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By the time Gavin returned, dragging his camo schoolbag, they’d turned the topic to horses and winter wheat pasture.
“I had no idea there was so much involved in raising cattle.”
“Most folks think you turn ’em out to pasture and forget about them.”
She smiled. “I can tell by the hours you put in that there is more to the work than that.”
Gavin sidled up to his father for a goodbye hug.
“See ya tonight, sport. Be good.”
Then the little boy headed toward her. She zipped his coat before pulling him in for a hug. Gavin had won her heart the first night with his precocious charm and obvious need for motherly attention. He seemed to crave her hugs and she was quickly growing to crave his, as well. Gavin was a sweet and gentle child.
She inhaled his clean, school-ready scent before turning him loose.
“Miss Jenna,” he said, rustling inside his schoolbag. “I forgot to show this to you.”
“What is it?”
He pushed a note in front of her, his face a picture of hope. “Can you make cupcakes for my snack? I told Miss Baker you could. You’re a real good cooker.”
The compliment brought a smile. Gavin was such a dear little boy with such eagerness to please. Sometimes Dax grew impatient with the child’s anxieties, but they touched Jenna’s heart. She understood, empathized even, with being afraid. She’d been afraid most of her life.
Thankfully, he’d volunteered her cooking skills and nothing else. The kitchen was the only place she felt comfortable, but so far Dax had not complained about her mistakes in other areas. Like the pink socks. She wondered if he’d noticed those yet?
She shot a quick, relieved glance at his bare feet. She wasn’t certain what she’d done wrong yesterday with the laundry but she suspected Gavin’s bright red T-shirt was the culprit. Next time she’d separate the colors.
“I would be delighted to bake cupcakes, Gavin. When do you need them?”
With a shrug, the boy bent to zip his schoolbag. “It says on the note. I forget.”
Jenna perused the note. “Oh dear.”
Dax leaned to peer over her shoulder “What?”
Jenna refused to acknowledge the tingle of awareness where he brushed against her. “Today is Gavin’s snack day.”
Gavin’s hope melted down his face like candle wax. Dax took one glance at his son and his own expression hardened. To Jenna he said, “Forget it then. It’s too much trouble. If I have time I’ll run into town to the bakery.”
“But I wanted Noah to see the baby,” Gavin protested.
“Son, don’t make promises that aren’t yours to keep.” His tone was unyielding, angry even, though Jenna couldn’t comprehend the reason.
The boy’s mouth quivered. “Miss Jenna likes me. I thought—”
A nerve twitched in Dax’s jaw. “I’ll send your teacher a note and let her know you made a mistake.”
The dejected child dropped his head.
“Gentlemen, please!” Jenna slapped down her napkin and rose. “May I speak for myself?”
At the startled glances of both males, she proceeded. “Though I lack the tools for anything artistically decorative, I want to provide refreshments for Gavin’s class. I was only lamenting the lack of a pastry bag and tips, not refusing the task. Okay?”
Gavin, bewildered and uncertain, blinked from Jenna to Dax and back again. “Does that mean you’ll bring cupcakes?”
In spite of themselves, the adults looked at Gavin and then at each other…and burst out laughing.
CHAPTER NINE
HUMMING A HAPPY TUNE, Jenna shoved at the enormous leather sofa parked directly in the path of the dining room and the gorgeous stone-and-wood fireplace. While Gavin’s cupcakes cooled and Sophie watched from her musical swing, Jenna had decided to do something about this ill-arranged living room. As lovely as the design was, the furniture was not being utilized effectively and the result was an unattractive and less-than-comfortable space.
She could actually imagine throwing a wonderful party in this house, maybe for Christmas or New Year’s Eve. She already had her eye on some fabulous holiday decorations at the local hobby store and later today, she planned to explore Dax’s storage building for others. But first, this space needed rearranging to reach its full potential of design and beauty.
With a groan of effort, she managed to scoot the sofa a few inches. Straining with all her strength while murmuring about her skinny arms, she didn’t hear the door open.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
At the sound of Dax’s furious voice, Jenna jumped and spun around.
He stood, stance wide, hair windblown, looking like a thunderhead.
