Handpicked Husband. Winnie Griggs

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ leprechaun cackled. “You didn’t know Reggie’s daddy, did you? Warren Nash would never have been caught driving such a fanciful contraption as this. Plain and simple was more his style.”

      Ira Peavy patted the wagon as if it were an old friend. “No, Reggie designed this herself after one of them traveling circuses passed through here.”

      She’d actually intended it to look like this? Miss Nash was either as bereft of taste as she was of singing ability, or she had a wicked sense of humor.

      “It’s the fanciest wagon in all of Turnabout,” Jack announced proudly. “Everyone stops to stare when we pass by.”

      “That I’ll believe,” Mitchell muttered.

      “So, your aunt’s a photographer, is she?” Adam asked Jack.

      “Yes, sir. Photographs people mostly. But she does plants and animals, too. Some of ’em turn out real pretty.” He gave Adam a big smile. “I’ll bet she’d be glad to take a picture of you and your friends if you wanted.”

      “I’ll keep that in mind,” Adam responded noncommittally. He knew her father had been a photographer, and Judge Madison had mentioned something about her following in her father’s footsteps. But Adam had assumed it was a slightly eccentric pastime of hers, something she toyed with when she was bored, the way other women did with watercolors or the piano.

      But if she’d gone to the trouble of designing her own wagon...

      “You’ll find feed for the horses over here,” Ira said, interrupting Adam’s thoughts. “You can water them down by the lake and there’s lots of good grazing there as well. I’m afraid the lean-to is only big enough for our two horses, so you’ll have to tether yours under the trees tonight. Weather’s fair, though, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

      Mitchell set to work unhitching the horse from the buggy. “We appreciate your hospitality,” he said over his shoulder.

      Before Adam could unsaddle Trib, he found Jack at his elbow. “Mighty fine-looking horse you got there, mister.”

      The youngster’s words might mimic something he’d heard an adult say, but the look on his face was pure wide-eyed, little-boy awe.

      “Thanks.” Adam offered Jack a friendly smile. Winning the boy’s trust was important right now. It might make things easier on both of them later on if this marriage scheme fell apart. “Maybe I’ll let you ride him sometime before I head back to Philadelphia,” he added.

      Jack’s face split in a wide grin. “Jiminy! Did you hear that, Ira? Dewey Jenkins is gonna be toad-green jealous when he sees me riding this horse.”

      “I heard,” Ira answered. “But don’t forget you’ve got to get your Aunt Reggie to agree first.”

      Adam frowned, studying Ira’s expression. Had he said that because Miss Nash was overly cautious where her nephew was concerned? Or had the older man picked up on the fact that she distrusted Adam and wouldn’t think highly of any plan he put forward that involved Jack?

      Jack, however, seemed unworried. “Aw, Aunt Reggie won’t mind. She was talking the other day about how I was the man of the family now and all.”

      Ira squeezed Jack’s shoulder. “We’ll see.” Then he gave the boy a mild swat on the seat of his pants. “Now off with you and fetch that kindling like your aunt asked. Don’t want to be holding up supper.”

      With a nod and a wave, Jack headed for the wood stacked near the cabin’s back door.

      Ira waited until the boy was out of earshot, then turned to Adam and Mitchell. Nothing puckish about him now. His arms crossed unyieldingly over his chest, and his expression gave him a surprisingly dangerous look. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but Reggie obviously didn’t want it talked about in front of Jack. Either one of you fellas care to fill me in?”

      Adam shrugged. “We’re here at Judge Madison’s request. Other than that, I think it would be best if you hear the story from Miss Nash herself.”

      “Fair enough,” Ira answered. “But there’s something you need to know. I went to work for Warren Nash over thirty years ago. I was around when Reggie was born and I helped Warren take care of her after her momma died. When Warren lay on his deathbed, I gave him my word I’d look after her as if she were my own.” He paused a moment. “And I’m still keeping my word, to this day.”

      Adam met his gaze levelly. “Understood.”

      Their gazes remained locked for several heartbeats. Then Ira uncrossed his arms and the friendly, amused-at-the-world grin returned. “Well, now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’ll leave you to care for your animals.” With a wave, he headed around to the front of the cabin, whistling a jaunty tune.

      “Did that little gnome just draw a line and dare us to cross it?” Mitchell’s expression was a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

      Adam bent to work the straps on Trib’s saddle. “It seems he’s as protective of Miss Nash as his wife is.” He gave Mitchell a sideways glance. “A man could look for worse in a wife than one who inspires such loyalty.”

      It was a lesson he himself had learned the hard way.

      * * *

      “Amen.” Jack finished his prayers and clambered onto his pallet.

      Reggie drew the bedsheet up to Jack’s chin, ruffling his soft brown hair as she did so. She’d tried not to roll her eyes when he’d included their four visitors in his litany of people and things to be thankful for.

      “So, how did the frogging go tonight?” she asked.

      “We bagged a whole sack full of big ole’ bullfrogs.” Jack snuggled down on the pallet. “Mrs. Peavy’s gonna have more’n enough to feed us all tomorrow.”

      “And were our visitors much help?”

      “Mr. Barr got the hang of it pretty quick and caught his share. And I think maybe Mr. Parker has gone frogging before.” Jack paused and looked at Reggie with wide eyes. “He sure is a big one, isn’t he?”

      “That he is,” she said carefully. Did the man’s size intimidate Jack?

      Jack, however, merely yawned. “Mr. Dawson seemed to really have fun, but Ira said he had a bad case of the flibbertigibbets.”

      “And Mr. Fulton?”

      “He just took care of watching the sack for us.” Jack frowned. “I don’t think he likes getting his hands dirty.”

      Reggie hid a smile. Only a few hours in their company and it seemed the six-year-old already had the men accurately pegged. “Mr. Fulton probably hasn’t had much experience with outdoor life.”

      She patted the covers. “Settle down and get some sleep. I’m going to see if Mrs. Peavy or Ira need any help settling our guests in.”

      Reggie gave Jack a quick peck on the cheek, then turned and climbed down the loft ladder. “Well,” she said as she stepped off the bottom rung, “where are our visitors?”

      Mrs. СКАЧАТЬ