Blackstone's Bride (8 page)

“Did you make this?” she asked, indicating the thick, sturdy hemp ropes holding her up.

“Yes.”

“For the children?”

“Why would you think that?”

“It looks new. Just seems to me you would have made it for them.”

“I did. When Sally and I were young, we had one. The ropes and seat rotted a long time ago. I just thought the kids might like it.”

Abby felt a glow close to her heart. It couldn’t be easy taking on four children. He had never been around any, yet he was trying to do his best for them.

A sudden yearning for her own father sliced through her. Sam Miller had gone away when Abby was a bit younger than Lily. To find a better life for the family, he had explained. Abby had been inconsolable. She had missed him terribly but hadn’t seen him since. Every year or so he sent a letter. One day soon, she planned to find him. From the moment he’d left, she’d dreamed of uniting the family again.

Mama was dead, but she and Clint still needed their father. Abby closed her eyes as she swung gently and promised herself that she would make it happen. Right now she was too busy working. All the money she could spare went to put Clint through college. Come hell or high water, she would make her mother’s dream for Clint come true. Afterward, she would find her father and go live with him. As soon as her brother came around to her way of thinking, they would all be together again.

“There’s not much for kids to do here,” Jarrod said, breaking into her thoughts. “No one to play with.”

Abby looked at him. “It was thoughtful of you to make them the swing.”

“I had to do something to keep them occupied.”

There was an edge to his voice that made her wonder. “Has there been a problem?”

“Nothing big. Tom’s been getting into mischief.”

“He hasn’t hit Katie again, has he?”

He smiled. “No. Just teasing the animals, stuff like that. I’d ignore it, but I have the feeling it’s getting worse.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“Of course. So has Gib. But so far it hasn’t stopped him.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

He shrugged, bent over to pluck a blade of grass, and twirled it through his fingers. A stray dark curl blew across his forehead. The lines around his eyes seemed deeper, whether from worry or lack of sleep, she didn’t know.

“When I talked to Tom that first day, I told him we needed time to adjust, that I didn’t want to have to tan him. But I’m beginning to think—”

She stopped swinging and stood up. “Are you sure that’s the answer?”

“I don’t know what else to do.” He looked completely bewildered.

“Try giving him some of your time first.”

“What makes you think I haven’t?”

“Have you?”

“Some, but—”

“Have you taken the time to at least eat breakfast and dinner with them?” He started to answer and she pointed at him. “The morning I was here doesn’t count.”

“Then no, but I get up before daybreak—”

She sighed. “Jarrod, please tell me you’ve tucked them into bed at night.”

He let out a long breath. “You don’t understand, Abby. It’s easy for you to judge me when you’re standing on the outside looking in. You have no idea what I’m up against running a ranch this big, and now having to worry about
four kids.” He ran a hand through his hair. “They found the waterfall where Sally and I used to go. But the two youngest can’t swim. What if they disobey me and drown?”

“Jarrod, I—”

“They’re into everything. They’re just playing, but it’s dangerous. Accidents happen to grown men who know to be careful. When I have to be away, I never know what I’ll find when I come back.”

Abby felt terrible, especially when she looked closer and noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the weary slump of his shoulders. Now she knew it had been worry and lack of sleep that carved the lines around his eyes and forehead.

“Is Katie still waking up?” she asked gently.

He nodded. “Like clockwork. She has the same bad dream every night.”

Abby didn’t have the heart to stay mad at him, especially when he looked so worn-out. “She’s been through a lot. When she feels secure, the dream will stop. Maybe if you put her in Lily’s room—”

“I thought of that. It didn’t help. She just woke all of them up. At least if I go to her, no one else is disturbed. The days seem to be more peaceful that way,” he said wryly.

“If you don’t spend time with them, how would you know?”

“The hands take turns staying behind to keep an eye on things.”

He was right. She hadn’t the vaguest notion what he went through. But surely with a little common sense he could get through until Bea had the household under control.

“I have a suggestion,” she said.

“What?”

