all worked out for everyone. The thing is, Tina could use some help, and you seem well qualified. You cook, right?”
“Why, yes.”
“And you clean.”
“Of course.”
“And you obviously sew and like to decorate. Tina’s at the decorating stage now, and she won’t rent rooms until she has the house looking like she wants it. Oh, and I might ask you to watch Frankie. I dump him on her too often. When I have to take him along with me, he misses naps and playtime.”
Kathryn tried to wrap her mind around this. “You want me to cook, clean, help Tina open a bed-and-breakfast and watch your son. Is that right?”
“That about covers it.”
“But why?”
“I told you. Tina needs the help. And Frankie thinks you’re great. If you can watch him at least some of the time, it’ll free me up to work on your car. Seems like a win for everyone.”
Kathryn tried to formulate a reply, but her mind was reeling. Had that conversation on the ride here with Tina been a kind of job interview? Did she dare work for Jake Smith and his family? She could cook and clean, no problem, but as for the rest, she just didn’t know. Despite her need for income, her natural caution wouldn’t allow her to accept without thinking through this offer.
They reached the truck. Jake picked up Frankie and settled him into his seat while Kathryn let herself into the cab. Suddenly so burdened with concern that she felt on the verge of tears, Kathryn couldn’t speak. In the charged atmosphere, even Frankie remained silent on the drive to her house. She just kept wondering how this had happened.
She’d liked her job. All three of her clients were sweet, harmless, elderly folk, and she knew she’d made positive differences in their lives. What did she know about children? As adorable as Frankie was, she had no experience with little ones, boys especially. And the idea of seeing Jake on a daily basis made her insides quake.
The man rattled her in ways she couldn’t even describe. He’d hit her life with all the force of a whirlwind, a tall, dark, handsome whirlwind that somehow threatened to blow her careful, tidy existence to pieces. Everything familiar and comfortable in her life had disappeared since she’d met him.
Everything but her home. She still had that. For now. Without income, she’d never be able to fix her car, let alone buy out her father.
When Jake and Frankie dropped her off at home, Jake said, “Just think about it.”
Nodding, she let herself out of the truck and trudged inside to consider her options. She made a list of all the businesses in town within walking distance, but she already knew that those employed locally tended to hang on to their jobs. Calling other home care companies in the area would do no good. They’d all require proof of transportation, just as her last employer had. So it was sit at home for weeks without pay until Jake Smith got her old car running, and then hope she could get hired on with the agency again. Or accept his job offer. Seemed odd to let him pay her so she could afford to pay him for fixing her car, but she didn’t see any other choice.
Despite her emotional exhaustion, she slept little that night and rose early the next morning to prepare herself to accept the job at Loco Man Ranch. With no idea when Jake—or Tina—might reach out to her again, she made a second cup of coffee and carried it out to the porch where she sat and waited, long enough that she finally resorted to prayer.
Lord, can’t anything ever be easy? Can’t You help? Are You even there? What if Jake’s thought better of hiring me? What if I never get my car running and lose my house? I don’t understand what’s happening. I’m afraid.
She was so tired of being afraid.
With the temperature climbing to an uncomfortable level, she decided to go inside, but before she could get up, she heard the sound of tires on pavement and looked around to see a familiar olive-green truck turning into her drive. Correction, army green. So great was her relief that she feared collapsing if she tried to stand, and that kept her in her seat as Jake got out and came to her. Without a word, he crouched in front of her and pushed back the brim of his hat before removing his sunshades. Offering her a swift smile, he balanced his forearms atop his knees.
“You really should give me your phone number,” she said crisply, foregoing a greeting and keeping her gaze on his chin. The man was just too handsome.
As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, he dropped his head. She suspected that he was hiding a grin, but when he looked up, he appeared perfectly composed.
“I can do that. We’ll need yours, of course. Meanwhile, Tina would like for you to join us for lunch. She’ll show you around the house and give you a feel for what needs doing.”
Kathryn pulled in a deep breath, ignoring the way her heart sped up when his deep brown eyes met her gaze. “You should understand two things. One, I know nothing about children. Two, as soon as you get my car running again, I’ll find a real job.”
“You’ll do fine with the kids,” he said. “You’re careful and protective. Besides, in case of an emergency, there are four other adults around the place. And this is a real job.”
“This is pity,” Kathryn scoffed softly, dropping her gaze, “however well intended.”
“No, no, no. Tina really needs the help. The duties are many and varied. Once the B and B opens, I suspect she’ll even want you to help with the guests.”
That surprised Kathryn. Didn’t he see how uncomfortable she was dealing with strangers? “Oh, I’m not sure I’m cut out for that.”
“How will you know if you don’t try?” he cajoled gently. “You might surprise yourself. Anyone who can do what you did for your mother ought to be able to manage just about anything.”
Obviously, Tina had reported their conversation to him. Kathryn found, to her surprise, that she didn’t much mind, especially given the sound of respect in his voice.
“We’ll see.”
“Then you’ll take the job?”
“Yes. And thank you.”
“No need for that.” He pushed up to a standing position and slid his glasses back into place before tugging down the brim of his hat. “We need the help. You need the job. It’s that simple.”
It might be that simple for him, but Kathryn wasn’t so sure about her own part in this. Oh, why did he have to be so handsome and generous? She rose and squared her shoulders, preparing for an uncomfortable day.
Eventually, she told herself, she’d lose this strange, hopeless attraction. Meanwhile, she’d have income. Then, once her car was repaired, she could put as much distance as necessary between herself and Jacoby Smith.
Please, God, she prayed. Let it be soon.
Hopefully before she made a complete fool of herself.
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