Rhonda Gibson - Groom by Arrangement

He wiped his hands on his pants and nodded.

“With soap and water?” she asked, placing the meat on the table.

Jackson hid the grin that twitched at his lips. Dan reminded him of a boy with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

“Come on, Jackson. She won’t believe us until she can smell the soap.” Dan’s chair scraped against the hardwood floor.

“Dinner will be ready when you get back,” Sally called after them.

Jackson couldn’t help but envy the warmth between the couple. Dan Tucker loved his wife, and she returned that love. It was in their eyes and voices every time they were together. He wondered if his parents had ever felt that way toward each other. If so, he’d never witnessed it.

His father had left long before he could even walk. For years Jackson questioned why his pa had left them. Was it because he was so unlovable, as his mother had said? This was one of the questions he planned on asking John Hart, if he ever caught up to him.

Where had those thoughts crept up from? Jackson finished washing his hands and they returned to the dining room. He was sure Dan had been talking the whole time, but for the life of him he couldn’t recall a word the other man had said.

The table was set, and steaming bowls of potatoes, green beans and fresh rolls blended with the aroma of pot roast. How long had it been since he’d sat at such a fine dinner table? Too long.

“What’s on your mind this evening, Jackson?” Dan asked.

Jackson looked up. “Not much.” He hoped he hadn’t insulted his host with his quiet nature.

Dan nodded. “I’ve been trying to think if there is anything else I need to tell you before we leave tomorrow.”

“Did you mention Peter?” Sally took a seat next to Dan.

Dan looked surprised. “I’d plumb forgotten about the boy. Let’s say grace and then I’ll fill you in, Jackson.”

Jackson listened as Dan offered thanks. Not only did he bless the food, but he asked for travel mercies, as well. Sally added her amen at the end of the prayer. Jackson joined in. “Amen.”

A soft knock sounded on the front door. “Excuse me.” Sally stood. “That will be Eliza Kelly. I invited her to dinner, as well.”

“Give me a couple of minutes with Jackson, honey.” Dan reached for the green beans and began filling his plate.

Sally nodded. “You better talk fast. I don’t want my dinner to get cold.” Her smile took the sting out of the words.

Dan grinned back at his wife and watched her sashay toward the front of the house. Then he turned his attention back to Jackson. “This afternoon, Peter arrived at the smithy asking if I needed an apprentice. I told him no, and he started to cry.”

“He started to cry?” Jackson almost dropped his fork.

Dan nodded. “Yep. Boy is six years old and has no place else to go.”

“So where is he now?” Jackson asked, wondering how anyone could turn out a six-year-old child.

“In the front sitting room with Sally and Eliza. I sent him to Eliza this afternoon, until I could ask you if you will apprentice the boy.” Dan served himself a hunk of meat.

Jackson frowned. “Where’s the boy’s family?”

“Don’t know. He won’t say. He’s not a local. I figured if you’d agree to apprentice him, when Seth gets back into town he can find the boy’s parents. Until then, I can’t just turn him out.” Dan plopped a big spoonful of potatoes onto his plate. “So what do you say? Will you take him on?”

Take on a small boy? Was he kidding? From the serious expression and the hiked-up eyebrow, Jackson assumed not. “There isn’t enough room for me and the boy in the small room off the smithy.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean keep him with you in the room. I meant will you train him? At least until his parents can be found. He’ll be living here with Eliza and working with you during the day. She’s agreed to feed him and make sure he’s taken care of.” Dan added a couple of hot rolls to his plate.

Jackson took a deep breath. “I suppose I can do that.”

“Good.” Dan pushed away from the table. “I’ll go tell the women to come in now.”

Every moment in Cottonwood Springs brought on new responsibilities. Jackson groaned. What had he gotten himself into?

Chapter Six

Eliza was in love.

Peter, with his big green eyes, blond hair and dimples, had melted her heart the moment she’d met him. He didn’t talk much, but an easy smile covered his face as he explored everything around him.

She held his hand as they entered the Tuckers’ dining room. Jackson sat at the table looking as if he’d eaten persimmons. His pinched face and stiff jaw said he wasn’t happy about the arrangement he’d made with Dan.

Both Dan and Sally ignored his sour face and sat down at the table. Eliza placed Peter beside her and smiled at Jackson. His frown dissolved for a moment and he offered her a lopsided grin.

She hadn’t seen him all day and felt her heart do a little flutter. What was it about the man that made her feel like a silly schoolgirl?

Turning away from the handsome man, Eliza focused on her plate. “This looks and smells wonderful, Sally,” she complimented her friend as she took her place at the table.

“It’s my ma’s recipe. I can’t wait to see her again and tell her about the baby.” She picked up the potatoes and passed them to Eliza.

Eliza noticed Jackson focused on his meal and didn’t say much. “You haven’t told them you are coming?” she asked, taking a sip of iced tea.

Dan answered for his wife. “They know we are coming, just not about the baby.”

“Oh, I see. Do you have room in your bags for a couple of baby blankets I’ve made up for you?” Eliza dished food onto Peter’s plate.

Surprise filled Sally’s face. She smiled and replied, “I do. Thank you, Eliza. How did you know I’d need them?”

“Every mother needs blankets. I make them all the time to give to the young mothers in the area. And they don’t take long to whip up. Last night I borrowed Rebecca’s sewing machine and made up a couple for you to take.”

Sally continued to smile at her. “You have the kindest heart, Eliza. Thank you.”

Embarrassed at the compliment, Eliza turned to Peter. The little boy’s big eyes stared at Jackson. He titled his head sideways and tried to see into Jackson’s face.

Dan must have noticed, too, because he said, “Peter, I’d like you to meet Mr. Hart. He’s going to teach you how to be a blacksmith.”

“Really?” Peter’s small voice asked in awe.

Dan laughed. “Really.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Peter held out his hand.

For a moment, Eliza wasn’t sure how Jackson would react. She almost sighed when he reached across the table and took the small hand into his own. “Nice to meet you, too, Peter. Just call me Jackson.”

“All right, Jackson.”

The little boy continued to stare at Jackson for the remainder of the meal. Eliza noticed he seemed to ignore the rest of the adults as the conversation flowed around him. Jackson paid no attention to the little boy’s stares. He answered questions when asked and every once in a while would ask a question of Dan regarding the smithy.

She leaned over and whispered in Peter’s ear, “Peter, it’s not nice to stare.”

Peter turned his attention to his food and occasionally peeked up at Jackson. He muttered the word sorry before shoving a spoonful of meat into his mouth.

Eliza could imagine the boy was in awe of Jackson’s size. She’d noticed that he towered over Dan, and his arms were twice as large. His chest and his shoulders were wide, yet he had a flat stomach. Muscles seemed to ripple when he moved. Yes, Jackson Hart was a big man and a handsome man and, from her experiences, a kind man.