Free The Unplowed Sky by Jeanne Williams Page B

heartfelt appreciation made it worthwhile. While the Fords chuffed away, Garth and Meg got cots and pillows from a chest in the corner and went outside.
    â€œI hope Meg’s not sleeping out because of me,” Hallie said.
    â€œBless you, no.” Rory’s broadest grin made dimples in his cheeks. “She just likes to be in calling distance of her dad in case she wakes up. Her mother, you see, went off in the middle of the night and—”
    â€œThought you was goin’ to town, Rory,” Shaft cut in.
    â€œNope.” Rory’s grinned broadened even more. “I’m dryin’ dishes for Miss Hallie, you old warthog.”
    â€œFirst time I recall your havin’ an interest in a dish towel,” Shaft said.
    â€œFirst time you had a pretty helper.”
    â€œAll right, bucko, you just jump to it.” Shaft peered in the oven and took out the roast. “There. That’ll do for morning lunch and dinner. Guess I’ll whomp up some oatmeal-raisin bars.”
    â€œYou could go to bed,” Rory suggested, wiping industriously as Hallie washed and rinsed.
    â€œI could, but I won’t.”
    Rory shrugged and, with mirthful side glances at Shaft, regaled Hallie with yarns about bootleggers, especially those from the Balkans. Shaft whistled a tune, put three big pans in the oven, and added the mixing bowl and spoon to the heap of dirty dishes. He set the towel-covered milk in the pan of water beside the butter, wiped off the oilcloth table, swept up the crumbs, and when he could find nothing else to do, untied his beard, fluffed it, sat down on a box, and leaned back against the wall.
    Jackie had been playing with the kitten, but the instant the cook settled himself, Smoky streaked across the shack, sprang onto Shaft’s chest, and nestled under his beard, hind feet hooked to one shoulder, front paws and chin resting on the other. Jackie came over, bereft of his playmate, and peered wistfully up at Shaft.
    â€œSmoky likes you better’n me.”
    â€œIt’s different, Jack. I raised Smoky on an eyedropper. She thinks I’m her mama.”
    Jackie winced at the word, and his mouth trembled. Without disturbing the cat, Shaft reached down and swung the boy to his lap. “You know, son, I’ve always wanted a boy. You’re a mighty fine one. Reckon your sis will kind of share you with me?”
    The child gave a happy bounce and hugged Shaft as far as his arms would reach. “Can I be Shaft’s boy, Hallie?” he called.
    â€œOf course you can.” What else could she say, though she was worried about what would happen at the end of the season when the crew parted? That was several months away. She had enough trouble without borrowing ahead.
    Because of Rory’s amusing yarns, the formidable heaps of dishes and pans disappeared more quickly than Hallie could have imagined, but beguiling and handsome as he was, her thoughts strayed to his brother.
    His wife had left Meg during the night, when Meg couldn’t have been more than a few years older than Jackie? No wonder the girl clung to her father! Hallie resolved to try to make friends with Meg, though she knew from her own experience how difficult that would be. The best way was probably to be pleasant but not push, and hope that, in time, Meg herself would want to be closer.
    Rory seemed inclined to linger when the last pan was dried, but Shaft got to his feet, setting Smoky down though he still held the sleeping Jackie. “Thanks for helpin’, Rory. See you in the morning.”
    Rory threw up his hands in surrender and headed for the door, where he paused. “I promised your little brother to let him watch me get up steam in the morning,” he said to Hallie. “Would you like to bring him over and see how it works yourself?”
    She’d do anything she could to keep Jackie so busy and happy that he couldn’t brood over Felicity. At some level, sometime,