Blackstone's Bride by Teresa Southwick Read Free Book Online Page B

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