Jenny could feel the flush warming her cheeks. “I decided to do some shopping in Prescott, and I thought I’d take the twins with me.”
Renee hurtled herself forward, stopping breathless in front of Jenny. “Oh, Jen. You’ve got to see him again!” she enthused. “He’s absolutely gorgeous.”
Smiling, Jenny followed Renee to a stall in the corner. Even Mitch’s stables were in excellent condition.
She caught her breath when she saw the gelding. He was, as Renee had suggested, gorgeous. Sleek and shiny, Dynamo’s brown coat gleamed with vitality. Huge, soulful brown eyes stared at her. Reaching out a hand, she slowly caressed his neck. Their old farm horse had been nothing like this.
* * *
Mitch surreptitiously studied Jenny from under lowered lashes. Her face was rosy with excitement, her sapphire eyes sparkling with admiration. She was almost pretty, he decided in surprise. He had not missed the changed appearance, either. Her brown hair was plaited into a French braid and hung midway down her back. A cornflower-blue dress made of gauzy material ended just at her calves, emphasizing her femininity. A concha belt set off her tiny waist to perfection. The sandals she wore were mere scraps of leather made for looks and nothing else.
He experienced an unfamiliar tightening in his chest. His ego would like to think that she had dressed to impress him, but he doubted that, given how she felt about him. The flash of attraction he felt surprised him. At best, she could be called cute, in an odd sort of way. So why should he feel anything at all for her when some of the most attractive women he knew had barely registered with him? The thought was not an appealing one. He didn’t want to become entangled with any woman, attractive or not. Past experience had showed him that living the kind of life he led, despite modern conveniences, was too lonely a life for most women.
“Well, have you decided whether you can care for him or not?” His voice came out sounding much gruffer than he had intended.
The smile left Jenny’s face. She turned to him, sadness darkening her eyes. “I don’t know if we can,” she told him softly, continuing to stroke Dynamo’s nose. “I have no idea how much it would take to properly care for a horse.”
“Aw, Jen!” David pleaded. “Please can’t we keep him? I promise I’ll take care of him. Renee will help.”
“That’s enough, David,” Mitch told him quietly, watching Jenny’s face closely. “It’s a big decision and you’re not helping matters.”
David hung his head and Jenny glared at Mitch. She had opened her mouth to, he felt sure, berate him when David apologized.
“Sorry, Jen,” David told her humbly.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” she replied, still glaring at Mitch. “We’re a family and we need to make decisions together.”
Mitch’s lips twitched as he tried to hold back a grin. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten that they were living in Mayer, Arizona, without either her brother’s or sister’s consent or agreement. As though she could read his thoughts, Jenny’s face suffused with color and she quickly looked away.
Dynamo nickered softly, nudging Jenny’s shoulder with his nose. As quickly as her anger had surfaced, it disappeared. She stared forlornly into the gelding’s dark eyes. Too many thoughts flashed across her face for him to catch, but he didn’t miss the longing and it touched him in spite of his intention to remain aloof.
“Look,” Mitch told her, “how about I take care of him for you until you can decide for sure whether you want to keep him.”
“I can’t do that,” she told him quietly.
“Why?”
He was annoyed with her inability to make a concrete decision, especially when he felt fairly certain it was because she didn’t want to be under obligation to him.
“I can’t...well... I just...can’t.”
“It’s no bother to me. I’ve been caring for him this long, a little longer won’t make any difference. If it will make you feel any better, David can earn his board for him by helping me out around here.”
He reached out a hand toward the horse, offering a lump of sugar. Dynamo crunched happily, nuzzling Mitch for more. He could see Jenny struggling to make a decision.
She sighed heavily and grudgingly capitulated. “All right.”
Mitch released the breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.
“If you’re sure David won’t be a nuisance.”
Mitch imperceptibly motioned for David to hold his tongue. “No problem at all.”
Chapter 5
Jenny had spent hours preparing the twins for school and working to make their little cabin into a cozy home.
Since jeans seemed to be the one item in their wardrobes they couldn’t do without, she’d purchased several pairs for both of them. Pulling out her old sewing machine, she busied herself many hours of the day and night trying to outfit them fashionably but frugally. When she had finished, David was the proud possessor of several Western-style shirts. She had allowed him the coveted pair of cowboy boots, but had drawn the line at the Stetson hat. Nevertheless, David had seemed pleased and excited to be returning to school.
Renee, on the other hand, had become withdrawn and uncommunicative once again. Jenny feared a major setback, but hoped for the best.
Lately she had been spending more time in prayer and often found herself on her knees. Turning things over to the Lord was certainly much easier than trying to cope alone. She found that the more she prayed, the closer she was coming to God again. A new kind of peace had settled into her heart.
Straightening from the sewing machine, she slowly arched her back and stretched her arms above her head. She decided it was time to take a much needed break.
