The Lone Cowboy of River Bend. Lori Connelly

Chapter 5

      “What?” Nate and Hannah spoke as one, sounding shocked.

      “Alice.” Hannah tried to control her reaction. “We’ve talked about this.”

      “Yes, we did.”

      “I’ve a serious concern.”

      “Your husband?” Nate put in.

      Husband? Startled anew, Hannah’s gaze shot from Alice to the man beside her. “I don’t have a husband.”

      “Sorry.” While his tone relayed sympathy, another emotion flickered briefly in his eyes.

      Satisfaction? No, it couldn’t be… Hannah pushed away the thought. “It’s a natural assumption.”

      “I’m sorry you have to leave us.”

      Alice’s gentle words brought tears up, stinging Hannah’s eyes. “So am I but…”

      “You have to leave?”

      “I…” Hannah hesitated, feeling awkward about sharing more financial woes with Nate. She decided to keep it simple. “Yes.”

      “Jed can’t pay her,” the older woman stated bluntly.

      “And you need to support your daughter.”

      “Yes, I do.” The calm response she gave him was in direct contrast to the knotted anxiety within Hannah.

      “You don’t believe Jed will recover soon?”

      “I pray he does, but even so he wouldn’t be able to afford hired help, not for some time.”

      “You’ve made plans?”

      “I discussed them with Alice soon after she arrived.” When she confronted me about not drawing my pay. The older woman had been quite upset. Hannah didn’t regret the decision, though, and given the same circumstances, she’d do it again. If she hadn’t, there wouldn’t have been enough for necessities now. “I don’t want to go, not when…”

      “Bessie would understand.” Emotions – sorrow, love, and concern – flickered in the older woman’s eyes like the flames warming the room, but her statement carried conviction.

      Hannah knew Alice was right, logically. Bessie had loved Jemma. Without a doubt, her friend would’ve understood the needs of her daughter coming first. Reason, however, didn’t dispel the wrenching feeling in her gut.

      “I still don’t like it.”

      The older woman nodded her understanding before returning to her original concern. “Taking on my job would solve your immediate problem.”

      “Your job.” Hannah leveled a look at her new friend. A mule would be less stubborn. Alice probably met few challenges she couldn’t overcome. Failing to help Jed has to be one. Sympathy snaked through irritation, softening her tone. “Hasn’t been offered to me.”

      Alice waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Nathaniel will. It’s the logical solution.”

      “I will?” The man referenced cut into the women’s exchange.

      “Of course.”

      “Alice.” Nate and Hannah spoke in unison again, expressing mutual frustration.

      Startled, their gazes met and held. Silence stole the next few seconds. Her heart beat faster. Hannah shifted in her chair, unaccountably nervous. Finally, she glanced away, looking back at the other woman.

      “You know, it’s more than a job I need for Jemma.”

      “You’re worried it might be temporary?”

      “Might be?” Nate interjected firmly, brooking no argument. “We’re not replacing you. So if I considered your suggestion, it would only be until you returned.”

      “And if I can’t come back?”

      “You will.”

      “I appreciate your faith. I’m not so sure. For my piece of mind, Nathaniel, I want you to hire another housekeeper. Offer the job to Hannah. It’s what she and Jemma need.”

      Shocked, Hannah’s mouth dropped open. It took her several seconds before she regained composure. Exasperated, but trying to be patient, she stated softly. “You’re not listening to me.”

      “Of course I-”

      Jemma cried out from other room, cutting the older woman off. Hannah immediately got to her feet. In a distracted air, she excused herself before hurrying off to her daughter.

      “Poor baby, she’s probably having another nightmare.”

      “Another?”

      “Almost every evening lately.” Alice’s expression morphed from troubled to one of determination as she looked away from the door Hannah had disappeared through to him. “Nothing some time in a happier home wouldn’t fix.”

      “And you think that home should be on the Bar 7?”

      “I do.”

      “I don’t believe you’ve thought this through.”

      “Don’t underestimate me, young man.” The look in her tired eyes was sharp and direct.

      Nate gentled his voice. “You’re under a lot of strain.”

      “Yes, I am and if you hire Hannah it’d relieve some of it.”

      “How?” he prompted, hoping to finish the discussion before the young woman returned.

      “It’d ease my mind about you boys.”

      Nate shook his head, dismissing the notion. “We’re grown men. No need to worry about us.”

      “Oh?” Her eyes narrowed. “If there’s no need, why do I have a job?”

      “Alice.”

      “Nathaniel.” She patiently stated his name.

      “We need you.”

      A pleased smile was her immediate answer. “I miss you boys too.” Alice reached over, patting his hand. “But my son needs me more.”

      “Yes, he does. That doesn’t mean someone has to take your place at home.”

      “Sweet boy, no one can take my place.”

      “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

      “Hannah wouldn’t take my place. She’d just be doing my work for now.” She tried to reassure him.

      “That’s different, how?”

      “While your folks are gone, you’re doing work they would’ve done on the Bar 7. But you’re not taking their place.”

      Nate shook his head, although he understood her point. Alice was right. Her suggestion made sense. He just didn’t like it.

      “If I hired her, temporarily, what would happen to her and Jemma when you come back?”

      “Offer Hannah a permanent job.”

      “Doing what?” Surprise colored his voice.

      “The Bar 7’s books? Helping with your breeding program?”

      Nate ignored the reference to his plans. He was particular about who assisted with his horses. Up to now, he’d only allowed family to lend a hand. “She’s a bookkeeper?”

      “Yes, but Hannah did more than the books here. Because they were still building up the place, she also worked with Bessie on the breeding charts and helped out in general.”

      “That’s nice, but Pa handles the books.”

      “And