we?â
He nodded. âAfter you.â With his free hand, he opened the hotel door for her to precede him.
She went to the registration desk. âMr. Warren. How are you this morning?â
âWell, Miss Ellison. Very well, indeed.â The man caught sight of Jared behind Mary Lou. âAnd you, Mr. Ivy?â
âIâm fine, sir. Thank you.â
âLearning to work with our Miss Ellison, are you?â Mr. Warren spoke to him but he smiled at Mary Lou. Why had she suddenly become Mary Lou and not Miss Ellison in Jaredâs mind? Was the stubborn way she defended her stance at every turn endearing her to him?
âWe are sorting through the details as we go along.â He cut a glance at Mary Lou.
She reached for some of the newspapers he carried. âHeâs learning the business.â She didnât smirk but he thought she wanted to. She placed the papers on the corner of the desk. âIâd love to interview Jasmine about the wedding.â
Mr. Warrenâs chest puffed out a bit. âTwo weeks from Saturday Iâll have all my girls settled. Then me and Mrs. Beverly will be happy while we wait for some more grands. Maybe someone will want to take over the hotel for me in the future.â
Mary Lou smiled. âYou havenât even had time to spoil your newest grandson yet.â She looked at Jared. âMr. Warren has three daughters. Two married and one betrothed.â She turned back to Mr. Warren. âI met Tuck after church last Sunday. Daisy and Tucker are so proud. And I think baby Rose is still a bit jealous.â
Mr. Warren laughed. âThat little girl hasnât slowed down since she learned to walk a few weeks ago. I think she thought the new babe would be a playmate, not someone who took her mommaâs time and attention.â
If Jared was going to fit into the community of Pine Haven, he needed to build relationships with the people he was meeting. âCongratulations on your new family member, sir.â
âThank you, Mr. Ivy.â
âJared, please. I trust the Record posted a nice birth announcement on his arrival.â
He felt Mary Lou stiffen beside him. âWe certainly did. Just like we do for all the new babies in Pine Haven. The Record plays a big role in celebrating the good things that happen in our town.â
A door opened from the side of the lobby and a woman dressed like a ranch hand came into the room. She was striking in her beauty and wore the clothes like she was made for them. In the years heâd worked on a ranch, Jared had never encountered a lady rancher.
She joined Mr. Warren behind the desk and kissed his cheek. âHello, Papa.â She was tall and graceful. âGood morning, Mary Lou.â
âJasmine, Iâd like you to meet Jared Ivy. Mr. Ivy will be working with me at the paper for the next month or so.â He wanted to smile at the way Mary Lou had insinuated their time working together would end with his departure, without actually saying he would be leaving. Their time at the paper together would end. But he wouldnât be the one going anywhere. âThis is Jasmine Warren. Sheâs Mr. Warrenâs daughter and will soon be married to Doc Willis.â
âItâs a pleasure to make your acquaintance, maâam.â He dipped his head in deference to the lady.
Mary Lou continued. âJasmine, Iâd love to interview you for the paper. Your wedding is big news.â
Jasmine Warren smiled. âIf you really think thereâs something to write about, Iâll be glad to share with you. Maybe we could have lunch one day soon before the wedding.â
Jared answered for both of them. âWeâd be most agreeable with that. You just name the day.â
Miss Warrenâs face creased. âWill you be joining us, Mr. Ivy?â
âNo, he wonât.â Mary Lou answered on top of his âYes.â
Mary Lou tilted her head to one side
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