Rancher to the Rescue Read online

  “I hope I can be of help,” Kathryn remarked uncertainly.

  “Can’t imagine you won’t,” Jake said, ushering Frankie and Tyler back into the room. “We’re looking forward to that fried okra.”

  Blushing, Kathryn helped get the meal on the table then sat in the chair Tina pointed out to her. Placed between Frankie and Jake, Kathryn felt the latter at her back as he helped slide the heavy wrought-iron chair under the table. The moment the chair was in place, Frankie leaned over and wrapped his arms around her neck, squeezing mightily, his booster seat bringing him almost to her height. He then beamed at Tyler, exclaiming, “My KKay!”

  Tyler looked confused, but all the adults started laughing—except Kathryn.

  Jake explained. “Frankie is famous for assigning ownership of the people in his life. Not long ago he ‘gave’ Wyatt to Tyler for a father.”

  “Worked, too, didn’t it?” Wyatt teased, winking at Frankie and mussing Tyler’s reddish blond hair. Tyler beamed. Clearly he was pleased with Wyatt Smith as a stepfather.

  Finally, they were all gathered at the long, rectangular table. To Kathryn’s shock, Jake reached for her hand. Only when Frankie tapped her on the arm and held out his hand for her to take did she understand that everyone was linking hands around the table.

  “We do dis,” Frankie instructed, bowing his head.

  Kathryn obediently bowed her head, biting her lips to hide a smile. Jake squeezed her hand. She cut a glance at him from the corner of her eye, but he sat like stone next to her. She wondered if she’d imagined that squeeze.

  Wyatt said, “Jake, why don’t you bless our meal?”

  Jake cleared his throat and began to pray. “Lord God, we thank You and praise You for Your many blessings and Your boundless generosity. Every time we have need, You provide. Thank you for this food and especially for those who prepared it. Amen.”

  He released her hand as if it were a hot potato. Quietly glancing around the table, Kathryn tried to concentrate on the fact that he’d just given thanks for her, in an oblique, impersonal fashion. Letting her gaze move from face to face, she told herself that it didn’t matter if he felt uncomfortable holding her hand. These were good, kind people, and she was here to work, nothing more. To work and, apparently, to pray.

  Come to think of it, she’d prayed earlier that day in sheer desperation, and now here she sat, employed and welcome, her car being repaired. Was that not God meeting her needs? It occurred to her that she had also prayed that morning when her car had broken down, and along had come Jacoby Smith. Why would any man go to such extremes to help someone he didn’t even know? Her prayers hadn’t even been good prayers, as much complaint as entreaty, but she couldn’t deny that her needs were being met.

  Ashamed for thinking that God might have abandoned her, she listened to the easy banter of those around her and filled her plate as the dishes were passed to her. Before long, she recognized an unusual feeling rising within her.

  It was gratitude. And just a whisper of sweet, sweet hope.

  * * *

  “This is so nice,” Kathryn said, taking in the beautifully tiled bathroom. “I love the antique look of the vanity. Forest green would really make the most of all this bright white tile. I confess I’m partial to greens.”

  “Ooh, that would be gorgeous.”

  Kathryn swept a finger over the green-and-tan motif pressed into the accent tile. “I’m thinking natural wicker for smaller accents.”

  “Brilliant!” Tina exclaimed. “I can actually see it all coming together now.”

  A small hand tugged on hers. “KKay, see my room.” Tyler had gone to play, but Frankie had been following them from room to room, watching and listening, sometimes beetle-browed.

  Smiling down at the boy, Kathryn nodded. “Okay. Show me.”

  Obviously delighted, he tugged her out of the bathroom and along the hallway to his small room. The walls had been painted a buttery gold. The furnishings were all constructed of gleaming golden oak. A practical rug in a warm, medium brown lay beside the narrow bed. Short curtains of the same color flanked the single window where several colorful light catchers had been hung. Kathryn watched, smiling, as he opened his closet door to reveal neat shelves stocked with toys and a few articles of clothing hanging from a short rod. A series of stuffed animals, all dogs except for a teddy bear and a rabbit, lined the top of his tall dresser.

