Lots of fun activities. And,” she smiled, pausing for effect, “I have Christmas trees year-round.”
Christmas trees. Jesse suppressed a shiver of dread. Could he really work among the constant reminders of all he’d lost?
Jade smoothly sidestepped a discussion of the trees, though he saw the wariness leap into her eyes. “I used to go to Sunday school.”
“Maybe you can go with me some time. We have great fun and learn about Jesus.”
Jesse noticed some things he’d missed before. A Bible lay open on an end table near the television, and a plain silver cross hung on one wall flanked by a decorative candle on each side. Stifling an inner sigh, he swallowed a hefty swig of cola and felt the fire burn all the way down his throat. He could work for a card-carrying Christian. He had to. Jade deserved this one last chance.
“We don’t go anymore since Mama died.”
Jesse grew uncomfortably warm as Lindsey turned her eyes on him. Was she judging him? Finding him unfit as a father because he didn’t want his child growing up with false hopes about a God who’d let you down when you needed him most?
He tried to shrug it off. No way he wanted to offend this woman and blow the chance of working here. As much as he hated making excuses, he had to. “We’ve moved a lot lately.”
“Are you planning to be in Winding Stair long?”
“Permanently,” he said. And he hoped that was true. He hadn’t stayed in one spot since leaving this mountain as a scared and angry teenager. Even during his marriage, he’d roamed like a wild maverick following the rodeo or traveling with an electric-line crew, while Erin remained in Enid to raise Jade. “But first I need a job.”
“Okay. Let’s talk about that. I know everyone within twenty miles of Winding Stair, but I don’t know you. Tell me about yourself.”
He sat back, trying to hide his expression behind another long, burning pull of the soda. He hadn’t expected her to ask that. He thought she might ask for references or about his experience, but not about him specifically. And given the situation, the less she knew the better.
“Not much to tell. I’m a widower with a little girl to support. I’m dependable. I’ll work hard and do a good job.” He stopped short of saying she wouldn’t regret hiring him. Eventually, she would.
Lindsey studied him with a serene expression and a slight curve of a full lower lip. He wondered if she was always so calm.
“Where are you from?”
“Enid mostly,” he answered, naming the small town west of Oklahoma City that had been more Erin’s home than his.
“I went to a rodeo there once when I was in college.”
“Yeah?” He’d made plenty of rodeos there himself.
With a nod, she folded her arms. “What did you do in Enid? I know they don’t raise trees in those parts.”
He allowed a smile at that one. The opening to the Great Plains, the land around Enid was as flat as a piece of toast.
“Worked lineman crews most of the time and some occasional rodeo. But I’ve done a little of everything.”
“Lineman? As in electricity?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve helped string half the power lines between Texas and Arkansas.”
His answer seemed to please her, though he had no idea what electricity had to do with raising Christmas trees.
“How soon could you begin working?”
“Today.”
She blinked and sat back, taking her coffee with her. “Don’t you even want to know what the job will entail?”
“I need work, Miss Mitchell. I can do about anything and I’m not picky.”
“People are generally surprised to discover that growing Christmas trees takes a lot of hard work and know-how. I have the know-how, but I want to expand. To do that I need help. Good, dependable help.”
“You’ll have that with me. I don’t mind long hours, hard work or getting dirty.”
“The pay isn’t great.” She named a sum barely above minimum wage. He wanted to react but didn’t. He’d made do on less. Neither the job nor the money was the important issue here.
“The hours are long. And I can be a slave driver.”
Jesse couldn’t hold back a grin. Somehow he couldn’t imagine Lindsey as much of a slave driver. “Are you offering me the job or trying to scare me off?”
She laughed and the sound sent a shiver of warmth into the cold recesses of Jesse’s heart. “Maybe both. I don’t want to hire someone today and have him gone next week.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Jade’s already been in two schools this year, and it’s only October.”
Her eyes rested on Jade as she thought that one over. One foot tapping to a silent tune while she munched gummy faces, his daughter paid little attention to the adults.
“I have about twenty acres of trees now but plan to expand by at least another ten by next year. Would you like to have a look at the tree lot?”
“Not now.” Not at all, ever, but he knew that was out of the question. Once he took possession the Christmas trees would disappear. “Just tell me what I’ll be doing.”
For the next five minutes, she discussed pruning and replanting, spraying and cutting, bagging and shipping. All of which he could do. No problem. He’d just pretend they were ordinary trees.
“I’ll need character references before I make a final decision.”
Jesse reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded paper. He’d been prepared for that question. “Any of these people will tell you that I’m not a serial killer.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I’d hate to have to shoot you.”
He must have looked as startled as he felt because she laughed. “That was a joke. A bad one, I’ll admit, but I can shoot and I do have a gun.”
Was she warning him to tread lightly? “Interesting hobby for a woman.”
“The rifle was my granddad’s. He had quite a collection.”
“Is he the one who taught you to shoot?”
“Mostly. But don’t worry about safety.” She glanced at his adorable little girl with the missing front tooth. “I have a double-locked gun safe to protect the kids who come out here. Owning a firearm is a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”
Rising from the overstuffed armchair, she took the sheet of references from his outstretched fingers. The clean scent of soap mixed with the subtle remnants of coffee drifted around her. The combination reminded him way too much of Erin.
“I’ll