His gray eyes narrowed as he shot her a wary look. Why that expression caused her heart to beat a little faster, she couldn’t say. But for some reason, it made her see what she had been trying hard to forget or at least to ignore in the days since she’d been here. He was a fine-looking man. A fact that kept jumping into her mind even
though the distance between Hollister and Blackstone Ranch separated them.

She turned until her shoulder brushed his arm and they stood side by side, staring at the front porch. “Take Tom with you when you leave in the morning.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whatever you have planned for the day, take Tom with you. My guess is the mischief is his way of getting your attention. So give him what he wants. Sooner or later he’s got to learn about the ranch.”

“He’s just a boy. I leave before sunup.”

“It won’t kill him. He’ll go to bed earlier. Tom’s a boy who’s getting bigger every day. Why, I swear he’s grown a foot since I last saw him. Makes me wonder if the clothes I brought from the mercantile will fit.”

“So you think all I need to do is give him some notice and spend some time with him?”

“That’s right. It doesn’t have to take you away from work. Include him in what you’re doing. Explain things. Teach him.”

“Might slow me down some.”

“Might. But at least you’ll have him where you can see him. You won’t have to worry about what he’s up to while you’re gone.”

He nodded absently and gave Abby a small smile. “There is that.”

The fact that he didn’t dismiss her idea caused Abby to warm to her topic. That smile on his face caused her to warm to him. She started talking faster. “It’s always been my belief that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

“Hmmm.”

“While you’re about it, he’ll learn how to be a man.” She recalled Katie’s disbelief when Jarrod told her he wouldn’t let any harm come to her. Chances were good that Tom had never had a decent man to look up to. “Show him how to be a good man, Jarrod.”

“Abby Miller, did you just say something nice to me?”

“Good Lord, no. Whatever gave you a crazy idea like that?”

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his denims. “Beats the heck out of me.”

In spite of her vehement denial, Jarrod knew she had just paid him a compliment. That surprised him some, since more often than not she was hot under the collar about something he’d said or done. He was surprised how much her favorable opinion meant to him. It felt good to talk to her about the kids and the things that had been bothering him. He hadn’t wanted to resort to tanning Tom. Her notion of letting him tag along, of teaching him, well, maybe it was a good one.

The ranch would probably be Tom’s someday. Jarrod figured it wasn’t likely he’d ever have a son of his own to leave it to, since he didn’t want a wife.

He glanced at the house. “Do you think they’ve had enough time to look Bea over?”

Abby shrugged. “Maybe we should give them a little longer. What do you think of her, Jarrod?”

“She’s just what the doctor ordered.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.” She looked up at him and smiled. Her eyes sparkled with pleasure at the praise.

She was real pretty when she smiled, he thought. Although she was real pretty when she frowned. And when she looked like she wanted to shoot him too. He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. This kind of thinking was dangerous. If he wasn’t careful, he could get to like Abby Miller a lot more than he already did.

“I hope the children approve,” Abby said.

“Yeah. But why wouldn’t they?”

“No reason that I can think of,” she said. “And from the looks of you, I brought her just in time.”

“What does that mean? From the looks of me?”

She shook her head at him as if he was dumb as a post. “You’ve got bags under your eyes big enough to store grain for the winter.”

“No,” he said, resisting the urge to touch his eyes. “I don’t look that bad.”

He felt that bad, but he didn’t think it showed. Shoot, he’d put on a clean white shirt, combed his hair, and generally spruced up. It bothered him that he didn’t look his best. Hell, it annoyed him that he even cared about how he looked to Abby.

“It’s all right. There’s not so much damage that a few good nights of sleep won’t fix it right up.” She flipped her long red braid over her shoulder and started toward the house. “Trust me. Bea will see that you get it.”

“They’re comin’,” Katie said, turning away from the window she’d been looking out.

Bea glanced at each of the children in turn. “Do you all know what you’re supposed to say?”

They nodded. The front door opened and Jarrod and Abby walked into the living room. Bea studied the younger woman and noticed a becoming pink in her cheeks that she’d never seen before.

