by Arlene James
“Training exercise.”
“Oh. Wow.”
Kathryn pondered that as they walked through the wide church foyer and into the sanctuary. Perhaps half-full, with the congregants gathered near the front of the space, the long, bright hall with its pale woods and white, padded pews felt foreign to Kathryn. The last time she’d been here, the room had been dark and shadowy, making it much easier to slip in unnoticed. As they moved toward the front of the sanctuary, a tall, handsome, solidly built man with dark, curly hair stood and started up the aisle to greet them, a smile on his face. Jake got up and followed along behind him.
“You made it.”
“Kathryn was kind enough to come with me. Kathryn, this is my husband, Wyatt.”
Wyatt Smith put out his big hand and gave Kathryn’s a hearty shake. Like Jake, Wyatt had dark brown eyes and the shadow of a heavy beard on his square jaw and chin.
“Nice to meet you, Kathryn.”
Tina looked to Jake then smiled and said, “She’ll do.”
Before Kathryn could ponder that statement, the Billings sisters rushed up to greet Kathryn with exuberant hugs.
“It’s so good to see you!”
“KKay! How marvelous you look!”
Ann Billings swept a hand across the ends of Kathryn’s hair. “You used to have the longest, thickest ponytail I’ve ever seen.”
“All the boys called you Rapunzel,” Meri said, laughing.
“I remember,” Kathryn murmured, overwhelmed by the greeting.
The pastor entered through a door at the rear of the auditorium just then, and the piano started playing. Wyatt urged the women forward. “Better sit.”
Jake held out a hand. Kathryn nodded, smiling weakly at the Billings sisters, and quickly entered the pew. Jake followed, with Tina and Wyatt bringing up the rear.
“KKay?” Jake murmured into her ear. She crossed her arms to quell the shiver that rushed over her skin.
“An old nickname,” she whispered. “My middle name is Kay.”
“Ah.”
She sat down next to a big, muscle-bound man with sleek black hair and the dark Smith eyes and beard shadow. He nodded at her.
“My baby brother, Ryder,” Jake said softly. He placed a hand on her arm, saying to his brother, “Kathryn Stepp.”
At Jake’s touch, Kathryn again fought a shiver.
Ryder Smith smiled. “Hi.”
“Hello.”
Someone passed Ryder several papers then. He handed one to Kathryn and the rest to Jake, who passed them on. Glancing down, she saw a list of names and prayer requests. She’d requested prayers for her mother while Mia had languished in the hospital in Oklahoma City all those years ago. Would it have made a difference if she’d come to pray in person?
After the music, the pastor said a few words then prayed not only for those on the printed list but also for those who turned in request cards that evening. After the pastor, others began to pray aloud. Kathryn kept her head down, but every second she felt Jake’s warm presence at her elbow. Again, she wondered if she’d offended him earlier by initially refusing to attend this meeting. She should’ve explained how uncomfortable big groups of strangers made her.
As the service came to a close, she glanced around her while waiting to exit the pew. She didn’t know the current pastor, but to her surprise she knew quite a few of those present.
Tina was already at the door at the back of the sanctuary before Kathryn made it out to the aisle. Slipping around Jake, Kathryn quickly followed the other woman.
The Billings sisters waylaid her again in the foyer, chatting about the changes in their lives. Both had married and borne children. Their husbands soon joined them, little ones in tow. Kathryn looked on with sharp, silent envy. Meri commented on the bag that Kathryn carried, but before Kathryn could reply, something hit her from the side so hard that she stumbled. Out of nowhere, Jake steadied her, his hands at her shoulders.
“Frankie!” he scolded. “You nearly bowled her over.”
Kathryn felt the boy’s arms hugging her even as she looked down.
“I sorwy,” he said, his eyes huge in his little face.
Smiling, Kathryn smoothed his dark, shaggy hair. “No harm done. Hello again.”
He grinned at her. “Hello.”
“KKay has an admirer,” Meri observed, chuckling.
Frankie’s brow wrinkled. “KKay?”
“It’s an old nickname,” Kathryn told him. “Something my friends used to call me.”
“KKay my fren!” Frankie announced.
Chuckling, Kathryn said, “Yes. We’re friends.”
Conversation continued for several more minutes. Terribly aware of Jake at her back, Kathryn struggled to pay attention, saying little. Finally, the Billings sisters and their families began to leave. Glancing around, Kathryn realized with a start that only she, Jake and Frankie remained. When had Tina left?
“Come on,” Jake said, his hand against the small of her back. “We’ll take you home.”
Kathryn tried not to tremble at his touch or look into his eyes for fear he would see how he affected her. Instead, she simply allowed him to escort her from the building, Frankie at his side.
“What did you think of Tina?” he asked, pointing to his truck.
“She’s nice. I like her.”
“I talked to her about you. If you’re interested, we have a place for you at Loco Man.”
Shocked, Kathryn came to a halt, bleating, “Wha-a-t?”
