Blackstone's Bride

by Teresa Southwick

  “I’m so sorry you all had to go through that. But I don’t see—”

  “If you had been there, it wouldn’t have happened.”

  “Maybe not the paint. But I can’t stop Lily from becoming a woman.”

  “I realize that. But I couldn’t reassure her. She wanted you. It wouldn’t have taken hours to calm her down. You’d have talked to her right away.”

  Abby stood up and turned her back to him, staring out at the hills bathed in moonlight. He felt her hesitation. It was obvious that she cared about the kids. Something was preventing her from accepting his offer that had nothing to do with the money.

  “What is it, Abby? Why are you torn about taking the job?”

  “What makes you think I am?”

  “If the answer was yes or no, you’d have let me know it by now. The salary is not in question since you didn’t turn me down flat when I told you how much I’m willing to pay. Something else is making you hesitate to take the job. Why don’t you tell me what it is? Maybe I can help.”

  She folded her arms over her chest, but still didn’t look at him. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do, but I suppose it’s only fair to explain.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Are you aware that my father left my family about thirteen years ago?”

  “I heard something about it.”

  Jarrod hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Gossip spread fast in a town like Hollister, but it didn’t get the animals fed, the fences mended, or grain stored for the winter. He didn’t put much stock in idle talk.

  Abby sighed. “He left to find work, a way to provide a better living for his family.”

  “That must have been real hard on all of you.”

  “It was.” Her tone held a whole world of hurt.

  “What happened? What did your mother do?”

  “She went to work for Mr. Whittemore. He was real good to us, let Clint and me help out too. We did whatever we could to bring in money. But Mama missed Pa. She never complained or let on that she was lonely, but it was hard on her. Then she died.” She drew in a long, shuddering breath. “Just before she did, I made her a promise.”

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “I told her I’d find him. I’d do my best to reunite the family.”

  “Have you heard from him since he left?”

  She nodded. “Every couple years I get a letter from a post office box in San Francisco.”

  “Is that where he is?”

  “I don’t know. From what he says, he travels around to find work.”

  “What kind of work?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

  “I’m sorry about what you and your family went through, Abby,” he said, not unkindly. “But I don’t understand what this has to do with whether or not you’ll take the job.”

  “I promised my mother two things, Jarrod. Number one, I’d see that Clint is the first Miller to finish college. And number two, I’d find my father.” She turned to him and her eyes glowed with purpose. “I’m going to look for him, Jarrod. As soon as I’m sure Clint has enough money to finish his education, I’m going to go to San Francisco and track him down so we can be together again.”

  Jarrod had more questions than he figured she had answers. He didn’t think much of a man who would leave his family to fend for themselves. He figured after thirteen years, Sam Miller had no intention of coming back to Hollister. But when he looked at the determination burning in Abby’s eyes, he couldn’t say that to her. He didn’t have the heart to destroy her dream.

  At least now he could understand why she was so high on family, why she’d been so hot-tempered about him keeping the kids with him on the ranch. He could picture the girl she’d been, just a little younger than Lily, but still the oldest of two. Taking on responsibilities because her mother carried the load of supporting them. She had missed out on her childhood and didn’t want that to happen to Lily.

  “It’ll be a while until you have enough money for Clint. Right?”

  “Not if I take your job.” She sighed. “And when I’ve saved enough, I have to go. Do you understand?”

  “I know how you feel, Abby. Having a goal, a dream, is real important. But what does that have to do with the job?”

  “It wouldn’t be fair to the kids. Just about the time they get used to me, I’ll have to leave.”

  “We still need you. Right now. I’ll take whatever time you can give.”

  “You mean—”

  “I mean I’d like to try and talk you out of looking for your pa. You don’t want to hear this, but a man who’d leave his family isn’t worth all the fretting you’ve done.”

  “It’s not your decision to make,” she said stiffly.

