He shook his head.
“Did you see the fire, and how the irons in it turned red-hot?” Oliver nodded, and he continued. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, those can hurt you real bad. Gib, Dusty, Slim, and I have all been doing that for a lot of years. We work together. We know how to do the job without getting hurt. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
The boy shook his head again.
Jarrod sighed, then drew the soapy sponge over the child’s chest. He was pleased to note that he’d filled out a lot since his arrival. At least something was going right.
“What don’t you understand?” He waited, but Oliver wouldn’t look up. “Are you not talking because I yelled at you?”
He nodded.
“Are you afraid of me, Oliver?” Negative shake. Well, that was something. “Did I hurt your feelings?” A nod. Now they were making some progress. “Because I yelled at you?” He shook his head. Jarrod’s shoulders slumped. “Oliver, I’m sorry I yelled. I’m sorry your feelings are hurt. But you’re gonna have to talk to me so we can work this out.”
The child scratched his nose but didn’t look up.
“I can’t guess what you’re thinking. You gotta tell me straight out, son.” Jarrod touched the boy’s chin with his finger, nudging it up until their gazes met. “What’s wrong?”
Oliver’s chin quivered. “Tom was helpin’.”
“Not with the branding. Tom was doing what I told him to do, watching and staying out of the way.”
“I saw him pick up one of them metal things.”
“That was a brand and it wasn’t hot. I asked him to fetch it for Dusty.”
“Oh.”
“Do you know why I got so mad, Oliver?”
“Because I branded the horses in the barn?”
That’s when Jarrod had hollered. “It wasn’t because you painted them. That will grow out and go away. It won’t harm the horses any. But you went in their stalls. If you had scared them, they might’ve kicked you, or bitten you.” He stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath. “You could’ve been hurt. Or worse.”
A spark of interest brightened Oliver’s eyes. “Were you worried?”
“Hell—I mean, heck yeah, I was worried.”
“Okay, then.” He smiled.
Jarrod blinked. “Okay?”
Oliver nodded, spreading a few drops of water. “Abby s’plained it to us. She said you get mad when you’re worried about us, ’Cuz you love us. She said if you didn’t love us, you wouldn’t get mad. So it’s okay.”
“I see.”
As easy as that, Jarrod thought. All he’d done was talk to the youngster, man to man. He grinned. Taking care of the kids wasn’t so hard. If he could be at the house more, he wouldn’t need a housekeeper to look after them.
According to Oliver, Abby had explained things to him. She had an answer for everything. Unfortunately, the answer she’d given to his job offer wasn’t the one he’d wanted. If she had been there today …
“Uncle Jarrod?” That was Katie. She sounded upset. The back door banged open and hit the wall as she came running inside. She ran into the bathing chamber. “Uncle Jarrod?”
“What’s wrong? Did you find Lily?”
She nodded. Worry darkened her green eyes. “She’s cryin’.”
“Is she hurt?”
“I dunno.”
“Why is she crying?”
“She said there’s blood.” Her lip trembled. “She says she’s dying. I don’t want Lily to die like Mama.”
9
Jarrod pulled Oliver out of the tub and wrapped a towel around him. He went down on one knee in front of Katie and gripped her upper arms. “Where’s Lily?”
The little girl sniffled. “By the swing. Behind the tree.”
“You stay with Oliver. Dry him off and help him get dressed.”
“Is Lily gonna die, Uncle Jarrod?”
“No.” He forced a smile. “Be a big girl and help your brother.”
“Don’t need any help,” Oliver said, then poked his thumb back in his mouth.
“You two stay out of trouble. I’m going to find Lily and see what’s the matter.”
“Yes, sir,” Katie said.
Jarrod walked out the back door and down the steps. The swing wavered slightly in the breeze. Just beyond it he saw a small bit of Lily’s calico skirt peeking out from behind the thick, gnarled trunk of an oak.
“Lily, what’s wrong?” he asked, moving beside her.
She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. Bending her head forward, she refused to look at him. Her shoulders shook and gasping sobs echoed beneath the canopy of trees.
Jarrod hunkered down beside her, wanting to make it better. “Katie said you’re bleeding. Honey, you need to tell me where so I can help you.”
She shook her head. He couldn’t see her face, but her neck was red. If only Abby were here. She never seemed to lose patience.
Frustrated and annoyed, he gripped her shoulders. “Dammit, Lily. Look at me.”
She lifted her tear-streaked face and turned red-rimmed eyes up to his. Except for her blotchy cheeks, she looked all right to him. “I’m dying, Uncle Jarrod.”
He quickly scanned her from head to toe. She looked fine, at least what he could see of her. “Don’t be silly.”
A fresh batch of tears filled her green eyes. She started to say something, then shut her mouth.
“Lily, you have to talk to me. If you don’t, how can I help you?”
“You can’t. No one can. I’m dying. Just like Mama.”
Jarrod couldn’t believe that was true. He couldn’t detect any blood on her clothes or her skin. If she was bleeding, it was someplace he couldn’t see. Someplace private. A light dawned in his thick male brain.