“A job,” Jake explained. “Tina’s got her hands full with her son and the B and B.” Stopping in his tracks, he turned to face Kathryn. Beside them, Frankie listened to the conversation with interest.
Kathryn shook her head. “B and B? As in bed-and-breakfast?”
“That’s right. She’s planned to turn the ranch house into a bed-and-breakfast ever since Uncle Dodd left it to her.”
Kathryn shook her head again, confused. “I—I thought he left the place to you and your brothers.”
“He left the ranch to me and my brothers. The house is Tina’s. But it’s 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.
Chapter Four
As Jake walked her up the steps to the back door, Kathryn could hear Tina admonishing someone.
“I told you to get that off the table.”
“Aww, Mo-o-m,” came the whining reply. “We’re still playing.”
Frankie’s little voice echoed the complaint. “We still playin’.”
Jake reached around Kathryn and shoved open the door, hurrying her inside and following, right at her back.
“Francis Jacoby Smith,” he barked, “apologize to your aunt Tina this minute.”
Startled, Frankie paused, his hand on a tiny bright red car that he was pushing through a jumble of small toys on the terra-cotta tile tabletop. His eyes big and bright, Frankie looked to his aunt.
“I sorwy, Aunt Tina.”
Tyler also apologized, bowing his strawberry blond head. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Thank you, boys. Just clear away the toys, please.”
Tyler got up and grabbed a plastic tub, while Frankie, beaming now, waved at Kathryn and called out, “Hi, KKay!”
She returned his smile. “Hello, Frankie.”
The boys raked the toys off the table into the tub.
“Now upstairs with you two until lunch is ready,” Tina ordered. “March.”
Frankie got down from his chair, and the two boys ran toward the front of the house, jostling the tub between them. Tina turned to smile at Kathryn.
“Welcome to Loco Man.”
A pot simmering on the stove punctuated that statement by beginning to boil over. Tina rushed to turn down the burner before checking the contents. Kathryn ventured closer, recognizing the black-eyed peas and ham cooking in the pot. What captured her attention, however, was the stove.
“I’ve never seen anything like your range.”
“That’s because they don’t make them like this anymore,” Tina told her proudly. “Six burners, three ovens and storage. Our grandmothers sure knew how to do it, didn’t they?”
“But it looks brand-new,” Kathryn said in surprise.
Tina waved a potholder at Jake. “You can thank him for that.”
Jake chuckled. “Now, if I could just cook, I’d be of some real help around here.”
“I can cook,” Kathryn said quickly. “I like to cook.”
Tina smiled. “In that case, mind breading some okra? I never seem to get it right. I just wind up fouling my frying oil.”
“No problem,” Kathryn said, aware that she was likely being evaluated and hoping her voice didn’t waver too much.
Tina opened a drawer and took out an apron, passing it to Kathryn. “I’m going to watch you do it so I’ll know how.”
Kathryn’s hands shook at first, but she’d worked in enough strange kitchens under watchful eyes to manage. Tina had already poured oil into a large skillet and washed and cut the okra pods into bite-size pieces. Now she heated the oil as Kathryn w
orked.
“So it’s three-fourths flour and a quarter cornmeal,” Tina noted a few minutes later as she dropped the okra into the frying pan.
More relaxed now, Kathryn shyly gave her a piece of advice. “The key to breading just about anything is to dust it with flour before dredging it in the egg. Then you can coat it evenly with your breading. One of my elderly clients clued me in.”
“There you are,” Tina quipped. “The older generation does know best.”
They both laughed. Only when she turned did Kathryn realize that Jake was leaning against the table, watching. That both pleased and unnerved her. She found her feelings toward him to be terribly confusing. As a girl, she’d liked certain boys and had even harbored a few fantasies, but she’d never really been attracted to anyone. Then again, she’d never before known a man like Jake. As if sensing her discomfort, he lurched to his feet.
“Think I’ll check on the boys.”
Tina bowed her head, a small smile curving her lush lips. Kathryn felt plain and spare next to Tina, but at least she wasn’t uncomfortable around this particular Smith. In fact, she’d meant it when she’d told Jake that she liked Tina.
At Tina’s direction, Kathryn helped prepare the remainder of the meal. When Wyatt came in to kiss his wife and clean up, Kathryn busied herself setting the table. Ryder arrived just moments later, brushing white dust from his shoulders and his hair.
“That’s usually my job,” he said to Kathryn, grinning. “Does this mean I’m off kitchen detail permanently?”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Kathryn murmured hesitantly, glancing at Tina, who rolled her eyes at Ryder.
“Leave the woman alone. She’s cooked half your meal. Now you’re asking her to take over your measly kitchen chores.”
Ryder just grinned and went to the refrigerator for a huge pitcher of iced tea. “If she can hang drywall, I’ll gladly trade my job for hers.”
“As a cook, your drywall-hanging skills are exceptional,” Tina quipped dryly.
Chuckling, Wyatt said to Kathryn, “Truth is, Tina’s been doing just about everything around here on her own, and it’s held up her plans for the B and B.”