  “I know. I said I’d like to try and talk you out of it. I’m not that big a knothead. But you’ve been honest with me. And I still want you as a housekeeper. More important, the kids need you.”

  “I don’t know—”

  He sighed. “I can’t worry about the future past tomorrow. That means, Oliver’s hair might need some trimming to get the paint out, Katie needs a good night’s sleep as much as I do, Lily needs a woman around the place, and Tom …” He frowned.

  She tipped her head to the side, studying him. “What about Tom?”

  “He says he can look after himself just fine. I don’t know why, but that makes me think he needs someone even more than the others.”

  “I know what you mean. I’ve tried to be his friend, but it will take time.”

  He grinned at her enthusiastic tone. “Does this mean you’ve accepted my proposal?”

  “It means I will come to work for you because the children need me. On one condition.”

  “What?”

  “You must remember that I’ll have to go. It’ll probably be sooner than I thought because of the generous amount of money you’re paying me.”

  “When you’re ready to go find your father and live with him, Abby, just give me a little notice so I can try to replace you.”

  Maybe even try to talk you out of it, he thought. Abby was his friend. He hated to see her break her heart over a childhood fantasy.

  “What if you can’t find a replacement? Finding someone sure wasn’t as easy as I’d thought, and I’ll still have to go. I don’t want any misunderstandings when the time comes.”

  “There won’t be,” he assured her. “If I have to look for another housekeeper, I won’t make the mistake of getting the children’s approval.” He stuck his hand out. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Deal,” she said, placing her small hand in his.

  As he closed his fingers around hers, a jolt of awareness shot up his arm. His gaze lifted from their joined hands to her face. Why had he never noticed before how creamy and smooth her skin looked? Made him want to touch it, find out for himself if it felt like silk or satin. He knew for a fact that her lips were soft as clouds and intoxicating as fine brandy.

  He wanted to kiss her again, to see if she still tasted as sweet. He just plain wanted her. But her eyes widened apprehensively as he stared at her. He had finally convinced her to work for him. Getting personal might scare her off.

  He released her and jammed his hand in his pocket. “How soon can you be ready to leave?”

  “I have to let Mr. Whittemore know I’m quitting.”

  “I’d like to be there when you do.”

  “Why?”

  “To see how he takes it when he finds out he was wrong.” He smiled. “Can you come back to the ranch with Lily and me tomorrow? Do you think Earl will give you a hard time about leaving on such short notice?”

  She shook her head. “He’ll understand. Since I don’t have much to get in order, I can leave in the morning.”

  “Right after breakfast?”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  10

  Katie and Oliver ran into the kitchen and hugged Abby. Standing by the stove stirring eggs, Abby was nearly knocked off balance by
the sneak attack. “Whoa, you. What’s that for?”

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Katie said, looking up with shining eyes.

  “Me too,” her brother seconded.

  “I’ve been here two weeks. Aren’t you used to having me around?”

  “No’m,” they both said together.

  “So I can look forward to this every morning?”

  “Yes’m.”

  Lily walked in, followed by Tom, and the two sat down at the table. “We’re all happy you’re our housekeeper now. Even Tom, although he won’t admit it.”

  Tom’s only reply was a snort.

  “That makes me feel good. Soon I’ll just be like an old piece of furniture.”

  Abby filled plates with fluffy eggs and set them in front of the children just as Jarrod entered the room. “What’s this about furniture?” he asked.

  “Abby says pretty soon she’ll be like an old piece of furniture around here,” Lily explained. “We worked too hard to have her here. We’ll never think that way. Will we, Uncle Jarrod?”

  “Nope,” he said, slathering butter on a biscuit.

  “Do you think Uncle Jarrod is a fine-looking man?” Katie stopped playing with her scrambled eggs and stared at Abby.

  Abby felt Jarrod’s gaze on her. Since she’d moved to the ranch, he hadn’t once joined them for breakfast. Why today?

