"That's why I wanted a car - so I could get a job and help."

Pa looked at her and then back at Barrett. "Are you okay with that?"

A touch of humor came into Barrett's eyes and a smile played at the corners of his mouth. "We haven't discussed it yet."

Ma gave Pa a stern look. "They ain't knowed each other long enough to make any plans."

Warmth crawled up Mary Jo's neck. She hadn't even considered marriage yet, and doubted if it had crossed Barrett's mind either. They were still enjoying their new discovery of love. It was nice to know that Ma and Pa were encouraging a relationship, though. It was so much better than their initial reaction.

Barrett glanced at Mary Jo and his expression became tender for a moment. He returned his attention to Pa and cleared his throat.

"Your life here is so…." He hesitated, obviously searching for the right word, and when he found it, he said it slowly, as if relishing the deepest meaning. "Straightforward," he concluded. He hesitated again. "I can't imagine living without running water or electricity for an extended period of time, but it certainly doesn't mean you aren't taking care of your family. What I find concerning is the people using your land and…." He glanced at Mary Jo "the threat to your family from that element." His troubled gaze returned to Pa. "I'm sure that concerns you as well. I'm not certain you fully comprehend the extent of that threat to those who are not involved with them."

Until that moment, Mary Jo had not thought of it that way either. Barrett was probably right. She had been so frightened of the Hudson boys that she had been willing to risk his life.

She was suddenly overwhelmed with shame. She had passed judgment on him - not because of his personality, but because of a magnetic sign on the vehicle he drove. He wasn't the greedy lumber man she had first thought him to be. His parents were wealthy, but he wasn't a spoiled rich brat. He was.… Wait a minute. His mother had visited their house and she appeared to take a sincere interest in Billy Ray.

She glanced at Billy Ray and found his interest riveted on Barrett. She followed his gaze to Barrett and found him watching her.

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"It was your mother, wasn't it?"

His brows lifted and he shrugged. "I couldn't say."

He wouldn't say - not with his lips, but his eyes said yes.




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