Free Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

would it be for? I hope you like meat loaf.”
    â€œI like it fine.” Once again those pale blue eyes seemed to seek hers for a moment, then drop in embarrassment. Somewhat stiltedly, he went to his meal. After taking it to the table, he offered a quick silent prayer of thanks, then he proceeded to eat without so much as warming it up for a bit in the oven.
    Katie joined him. “So, how was your work at the lumberyard?”
    â€œIt was good.”
    She tried again. “Did you do anything interesting? What, exactly, do you make there, anyway?”
    Wearily, he wiped his mouth. “We make shells. You know, lumber frames for homes. We have a large contract for a builder out near Toledo. We build furniture, too, sometimes.”
    â€œThat sounds interesting,” she murmured, though it didn’t, not really. “Do you like it?”
    â€œI like it well enough. My boss, Brent, is a good man.” Jonathan turned his plate a quarter turn so he could continue to shovel in his meal. In sync with his fork hitting the plate, he shrugged. “There isn’t much to say. Thework is hard, but plenty. And the pay is gut , too. That’s a blessing.”
    For a moment, Katie found herself noticing everything about Jonathan, all over again. The way he held his fork. The scar along the base of his thumb. The way his cool blue eyes seemed to always find hers. “Indeed. Well, I spent the day getting organized.”
    â€œDid you have any problems?”
    â€œNo. Not at all.” She swallowed hard as once again his hand stilled and he looked long at her. “ Um, please don’t worry about the girls. I will care for them just fine.”
    â€œI assumed you would.”
    â€œOh. Well, then…” Her voice drifted off. When she noticed him shifting, about to leave the room, about to stand up, she blurted, “How did you get that scar?”
    He stilled. “Which one?”
    Before she could stop herself, she reached out and touched his thumb. His skin felt so different than hers, rough. Cool. He started from her touch. “That one.”
    â€œOh. I cut it years ago when I was mending some fencing.” He ran his other thumb across his hand, just like she had done.
    â€œIt must have been some cut.” Feeling terribly girlish, she amended her words. “I mean, it’s almost an inch long.”
    He looked at his hand as if he was looking at that scar for the first time. “I guess it was. It healed, though, and I’m right as rain.” For a moment, their eyes met, and his expression gentled—almost like he cared about her. Then, just as suddenly, he stood up. “I…I am going to wash up now.”
    Stunned, Katie watched him pick up his plate, set it near the counter, then walk away. Leaving her alone.
    As she looked around the suddenly silent kitchen, Katie thought that perhaps her parents had been right. Perhaps her stay here would be a thankless one, indeed. The girls were not eager to get to know her. The house was empty and far too quiet. Winnie would be gone soon.
    And Jonathan…Jonathan seemed wary around her. Watchful. Almost bashful?

Chapter 6
    Brandon was sitting up in bed half watching television when Holly arrived at the hospital that afternoon. Pausing at the door, tears pricked her eyes. For once, Brandon looked almost like his usual self. It had been a rough week—there’d been a few times when neither the doctors nor the nurses thought he would last to the next day.
    There were times when she wasn’t sure she’d be able to make it, especially since all the news was now increasingly dire. Holly was finding it hard to stay positive.
    But of course, that was what he needed. “Hey, you,” she said when she finally walked through the doorway. “How does it feel to sit up in bed for a change?”
    With effort, he turned her way. “Pretty good. So, are you ever going to actually come in?