Page 52 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“We might,” Lex allowed. She met his gaze with a quizzical look. “Do you think that no news is good news? That’s what Grandma said.”
Reed shook his head. “That’s an old saying that makes people feel better.”
“I don’t think it’s true. I think Mom might keep things to herself for as long as she can.”
“She needs to handle this in the way she and Gregg decide is best.”
And it was ripping his heart out to have this conversation with his daughter. Real life sucked at times.
“Don’t keep things from me, okay?” She spoke fiercely and Reed automatically nodded.
“I won’t,” he promised. He hoped he could keep it.
“Did you get the Scottish letters read last night?”
“They were a little more boring that I thought they’d be. They were so…polite. I thought that they’d talk more about… I don’t know. Less boring stuff. It was all about what he had in the house for her to use in her ‘daily duties’ and what he wanted to get.” Lex gave him a look. “Let me tell you, he did not set the bar very high. Another milk cow and a rug for the floor.”
“That was pretty big back then.”
“I know. I guess I wanted the letters to be more romantic. Not about duties.”
“People talked differently back then, but they still had strong feelings.”
She gave him one of her ironic looks, and he had no idea how to interpret it, so he didn’t try. “I’ll wash up. You get ready for school. Henry and I are working on the last stretch of fence, and I think I have cell service there if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” The word came out automatically, and he wished he could tease a genuine smile to her face. But she was worried about Gregg, worried about being a burden. Even Scottish letters hadn’t distracted her.
Like Candice said, he needed to keep an eye on his daughter and keep the channels of communication open.
*
Trenna was onher way to the Keller Ranch when her new phone rang. Upon seeing the familiar name on the screen, she pulled to the side of the road, her heart beating faster.
“Dr. Gilbert. This is a surprise.” There was only one reason her former major professor would be contacting her—either a collaboration or a job. Either would be welcome.
Gilbert, a bona fide nice guy, who was often too excited by whatever he was calling about to waste time on niceties, dove in. “What is your current employment status?”
“I’m contracted for a single semester plus the summer session.” And she expected a renewal.
“I have an open position.”
“At Shardlow?”
“I’d hoped to hire by June, but we can push some things around. You say that you’re teaching summer session?”
“Two classes.” Summer sessions were sparse, mainly teachers getting recertification credits or high schoolers pumping up their transcripts prior to fall enrollment.
“I think you should apply for this position. I want someone whom I can work with, and I know I can work with you.” Before she could respond, he said, “I’ll send you the bulletin. You can take it from there.”
“Right.” She sounded more like her old decisive self. True, she’d come to Marietta because things had fallen into place for the move. She’d landed the job at the community college right after her last contract, and returning home had seemed like the thing to do. In fact, it had seemed almost inevitable. But if she’d had to choose between the community college in Marietta and a teaching and research position at Shardlow, which would she have taken?
The latter. Hands down. She loved Marietta, but Shardlow? Wow.
That was then,her small voice whispered,before everything had happened with Reed. Is this still a hands-down Shardlow situation?
No expectations, she shot back at her small voice before thanking Dr. Gilbert. She promised to be in contact, then pulled her car back out onto the county road. What was that saying about making plans and God laughing?
This was an excellent opportunity. An unexpected—what had Dr. Gilbert called it?—plum job. An unexpected plum falling into her lap. And if he had taken the trouble to call her and encourage her to apply, she took that as a sign that she would get the position. Nothing was certain, but Dr. Gilbert had a lot of clout. And he wanted her.
