Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

“Then I’ll wait until we do.”

“Suit yourself,” David replied, taking a sip from his cup of coffee.

Tessa ignored him and spoke to Coalie. “I can see you’ve been busy this morning. I think it’s grand of you to help Mr. Alexander.”

“He isn’t helping out,” David said, correcting her. “He’s working for me. We made a deal.”

“What?” Tessa shot a look at David. “You’re making Coalie work for our room and board? I was put in your custody. He had no say in the matter. I won’t let you take advantage of a child.” Tessa stalked across the room to stand in front of David’s desk.

David ground his teeth in an attempt to control his temper. He took a sip of strong coffee before facing her. “I’m not taking advantage of anyone,” he said softly, slowly.

“Oh, really?” Tessa’s blue eyes flashed fire, and a loose lock of bright red hair escaped the confining knot on the top of her head to fall across her forehead. She swiped at it in irritation. “I’ve never known a landlord who didn’t.”

“Tessa.” Coalie jerked at the sleeve of her dress.

“Not now.” Tessa tried to shrug him off.

“But, Tessa,” Coalie insisted, “he’s paying me.” He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar. He showed it to Tessa.

“He’s paying you?” Tessa asked, gaping at the silver dollar in Coalie’s palm.

“He is,” David answered. “The princely sum of a dollar a day.”

Tessa couldn’t believe her ears. A dollar? That was an enormous salary for anyone. Especially a nine-year-old boy. She looked to Coalie for confirmation.

Coalie nodded, smiling proudly.

“Just for carrying coal and heating water?” Tessa had to ask. She knew grown men who didn’t earn a dollar a day.

“He does all sorts of things,” David told her. “He’s my handyman.”

“Is this true?” Tessa turned to Coalie.

“Yep,” Coalie proudly answered.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Tessa blushed hotly, angry at herself for jumping to conclusions and angry with David Alexander for allowing her to.

“I didn’t think it was necessary.” David met Tessa’s gaze. “Coalie and I have a business arrangement. He agreed to work hard, and I agreed to pay him a fair salary. In cash. At the end of each week.”

“But that’s a lot of money,” Tessa protested.

“I can afford it.”

She turned to Coalie. “See that the man gets his money’s worth,” Tessa admonished gently. “I’ll not have it said we didn’t pay our way.”

“Aw, Tessa, I know that.” Coalie’s ears pinkened around the edges.

David stood up, stepped around Tessa, walked over to Coalie, and ruffled his hair. “I’ve got no complaints.” He looked from Coalie back to Tessa, then down at his feet. “My boots have never been shinier.”

Coalie beamed.

“Now,” David continued, “why don’t you wash up before we go to the mercantile?”

Coalie raced toward the pump at the back of the room.

David interrupted him. “There’s a basin and clean linen in my room.”

Coalie changed direction in mid-stride, then turned toward the short hallway and David’s room.