She went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of iced tea. Surveying the room, she felt a little thrill of pride. New curtains of yellow gingham checks hung from the kitchen windows. Matching place mats graced the table along with cushions for the chairs. A bouquet of desert wildflowers sat perkily in the middle of the table. Sliding a hand to the back of her neck she gently massaged tired muscles. So far it had been hard work, but well worth it.
She glanced at the clock and realized it was almost time to pick David up from Mitch’s. Grabbing the car keys, she headed out for the Double A.
When David wasn’t occupied with school, he spent most of his free time with Dynamo. Mitch allowed him free rein of the stables as long as he was conscientious enough to leave everything as he found it. Each afternoon he got off the school bus at Mitch’s ranch and either Mitch brought him home or Jenny picked him up when he’d finished the chores assigned him as part of his weekly pay. Their agreement seemed to be working out to everyone’s advantage.
Jenny pulled into Mitch’s driveway and turned off the car. Surprisingly, Renee had assumed her role of student with very little difficulty. She had chosen to remain at the cabin to work on a homework assignment about the Apaches. If David had become enamored of cowboys, Renee was thoroughly fascinated by the Native Americans in the area.
Jenny leaned tiredly against the steering wheel and let the brilliant colors of the sunset soothe her. Normally, David would be waiting for her, but not today. She climbed out of the car and headed for the stables.
Hearing voices at the far end she went in that direction and found Mitch leaning over a newborn foal while David stroked the mother soothingly. Blood covered Mitch’s arms to the elbows. Unaware of Jenny’s presence, he grinned at David. “Isn’t she a beaut?”
David nodded vigorously. “She sure is! Thanks for letting me watch, Mitch. I’ve never seen a horse born before.”
Both man and boy stood silently watching the mother and her foal, a tall cowboy dressed in jeans, T-shirt and boots, and a smaller replica. Jenny couldn’t help but smile at the picture they made.
After wiping his hands and arms on a towel, Mitc
h placed an arm around David’s shoulders. David beamed up at him in adoration. The smile left Jenny’s face and she had sudden misgivings, wondering just how close David had become to Mitch. This big man had the power to hurt her brother. Still, she didn’t want to spoil this moment, so she remained quietly where she stood.
Mitch suddenly looked around and the smile faded from his face. “Looks like we’ve got company, partner.”
Turning, David smiled widely at his sister. He rushed over to her, hair spiked out in all directions. “Guess what, Jen. Mitch and I watched a foal being born. Isn’t she pretty?”
She returned his smile, glancing at the foal struggling to rise to its wobbly feet. “She sure is.” Addressing herself to Mitch she asked, “What are you going to name her?”
He didn’t answer right away. He made sure everything was in order, placing some extra feed in the bin for the mother, then said, “I haven’t decided yet.” Nodding his head and pointing toward the door, he marshaled them in that direction and flicked off the light behind him.
They walked slowly toward her car. Mitch reached to open the driver’s door, waited until Jenny had slid in behind the wheel and then closed it behind her. His eyes traveled slowly over her hair and down around her face. A small smile tugged playfully at the corners of his mouth. “I think I know the perfect name for her,” he finally told her. “Maybe I’ll call her Jenny Wren.”
Jenny wasn’t certain he was serious or whether to feel complimented or insulted. Deciding to ignore him, she started the car and put it into gear. When she glanced in her rearview mirror, Mitch was still standing where she had left him.
* * *
The merry tones of the William Tell Overture warned Jenny of an incoming telephone call. Surprised, she flipped open the phone and clicked the green button.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
She would recognize that lively voice anywhere.
“Hattie! How on earth did you get my number? And how did you know I had a phone, anyway? I just got it this morning.”
“I know.” She chuckled. “My sister-in-law works for the phone store.”
Jenny smiled wryly. “I should have known.”
“Anyway, what I’m calling about. I wanted to invite you to have lunch with me. There’s someone I want you to meet. Can you meet me at the steak house in about a half hour?”
Since it was Friday and the twins were in school, Jenny readily agreed. She pocketed her phone, picked up her purse and headed out the door, her curiosity aroused.
* * *
Jenny walked into the steak house, squinting in the darkness. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust and, by the time they had, Hattie was by her side.
Giving her friend a hug, Hattie towed her along to a table at the back of the restaurant. “I’m so glad you could come.”
When they reached the table, Jenny noticed another woman seated there. Her blond hair shimmered in the subdued lighting and her smile was genuine. She wore a pair of faded jeans and a printed T-shirt imprinted with a craft shop logo. She was very attractive and Jenny had to suppress an instant twinge of envy.
She extended her hand toward Jenny, who took it and shook it gently. “Hi. My name’s Annie Morrison. Hattie’s told me a lot about you.”
Jenny quirked an eyebrow at her friend. “Oh? And just what has Hattie been telling you?” Jenny asked, sliding into the vacant seat next to Hattie. She placed her purse next to her chair and leaned her elbows on the table, giving the other woman her attention.
Annie laughed. “Oh, you know Hattie.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Jenny replied, smiling at Hattie.