  “I’d be curious about the answer to that myself,” he said, amusement lacing his voice. There was an edge of challenge there too.

  Abby ignored the warmth that she knew was making her face red and looked him straight in the eye. “Yes, Katie. I think your uncle is a fine-looking man. One of the finest I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  She drew her gaze from his and scanned the rest of the children at the table one by one, until she came to Lily, who had gasped when her sister asked the question, then stared at her hands in her lap. She hadn’t looked up since.

  “But why on earth would you wonder something like that, Katie?” Abby asked.

  The little girl set her fork down. “Ever since Lily came back from Hollister, all she can talk about is that Joe Schafer and what a fine-looking man—”

  “Boy,” Jarrod snapped. “Besides, that was two weeks ago. You’re not still mooning over him. Why, he can’t have more than a whisker or two on that baby-smooth face.”

  Lily looked up, her eyes glistening with angry tears. “He shaves every third day. He told me so. I’m not mooning over him. I just think he’s nice is all.” She glared at her sister. “Katie, I’m never telling you anything again,” she cried, jumping up and running from the room.

  Katie stuck out her bottom lip. “Didn’t mean anything by it. She had no call to get so riled.” One big tear rolled down her cheek and plopped on the front of her calico dress.

  Abby went to kneel beside her. “Don’t cry, sweetie.”

  “But why is she actin’ that way?”

  “’Cause she’s stupid,” Tom said.

  Oliver took his thumb out of his mouth. “She should be a cowboy.”

  Abby looked up when Jarrod coughed, and the twinkle in his eye told her he was doing his best not to laugh. Then his mood changed and he looked seriously at his youngest nephew as he said, “Cowboys don’t cry, Oliver. That’s a fact. But what’s ailing Lily isn’t something that riding a horse or herding cattle can fix. Her getting upset that way is just part of growing up.”

  “What do you mean?” Katie asked.

  Abby glanced at Jarrod. “He means that your sister’s becoming a woman. She’s noticing boys.”

  “This is one time I’m glad that Blackstone Ranch is the farthest from town,” Jarrod grumbled.

  “Don’t you like Joe Schafer, Uncle Jarrod?” Katie asked, frowning at him. “Who is he anyway? Does he like Lily? Is she gonna marry him?”

  “Hold on, Katie.” Jarrod got up from the head of the table and went to the stove to pour himself another cup of coffee. He turned back and said, “Lily is just beginning to look. As if she was buying a new dress. She’s too young to even think about getting married.”

  Katie put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm. “How come you’re not married, Uncle Jarrod? You’re not too young. Abby said you’re a fine-looking man. Don’t you want to get married?”

  Just swallowing his coffee, Jarrod started to cough again.

  Abby stifled her own amusement. “I’d like to know the answer to that myself,” she said, echoing his words when she’d been the on the receiving end of one of Katie’s blunt questions.

  Tom put his fork down with a clatter. “Aw, Kate. Don’t you never get tired of askin’ questions? Can’t a man get any peace around here?” He stood up. “I’m goin’ to the barn to see the new foal.” He grabbed his hat from the peg by the door. “You’re welcome to come with me Uncle Jarrod.”

  “I’ll be along directly,” Jarrod said. Then Tom nodded and walked out.

  Oliver took his thumb out of his mouth. “I’m goin’ with Tom.” He jumped up and ran to the door.

  Before he could escape, Abby was beside him. She bent down and looked at him. “Don’t forget to use the necessary while you’re out there.”

  “Yes’m,” he said solemnly. Then he was gone.

  Katie, sitting alone at the table, started to sniffle. Jarrod looked at Abby, then crossed the room and went down on one knee beside the little girl. “Don’t cry, Katie. Lily will get over it. She won’t stay mad.”

  “That’s not why I’m cryin’.”

  “Then what is it?” he asked.

  Katie shook her head, sending her blond curls bouncing around her head.

