Emma Jean brushed at her skirt nervously, then squared her shoulders, her green eyes reflecting determination. “Mr. Flynn, I’m wondering if I might speak to you about a business matter.”
Not the opening he’d expected. “If you’re looking to reopen your line of credit, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Her cheeks reddened but she shook her head. “That’s not why I’m here.” She took a deep breath. “I understand you’re looking for someone to take care of that young’un you’ve taken in.”
His temper ratcheted up a notch. She couldn’t be serious. “And you think you’re the person for the job?” He’d as soon hire the town drunk.
He thought again about her profiting from her father’s thieving. She’d had the gall to flaunt it with the purchase of a fancy loom that arrived the day after they laid Lanny to rest. It was like a slap in the face to him and the rest of the town.
If it was money she needed, let her collect on the reward he’d offered for the capture of the low-down snake of a man that was her father.
Emma Jean winced at his biting tone. She’d known this wasn’t going to be easy, but she’d hoped it would at least be civil.
She’d paused on the threshold because of her surprise at the changes in Sawyer. She hadn’t been to the mercantile since that awful day last summer, so she hadn’t seen him up close in that time. He still had the same brown hair, the same ruggedly square jaw, those piercing dark brown eyes, and the small scar on his chin. But the easy manner, the friendly smile and openness were gone. There were lines etched in his face that hadn’t been there just four months ago. He looked tired, but more than that, he looked closed off and bitter. Chalk up another victim of her pa’s crime.
Was the hardness in his eyes when he looked at her a part of him now, or was it reserved just for Gilleys?
Regardless, she had no choice but to press on.
She lifted her chin and played the only card she had. “I do. For one thing, I won’t charge you any money for my time.”
Instead of softening his demeanor, her words just seemed to make him angrier. “You honestly think money is my main consideration for who I hire to watch over AJ?” His eyes narrowed and his voice hardened. “I don’t count cost when it comes to family.”
That arrow hit its mark as well. It put the specter of Lanny between them, just as he’d no doubt intended. “I understand that. Because neither do I.” She wanted to shout at him I am not my father. But she needed him to feel sympathetic enough to give her the job. Her and Henry’s future could very well depend on it.
His expression remained hard, unmoving and his eyes seemed to bore holes into her. “It doesn’t matter. I—”
She interrupted before he could turn her down. “You haven’t heard my offer yet. I’ll not only take care of the little one as if he were my own, I’ll also do your cooking and cleaning, and whatever other household chores you want me to. In return, all I ask is that you let me and Henry eat from your larder and that you let Henry sleep at your home.” Please, please accept my offer.
But his expression hadn’t softened. “I’m actually looking for someone who can also spend the nights taking care of AJ so I can get some sleep.”
Her heart dropped. “You know it wouldn’t be proper for me to stay over at your place after dark.” Though she supposed her reputation was the least of her worries right now.
He raised a brow. “I do. So this discussion is over.”
Emma Jean wanted to growl out her frustration but instead worked to keep her expression and tone even. “Not necessarily. I may not be able to spend the night, but I assure you there’s no one who will take better care of that little boy during the day than I will, and no one who will work harder for you.”
He studied her a moment and something in his expression shifted, though he certainly didn’t look any less determined. “Tell me, Miss Gilley, why do you really want this job? Seems to me you’re trying just a little too hard to insert yourself where you’re not wanted.”
She had no choice but to be honest. What little pride she had left wasn’t worth holding on to at the expense of finding work. “Because if you don’t, I’m not sure Henry and I will last through the winter.”
He raised a brow at that, obviously unconvinced. “I didn’t know your pa’s leaving would create such a big hole in your finances.”
She refused to look away, regardless of the humiliation. “All my laundry customers have taken their business elsewhere, our cow died, and I had to sell the hog to pay the debts Pa left behind.” She didn’t mention the root cause, but they both knew why she’d lost those customers.
He had the grace to look slightly taken aback by that. But he recovered quickly. “That has nothing to do with me.”
