Weathered Too Young Read Free Page A

ya.”
    The man turned, leaving Lark standing in the open doorway, trembling with intimidation.
    Lark exhaled a breath of relief. Glancing over her shoulder to Hadley, she saw him smile.
    Slater Evans? she mouthed to him.
    Hadley chuckled and nodded emphatically.
    Lark shook her head with near disbelief. No wonder Hadley had directed her to ask to speak to Tom. Slater Evans seemed as mean as the day was long.
    Straightening her posture once more—for Slater Evans had managed to whip her courage down like a stray dog—she quickly pinched her cheeks to rosy them up and forced a smile.
    A second man, looking quite similar to the first, only with a welcoming grin and overall pleasant countenance, came to the door. The man’s smile broadened as he came to stand in the doorway , and Lark felt a wave of relief wash through her.
    “Well, howdy there, miss,” the man greeted.
    Lark sighed, delighted by his friendly, easy manner.
    “And what is it has me so lucky as to find you on my porch?” he asked.
    “Are you…are you Mr. Tom Evans?” Lark ventured.
    “Yes, ma’am. Handsome feller…ain’t I?” he teased.
    “Yes…well…um…”
    Tom Evans chuckled, his radiant smile outshining the sun. “What can I do for ya, honey?” he asked then.
    Lark was grateful he’d chosen not to tease her any further. She thought she might not be able to endure any more—not with being so tired and hungry—so desperate to find some position that would see her through until spring.
    “I’m Lark,” she began, “Lark Lawrence.” She cleared her throat. It suddenly felt very dry. “I’ve heard that you’ve recently lost your housekeeper…and I am so sorry to hear that, by the way.”
    “Thank ya. We loved dear ol’ Mrs. Simpson. She was near like our own mama.”
    “Yes. I’m sorry for your loss,” Lark managed. “Well, someone in town thought you may be in need of an individual to keep house and cook for you…and suggested that I inquire as to whether or not you did.”
    Tom Evans’ s already wide smile broadened. “Why, we do indeed! We’ve been havin’ us a downright awful mess of a time ’ round here,” he explained. “Me and ol’ Slater — he’s my charmin’ brother — we’ve got too darn much to do with keepin’ the cattle and crops in line. Don’t leave much time for cookin’…even if we did know how. And between you and me, darlin’ , I’m plain sick and tired of eatin’ jerky and hard biscuits every meal.”
    Lark smiled as hope bloomed within her bosom. She bit her lip a moment, attempting to rein in her sudden exuberance. “So you are in need of someone then?” she asked.
    “You bet your sweet…ah course we are!” Tom exclaimed. “But you ain’t quite what I was thinkin’ our next mama would look like.” He winked at her, and she couldn’t stop the blush from rising to her cheeks.
    “I’m more than capable, Mr. Evans. I assure you my youth does not denote incompetence,” she assured him.
    Tom paused a moment. His smiled faded a little . Y et even as he studied her from head to toe, the expression of casual amusement never left his face—even for the slight puzzling frown that puckered his brow.
    “Honey, you talk like a schoolteacher . Y ou can’t be from ’ round these parts. Where ya from?” he asked.
    “East,” Lark plainly answered.
    Tom Evans nodded—did not press her for further information—simply nodded.
    “Alrighty then,” he said. He gestured toward Hadley. “You go on and tell ol’ Hadley Jacobson to run along home now. We’ll let ya give us a try for a while and see if you can tolerate two ol’ bachelors.”
    Reaching out, she took hold of his hand, shaking it with relief, gratitude , and sheer delight. “Oh! Thank you, Mr. Evans! I promise you won’t regret accepting me into your employ!”
    He smiled at her and shook his head, chuckling. “Well, I’m sure I won’t if’n I can get used to the way you talk.”
    Lark giggled as she ran back to the