“You guys! Give me a break. Here I try to do you both a favor and all I get is criticism.”
Jenny looked questioningly at both of them. “What kind of favor?”
Before Annie could even open her mouth, Hattie launched into speech. “Well, you see, it’s like this. Annie owns a craft shop in Prescott and she’s always looking for exciting new crafts.”
Looking bemused, Jenny glanced from one to the other. “And? What has this to do with me?”
Annie placed a restraining hand on Hattie’s arm. “Please. Allow me.” Turning to Jenny, she smiled. “Hattie has been telling me what lovely things you make. She tells me that you’re the one who made the beautiful wall hanging in her living room.”
Jenny blushed. She had made the hanging for Hattie as a way to say thank you for all that Hattie had done for her and her family. It wasn’t much, but it had been made with love.
“She also tells me that you made the beautiful wall hanging that’s in the foyer at church.”
Throwing Hattie a withering look, Jenny turned back to Annie. “But what has that to do with a favor? Would you like me to make one for your shop?”
Annie smiled. “I want you to make more than one. I want you to make several.”
Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “How many rooms are in your shop?”
Hattie burst out laughing. “You don’t get it, do you? Annie wants to sell them.”
“You would sell them for me?” Jenny asked in surprise.
“I sell lots of crafts for people on consignment.”
“Isn’t that where you receive some of the money after they sell?”
“Exactly,” Annie told her. “You don’t pay me anything until they sell, and then I keep a portion of the profits.”
“Do you think my wall hangings would sell?”
“I know they would,” she said enthusiastically. “Trust me, I know what people like. Your hangings are unusual as well as beautiful.”
Jenny’s mind began to churn with possibilities. If she could make some money from selling some of her crafts, she could supplement the income she received from the interest on the estate money. That way she might not have to touch as much of the capital. She had no idea how much her crafts would sell for, or for that matter if they would sell at all, but it was worth a try. Up to this point she had tried to be very conservative in her spending. It would be nice to have some fun money.
A waitress approached their table and took their drink order. She returned moments later, placing the drinks on the table.
“Are you ready to order now?” she inquired.
They all three nodded and placed their orders.
“Get what you want, girls,” Hattie told them. “I’m buying.”
Over lunch Annie told Jenny a little about her shop, the Lion’s Den, and explained how the consignments worked. The asking price for her wall hangings astounded Jenny.
“That much?”
“I assure you, you will get it.”
She decided to trust Annie’s judgment. After all, the lady evidently knew what she was about. She wouldn’t have a successful shop if she didn’t.
* * *
For the next several days Jenny spent a lot of time visiting department stores in Prescott and searching the internet for supplies she would need to create her wall hangings. Annie had told her that if there were any other crafts she would care to display, she would be more than happy to oblige. As for Jenny, she was thrilled to be able to do the things she loved most. Her hands itched to create beautiful things, but she had not had much time before. Now she could give free rein to her desires and possibly establish an income for herself and the twins.
Jenny decided it was time to return Hattie’s car and purchase one of her own. Although she could pay cash if she wanted to, to do so would pretty much deplete her savings account. And since she was unsure what her income would be, she decided it would be best to purchase a good used car and make payments.
Her only problem was that she knew nothing about automobiles and wouldn’t know a lemon if it beeped its horn at her. She decided to phone Jacob to see if he would help her find something.
<
br /> The phone rang several times and she was about to hang up when she heard a deep voice she recognized. “Ameses’ residence. May I help you?”
Jenny’s fingers curled tightly around the receiver, but surprise rendered her speechless.
“Hello?” he repeated impatiently.
Finding her tongue, Jenny finally managed to squeak out, “I-is Jacob Ames there?”
There followed a slight pause.
“Well, hello, Jenny Wren. If you hang on a minute, I’ll get him for you.”
Jenny could hear the receiver as it was laid on a table and then voices in the background. Moments later she heard Jacob’s hurried voice.
“Jenny? Sorry I couldn’t get to the phone quicker, but we were in the pool. What can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry, Jacob. Maybe I should call back later.”
“Nonsense. What do you need?”
She explained her dilemma and asked if he would be willing to help her.
“Why don’t you just continue to use ours? We’re happy to let you,” he told her.
“I know, Jacob. But I feel, well... I would just as soon have something I can call my own.”
“I understand. Unfortunately, I know little about cars and even less about whether they’re mechanically sound. I don’t think I’d do you much good.” He paused as though thinking. “But I know the perfect person. Mitch knows a lot about mechanical things. He even repairs most of the equipment around his ranch. Let me get him for you.”
“Jacob, wait!” Her panicked voice didn’t reach him in time. Before she could decide on the best course of action to take, she heard that deep, rumbling voice again.
“So you want to buy a car, huh?” She could hear the laughter in his voice and wondered if he was amused at her or something that Jacob had said to him. “What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” she told him, peeved at his amusement. “That’s why I wanted Jacob’s help. I’m not sure what to even look for.”
The Rancher Next Door Page 6