“I never said it did, and I certainly don’t blame you.” She was all too aware of where the blame lay. “I know you lost your brother, and that’s a terrible loss to bear. I liked Lanny—he wouldn’t hurt so much as a gnat and always had a smile for everyone.” She took a breath. “If you need someone to blame besides Pa, go right ahead and blame me—I’m not sure I wouldn’t feel the same if it had been Henry who got shot.” She channeled her frustration into the hands fisted at her sides. “But Henry is only ten and he deserves better than to suffer for this.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment and she tried to read his expression, but it didn’t give anything away.
Finally he spoke up. “Even so, why should I let your brother spend his nights at my place? That just gives me two kids to take care of instead of one.”
Did that mean he was actually considering her petition? Feeling suddenly hopeful, she answered quickly. “No it doesn’t. Just the opposite in fact. I can teach Henry to help with the baby at night. He’s pretty quick, and he’d be a help to you for sure.”
That earned her a skeptical look. “You don’t honestly expect me to believe a ten-year-old boy can take care of a baby.”
She didn’t answer directly. “From what you just said, it doesn’t sound like you got much sleep last night. And I reckon a large part of that was likely because you were worried that if you dozed off, you might not hear AJ if he needed you.” Was that a flicker of acknowledgment in his expression? “So no, Henry won’t be able to take care of AJ all by himself, but having him sit with the baby at night might just allow you to relax enough to get some sleep yourself.”
She only hoped Henry wouldn’t be too upset with the role she was assigning him.
Every inch of Sawyer’s fiber rebelled at the thought of doing business with a Gilley. Just looking at her reminded him of her father and all the vile things he’d done, not the least of which was murdering Lanny. The very idea of having her and her brother in his home as daily reminders tied knots in his gut.
But there was a tiny niggling voice in his head that reasoned Emma Jean and Henry shouldn’t be held accountable for their father’s actions. He hadn’t realized they were in such dire straits, hadn’t really cared to know. He’d figured the Gilleys stayed away from the mercantile because they felt guilty, and he’d been just fine with that. It never occurred to him that it might be because she had no funds to buy anything.
He realized now that she was quite a bit thinner than the last time he’d seen her up close. In fact, her large moss-green eyes almost overwhelmed her face now.
Then again, she had bought that expensive-looking loom right after her father hightailed it out of town. So she’d had access to funds of some sort. She should have handled her money more wisely. Unless she figured her pa would send her more and the man had hornswoggled her as well.
As he’d said, it wasn’t any of his concern. Still, that little niggling voice of his conscience asked if not him, then who?
“Tomorrow is Sunday,” he said finally. “You and Henry come by my place after lunch and we’ll talk about this some more.”
Some of the tension he’d sensed in her seemed to ease. “Thank you. You won’t regret it—you’ll see.”
&n
bsp; Her gratitude set his back up. “Miss Gilley, I only agreed to talk. I didn’t guarantee you the job. In fact, the reverend’s wife is looking into possible candidates for the job as we speak. If she comes up with someone, which I fully expect, I’ll more than likely go with her choice.”
The red crawled up into her cheeks again. “Of course. I understand and I appreciate your giving me a chance. We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
After she’d made her exit, Sawyer remained standing at the counter, rubbing the side of his jaw. Why had he done that? It was cruel to give her hope when he had absolutely no intention of hiring her.
But she’d looked so vulnerable, so ready-to-face-her-fear determined, that for just a moment he’d felt himself soften.
Then he shook his head. It was undoubtedly just lack of sleep.
Which meant he needed to get busy and find someone who would serve the purpose. The Shultz family would be heading out on Monday, and after last night he was more sure than ever that he couldn’t manage that young’un on his own.
Besides, he was counting on the detective he’d hired to find a maternal relative of AJ’s soon. So it was better if the baby didn’t form any kind of attachment to him.
Or vice versa.
Not that there was any danger of that happening.