  “What a great room,” she enthused, remembering his desire for a real dog. “You know what it needs?”

  Staring up raptly into her face, he shook his head.

  “Puppies.”

  “Puppies!” Frankie cheered, hopping up and down and clapping his hands.

  “I have a stencil,” she said to Tina, holding up her hands to demonstrate its size, about one-by-three feet. “Would you mind if I painted some puppies on the walls?”

  “What a fun idea,” Tina said. “I don’t mind, and I’m sure Jake won’t, either.”

  Kathryn bit her lips. She hadn’t even thought of consulting Jake. She would remember to do so in the future.

  “Now,” Tina said, “about the master bedroom...”

  Kathryn followed Tina downstairs, leaving Frankie in Tyler’s room, gushing about puppies. After several minutes in the master bedroom, Kathryn said, “I think you need a contrasting print in here, but the colors need to be exact. I have some swatch books I can bring over for you to look at.”

  Tina cocked her head, studying Kathryn. “I get the feeling that you intend to make a lot of the items we’ve talked about. Jake says you made everything in your house.”

  Worried that Jake had misrepresented her qualifications, Kathryn shook her head. “I may have said that, but I didn’t mean it literally. It’s not like I built the furniture or anything.”

  “You just upholstered and slipcovered it all,” Tina surmised with a grin. “And apparently, you made a remarkable rug.”

  “It’s just an oval rug for the coffee table to sit on.”

  Laughing, Tina shook her head. “You have no idea how talented you are, do you?”

  Both pleased and mortified, Kathryn bit her lips and said nothing.

  “I wish I had a sewing machine here for you to use.”

  More excited than she wanted Tina to know, Kathryn quickly offered to bring over her machine. “It’s old but portable and makes a fine stitch.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. Bring anything you like. You can set up in the laundry room.”

  “Perfect. There’s plenty of space in there, and the counter is just the right height. Plus, I saw several electrical outlets.”

  “We’ll have to move some things so you can get a chair under the counter, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “A bother? Pfft. I already know you’re going to be a huge asset.”

  Thrilled, Kathryn dipped her head and bit her lips. Tina let her know that she was ready to move on by pointing toward the door. They walked out into the hallway and turned toward the kitchen, where they found Jake and Wyatt nursing glasses of iced tea and talking quietly.

  “Once the parts start coming in, you can split your days,” Wyatt was saying. “Ryder will help.”

  “You need him to finish up the bunkhouse and take care of the horses,” Jake said.

  “He can split his days, too. Besides, the bunkhouse can wait. He doesn’t care that the walls aren’t painted yet or whether the baseboards are down. I suggest the two of you work on the garage in the cool of the mornings and save the afternoons for—”

  Jake waved a hand, cutting him off midsentence. He nodded at Kathryn and Tina, calling Wyatt’s attention to them. Wyatt got up and pulled out a chair for Tina. At the same time, Jake stood and pulled out a chair next to him for Kathryn. The women sat, and Tina leaned forward to address Jake.

  “
You were so right about her.” Tina straightened, looked at her husband and gushed, “Wait until you see what we have planned. Thanks to Kathryn, I’ve finally got a real vision for this place.”

  “Oh, no,” Kathryn said quickly. “You’ve established the style very well. I’ve just suggested some decoration.”

  “It’s going to be beautiful,” Tina told Wyatt.

  “You mean it isn’t already? All I see is beautiful. No, wait. That’s my wife.”

  Laughing, Tina half rose and kissed him, leaning on her forearms. Jake glanced at Kathryn, pushed back his chair and rose.

  “I think that’s my cue to leave.”

  “Why don’t you take Kathryn home now?” Tina said. “I think I picked her brain clean this afternoon. She’s probably ready to kick back for a while.”

  “But shouldn’t I start dinner?” Kathryn asked anxiously.

  Tina patted her hands on the tabletop. “Nope. I’ve already planned to pull a casserole out of the freezer. Just needs heating up. You’re welcome to stay and eat, but you’ve done enough for one day.”

