"Because now you have that little bit of a boy to see raised and it
wouldn't hurt you to have a strong man helping." Jessica folded the
damp cloth and put it down on the countertop. "I know you mean well,
but I don't. need a man to help me raise Caleb. We're doing just fine
the way we are."
"Hogwash, " Tilly said. "I know you've got the spirit and the heart to
do right by that baby, but a man could ease the burden. That's all I'm
saying. If I were forty years younger, I'd go after one of them
myself.
I'd have a devil of a time deciding which one I wanted to put his shoes
under my bed, though. All I'm suggesting is that you notice, Jessica,
and I want you to notice too, Grace, because a good man would be the
answer to your family's prayers. Jessica, take that ribbon out of your
hair. It's lopsided."
"Yes, ma'am, " Jessica replied. She pulled the ribbon out and quickly
threaded her fingers through her curly brown tresses. She wasn't
trying to make herself attractive. She was simply placating Tilly.
"You've got such pretty hair, Jessica. You should show it off, and it
wouldn't kill you to do a little flirting while you're talking to
them.
I bet you don't even know how. You ought to try, though. Oh, I know
it's a serious matter they're here to discuss, but they're men first
and always, and they'll notice both of you. Grace, while you're
waiting your turn, you can take all those pins out of your hair and
give it a good brushing. Men like women to wear their hair down, not
pinned up like an old schoolmarm." Jessica and Grace had learned that
it was pointless to argue. Tilly was in one of her stubborn,
I-know-what's-best moods.
Grace was smiling at Tilly, but Jessica noticed her cheeks were flushed
with embarrassment.
"I guess I should go on out, " Jessica said.
"I guess you'd better, " Tilly agreed. "I'll take the baby upstairs as
soon as I find him."
"You don't feel well tonight, Tilly. Go on up and get in bed. I'll
take care of Caleb."
"I'll brew your tea for you and bring it right up, " Grace added.
"Jessica, Caleb can stay in the kitchen with me. I'll keep an eye on
him." Jessica took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Lord, I wish
I weren't so nervous." Grace nodded. "I feel like I've done something
wrong, but I haven't.
Oh, I wish I'd never come to this town. I had such grand hopes . .
.
" "I know you did, " Jessica said. "But it was wrong of Mr. Wells's
son not to honor his father's promise. He should have sold you the
grazing land as his father had agreed. A man's word is supposed to be
sacred."
"The younger Mr. Wells doesn't know that, " Grace said.
"You're going to find your ranch, " Jessica promised. "We'll look at
the property near Denver first, and if it isn't exactly what you want,