Blackstone's Bride by Teresa Southwick

him over her shoulder. “Oliver said Abby’s coming and she has someone with her.”
    “That’s right. She’ll be here in about ten minutes.” He took a basin from a shelf beneath the window and pumped some water into it.
    “What do you want us to do, Uncle Jarrod?” Lily asked.
    “We need to put our best foot forward and make a good impression. Can you clean up Katie and Oliver? Make sure they’re presentable?”
    “They’re muddy from playing by a waterfall we found, but I’ll do the best I can.”
    He frowned at Katie and Oliver. “Do you know how to swim?” When they shook their heads, he said, “Don’t go there alone again. Do you understand?”
    “What if Lily or Tom goes with us, Uncle Jarrod? We can go then, right?”
    “Do you know how to swim?” he asked the two older ones. They nodded, and he said, “Right, Katie. Now you run upstairs and change into clean clothes.”
    Lily took the two little ones by the hand and led them up the stairs.
    Abby pulled her team to a stop, pushed the brake handle forward, then wrapped the reins around it. “This is Blackstone Ranch, Bea. What do you think of it?”
    The white-haired woman beside her looked around and nodded approvingly. “Very impressive. It’s quite a large house, isn’t it?”
    “Yes. It’s very comfortable,” Abby answered.
    “And four children,” she said.
    “They’re wonderful children, Bea. You’re going to love them.”
    Abby had told the other woman the whole situation. Beatrice Peters was fifty-five years old, and very young at heart. They had known each other since Abby was a little girl.
    “I’m sure I will. I’ve missed being around youngsters.”
    “I know.”
    The front door opened and Jarrod Blackstone stepped out on the porch. He had changed from the plaid cotton work shirt she’d seen him in earlier. Now he wore a long-sleeved white one with the cuffs neatly buttoned. His hair was still damp from combing it. Lines of fatigue around his eyes told her that Katie still wasn’t sleeping through the night. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Jarrod, but she was sure Beatrice Peters was the answer to his problems.
    As Abby stood to climb out of the wagon, Jarrod quickly walked down the porch steps.
    “Hello, Abby.” He held his arms out to help her down.
    “Jarrod,” she said, then cringed at the huskiness in her voice when she said his name.
    She hesitated before putting her hands on his wide shoulders. When he circled her waist with his hands, she assured herself that he couldn’t possibly know how hard her heart was pounding. After he set her on the ground and turned to help the other woman, she took a deep, steadying breath. How could she have told Bea this place was comfortable?
    “Ma’am,” he said, lifting Bea down.
    Abby cleared her throat. “Jarrod, this is Beatrice Peters. Bea, Jarrod Blackstone.
    “Mr. Blackstone.” The older woman smiled warmly at him.
    “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Peters.”
    “It’s
Miss
Peters, Mr. Blackstone.”
    Jarrod frowned at Abby. She knew what he was thinking. A woman who had no children of her own wouldn’t know the first thing about this job. Abby was convinced that Bea was perfect for it. If Bea wasn’t, then she would have to keep looking. That meant another trip to the ranch. Another face-to-face meeting with Jarrod.
    That was out of the question.
    She wouldn’t allow anything to sway her from her goal. She was leaving to find her father. Not even her attraction to Jarrod Blackstone could stop her.
    “I’ve known Bea for a long time. The children will love her,” Abby said.
    Jarrod looked skeptical, then turned his gaze back to the other woman. “Before we see whether or not that’s the case, Miss Peters, may I ask what your qualifications are?”
    “I’m a retired teacher, Mr. Blackstone.”
    “I see. So you would be able to give them schooling in addition to your other responsibilities?” There was a spark of interest in his voice.
    “That’s