Something told her it had nothing to do with the sun, but everything to do with one handsome rancher. Her hunch had been right. She couldn’t blame Abby. Why, if she were thirty years younger, she’d set her cap for Jarrod Blackstone. She noticed the attractive indentation in his strong chin and revised that. Twenty-five years younger and the man wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Jarrod, did you have a nice walk with Abby?” Bea asked.

He tossed a quick gaze at the redhead beside him. Something flickered in his eyes that Bea was sure he wasn’t even aware of.

“We didn’t get farther than the swing in the yard. But it was all right, I guess.” He looked from Bea to the children who were sitting beside her, lined up on the stone hearth.

Jarrod cleared his throat. “Miss Peters—”

“Please call me Bea,” she reminded him. “I gave the children permission.”

“All right. Bea—I’d like to formally offer you the position of housekeeper.”

Bea folded her hands in her lap and stared at him over the spectacles on her nose. “I’m afraid I must decline your offer, Jarrod.”

“I don’t understand,” he said, shocked. The way the woman had them lined up beside her, and given her consent to use her first name, had convinced him they were as familiar as an old pair of boots. “Do you like Bea?” he asked, glancing at each of them.

“Yes, sir,” Katie answered and sat down. “I like everyone.”

Bea cleared her throat. “It’s not that.”

“Then what?” Abby asked in dismay.

Bea felt sorry for her. She had worked so hard to find someone for Jarrod. Under different circumstances, she would have loved this job. But there was something more important at stake.

“She’s too old,” Tom said.

“Tom, it’s rude to say things like that in front of someone else,” Abby said.

“Yes’m,” he responded. He couldn’t quite hide a small grin.

Bea was certain the two adults were too stunned to notice. That was good. “His sentiment is correct, although bluntly put. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t believe I have the stamina to keep up with four children.”

“Lily, do you have anything to say?” Jarrod asked. “You have the biggest stake in this.”

“I think Tom is right. Bea’s nice and all, but this bunch,” she looked down the line at her brothers and sister, “well, they’re a handful. I think we’d be too much for her, and I’d hate to see her health do poorly.”

“Oliver? Do you have anything to say?”

He took his thumb out of his mouth. “She’s got mean eyes.”

“It’s unanimous?” Jarrod asked.

“What does that mean?” Katie asked. “Is that like Ed Bull?”

Jarrod shook his head quickly as if to clear his ears. “I
don’t know about that. But unanimous means you all agree.”

Four heads nodded in unison.

“I just don’t understand. You knew there were four of them when you came all the way out here. Did something change your mind?” His eyes narrowed. “Did they do anything?”

“Good heavens no. Tom picked flowers for me and brought me a pet. They couldn’t have been more well-behaved. They’re just as you said, clean, well-mannered children. But I think it’s just not going to work.”

“We could try having you here for a week or two. Just to see.”

Bea had expected him to take no for an answer. The poor man was even more desperate than she’d thought. “I don’t know—”

“What about a trial period of two weeks? The kids will all help out and be on their best behavior. I’ll pay you—”

“No, Jarrod. If I take this job, I will lose my employment in town. I can’t afford to do that unless I was certain this would work out. I am sorry.”

Lily stepped forward. “I know someone who would be perfect.”

Jarrod frowned. “Who?”

“Abby.” Lily looked at her sister and brothers. Only Tom didn’t seem to agree.

Abby put her arm around Lily’s shoulders. “It means so much that you want me. As much as I’d like to, I can’t take the job.”

“Why not?” Katie asked.

“The same reason as Bea. I work in town.” She looked at Jarrod, her eyes troubled. “I’m sorry.”

“Not half as sorry as I am,” he said.

Jarrod yawned and rubbed a hand
across his face, feeling the stubble. He was too godawful tired to bother shaving this morning. A week had passed since Bea Peters had turned down his job offer. Abby had brought another candidate out to the ranch. While the children were getting acquainted, he and Abby waited in the oak grove beside the swing that had pleased her so the last time she’d been here. This time she paced. Jarrod didn’t have the energy. He sat, his back braced against a tree trunk.

“What do you think?” Abby asked, glancing at the house as she stopped briefly beside him.