still can’t believe he came back. And with Charles’s daughter, no less. Where are her parents, do you think?”
“I didn’t ask.” Though she’d fretted over it since their run-in yesterday.
She’d mentally reviewed their encounter more than once, the distance of time and ebbing of her initial shock allowing her to recall his slightly haggard expression, the weariness that had clung to him. Whether it was due to their long journey or the events that had prompted him to leave Kansas, she couldn’t be sure.
When they rode onto Tom’s property fifteen minutes later, Jane experienced a surge of dismay. This was far worse than she’d imagined, too much for one man to tackle.
Jess let loose a low whistle. “Ma wasn’t exaggerating.”
On the porch, Tom hacked away at the profusion of vines.
Jess chose a shady spot in which to leave the horses. “Are you ready?”
Her younger sister—by four whole minutes—might not be a sensitive soul, but she understood how difficult seeing him again would be.
“We say hello. Drop off the food. And go.” Sounded straightforward. “I’m ready.”
They each grabbed a crate and waded through the path of trampled weeds to reach him. Grasshoppers jumped out of their way. A fat beetle crunched under Jane’s shoe.
Grimacing, she eyed the chimney and wondered what creatures had lodged inside.
Engrossed in his task, Tom hadn’t noticed their approach until they were almost upon him. His eyes widened. “Jane. Jessica.”
Brushing his shirtsleeve across his damp forehead, he rushed to take Jane’s crate and, setting it down, relieved Jessica of hers. He was out of breath and his blue-gray shirt clung to him in places. Caramel-hued trousers hung low on his lean hips, encasing solid, muscular legs that seemed to extend for miles.
He was healthy and virile and too handsome for her peace of mind.
“Welcome home, Tom.” As his hands were full, Jessica gave him a quick side hug. “I could hardly believe it when Jane told me she’d run into you. How have you been?”
“Not bad.” His answering smile slipped a bit when his gaze connected with Jane’s. Concern flickered.
“Ma thought you could use some supplies.” Jessica seemed oblivious to the undercurrent of tension as yesterday’s encounter hung between them.
“That was thoughtful of her. Thanks for bringing it by.”
“How’s Clara?” Jane said.
“Not impressed with her new home. Can’t say as I blame her.” Shifting his burden, he cocked his head. “Come on in and say hello, if you’d like. She’s supposed to be resting, but I’m certain she’s playing with her doll instead.”
He was right. Wearing the same pink dress that she’d had on yesterday, she danced a worn corn husk doll across the kitchen table’s grimy surface. She stopped what she was doing to stare openmouthed at the women. The reaction wasn’t an unusual one. Children—and sometimes even adults—rarely encountered identical twins, much less redheaded ones.
“Clara, say hello to Miss Jane and Miss Jessica.” Sidestepping the bedrolls laid out on the floor, where they’d obviously slept instead of on the musty beds, he deposited the foodstuffs on the table. Red slashed his cheekbones. “Sorry about the mess.”
Jane couldn’t halt the sympathy welling up on his behalf. He’d always been a tidy person, had kept his barbershop and tools of the trade as clean as a whistle. Of course the cabin would cause him embarrassment. Cobwebs hung from the rafters. The mantel sported an inch-thick coating of dust. And while the floor had recently seen a broom, it would benefit from a good scrubbing.
In its current condition, his family home wasn’t fit for a child. Tom, either.
How would he manage with his niece underfoot?
Not my problem. She tried to harden her heart. I can’t afford to care. Can’t fall into that dark, desperate place again.
Clara came up to Jane and touched her wrist. “Princess.”
She shot Tom an incredulous look. “How can she tell us apart?”
“I don’t know.” He scraped a hand along his unshaven jaw.
“We do tend to wear our hair differently,” Jessica mused, finger combing her long ponytail. While Jess didn’t give much thought to her hairstyle, Jane tended to wear hers up in twists or tidy buns.
“Jane’s hair was loose yesterday,” he said.
She must be mistaking the admiring light in his eyes. He’d made a habit of teasing her about the color. And of course, he preferred blondes, like Megan.
Bending down, she indicated the doll. “What’s your baby’s name?”
“Jenny.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
“That was my mama’s name.”
“Oh.” Unaware of the child’s situation and the whereabouts of her parents, Jane refrained from further comment. She straightened and risked a glance at Tom. Deep grooves appeared on either side of his mouth. In him, she glimpsed a curious mix of regret and anger.
The news was likely not good. Why else would he have guardianship?
“I hate to ask, but would you mind keeping Clara company long enough for me to take a quick inventory of the property? I need to determine the most pressing tasks.”
Jessica turned to her, unwritten apology in eyes that matched her own. “I’d stay if I could, but Lee will be waiting for me.”
So much for making this a brief visit. Refusing Tom this simple request wasn’t something she could find it in her heart to do. “It’s all right. I don’t mind staying.”
Slapping his battered black Stetson on his head, he cupped her upper arm and ran his hand down the length of it, setting her nerve endings on fire. “Thank you, Jane.”
To his niece, he said, “Mind your manners, birdie.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jessica waited until he’d gone. “I’m sorry, sis.”
“I’ll be fine.” She’d continue to say the words until they rang true.
“I know. It’s just that you don’t need this on top of everything else.”
Clutching her doll against her, Clara watched them with too-serious scrutiny. What troubles had befallen this precious child?
Jane ushered her twin toward the open door. “I’ll see you at home later.”
Turning back, she lifted her satchel off her shoulder