“Lily, I have to ask you something. Was the blood on your drawers? Between your legs?” He forced a calmness to his voice.
Lily gasped, turned bright red, and buried her face against her upraised knees.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He let out a long breath as he looked up at the interconnecting branches of the oaks above him. He searched for the words to explain to her what was happening to her body. “Honey, did your mama tell you about what happens to a girl when she becomes a woman?”
“I’m not gonna live long enough to become a woman.”
Her words were muffled and unsteady. “You’re not dying. I swear.”
She was silent for a moment, then tipped her head to the side as she stared at him through one eye. “How do you know?”
“Have you had your monthly?” Of course she hasn’t, you knothead, he told himself. If she had, she wouldn’t be hysterical now. He just didn’t know how else to start this conversation. If he had ever doubted before, this just proved once again how much he needed Abby.
“What’s that?”
“When a girl becomes a woman, her body prepares to have babies.” Oh, Lord. This was a can of worms he didn’t want to open in the worst way. “When she’s married, of course.”
“I don’t understand.” She was looking at him straight on now.
“That’s because I’m not telling it real well. Don’t you worry, though.” He took a deep breath. “There’s nothing wrong with you that’s not supposed to be happening.”
Never in his born days had he ever thought to have a conversation like this.
“What’s a monthly?” she asked
“It’s like a bird building a nest.”
“Huh?”
“Have you ever watched a mama bird gather sticks and bits of whatever she can find? She picks out a real nice, safe tree and puts all that stuff together into a little nest, then lays her eggs in it?”
“What does that have to do with a monthly?”
“I’m getting to that.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “A woman’s body becomes like a nest—a safe, warm place where a baby can grow.”
“Why am I bleeding?” she asked, starting to tear up
again.
“Don’t cry, honey. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The blood is just your body’s way of building a place for a baby. When you bleed, it means there’s no baby this month.”
Thank the Lord. That was another whole conversation he didn’t want to have.
“When will it stop? Will I bleed to death? I don’t understand.” She started to cry again.
Jarrod pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. “It will stop in a few days. Believe me. Just don’t cry. This is normal. You’re becoming a woman.”
“I don’t w-want to be a woman. I don’t want to bleed. I want my m-mama.” Her body shook with uncontrollable sobs. “I w-want Abby.”
In her room, Abby had just finished washing up for supper. She set her hand towel beside the pitcher and basin on the pine dresser.
There was a loud knock on her door. She opened it, surprised to see Jarrod with Lily beside him.
“What’s wrong?” Abby asked, holding the door wide.
“Nothing—” Jarrod said.
“Everything,” Lily blurted out.
They both spoke at the same time as they entered the room. Lily stood beside the bed with her uncle next to her.
Abby shut the door, then looked carefully at Lily. “What is it, sweetie?”
“I’m bleeding. Uncle Jarrod says there’s a nest inside me, but I’m not having a b-baby.” She sniffled.
Abby shook her head and looked at Jarrod. “What did you tell her?”
“She started her monthly and thought she was dying. I just explained what’s happening to her.”
“Oh, Lily.” Abby put her hand on the girl’s knee. “I’m so sorry you were afraid.”
“I told her there was nothing to be frightened of, that she’s just becoming a woman.”
“Just?” Abby’s eyebrow rose as she looked at him. “That’s a very important event in a girl’s life.”
“Yeah, but nothing to get hysterical about—”
“If you’re not prepared for the changes and don’t know what’s happening to you, I’d say it’s plenty of reason to get hysterical.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “But you’re a man. You just don’t understand these things.”
“Something I’m real glad about.”
“Why don’t you leave us alone for a little while? We women will take care of this.”
“No need to ask me twice. I’m goin’ to the Watering Hole. Been a long time since I had a beer. I figure I earned one today. Maybe two.”
“Where are the other children?” she asked.
“At the ranch. Gib’s with ‘em. I was in a hurry. Wasn’t time to get everyone ready.”
Abby studied him, and a feeling of pity twisted in her chest. A lesser man would have gone to the Watering Hole long before this. With the responsibilities he had, a lot of men would have stopped for a beer, then kept right on going.
Like her own father, she thought. She told herself that was a completely different situation. He’d gone for the good of his wife and children. As soon as she could, she planned to join her father and put her family back together.
Poor Jarrod. She wasn’t surprised that Lily’s change from a girl to a woman would send him to the saloon. He deserved a break.
“You go on then,” she said to him. “I’ll talk to Lily, and when she’s feeling better, I’ll find you.”
He nodded. “Thanks, Abby.”
“Don’t mention it.”
When he was gone, Abby put her arm around Lily and pulled her close. “Do you understand that you’re going to be just fine?”
Lily nodded.
“All right, then. Let me tell you what’s going on inside your body.” She took a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. “One of the ways a girl becomes a woman is when she starts her monthly. That means once every month, your body makes a place ready to take care of a baby just like your uncle told you.”
“How does a baby get inside there?” Lily asked, lifting her head to look at Abby.
