Page 11 of Homestead

I frown, wondering what he’s expecting me to say. “That’s great for you.”

After a minute, he clears his throat again and looks away. “The cabin’s in good shape. Got a decent bedroom plus a smaller extra room. Had to build an outhouse after Impact, but I made a covered walkway so it’s not too bad going out in bad weather.”

Goodness, why on earth is he going on and on about this? “Oh, that must work nicely.”

“It does.”

He seems to be waiting for me to say something, but I’m as clueless as ever. Instead of replying, I give him my best smile, and he looks almost surprised, then kind of smiles back before he stares down at the pile of laundry.

We’re both silent for a minute before he mutters, “I do all the outdoor chores. The garden and the animals and fishin’ and huntin’ and work on the yard and the house.”

“That must be a lot to do by yourself.”

“I can manage. But don’t have much time left for the inside stuff. Cookin’ and cleanin’ and laundry and stuff.”

“Well, that’s understandable. It would be nearly impossible for you to do everything.” Just doing the laundry is taking me all day. How could he possibly do all the chores for an entire household all on his own? “I’m sure no one blames you for that.”

“No. No, they don’t.” He clears his throat yet again.

I want to ask him again about having a cold. It sure sounds like he’s got something wrong with his throat. I bite back the inquiry, however, since he shrugged it off before.

He’s doing that staring and waiting again. I’m so confused by his behavior I focus back on the washboard. I’ve got the boxers done now, so I rinse and wring them out.

I’m on the last basket. All the other clothes are already hanging on the lines strung up and down the big sun porch where I’ve been working. They never hang the laundry up outside at this time of year.

“Be good to have someone to help,” Jimmy finally mutters.

“Well, yeah. You could definitely use some help. Easier to split the chores.” I’m still smiling at him kindly, but I’m ready for this awkward conversation to be over.

He takes a weird, raspy breath. “Kinda lonely sometimes too.”

“Yes. It must be. But it’s good you have so much family and friends around.” I glance back to the large living room where everyone else is mingling.

Imagine complaining about being lonely when you have so many people in your community.

I only had Grandpa, and now he’s gone.

He shifts restlessly. “Been lookin’ for someone.”

I glance over because he sounds different. More mumbly than ever. He’s not even looking at me.

“A woman,” he adds, darting me a quick look.

“Oh. Yeah. That makes sense.” I take out my impatience on another dirty shirt and my washboard. Why won’t the man just shut up? If he wants to ask Laura to couple up with him, he can do it. He doesn’t have to hash it all out with me first.

He seems kind of impatient too. Like he’s expecting something from me and I’m not providing it. “So thought… thought I’d ask… you.”

I stop scrubbing and stare at him. This is getting ridiculous. I finally say bluntly, “Ask me what?”

He frowns, almost grumpy. “Ask if you wanna be my woman.”

Shock. That’s my initial reaction. My eyes widen, and my mouth falls open.

His frown deepens. “You surprised?”

“Yes, I’m surprised,” I choke out. “You’re asking if I want to be your woman?”

“Course. Why the hell else would I be ramblin’ on about all this?”

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