiling coyly up at Jarrod, fluttering her lashes. Well, call me stupid and slap me silly, Abby thought. If Beatrice Peters wasn’t smitten with Jarrod, she would eat her hat. That confirmed her theory. He was definitely dangerous to every single woman within a two-hundred-mile radius, and under sixty years old.

  “I think Lily made some lemonade,” he said.

  “That sounds lovely,” Bea answered. “The drive out was very dusty. My throat is bone dry.”

  Jarrod opened the front door and indicated that they should precede him inside. Bea went first. When Abby followed, she made sure to keep the other woman between herself and the handsome rancher. Bea wasn’t as effective as a whole town full of people, but she was some protection, Abby thought. At least with Bea there, she didn’t have to be alone with him. Of course, with four children underfoot, they were hardly likely to be alone.

  “Where are the children?” Abby asked. It was odd that there had been no sign of them.

  “They’re upstairs,” he said.

  She found she could hardly wait. They had been in her thoughts constantly since she’d left them five days before. She wondered how they were adjusting. Were they homesick? Were they left alone to fend for themselves all day? Was Lily overwhelmed by responsibility? Had Jarrod managed to find some clothes? She had some things for them in the back of the wagon that she’d bring in after they met their new housekeeper.

  Jarrod led them through the house, pointing out rooms as he went. After they had gone through the whole downstairs, he took them into the living room. “Please make yourselves comfortable,” he said.

  “It was a long ride,” Abby replied. “I think I’ll stand.”

  “Where are the children, Mr. Blackstone?” Bea asked, sitting in the big easy chair beside the fireplace. “This house is very still for having four youngsters in it.”

  “They’re good kids,” he said. “Well-behaved and self-sufficient. Respectful of their elders. Quiet. Clean. They take real good care of themselves.”

  “So why do you need a housekeeper?” Bea wanted to know.

  “I have to be away from the house a lot of the time, and I’d feel easier if there was someone here with them.”

  “I understand completely.”

  A door slammed shut upstairs. Then footsteps thumped on the stairs just before all four children filed into the room.

  “Hi, Abby,” they said at the same time. All except Tom.

  “Hi,” she answered. “How are you?”

  “We’re fine,” Katie said. “Right, Lily?”

  “Right.”

  Abby studied each in turn. In just five days there was more healthy color in their cheeks, more life in their eyes. All except Tom. Oh, he looked better. She saw more energy in his rangy body. But there was a definite trace of animosity in his expression, too. He didn’t think he needed taking care of, she reminded herself. He was bound to dislike anyone who hired on as housekeeper.

  Abby noted that their clothes were the ones she had first seen them in, but she would take care of that soon. She looked carefully at each of them and was satisfied that they were well.

  “This is Lily,” Jarrod said, standing behind the girl, his hands on her shoulders. “The others, in order of age, are Tom, Katie, and last, but not a baby, is Oliver. Children, I’d like you to meet Miss Peters.”

  “How do you do?” Lily said. The others mumbled greetings.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Bea said.

  Jarrod cleared his throat. “Miss Peters is going to be our housekeeper.”

  4

  Katie stepped out of line and stood in front of her sister. “But we don’t like her. Right, Lily?” Jarrod felt Lily’s shoulders tense, then she turned her sister around and put her hand over her mouth. “Hush, Katie.”

  The child wiggled until she could talk. “But you said—”

  “I said you should be polite. You’re being rude to Miss Peters.”

  “Sorry, ma’am,” Katie said, hanging her head.

  Bea shifted in the green velour chair. “No harm done, child.”

  Jarrod saw Katie’s bottom lip thrust forward in a pout. Being corrected by her sister had obviously put her in a snit. But why had she decided so quickly that she didn’t like Bea? And to say it straight out that way. Katie was direct and said whatever popped into her head. Maybe she just saw something the rest of them didn’t.

  He glanced at Abby, standing beside Bea’s chair. There was understanding in her eyes as she looked at Lily and Katie. She was the one who had pointed out to him that it was unfair to put Lily in the role of parent when she was still a child herself. If Abby had chosen well with the woman she’d brought them, Lily wouldn’t have to take responsibility for her brothers and sister any longer.

  Abby should be pleased that he’d said the woman would be the housekeeper. Instead she looked like something was eating her as she studied the t
wo girls.

  Abby folded her arms over her chest. “Katie? What did you mean you don’t like Bea? You just met her.”

  Jarrod wanted to know the answer to that himself.

  “She’s old,” Katie answered.

  Jarrod studied the woman and tried to see what Katie meant. He couldn’t find anything wrong. He thought her age perfect. Not too old to keep up with the kids, but old enough that there wouldn’t be gossip about her living under his roof. She had worked in the boardinghouse, and she was a teacher. What more could he ask for?

  He shouldn’t have blurted it out to the kids that she would be the new housekeeper. The only reason he could figure for the slip was lack of rest. But his gut told him the woman would do a good job. If she accepted the position—and he had no reason to think she wouldn’t—he ought to be able to sleep the night through real soon.

  He looked down the line of children. “Does anyone else have anything to say? Lily?”

  “Miss Peters looks very nice,” Lily said doubtfully.

  Abby smiled. “She is. She was my teacher when I was in school.”

  “Is she gonna make us do lessons?” Tom wanted to know.

  “Absolutely, young man. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Bea looked over the spectacles on the end of her nose. Her tone was firm, but not unkind.

  Katie shot an angry look at her older sister and brother. “I want to learn to read and write. Mama wanted us to. Lessons are good. Right, Uncle Jarrod?”

  “Right, Katie. Miss Peters is going to help out around here. And give you your lessons.”

  “She can’t take Mama’s place,” Tom said angrily.

  “I would never try,” the older woman told him.

  Abby stepped forward quickly. “Jarrod, you did say that the children must approve of whoever you decide to hire.”

  “That’s true.”

  He was almost sorry he had said that. This was not going at all as he had hoped. The kids seemed to resist the woman, and he couldn’t see why.

  “I have an idea,” Abby said looking at the children. “What if you spend some time alone with Miss Peters? Get to know her. She should get to know all of you too. Then you can better tell how you feel.”