him awake. He couldn’t forget the curve of her slender shoulder when her quilt had slipped down. Or her charming embarrassment when Katie had asked if she was naked under the blanket. It surprised him just how much he wanted to touch and explore what he couldn’t see. He couldn’t remember a time that a woman had tempted him this sorely. He’d spent the remainder of the night trying to push those thoughts from his mind. But it was daylight now, and he had far more important things to worry about.
“Did you notice the clothes they’re wearing?” he asked. “At first, I thought they were play clothes. Sally would have taught them better than to travel in something other than their Sunday best.” He put the frying pan on the worktable beside the stove and looked at Abby. “The condition of their clothes today is worse. I think they did wear their best for the trip.”
“So they need new clothes,” she said practically.
“Just where am I supposed to get them? I don’t sew, even if I had material.”
“There’s a dressmaker in Hollister. I’m sure she could make them some things. Or you could buy ready-made at the mercantile.”
“I can’t get away from the ranch. We’re rounding up new calves for branding. Spring is a busy time around here.”
“Most folks are busy. It’s catch-up time after the winter,” she reminded him.
He studied her profile while she vigorously mixed the biscuit dough. She had fine cheekbones and her skin was smooth and soft. Her looks made a man want to touch her and see for himself if she was as silky as she seemed. Only her freckles kept her face from being flawless. The turned-up tip of her small nose was pink, and a scattering of caramel-colored dots dusted the bridge as a result of her time outdoors spent driving the freight wagon. Jarrod put the ham slices on a plate. “Since you’re coming back when you find a housekeeper, why don’t you pick out what you think they’ll need and bring it with you?”
“What about sizes?”
He shrugged. “Do the best you can. I’ve got an account with Don Shemanski at the mercantile. I’ll give you a letter of credit and you can get the things there.”
“In the meantime?”
“I don’t know. Guess we’ll just see what we can find around here and cut it down. Gib is pretty handy with a needle when he has to be.”
“I’ll bet he is,” she said, smiling fondly. Abby looked at him. “What are you going to do with the kids today? Have you made any plans?”
“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
Gary Pullin Liisa Ladouceur
The Broken Wheel (v3.1)[htm]