“The lecture this evening was quite fascinating, although I’m sure you probably already knew all the facts the geologist laid out.” Jacob shoved his hands into his pockets as well. “Especially since you are from this area.”
She nodded. “I did remember a good bit of it, but his detail into the layers and formations at the Red Rocks Parkwas fascinating.” Turning her head, she studied him. “I don’t know anything about your family ... or even where it is that you call home.”
His whole body seemed to relax with one breath. “My family is amazing. I wish you could meet them. They are back in Illinois.”
That was a bit surprising, especially since he wasn’t a man of means. It was a long way from Colorado. “Where in Illinois?”
“Chicago.” He grinned at her. “Have you been there?”
“Many times, yes.” She took slow steps, savoring every minute of their time together. Something about being in Jacob’s presence made all the discouragement disappear.
“My family still lives in the same little two-room house where I grew up.” He chuckled. “I wish we could go back in time so you could watch what it was like to try and play hide and seek with four siblings in the small space.”
“That is difficult to imagine.” She schooled her features, so the shock she felt inside wouldn’t show on her face. Two-room house? She had two rooms just for her closet and bathing chamber. Her bedroom and parlor were another two.
While she was aware that there were poor people who lived like that, she’d never seen it in person. Or met someone who had experienced it. She blinked away her lack of understanding and tuned into his story.
“My brother, Daniel—the youngest—always hid in the same spot. But we took pity on him and pretended we didn’t know where he was. To this day, he probably thinks he was the best at hiding.” Jacob’s deep laughter drew her in. The life in his voice was contagious and she laughed along.
“Having siblings must have been such a joy. I’m an only child.” She stopped and turned toward him.
“There’s a bench over there, would you care to sit for a while ... that is, if you’re not too cold?” The way he looked ather—with that warm gaze—was enough for her to say yes to pretty much anything he asked at the moment.
“That sounds lovely.” She followed him to the bench and the three of them sat down.
Lily Rose shivered beside her but then straightened her spine. “A few hot bricks from the fire would be nice right about now.”
Martha giggled at her companion and scooted an inch or two closer to her. Then she spotted her driver and waved at him.
In less than a minute, Walter placed a blanket over the ladies’ laps and bowed before heading back to the carriage.
“Thank you, Walter,” she called out after him. “We won’t be too long.”
With a glance to Lily Rose she wiggled her eyebrows. “It’s not hot bricks, but it will be warmer.”
“You are hopeless, Miss Jankowski.” Her chin lifted a bit. “I’ll be fine.”
Martha turned her attention back to Jacob. “Mr. Duncan, tell me more about your family.”
“Please”—he leaned forward—“call me Jacob.”
“All right then, at least while we are not in public. Jacob, I’d love to hear more about your family.”
His expression turned sheepish. “Would you mind if I interrupt our conversation for a moment and ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“A couple weeks ago, you offered me a job. Were you serious?”
She bit her lip and studied him for several moments. While she hadn’t told him what the job was, he had expressed his interest in working on a dinosaur dig. And he was studying paleontology.
Shedidneed the help and over the course of the past few weeks, she’d gotten to know him better. He seemed decentand educated. “I was—I mean—I am. Are you seeking employment elsewhere?”
“I am.” His brow dipped and his smile slipped. “I was not a good fit at my other job.”
“Oh.” What did that mean? She studied him for several moments and could find no falsity in his eyes. “I will tell you about the job, but first, I have to ask you to promise that you will not share anything about this with anyone. You’ll need to sign contracts agreeing to keeping the site a secret as well.”
“All right.” He raised his right hand in the air. “I promise you that I will not share anything about this job with anyone.”
