jackaroos were so helpful and handsome, they’d set her heart aflutter. Though if the two stood side by side, she felt certain she’d have eyes for only Jonah.
Nanny bleated and pranced, her heavy udders swaying.
“Rascal of goat.”
By his wink, if she hadn’t known better, she’d guess the goat and the jackaroo planned the whole thing.
11
Millicent’s twin dimples appeared as she smiled. “I’m looking forward to next week. Will you need help with the cooking and setting up again this year?”
Jonah shifted. He hadn’t thought much about the annual party held at Laurie Lark. A tradition started by his parents to celebrate the oncoming summer and their marriage, it involved three days worth of activities. A casual supper on the first night welcomed the guests, horse races were held the second day, a dance after, and a formal supper the third night. Charlotte had planned the event with gusto. The most he’d ever done was set up tables and slaughter a steer. Was a week too late to back out of the party? It didn’t seem like there was much to celebrate this year.
“It’s likely I will. Without Charlotte supervising the kitchen, I need someone who knows what she’s doing.”
Millicent flushed with apparent pleasure. “Your parties are always such fun. My favorite part is the dancing. I’ll save one for you, if you don’t think you’ll be busy overseeing everything.”
Uncomfortable with her less than subtle hints, he struggled for an excuse. Nothing came to mind. “Right. I suppose it depends on how everything goes.”
The flirtatious smile turned serious. “Have you found a nurse for Olivia yet? Mother said the convict you hired can’t be trusted.”
He frowned at her. It shouldn’t surprise him that Martha had poisoned her daughter against Bridgit.
“I haven’t seen any evidence she’s untrustworthy. I’m pleased with her work ethic. Thomas hasn’t sent me any word about a nurse. I may hear something by next week, though.”
Millicent made a sour face as she digested his words. “That’s not what Mother says. I can’t tell a thing has been done. Are you sure she works while you’re out?”
“It isn’t your business, Millicent. Bridgit is a convict, but she’s proven her worth. She deserves the same courtesy as anyone on the station.”
Her stony glare made it hard for him to focus on his breakfast. Her expression changed and she smiled again.
“Niles thinks he’s found a brilliant colt to beat yours this year. I don’t believe him. If ladies could gamble, I’d put my whole savings on you, Jonah.”
Heaven help him. “Your brother has an excellent eye for horseflesh. I wouldn’t count on my winning this year.”
A loud cry upstairs caught his attention. Olivia, demanding breakfast. Relief coursed through him. “Pardon me, Millicent. I’ve–Olivia’s crying. Bridgit’s doing the milking, I should...” He gestured at the ceiling.
“I thought the baby was her duty.”
“She is, but as Olivia’s uncle, I can...comfort her.”
Neither Martha nor her daughter approved of Olivia’s presence. He felt certain if Millicent announced she was having a baby outside the bonds of marriage, Martha would toss the girl out. It pained him to remember the things they’d said behind Charlotte’s back. Another reason he’d rather skip the party this year. If he hadn’t shoved it into the back of his mind, he might’ve gotten away with canceling it.
Avoiding Millicent’s eyes, he ducked out of the room.
The staircase seemed a mile long. By the time he reached the landing, he was sweating. For the most part, he left Olivia's care to others. What he knew about children didn’t amount to a pile of horse apples. He considered slipping out the front door to the sanctuary of the barn. Beneath his hand, the smooth banister turned slick.
“You look a bit lost.”
He spun at Bridgit’s voice. She stood at the foot the stairs, a pail of milk at her side. Dirt smudged
Nanny bleated and pranced, her heavy udders swaying.
“Rascal of goat.”
By his wink, if she hadn’t known better, she’d guess the goat and the jackaroo planned the whole thing.
11
Millicent’s twin dimples appeared as she smiled. “I’m looking forward to next week. Will you need help with the cooking and setting up again this year?”
Jonah shifted. He hadn’t thought much about the annual party held at Laurie Lark. A tradition started by his parents to celebrate the oncoming summer and their marriage, it involved three days worth of activities. A casual supper on the first night welcomed the guests, horse races were held the second day, a dance after, and a formal supper the third night. Charlotte had planned the event with gusto. The most he’d ever done was set up tables and slaughter a steer. Was a week too late to back out of the party? It didn’t seem like there was much to celebrate this year.
“It’s likely I will. Without Charlotte supervising the kitchen, I need someone who knows what she’s doing.”
Millicent flushed with apparent pleasure. “Your parties are always such fun. My favorite part is the dancing. I’ll save one for you, if you don’t think you’ll be busy overseeing everything.”
Uncomfortable with her less than subtle hints, he struggled for an excuse. Nothing came to mind. “Right. I suppose it depends on how everything goes.”
The flirtatious smile turned serious. “Have you found a nurse for Olivia yet? Mother said the convict you hired can’t be trusted.”
He frowned at her. It shouldn’t surprise him that Martha had poisoned her daughter against Bridgit.
“I haven’t seen any evidence she’s untrustworthy. I’m pleased with her work ethic. Thomas hasn’t sent me any word about a nurse. I may hear something by next week, though.”
Millicent made a sour face as she digested his words. “That’s not what Mother says. I can’t tell a thing has been done. Are you sure she works while you’re out?”
“It isn’t your business, Millicent. Bridgit is a convict, but she’s proven her worth. She deserves the same courtesy as anyone on the station.”
Her stony glare made it hard for him to focus on his breakfast. Her expression changed and she smiled again.
“Niles thinks he’s found a brilliant colt to beat yours this year. I don’t believe him. If ladies could gamble, I’d put my whole savings on you, Jonah.”
Heaven help him. “Your brother has an excellent eye for horseflesh. I wouldn’t count on my winning this year.”
A loud cry upstairs caught his attention. Olivia, demanding breakfast. Relief coursed through him. “Pardon me, Millicent. I’ve–Olivia’s crying. Bridgit’s doing the milking, I should...” He gestured at the ceiling.
“I thought the baby was her duty.”
“She is, but as Olivia’s uncle, I can...comfort her.”
Neither Martha nor her daughter approved of Olivia’s presence. He felt certain if Millicent announced she was having a baby outside the bonds of marriage, Martha would toss the girl out. It pained him to remember the things they’d said behind Charlotte’s back. Another reason he’d rather skip the party this year. If he hadn’t shoved it into the back of his mind, he might’ve gotten away with canceling it.
Avoiding Millicent’s eyes, he ducked out of the room.
The staircase seemed a mile long. By the time he reached the landing, he was sweating. For the most part, he left Olivia's care to others. What he knew about children didn’t amount to a pile of horse apples. He considered slipping out the front door to the sanctuary of the barn. Beneath his hand, the smooth banister turned slick.
“You look a bit lost.”
He spun at Bridgit’s voice. She stood at the foot the stairs, a pail of milk at her side. Dirt smudged
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