Lib Novel Page 28
“It’s hard to get a laborer I can afford,” he admitted, looking down at his hands.
“I’ll be here Monday,” Jared said immediately. “Maybe I can stop by tomorrow and the boy can show me the ropes?”
Jimmy’s eyes went to his father.
“I’d appreciate that,” Mr. Allen said after a moment. “Though you can’t come here every day for two weeks.”
“I can, if that’s what it takes,” Jared said. “But I think I know a couple other guys who’re cooling their heels this time of year. We’ve got you covered.”
Cora could see on Mr. Allen’s face that it cost the big man to accept help. But that he would pay any price for his son.
“If it would be all right,” she ventured, saving him from having to answer out loud. “I could come over tomorrow afternoon to help Jimmy catch up on the schoolwork he missed the last week or so. Though I would have to bring my son with me since I don’t know anyone to babysit yet.”
“Oh, that’s just fine,” Mr. Allen said with a smile. “I could use some company. I might even have some old pictures of his dad to show him.”
Cora felt a pang in her heart when she realized how excited Sylvester would be to spend time with someone who had known his dad when he was young.
“And when we’re done with the studying, maybe I can show him around the farm,” Jimmy offered.
“He would love that,” Cora said, tears suddenly springing to her eyes. “Thank you.”
The men launched into excited talk about plans for the weekend and the week ahead, allowing Cora a moment to try to understand why she felt so overwhelmed.
It wasn’t because of Jimmy and his dad, or at least it wasn’t just because of them. She finally understood what Jared meant when he said neighbors care about each other.
She was starting to feel like she and Sylvester were a part of something here. She’d come to the house to help someone, but ended up getting something for herself that she didn’t even know she needed.
And she had Jared Webb to thank for that.
11
JARED
Jared and Sylvester walked into the feed shop together the next afternoon.
Jared had spent the morning learning the ropes at the small dairy farm. He was impressed that Big Jim and his son could normally run it themselves, and even more impressed that the boy had been doing it on his own this last week and a half. He had confided to Jared that he’d been getting up at two in the morning in order to see to the cows before catching the bus. It was no wonder he’d been half asleep in school the days he had gone in.
Jared was more than ready to step in for the next two weeks if he had to, but he was pretty sure he could get a crew together to help out, and that Big Jim would be more comfortable with that.
Jared had spent the morning learning the ins and outs with Jimmy, finishing up a little after Cora and Sylvester arrived in the afternoon.
The two of them stepped into the kitchen to find Cora and Sylvester leaning over a collection of old photos that practically covered the entire table, while Big Jim pointed out the ones with Arthur in them.
While little Jimmy washed up for his lesson with Cora, Jared asked Big Jim what he needed at the feed shop since he was headed over there anyway. And he invited Sylvester to come with him, thinking the boy might enjoy seeing all those colorful bags of feed, and selfishly because he figured having the kid along might make his friends more generous about volunteering.
“So, this is where the people are who might help with the cows?” Sylvester asked as they approached the building.
“It sure is,” Jared told him. “We all have to come here anyway to get our supplies, but there’s a counter with free coffee where everyone likes to hang out when they’re not too busy.”
“Just like Port Royal,” Sylvester said, nodding sagely.
“I can’t say I know where that is,” Jared admitted.
“It was a pirate stronghold in Jamaica,” Sylvester told him excitedly. “And pirates would hang out in bars there, talking about adventures and putting together crews.”
“Wow,” Jared said, impressed. “I guess it is like Port Royal. Except no one in here is talking about stealing anything. I hope.”
That made Sylvester laugh so hard he had to stop and bend over for a second. As they headed inside, Jared thought about all the warnings his father had given him the first time he visited the feed shop.