Morning slid over the ranch like warm butter. Josiah climbed to the wagon seat and flicked the reins. Rena tossed her head as if she disapproved of the errand, and the act drew a nervous chuckle from Josiah’s throat. Pop hadn’t quirked a whisker last night when he heard Josiah’s plan. Said he’d give up his room and sleep in the barn if it helped. A harebrained idea for sure, but Josiah was short on time and options, and every minute he delayed was a minute gone.
In full light of day, it seemed a fool’s errand. Less than a hundred people lived in Ford Junction, and precious few were women. How many of them looked to hire out as a ranch cook, housekeeper, and—? He snorted. Couldn’t say “mother,” but that was exactly what he needed for his children. Jess, in particular. But he’d not jump hog-blind into matrimony. Besides, he’d never convince any gal alive to marry him today. No, he had a better chance at hiring one for the summer. For room and board, of course. And, since he was short on funds now, a gentled four-year-old come fall.
Josiah reached town just after the train and stopped in front of the mercantile. Coal-steamed air hung over the buildings, and passengers trailed along from the depot platform to Main Street. He set the brake and walked inside to Hobson’s surprise.
If anyone knew everyone, it was the storekeep. But after ten minutes, they had only two names: Abigail Ward and the Widow Lawton. Josiah snorted again. Preacher Ward’s daughter was all of fourteen and the widow was eighty if she was a day.
“Schoolmarm married last winter, I’m sure you know.” Hobson looked out the window. “Or you could ask her.”
Josiah pulled off his hat and scrubbed his hair back. “Any barbers move to town while I was gone?”
Hobson mirrored his movement, smoothing his balding pate. “Not that I know of. Though the dentist across the way has been known to try his hand at a few things besides fixing a fella’s talk box.”
Josiah reset his hat, tucked his thoughts underneath.
The storekeep’s ruddy cheeks reddened further, and he cleared his throat and looked out the windows again. “His sister-in-law, Corra Jameson—you, uh, met her yesterday—she’s single, as I mentioned before, and not under any obligation that I could tell. Other than helping at the boardinghouse.”
Did the man read minds? Josiah rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “I’ll take two peppermint sticks.”
Hobson wrapped the candy in brown paper and handed it to him.
Josiah laid a coin on the counter. “Appreciate your silence on the matter.”
The man bobbed his head. “Good luck.” The bell over the door agreed as Josiah walked outside, warmer than when he’d walked in. He ran a finger between his collar and skin and crossed the street. Swallowed hard. Stepped onto the porch and knocked.
Corra Jameson came to the door, surprise flitting across her face. “Good morning, Mr. Hanacker. Do come in.”
She gestured to the parlor. “If you would care to wait, I’ll see if Dr. Baxter is available.”
“That won’t be necessary, Miss Jameson. It’s you I came to see.”
Corra stared up at meadow-green eyes. He knew her name? No doubt Mr. Hobson had something to do with that. She pried her feet from the floor and moved into the parlor, indicated a sturdy velvet-covered chair for the rancher, and then settled on the settee. “I can assure you, Mr. Hanacker, I do not fix teeth.” Though she could fix the unruly mop that fell in his eyes when he doffed his hat.
He filled the chair, his shoulders hiding the elegantly carved and cushioned back. Corra folded her hands and searched for a plausible cause for his visit. Letty was the one who had entertained gentlemen callers, not Corra. What could Mr. Hanacker possibly want with her?
He coughed and cleared his throat repeatedly until she felt amiss at not offering refreshment. As she made to stand, he found his voice.
“I’m looking for an upstanding woman to come to the ranch for the summer to cook for my family and help my daughter learn to be a lady.”
Straightforward, she’d give him that. But did he say daughter? “Yesterday you rode by with two cowboys. Neither of them looked to be a girl.”
A reddish tint seeped across his tanned face. “Jess—Jessica—flanked the herd on the far side.” He squared himself, almost defensively. “She’s a good hand and rides as well as any man.”
Dear Lord! A young girl driving cattle? What kind of man treated his daughter like a hired hand? Letty’s words rolled back to Corra, reminding her he was a widower. Her jumbled thoughts crashed in upon each other and she spoke the first one that hit her tongue. “What about the schoolmistress in the fall? Could she not help?”
A determined shake of his head. “Jess’s aunt, my wife’s sister, is coming in September. Threatens to take Jess with her if the girl’s ways don’t meet with her approval.” His eyes locked on Corra’s, and her heart skipped two complete beats.
“Horses and cattle are all I know, ma’am.” He swallowed, and his jaw tightened around a rough whisper. “I cannot lose my baby girl.” He shoved his shoulders back. “So if you know a woman who’d come out to the ranch for the summer and help my Jess, I’d be much obliged. She’d have a private room in the house and a gentled horse of her own to take home in the fall.”
“A horse?”
“A horse.”
“What would this woman do with a horse?”
His mouth twitched. “Ride it. Sell it.”
Corra ran her index finger along the still-red quick torn yesterday, rehearsing again what Letty had told her and scrutinizing the odd sensation that thrust itself into her chest.
“What of a beef?”
His brows pinched momentarily until he realized what she was doing. “I could throw in a side.”
Letty could use that beef come fall, with all the mouths she’d have to feed. Corra stilled her fingers and raised her chin. “Two sides would make the offer more appealing.”
The rancher studied her with a narrowed look then heaved a sigh that tugged on his shoulders. “Fair.”
“Well then.” She braced herself. “I will do it.”
He straightened, and his mouth curved up on one side then broke into a grin. He stood and offered his hand in a gentleman’s agreement.
Corra sat stock-still. “On one condition.”
His eyes slitted, and he slowly sank to the chair as if sizing her up for battle. “And that might be?”
“You must bring the children and me to town for church on Sundays.”
He waited, measuring her grit, no doubt. But she’d not avert her gaze. She would test his mettle here and now before she got in over her head.
“Done.” He offered his hand again, and this time she stood and extended her own. His strength flooded through her like his cattle had the town. Releasing her fingers, he hesitated and fumbled with his hat. Corra tucked in her breath and steeled herself for the next surprise.
“Can you be ready today?”