The Unexpected Wife(17)
Abruptly, he stood and walked to the window. He was silent for long, tense seconds. “Thank you for washing the boys.”
His gratitude caught her off guard. She walked closer to the window. Outside, directly in front of the store, the boys were taking turns tossing their balls to Mrs. Clements. “Quinn couldn’t sleep because his skin itched so I decided to clean them both up. The bathwater was black by the time I finished with them.”
“Thank you. I’ve not been able to nurture them much lately.”
“You can’t do it all, Mr. Barrington.” To her relief, her voice sounded steady and didn’t reflect her fear.
He sighed, and she sensed he’d come to a decision. He faced her. For a long time he was silent and she thought he might not have heard her. “I’m willing to hire you on for the summer. I can’t pay until the roundup in the fall, but I’m good for it. With the money, you can leave the valley, find a new home.”
Abby straightened her shoulders. “I came here to be your wife, not your servant.”
His body stiffened. “It’s the best I can offer.”
She’d compromised so much in her aunt and uncle’s house. She’d never complained about her attic room or when her aunt had asked her to start working in the kitchen. She’d stayed silent when her cousin had had so many coming-out parties. “I came here for marriage.”
She imagined she saw challenge in his eyes. “It’s the one thing I won’t give.”
“I’d be a good wife to you.”
He shook his head. “I’m not the kind of husband any woman would want.”
He was wrong. Judging by what she’d seen so far, he was an honest man, proud and strong. “Why would you say that?”
He started to pace. “I’ve got a ranch that has promise but if I don’t bring in the herd and sell it for a decent profit this fall, I lose everything. I’ve got two half-wild boys and more work than I could handle.”
“Exactly why you need me.”
“Exactly why you should be running from me.” A pain still fresh burned in his eyes. “I could never love you. My heart died with Elise.”
“Perhaps in time, there could be some affection.”
“Not from me.” His broad shoulders tightened a fraction. “You deserve better than me, Miss Smyth.”
She eyed him. A thick lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, making him look a little softer, younger. She wondered what he’d been like before his wife died. Had he laughed? “At least you are honest.”
A half smile tipped the edge of his mouth. “It’s about all I’ve got left.”
“I value honesty. I’ve dealt with my share of liars who were quite willing to tell me what I wanted to hear to get what they wanted. You haven’t done that.”
“What are you getting at?”
He needed time. “I’ll live at your ranch for the summer. I’ll care for the boys, but I won’t come as a hired hand. I’ll be coming to see if marriage between us is possible.”
“It isn’t.”
“Time will tell.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You’d live with a man without marriage?”
“My reputation is the least of my concerns now. And from what I’ve heard from Mrs. Clements, out here a woman does what she must.”
“I mean what I say, Miss Smyth. I don’t want another marriage.”
“I’m betting time will change that.”
“At the end of the summer if I haven’t changed my mind, you’ll leave.”
Her stomach clenched. The idea of leaving bothered her more than she imagined. “Yes.”
He stared at her as if trying to read her mind. “I sure could use the help on the ranch.” He hesitated, as if scrambling for any reason not to take her on. Finally, he reluctantly held out his hand to her. “Okay, I accept your terms.”
She took it. Strong, calloused fingers wrapped around her hand. Warmth fizzled through her, but she was careful to keep her feelings hidden. Suddenly, she wondered what it would feel like to kiss Mr. Barrington. He had full lips. Handsome lips.
As if he’d read her mind, he released her hand and stepped back. “All right. I’ll take you on for the summer. Beyond that, I’m not making any promises.”
Warmth colored her cheeks. “Understood.”
“I don’t want the boys knowing why you are here. As far as they are concerned, you are here for the summer. I don’t want them getting their hopes up over something that won’t be happening.”
Unexpected tears tightened her throat. “I understand.”
“Let’s get your things packed and head on back to the ranch.” He turned and left.