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When Oklahoma widower Jack advertises for a farmhand, the last person he expects to show up is a girl from Manhattan! After he reluctantly agrees to give Jo a month to prove her worth, they discover a burgeoning mutual desire…
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The porch door slammed behind them, and Jo flinched.
“Pretty things have no use for us out here. They’d only get dirty.” Mr. Harrington kicked off his boots.
“Sir!” Alarmed, Jo waved her hands at his muddy boots.
“I’ve spent hours scrubbing this floor. Please, take your boots and place them out on the porch from now on.”
Mr. Harrington’s jaw tightened under his tanned skine. “I’ll do as I please in my house. Ruby, honey, fetch my supper.”
Jo marched to his shoes and dropped them outside. Then she took the broom and swept the floor clean again.
“I made dinner tonight,” Jo announced, ignoring Mr. Harrington’s scowl.
The children hacked the meat off the bone and dished the cornbread and roasted potatoes onto their plates. Jo made a plate for Mr. Harrington and then herself and sat between the children.
She watched Mr. Harrington’s sharp features as he bit into the bread and then chewed on a slice of ham. His eyes lit up in delight, and he scarfed the whole plate down and asked for seconds. He didn’t say thank you, but his fervor was thanks enough.
When the family was done, they scurried from the table and left the mess for Jo, but she didn’t mind. She liked that they already accepted her as part of their routine. After she cleared and wiped down the table, there was a knock on the doorframe. A tall man with thick blond hair stood on the porch. His eyes widened in delight as he took Jo in.
“Why hello.”
“Hello.” Jo smiled politely.
“I’m James Lucas. And you’re . . .”
“Miss Taylor. I’m a . . . friend of Mr. Harrington’s.” So this was Ruby’s beau. He was tall and handsome with hair several shades blonder than her own, and had a strong build and tanned skin that suggested he spent most of his day handling hard labor outside.
He took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. The floorboards creaked, and Jo turned to see Mr. Harrington enter the kitchen.
“I see you’ve met Miss Taylor.” Mr. Harrington ushered James out to the porch. “She’ll be staying here a few days helping out.”
“I thought you were meant to get a young man to help with the farm?”
“There was a mix-up.”
Jo placed a pitcher of tea she’d made earlier on a small table outside and poured them both a glass. “I’m trying to prove my worth to Mr. Harrington.”
James’s eyebrows raised. “Well, I’d say he’s lucky to have you.”
“Ruby!” Mr. Harrington yelled into the house, and she appeared. When she saw James, her hands fluttered to her hair, tucking loose strands into her braid.
“Evening, James.” She smiled, her eyes cast downward.
James smiled, but his eyes skipped over Ruby and landed on Jo. “And do you plan to be adopted, too? If you prove your value?”
Jo laughed. “Goodness no. I’m eighteen.”
“A lady then.” James’s smile widened, and Jo shifted uncomfortably at the way he leaned in to her.
They sat in silence for a moment, Ruby glaring at Jo, Mr. Harrington glaring at James, James smiling at Jo, and Jo inching backwards, wanting to escape.
“Mr. Lucas!” Tommy ran to James. The boy buckled over in giggles as James tickled him, before he settled in James’s lap.
“I came to ask . . .” James paused a moment, his eyes moving between Ruby and Jo. “If I could escort Ruby to the picnic? But it seems your new guest may need an escort, too. I’d be happy to escort both ladies.”
Jo didn’t need to look at Ruby to feel her scorn.
“Jo won’t be here for the picnic,” Mr. Harrington spoke.
“When is it?” Jo asked, ignoring the punch in her gut.
“This Saturday,” James said. “It’s where all us farmers gather to hire workers for the harvest.”
“I’d love to go,” Jo said. “If I’m still here. But I’m afraid I would have to be escorted by Mr. Harrington, as I’m his guest.” Jo smiled at Mr. Harrington, whose dark eyes studied her, trying to guess her game. “Would you do me the honor?”
“Please, Daddy. Please!” Tommy wrapped his arms around his father’s neck. Mr. Harrington softened into his son’s embrace.
“Come on, Jack,” James said.
“It’s only a few more days,” Jo said, folding her hands in front of her skirt.
Mr. Harrington caught Ruby’s eyes, a silent question, Do you approve?
Ruby shrugged, demurring in front of James.
“Very well,” Mr. Harrington said. “I wouldn’t mind more of that cornbread for a few more days.”
Jo audibly exhaled. That bought her four extra days at least with the Harringtons.
