Blackstone's Bride by Teresa Southwick Page A

right,” she said briskly. “And I’m no stranger to hard work. Each summer, I’ve been employed at the boardinghouse in Hollister to tide myself over.” She reached intoher reticule and pulled out several folded papers. “These are letters of introduction and recommendation from Mrs. Edelman, who owns the boardinghouse, and Mr. Cooper, the president of the school board.”
    Jarrod took them from her, then gestured to the house. “Won’t you come in?”
    Abby noted that there was a decidedly more welcoming tone in Jarrod’s voice. She was irritated that he thought she would bring just anyone off the streets of Hollister. “Are you sure you don’t want a letter of introduction from the mayor first?” Abby asked, shooting him an angry look.
    “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Jarrod answered.
    “Now, Abigail, don’t be impertinent. Mr. Blackstone is merely being cautious and thorough. After all, the welfare and safety of these children are his responsibility. Isn’t that right, Mr. Blackstone?”
    “That’s right.”
    “And one can’t be too careful where children are concerned. Isn’t that also true, Mr. Blackstone?”
    “Absolutely, Miss Peters. And won’t you please call me Jarrod?” he asked in an amused tone.
    “I’d be delighted, Jarrod,” Bea said, her light blue eyes twinkling.
    A realization dawned on Abby as she looked at the older woman, who was smiling coyly up at Jarrod, fluttering her lashes. Well, call me stupid and slap me silly, Abby thought. If Beatrice Peters wasn’t smitten with Jarrod, she would eat her hat. That confirmed her theory. He was definitely dangerous to every single woman within a two-hundred-mile radius,
and
under sixty years old.
    “I think Lily made some lemonade,” he said.
    “That sounds lovely,” Bea answered. “The drive out was very dusty. My throat is bone dry.”
    Jarrod opened the front door and indicated that they should precede him inside. Bea went first. When Abby followed, she made sure to keep the other woman between herself and the handsome rancher. Bea wasn’t as effective as a whole town full of people, but she was some protection,Abby thought. At least with Bea there, she didn’t have to be alone with him. Of course, with four children underfoot, they were hardly likely to be alone.
    “Where are the children?” Abby asked. It was odd that there had been no sign of them.
    “They’re upstairs,” he said.
    She found she could hardly wait. They had been in her thoughts constantly since she’d left them five days before. She wondered how they were adjusting. Were they homesick? Were they left alone to fend for themselves all day? Was Lily overwhelmed by responsibility? Had Jarrod managed to find some clothes? She had some things for them in the back of the wagon that she’d bring in after they met their new housekeeper.
    Jarrod led them through the house, pointing out rooms as he went. After they had gone through the whole downstairs, he took them into the living room. “Please make yourselves comfortable,” he said.
    “It was a long ride,” Abby replied. “I think I’ll stand.”
    “Where
are
the children, Mr. Blackstone?” Bea asked, sitting in the big easy chair beside the fireplace. “This house is very still for having four youngsters in it.”
    “They’re good kids,” he said. “Well-behaved and self-sufficient. Respectful of their elders. Quiet. Clean. They take real good care of themselves.”
    “So why do you need a housekeeper?” Bea wanted to know.
    “I have to be away from the house a lot of the time, and I’d feel easier if there was someone here with them.”
    “I understand completely.”
    A door slammed shut upstairs. Then footsteps thumped on the stairs just before all four children filed into the room.
    “Hi, Abby,” they said at the same time. All except Tom.
    “Hi,” she answered. “How are you?”
    “We’re fine,” Katie said. “Right, Lily?”
    “Right.”
    Abby studied each in