The Rancher's Bride Read Free

Carter’ll be pleased for sure.” Josephine leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to Marie. “There ain’t that many women folk around these parts to take a job like this. I think the boss was starting to worry.”
    Josephine turned then and headed for the kitchen. “Come on inside and I’ll fetch you and the young’uns a cold drink. Then I’ll go get Mr. Carter.”
    “Excuse me, Josephine?”
    Josephine turned toward Marie.
    “Is this a live-in position? And I’ve got the two boys too. Do you think that’ll be a problem?”
    Josephine smiled at her. “It is a live-in hire. As to the boys, you’ll have to ask Mr. Carter that question. I really can’t answer that for sure. I live with my husband in the foreman’s quarters.” She continued excitedly. “We’re moving to California, which is why Mr. Carter needs someone else. And I’m expecting a child come the fall.”
    She looked so excited and happy, Marie couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s wonderful.”
    “Thank you. Ben—that’s my husband—Ben and I are real happy to be starting our family.” Josephine pulled a pitcher of lemonade from the icebox and reached for three glasses. “And we’re moving to be closer to family. I will miss Emmeline, though. She’s the sweetest baby, that’s Mr. Carter’s daughter, the one you’ll be caring for if’n you take the job, that is.” Josephine handed them each a cold glass of lemonade as she poured them and invited them to sit at the large kitchen table. “I’ve chewed your ear enough, I suppose. My Ben says sometimes I do go on.” Josephine giggled at this admission. “It’s just, like I said, there ain’t that many women around here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.” She smiled at the boys. “You boys sure are handsome. What are your names?”
    “I’m Jack,” Jack answered politely. He motioned to his brother. “And this here’s my brother, Henry.”
    Henry smiled at Josephine, but let Jack do the talking for the both of them.
    Josephine reached out and shook both their hands in turn. “Pleased to meet the both of you.” She turned back to Marie. “I’ll go fetch Mr. Carter.”
    Josephine disappeared into the mudroom at the back of the kitchen and Marie heard a screen door slam. She looked around the large, comfortable, and clean kitchen, complete with all the modern conveniences. This Mr. Carter must be well-off, she thought. She certainly wouldn’t mind working in this kitchen. Marie smiled at the boys who both sat quietly drinking their lemonade.
    The screen door slammed again a few minutes later and Mr. Frank Carter walked through the mudroom and into the kitchen.
    Marie’s mouth went dry at the sight of him. He was a very large and imposing man, with dark hair, piercing black eyes, and a strong dark brow.
    “Mr. Carter?”
    “Yes. Marie is it?”
    She nodded as Josephine came back into the kitchen.
    “If it’s alright with you, I’ve asked Josephine to keep your boys company in another room while we talk.”
    Marie nodded. “That’s fine.” Marie smiled at the boys as Josephine led them from the kitchen.
    “I do believe that we have some playing cards in the front parlor here and we could play a game or two if…”
    Josephine’s voice trailed off as they moved farther from the kitchen and Marie turned back to give Frank Carter her full attention. She was so nervous that her stomach was in knots. What if she didn’t get the job? What if the boys couldn’t stay here? How would they get back to town? Where would they sleep tonight?
     
    * * *
     
    The young woman that sat at the table in front of him looked to Frank like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. The second he’d entered the kitchen and met her, he knew he was in trouble. She was sweet, soft-spoken, and pretty, and she caused every protective instinct within him to come racing to the surface.
    Earl Mannings had already told him a bit about her, having delivered her to Frank’s