three spindles and a couple of the ones lining the steps, as well.â
Mr. Tucker followed her and examined the rails in question more closely. âIâll need to replace at least one of these, maybe more, but it shouldnât be difficult to do. And I might as well check all the other spindles while Iâm at it.â
It would be such a relief to have those things taken care of. Perhaps he could even get a little ahead on the firewood so she wouldnât have to buy so much when winter set in.
He stepped down onto the lawn and looked up at the roofline, rubbing his chin. âI have my own tools with me, of course. But Iâm going to need a ladder for getting up to those gutters.â He glanced her way. âAnd an ax for chopping firewood.â
She waved a hand toward a structure at the far end of her property. âI believe youâll find what you need in the carriage house. Feel free to look around in there and make use of whatever you need.â The carriage had been one of the first things sheâd sold off. The only thing she used the structure for these days was as a storage shed and a place to keep her gardening implements.
âIâll check it out first thing in the morning.â He took a long, slow look around her property. âI could get the boys to rake up these leaves for you, too, if youâd like.â
âThat would be appreciated.â She was beginning to feel as if she were taking advantage of him. She hadnât expected him to work for his keep.
âGood. Itâll give them something to focus on besides Miss Fredrickâs situation.â
She wondered what he was really thinking about the state of her home and property. It had to be painfully obvious to him that she hadnât been able to take care of the place as she ought for some time now.
But his next comment indicated nothing of the sort. âIt appears you have quite a garden,â he said.
She felt her cheeks warm in pleasure. âItâs done well this year. Thereâs not much left to it right now, but I should still be able to harvest a few things from my fall planting until first frost.â
âYou take care of it yourself?â
Was that surprise in his expression? She tilted her chin up. âI do. Though Dovie helps.â Truth to tell, she actually enjoyed working her garden. What had been a pleasant hobby in the past had turned into a means of survival. Many was the day the only thing she ate for her meals was what sheâd harvested from her garden. And sheâd learned to preserve what she didnât need for her immediate sustenance so that she could stretch her bounty even further. It was surprising, the sense of accomplishment she felt at having vegetables sheâd grown and harvested herself in her pantry.
He nodded. âMiss Jacobs seems like a fine person. And I can tell she knows how to deal with children.â
Unlike herâwas that what he was thinking? And was he assuming Dovie did most of the gardening, as well?
She turned and moved back toward the door, feeling suddenly rattled by all these unaccustomed thoughts. Time to take control of the conversation again. âSpeaking of the children, perhaps we can discuss what sort of routine they are accustomed to. And then determine what routine will work best while they are here.â
She felt better already. Routines and discipline, that was what provided order and structure, the two things that were essential to a smoothly run household. And it was becoming obvious to her that these children could benefit from some training in that department.
She had a feeling, though, that she and Mr. Tucker would not see eye to eye on that point.
If so, she would just have to bring him around to her way of thinking.
Chapter Seven
R outine? Why was she asking him about that? Simon had no idea what sort of routine Miss Fredrick had set for them, or even if they had one at all. âIâm not
Eric Flint, Charles E. Gannon