This was very important, and Abby figured she should tell her straight out how that all happened. “When a woman loves a man, they get married and share a bed together. They kiss and cuddle, and when the time is right, there’s a physical union.”
“What’s that?” Lily asked, frowning.
“The part of him that makes him a man, joins with the part of her that makes her a woman.” Abby was trying to be matter-of-fact, but she couldn’t stop the blush that warmed her cheeks.
Lily wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Have you ever done that with a man?”
“No.”
But ever since Jarrod had kissed her, her imagination had sure taken on a mind of its own. She had never wanted to do the things with a man that she was explaining to Lily, but she had wondered lately what it would be like with Jarrod. The way his kiss had made her feel told her that a physical union with him would be something special. Something a woman could get used to. If that woman was planning to stay, she thought. Which she wasn’t.
She told the girl how babies are made, feeling a deep sadness that Lily’s mother had been robbed of this special moment with her daughter. It also made her see how much the children needed womanly guidance. She was warmed and humbled that they wanted her.
Lily sighed. “I never knew it was so complicated.”
“Do you feel better now?”
She nodded and smiled, a small, tentative expression. “I’m glad you explained everything to me, Abby.”
“Me too. I’m just sorry you went through such a bad time.” She gave her a hug. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Let’s go find your uncle and we’ll have some supper.”
As Jarrod walked down the main street of Hollister with Abby beside him, he glanced over his shoulder at the front of the restaurant they had just left. “Are you sure Lily will be all right with Joe Schafer? I’m not sure I liked the way he was looking at her.”
“And how was that?” she asked in a light tone.
“His eyes got this funny sort of eager puppy look. Did you see the way he kept dropping things when he was clearing the table? If he keeps that up, Hettie won’t have a dish left in the place.”
“Something tells me he only does that when Lily’s around.”
“Then, for the sake of all those breakables, maybe I should go get her out of there,” he said, stopping in mid-stride. He turned as if to go back in the direction of the restaurant.
Abby grabbed his arm. “For heaven’s sake, Jarrod. They’re washing dishes together. What could happen?”
“A lot,” he said, looking down at her. “There’s water, soap, he’ll brush up against her arm …” His expression grew intense. “I was a fifteen-year-old boy once. I know about these things.”
“Do you?”
“You bet I do. Why, there was that time with—” He caught himself and sighed. “Why does she have to turn into a woman now?”
“You needed another challenge. Relax. Joe’s a nice boy. Besides, Henrietta is there. She’ll watch out for them.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “You have a point. Hettie Schafer might be no bigger than a minute, but I wouldn’t want to tangle with her when she’s riled.”
They turned away and started walking again. It was a right pretty evening. Cool, but not cold, and a soft breeze stirred up the smell of jasmine and roses from Hettie’s garden behind the boardinghouse. He drew in the fragrance, relaxing for the first time since he’d last been to town. Maybe that had more to do with being near Abby than it did geographical location. He looked at her when she stopped walking again. The street was deserted. This time of day most folks were home with their families.
She sat down on the wooden bench outside the dark, closed mercantile. “So what did you want to talk to me about, Jarrod?”
The way the moonlight turned her hair to glowing copper almost made him forget why he’d asked her to walk with him in the first place. After the day he’d had with Lily, he didn’t think anythin
g could distract him from his purpose. He got her out here because he wanted this matter of a housekeeper settled.
He sat down beside her, close enough that their shoulders brushed, and ignored her womanly fragrance. If he let himself get caught up in the way it enveloped him, he might never get to what he had to say. Turning his mind to it, he decided the best thing would be to just say it straight out.
“Abby, I want you to be my housekeeper.”
Her whole body tensed. “We’ve already discussed this—”
“I’m prepared to offer you twice as much as the largest amount of money you’ve ever earned in one month in Hollister.”
She sat forward, pulling her back away from the wood-sided building. Her glance met his and her eyes were wide and shocked. “Jarrod, that’s a lot of money.”
“And worth every cent to me.”
“Is Katie sleeping all night?”
“No. Why?”
“Lack of sleep must be making you delirious.”
“Let me tell you about my day and maybe you’ll understand. You already know about Lily.” He leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “Oliver had himself quite a morning.”
“What did he do? He’s all right, isn’t he?”
“He’s right as rain, except for the white paint all over him. He was watching us brand the cattle and wanted to help. I told him he was too little, so he took it into his head to brand the barn, the chickens, the horses in the barn, and everything else he could reach.”
“With paint?” Her voice held a note of amusement.
He wasn’t telling her this to be funny. He was throwing himself on her mercy. “Yes, with paint,” he said, annoyed.
“Very inventive,” she said, and laughed.
“He managed to get most of it on himself.” He shook his head at the memory.
“You’re lucky he didn’t try to build a fire by himself,” she said, turning serious.
Jarrod had thought the same thing. “Exactly why I need someone to be with the kids when I can’t.”
“I don’t know—”
“If that’s not enough to convince you, while I had Oliver in the tub trying to get him back to the color he used to be, Katie ran in and said Lily was crying because she was dying.”
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