Free Blackstone's Bride by Teresa Southwick Page B

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. “Idon’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.

5
    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