  Abby sat down on her other side, in the chair Oliver had just vacated. “I’d like to know too, sweetie. What’s wrong?”

  As she sniffled, her little shoulders lifted. “Does this m-mean we can’t go to Hollister for the Fourth of July?”

  Abby rubbed her forehead, trying to figure out how Katie had made the jump from fine-looking men to the Independence Day celebration. She finally gave up. “What are you talking about?”

  The little girl looked from her to Jarrod. “Lily said Joe told her about it. Every year there’s a town picnic with games and such. And fireworks,” she added wistfully.

  “That’s true,” Jarrod said as Abby nodded.

  Katie twisted her hands in her lap. “Tom said you wouldn’t take us. I told him he was wrong. Was he, Uncle Jarrod? What with the way you feel about Joe Schafer ‘n’ all.”

  “Why would Tom say that?” Jarrod asked.

  “’Cause Hollister’s too far away.” She looked quickly at her uncle. “I told him that wasn’t so. Missing one day of work wouldn’t matter. But that was before I made Lily cry. Now we can’t go. And I won’t g-get to see the fireworks.”

  Jarrod gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t cry, Katie. Things will work out fine. I promise. Are you finished with your breakfast?” She nodded and he said, “Then you go on upstairs and try to make things up with your sister.”

  “All right,” she said, and gave him a quick hug before leaving the room.

  Jarrod stood up and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t understand, Abby.”

  “What?” she asked, looking up at him.

  “Am I a slave driver?”

  “Good heavens, no!”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to add that he was one of the kindest men she’d ever known, but she decided against it. She had only been there a short time, and already she was jumping to his defense as if it was her right. She was nothing more than his housekeeper, a paid employee. She reminded herself that he needed her help with the children, not a wife. After all, he’d readily agreed to let her go whenever she wanted to. If she worked things right, that could be soon. It wouldn’t do at all for her to let any tender feelings for him become more than friendship.

  But when he looked at her in a certain way, like he had when he’d questioned her just a moment before, she wanted to put her arms aroun
d him.

  “Why would you think something like that, Jarrod?”

  “Have I made them feel that they couldn’t even ask for the simplest thing, like going into town for the celebration?”

  “It’s just that they’ve seen how hard you work, and what it takes to keep the ranch going. You don’t really think you’ve been unkind to them?”

  He shook his head. “No. I guess they’ve had so little fun, they just don’t figure it’s in the cards for them.”

  Abby sighed as she looked at the doorway where Katie had disappeared. “You could be right. Do you want to take them into town for the festivities?”

  He put his cup on the table and sat down. “I would if I didn’t think Joe Schafer had some notions about Lily.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He’s the one who brought the whole thing up to her. It doesn’t take much to see that he wants her there. Lily’s a little girl and he’s—”

  “Shaving every third day,” Abby interrupted with a smile. Slap me silly if he isn’t acting like an outraged father, she thought. It was just about the sweetest thing. He’d taken to caring about those kids as if they filled up some part of him that had been empty and waiting.

  He returned her look with a sheepish grin. “You think I’m making too much of this?”

  “Maybe not. Let’s think about it. What could happen?”

  She laced her fingers together. “People from all over come into Hollister for the picnic and games. So I’m sure Lily and Joe will find all kinds of places to be alone.”

  “When you say—”

  “And even if they can find somewhere that isn’t crawling with folks, I expect Lily will want to miss out on something because she’s had so many Fourth of July picnics and they come up so often during the year.”

  He rubbed a hand on his chin. “Hadn’t thought about it like that—”

  “And Joe, being the wrong sort of boy he is, will probably just throw her over his shoulder carry her off, and do wrong by her. My guess is no one will notice either, when he carries her off, I mean. She’ll be quiet as a little church mouse. That settles it. Going to town could be real dangerous. Might be best to skip—”

  “Abby, I get your point. We’ll take the kids into town for the Fourth.”