“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 give some of these folks a call and let you know something this afternoon. Will that be all right?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll need your telephone number. Where can I reach you?”
Jesse rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Hmm. That could be a problem. No phone yet.”
“Where are you living? Maybe I know someone close by and could have them bring you a message.”
“That’s another problem. No house yet either.”
She paused, a tiny frown appearing between a pair of naturally arched eyebrows. Funny that he’d notice a thing like a woman’s eyebrows. “You don’t have a place to live?”
Jade, who’d been as quiet as a mouse, happily sipping her juice and munching green and purple smiley faces, suddenly decided to enter the conversation. “We live in Daddy’s truck.”
Great. Now he’d probably be reported to child welfare.
But if Lindsey considered him a poor parent, she didn’t let on in front of Jade. “That must be an adventure. Like camping out.”
“Daddy says we’re getting a house of our own pretty soon.”
Jesse was glad he hadn’t told the child that he’d been talking about this house.
Lindsey’s eyes flickered from Jade to him. “Have you found anything yet?”
Oh, yes. He’d found exactly the right place.
“Not yet. First a job, then Jade and I have a date with the school principal. While she’s in school I’ll find a place to stay.”
“Rental property is scarce around here, but you might check at the Caboose. It’s an old railroad car turned into a diner on the north end of town across from the Dollar Store. Ask for Debbie. If there is any place for rent in the area, she’ll know about it.”
“Thanks.” He stood, took Jade’s empty juice carton and looked around for a trash can.
“I’ll take that.” Lindsey stretched out a palm, accepting the carton. No long fancy nails on those hands, but the short-clipped nails were as clean as a Sunday morning.
“Come on, Jade. Time to roll.” Jade hopped off the couch, tugging at the too-short tail