  “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Kathryn stood as Jake pulled out her chair. “What time should I be here?”

  Tina considered. “We’ll discuss lunch and dinner tomorrow. I’ll need you here for cleanup after the evening meal, so say...about ten? Half past maybe.”

  Kathryn looked to Jake. He was her only transportation, after all.

  “Ten thirty it is.” He nodded at Kathryn. “I’ll be there a quarter after.”

  Tina got up and slipped around the table to quickly hug Kathryn. “I think working with you is going to be fun.” To Jake she said, “We’ll look after Frankie until you get back.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Have a good evening.”

  Nodding, Kathryn let Jake steer her toward the back door, his hand resting against the small of her back. It was a meaningless gesture, she knew, but she was keenly aware of that gentle hand as they moved together out the door, down the steps and along the concrete pad of what Wyatt, according to Tina, intended to be a massive carport. Kathryn climbed up into the cab of Jake’s pickup truck, surveying the house as Jake walked around and got in behind the steering wheel.

  The big old house had been freshly painted the color of aged parchment and trimmed in a medium grayish brown that looked good with the shiny metal roof. Kathryn thought the house needed decorative shutters in that same brown and green window boxes filled with flowers. Painting the rocking chairs on the porch and adding a pair of planters would dress up the place, too.

  “So, you and Tina settle all the particulars?” Jake asked, interrupting her reverie.

  Kathryn nodded, then shook her head. “Just about. Tina didn’t mention salary.”

  “Didn’t she?” Jake started the engine and checked his mirrors before backing out the truck. “Well, we discussed it. She must’ve assumed I’d told you.” He shifted the transmission into Drive and headed the truck toward the highway. “How does this sound?” Just before he turned the truck onto the pavement, he named an hourly figure that made Kathryn gasp.

  “Are you sure? That’s almost twice what I made in my last job.”

  “You’ll be doing more than you were in that job,” he pointed out casually.

  Kathryn bit her lips for a moment, thinking. “I suppose that’s true.” She beat down tears of relief, struggling to remain impassive. “Maybe I can afford to fix the car, after all. Doesn’t seem right, though, to pay you for fixing my car with money you’re paying me.”

  “Believe me, no one’s complaining about this arrangement. Least of all Frankie.”

  Frankie. Struck by the thought that she should have taken her leave of the boy, Kathryn began apologizing. “He doesn’t know I’ve gone. I didn’t think to say goodbye. Maybe we should go back so I can.”

  “Oh, man.” Jake chuckled. “You’re going to spoil my kid rotten, aren’t you?”

  “No. I—I just don’t want him to think I’m abandoning him.”

  “That’s the last thing I worry about. You didn’t abandon your mom when most girls your age would have.”

  Kathryn smiled, but then she winced. “In a way, though, I did abandon my former clients.”

  “That wasn’t your fault. You were fired after your car broke down. That’s not abandonment by any stretch of the imagination.”

  Warmed by his defense of her, she fought a smile. “They depended on me. They won’t know the new helper, but I’ll try to keep in touch with them. It’s the least I can do. So is saying goodbye to Frankie.”

  “When Frankie notices you’re gone, everyone will tell him that you’ll be back in the morning. Wish I could say that about the puppy he’s expecting.”

  Kathryn snapped her fingers. “That reminds me. Is it okay with you if I stencil puppies on the walls of Frankie’s room? I sort of promised him.”

  “Yep,” Jake said. “Spoiled rotten.” He flashed her a quick smile. “I don’t mind at all.”

  In the silence that followed, Kathryn closed her eyes and mentally thanked God. Now if You can just do something about my house...

  Maybe her father would accept monthly payments. She’d figure out what she could afford to pay with this new job and make him an offer. But what if this job didn’t last? Only this morning she’d told herself this job was temporary, and now she was worried it wouldn’t last. What foolishness. If the Smiths weren’t pleased with her or she couldn’t get over this silly infatuation with Jake, she’d go back to home healthcare. Or maybe she’d babysit full-time.