Having close family felt good, but it was too painful when those bonds were severed.
Chapter 8
“Oh, what a fine baby you have there.”
“I do believe he has your eyes.”
“Coochy-coochy-coo.”
Sawyer, self-consciously holding AJ, did his best not to roll his eyes as every female in the churchyard tried to coo over the baby.
Mr. and Mrs. Shultz had taken it as a given this morning that Sawyer would be going to church service with them. So, feeling like a kid under his mother’s watchful eye, he’d acquiesced without protest.
He was rethinking that decision now.
“What a dear little boy,” Edna Mulligan said. “You must be so happy to have someone new in your life to fill the void Lanny left.”
Sawyer stiffened. As if his brother could be replaced like a torn shirt or broken wagon wheel. It took all his effort to keep a pleasant expression on his face.
Mrs. Shultz touched his arm. “Perhaps we should go inside now and take a seat.”
Had the woman noticed his reaction? Or was she just as tired of all the unwanted attention as he was? Whatever the case, Sawyer gave a relieved nod and quickly ushered them inside and to a pew near the back of the church.
As he waited for the service to start, Sawyer realized that Miss Gilley had been noticeably absent from the group fawning over AJ. In fact, as he looked around, he noted that she and her brother weren’t even present. Were they not churchgoers?
It wasn’t until the choir stood to sing the opening hymn that he heard the church door open and spied the pair quietly slipping inside and sliding into the back pew. He tried to remember if this was something new or if they made a habit of arriving at the last minute, but for the life of him he couldn’t recall.
Then the service started and Sawyer divided his efforts between paying attention to the preacher and trying to keep AJ quiet.
Fortunately, AJ was unexpectedly well-behaved during most of the service. He started fussing about halfway through, but Mrs. Shultz calmly passed Sawyer AJ’s rag doll, and as soon as the infant spotted it, his fussing turned to contented gurgling. Sawyer felt self-conscious. Not only was he holding a baby but now he was entertaining him with a rag doll. But the only looks sent their way were indulgent ones.
There was one good thing about his having charge of AJ though. It kept him from falling asleep during the service and embarrassing himself. He hadn’t gotten any more sleep last night than he had the night before, even though he’d found and set up the crib for the babe to sleep in.
When the service finally ended, Sawyer stood, ready to make his exit. As he turned, he glanced to the back where the Gilleys had been seated, then frowned at the vacant seats. When had they left?
Pushing that question aside, he made his way into the aisle, enduring the indulgent smiles of those near him.
As usual, Reverend Martin stood on the church steps, ready to greet the congregants as they filed out. Sawyer introduced the Shultzes, keeping a hand on AJ’s back.
Reverend Martin extended his hand with a broad smile. “Welcome to Dewberry. It was very good of you to take care of the baby and deliver him safely to Sawyer.”
“It was a duty we were pleased to undertake,” Mr. Shultz said solemnly. “A child should be with family.”
Was that a jab at his less than enthusiastic reception?
Mrs. Shultz’s smile countered her husband’s dour expression. “We are just happy to know that little Aaron will be in such good hands.”
The reverend nodded. “I’m sure Sawyer intends to do right by the boy.”
Uncomfortable with the conversation, Sawyer gave the reverend a polite nod and quickly ushered his little group out into the churchyard. Then he turned to Mrs. Shultz. “If you don’t mind taking AJ and going on ahead, I need to speak to someone. I won’t be but a few minutes.”
“Of course.” But she didn’t reach for the baby as he’d expected. Instead, she gave him a firm look. “But you should keep Aaron with you. Remember our agreement.”
He smothered a grimace. “I remember, and I’m not trying to shirk my responsibilities. But AJ is like honeysuckle to bees when it comes to the ladies in this town. I can’t take two steps while holding him without one or more of them converging on us.”
As if to make his point, Mrs. Payne and her sister approached and immediately began gushing over AJ.
