summer until the end of the harvest, but as soon as harvest is over, I’ll resume my job.” For some reason, Laura found herself sharing more than she normally would. “My goal is to obtain a house for myself and Hope by that time.”
Clint nodded. “I see. What if I promise to help you look for a house and you work for me until school resumes?”
Laura’s gaze moved to the two little girls who were sitting on the floor at their feet. Grace’s small voice was speaking in low tones to Hope. Hope sucked her thumb and nodded as if in agreement with Grace. Would Hope become attached to Grace, if she took the job and moved to the ranch? Or worse, would she?
* * *
Clint held his breath while he waited for Mrs. Lee to make up her mind. If she accepted his proposal, he’d have to find another nanny to replace her, but at least he wouldn’t be rushed, like he was right now.
“My board is paid until the end of the week here. I’d like to pray about it.” Laura studied the children at their feet.
He nodded. “I realize you need the time, but I also have a ranch to run. I’d planned on staying in town until tomorrow, and even though I’d love to give you the extra days, I really can’t stay longer than that.”
“I’ll have an answer for you in the morning. Is that satisfactory?” Laura asked.
He heard the schoolteacher tone in her voice. If he didn’t miss his guess, Clint was pretty sure it didn’t matter if it was agreeable to him or not, she’d not have a solid answer until then. Clint turned his attention to the boardinghouse owner, put on his most charming smile and asked, “Would it be possible for me to rent a room for the night?”
The older woman frowned. “I don’t normally allow children to live here, Mr. Shepard.”
His mind raced. Where else could he rent a room? The hotel was still in the process of being built, so that wasn’t an option. He looked down at Grace. Why hadn’t he considered that the boardinghouse wouldn’t accept children? Since he’d never had need to stay overnight in town before, he’d not considered that the boardinghouse might be full or not have room for children within its walls.
Mrs. Potter sighed and looked down at the two children. “I suppose one night won’t hurt, but I’ll not allow it again.” Mrs. Potter gave him a stern look.
“Thank you. I promise I’ll keep Grace as quiet as I possibly can.” Clint looked down at his chattering daughter and wondered if he’d be able to keep that promise.
Grace prattled up at him and pointed to Hope. Hope pointed to her heart-shaped mouth and pointed inside. It was obvious his daughter and little Hope were hungry.
“All right, Grace.” He looked to Laura. “Would you ladies like to join us for lunch?”
Grace pulled on Hope’s arms until she stood steadily on her feet. The two children looked up at Laura expectantly. Did she understand the children were waiting to go eat?
Laura grinned. “I see that I am outnumbered. We are going to go over to Miss Pearl’s for lunch. You and Grace are welcome to join us.” She picked up the ball of yarn Hope had been playing with and dropped it into her handbag. Then Laura scooped up Hope and swung the child on to her hip.
Grace tugged on his shirt. Clint lifted his daughter up and set her on his shoulders. “Then that sounds like a nice place for us to go, too. I’ve never eaten there. I usually do my business and get right back to the ranch.”
Mrs. Potter snorted. “Dinner is at six.” She left the room with her skirts swirling around her.
Clint followed Laura and Hope out the door. Why hadn’t Laura had lunch at the boardinghouse? Maybe the food wasn’t as good there as it was at Pearl’s.
He stepped into place beside Laura when she made room on the sidewalk for him. Grace giggled and chattered above his head. “She really is a talker, isn’t she?” Laura grinned up at Grace.
“That she is. I just wish I understood more of what she’s saying.” Clint patted the little girl’s leg. In return, she patted the top of his head.
Laura laughed.
Clint grinned. He had to admit that he’d not heard a woman’s rich laughter in a long time and to be honest, he’d missed the sound. His gaze moved about the town of Glory.
It was growing. Lumber and farmland were both plentiful, and men from all over were coming to Glory. The sound of hammers pounding a steady beat filled his ears as they passed the construction of the new hotel.
Laura stopped in front of the restaurant and opened the door for him to pass. He ducked low, so as not to hit Grace’s head. Once inside they were immediately greeted by a redheaded woman with green eyes and a rich Irish accent.
Clint pulled Grace from his shoulders and set her on the floor beside him. He held tight to the little girl’s hand and smiled at the lady. Grace chattered happily, probably telling him that this woman had an accent just like his housekeeper, Mrs. Murphy.
“Hello, Laura.” The woman reached out and touched Hope’s fine blond curls. “Who is this sweet little lamb?”
Laura’s lips tipped into a soft smile. “Pearl, I’d like you to meet Hope.”
“Hope?” Fine red eyebrows went up into the woman’s hairline. “Now that’s a pretty name.”
What was this? If Laura really was the schoolteacher, wouldn’t everyone know the child? Especially since this little girl was at least a year old? He’d assumed Hope was her daughter. Had he assumed wrong?
Laura smiled at her friend. “Yes, Hope. I’ll tell you more about her tomorrow morning. Maybe we can grab a cup of coffee and a sweet roll?”
Pearl looked to the handsome man standing beside Laura and nodded. “I would enjoy that.”
Confusion lined Clint’s forehead as he looked from her to Pearl. His gaze shifted to Hope and then back up to Laura. She sighed, knowing he had questions about the little girl who snuggled against her as if seeking assurance that she wasn’t going anywhere.
“If you two will follow me, I’ll get you a quiet corner in the back.” Pearl grabbed two menus and began leading the way.
Laura followed Pearl, aware that Clint and Grace followed her. She wondered how much Hope and Grace would understand when she explained Hope’s circumstances to the rancher.
Pearl stopped beside a small square table with four chairs and asked, “Is this all right?”
Clint nodded. He helped Grace into one of the chairs. Laura was aware of the muscles that worked across his shoulders as she helped Hope into her chair. She pulled her gaze away from him and focused on the place settings in front of her.
Pearl ran a respectable restaurant and made sure that each table had nice place settings. The linens were clean and the food always good.
Once they were seated, Pearl handed them menus. “Today’s