  That brought up another concern. She jerked her eyes open to see that they were almost to her house.

  “We didn’t discuss my duties concerning Frankie.”

  Jake turned the truck into her drive and brought it to a stop. He rubbed a forefinger over his eyebrow. “Well, if you can just keep an eye on him. Maybe get him down for his nap when I’m not around. Manage his snacks.” He shook his head, smiling. “That boy can eat his weight in sweets, so keep those to a minimum.” He spread his hands. “You know, just sort of step in when I’m not around.”

  “I can do that. With Tyler, too, if needed.”

  Nodding, Jake said, “I’ll be sure to let Tina know.”

  “Okay then.” Kathryn released her seat belt and opened her door, but then she paused to meet his gaze. She’d thanked God, but Jake deserved her gratitude, too. “Thank you, Jake. For everything. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t stopped to help.”

  Shrugging, he said, “Seems to me it’s all working out for the best.”

  “I hope so. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

  Shifting in his seat, he lifted his hands and gripped the steering wheel, his jaw hardening. Taking that to mean he was ready to get home, she slipped out onto the ground.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “A quarter after ten,” he confirmed, his voice oddly strangled.

  She hurried to the porch, paused to wave and let herself into the house. Only after she closed the door did he back out the truck and drive away. For the first time since her old car had begun to lurch and sputter on the way to Sandy’s house, she wasn’t worried. Well, not too much. Her father’s claim on the house still had to be settled. But first things first. Once her car was repaired, she’d contact her father and try to work out something. Meanwhile, things were looking up.

  She had a job. And maybe friends, too.

  Strangely, despite the breakdown of her car, that was more than she’d had in a long time.

  Chapter Five

  Had he lost what remained of his tiny mind?

  Horrified with himself, Jake could barely manage not to squeal his tires on the pavement of Kathryn’s street.

  He’d very nearly kissed the woman! She’d looked at him all soft-eyed and trusting, and he’d inst
antly, desperately wanted to kiss her. Only by throttling the steering wheel had he managed not to haul her into his arms and show her that he was less Good Samaritan than interested male.

  And that salary! What had possessed him to name such a figure? The rest of the family would think he was crazy. Maybe he was. God knew he couldn’t afford to burn through his money before the garage was up and running, but he was obligated now. He was appalled to realize that he might have been acting out of unrecognized attraction all along.

  Kathryn Kay Stepp was as prickly as a wounded porcupine, but the first time she showed the slightest inclination to fold her spines, he’d wanted to leap at her and drag her into his arms. She’d just barely relaxed her guard around him, and he’d come within a heartbeat of pushing their feeble, casual relationship to a new—and probably fatal—level.

  Idiot.

  Kathryn was right to distrust him, and that upset him as much as the thought of Jolene. Not even two years since his wife’s death, and he was jumping at the first woman he’d come across in this state. And she was nothing at all like Jolene!

  That alone felt like a kind of betrayal. It was as if he’d stumbled into some ugly bog of emotions, and before he knew what was happening, he’d blown right past the ranch. He didn’t begin to calm until he drew near the place where he’d first seen Kathryn’s car broken down beside the road. A few hundred yards beyond the spot, he finally slowed to a stop and ran a hand over his face.

  “Lord, how do I get myself back on solid ground?” he asked.

  He didn’t know why she affected him so. She was timid and guarded and generally uncommunicative, while Jolene had been the opposite in every way. Yet Kathryn was also courageous, dedicated, capable, lovely...

  Okay, he needed to keep his distance, at least until this fascination wore off. He didn’t have the time or money for a relationship right now. He’d do well to get the garage operational and repair her car before he exhausted his funds.

  Frowning at himself, he turned the truck around and headed back to the house. As he brought the vehicle to a stop in its customary spot, he prepared himself for the scrutiny of his brother and sister-in-law. Maybe his envy of those two had as much to do with his attraction to Kathryn as anything else. If so, it would play itself out soon enough.