Mrs. Shultz met Sawyer’s gaze and gave him a barely perceptible nod as she reached for AJ. “If you ladies will excuse us, I need to get Aaron back home for his nap.”
Sawyer gratefully relinquished the baby and gave the ladies an apologetic smile. “And if you’ll pardon me as well, I need to have a word with Mrs. Martin.”
As the ladies drifted away, he scanned the grounds for the reverend’s wife. Then he remembered that, as the pianist, she was usually one of the last to make her exit. Quickly moving back inside, he spotted her putting away her sheet music.
She smiled when she noted his presence. “Oh, Mr. Flynn, there you are. I was hoping to catch you before you got away.”
He paused a few feet away. “I hope that means you have good news for me.” Having another candidate for the job would make it that much easier to tell Miss Gilley her services were not needed.
But the woman shook her head. “Well, not exactly.”
What did not exactly mean?
“I thought of three women who fit your criteria. First, there’s Alice Moffett.”
Sawyer knew the woman—she was a widow who’d raised four kids of her own, and since she was in her midsixties she wouldn’t raise even the strictest stickler’s eyebrows. “She would be perfect.”
“Yes, but unfortunately she’s in Jefferson visiting her daughter and won’t be back for another ten days.”
Definitely too long for him to wait. “Who else?”
“There’s Hermione Stern. She has similar qualifications, but she sprained her wrist yesterday falling off a step stool and will probably take a week or two to heal.”
Sawyer mentally groaned. “And the third candidate?”
“The last person I came up with is Velma Boggs.”
Sawyer’s brow wrinkled. “She’s a spinster. Do you think she can handle taking care of a baby?” Though he really wasn’t in a position to be too picky.
“She was the town’s schoolteacher for nearly thirty years, so I think she’ll manage just fine.”
Schoolmarms didn’t handle infants though. “Let me guess, she’s not available at the moment either.”
The reverend’s wife gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’m afraid not. She is in the middle of a gardening project that she doesn’t want to aban
don right now. She said she should wrap it up in a week or so.”
“And there’s no one else available?”
“I’m sorry Sawyer, not someone who both meets your specific needs and that I would trust long term with an infant’s care. If you want to look for a younger woman to watch the baby during the day, I can find you any number of very qualified ladies.”
Sawyer shuddered at the idea of spending another week of nights like the past two. There had to be another way. He met Mrs. Martin’s gaze. “What’s your opinion of Emma Jean Gilley and her brother?”
The woman blinked in surprise, and for a moment her expression reflected confusion. Then she nodded. “Well, since you asked my opinion, I think Emma Jean’s a fine young lady who’s done the best she can for herself and her brother in a terrible situation.”
A fine young lady? “A lot of folks around here think she knows where her pa is hiding out.”
The reverend’s wife gave him a probing look. “Do you?”
“It’s crossed my mind.”
“And you’re still considering hiring her?”
“I didn’t say that.” He was sorry now that he’d brought her name up.
She gave him a probing look. “I think if you hired her to watch AJ for you during the day, you’d have absolutely no cause to worry about his care.” She tilted her head, studying him. “You didn’t exactly deny it a moment ago. Are you considering her for the post?”
He shrugged. “She approached me yesterday about the position, but I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
“That must have taken quite a bit of courage on her part. And desperation.” Was there censure in the look she gave him?
Ready to put an end to the discussion, Sawyer made a noncommittal response, then bid her goodbye. As he made his way back to his home, he mulled over her words.
Courage? He hadn’t really picked up on that when he’d spoken to Emma Jean yesterday, though he had noted the desperation part. Had his own anger blinded him?
Prior to that day in July, he’d considered Emma Jean a good person. She’d been kind to Lanny, pleasant in her dealings at the mercantile, and she let her little brother know she expected him to be respectful of others. Truth to tell, he’d begun looking forward to her trips to the mercantile this past year or so. And Lanny sure lit up around her.
Sawyer (Bachelors And Babies Book 6) Page 4