Read Online City Girl by Lori Wick - Free Book Online Page B

concerned face of the woman with the bucket was transfigured into a frown. The wet man looked a little taken aback but still answered, “Just taking a shortcut, ma’am.”
    Reagan did little more than nod, not aware that she was still frowning in ill humor. Not until the cowboy went on his way without another word did she think she could have at least apologized again. She had not only soaked him with dirty wash water but intruded into his business as well.
    I’ve got to get out more , she decided as she went back into work. I’m wilting here in Texas, and it’s only been a month. If Tommy would just send my...
    â€œReagan, what are you doing just standing there?”
    Sally had not asked in outrage, but Reagan was not in a pleasant mood. She caught herself before she snapped at the woman.
    â€œJust emptying the bucket. And yes,” Reagan added before Sally could ask her usual question, “everything is either baking or cooling.”
    Sally smiled and teased her.
    â€œWhat put a burr under your saddle?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Reagan admitted as she put the bucket down. “I don’t like scrubbing pots—that much I know— but other than that I’m not sure.”
    â€œIf you don’t like scrubbing pots, why did you agree to do it?”
    â€œThe money.”
    â€œWell, is it worth it?”
    Reagan looked at her, thinking for the first time that she had been a fair employer, not overly harsh, but at times single-minded in purpose because she had a business to run and reliable people were not always available to help her. Reagan smiled for the first time all day.
    â€œActually, it is, but I just needed to complain for a time.”
    Sally shook her head in mock exasperation and went to peek into the ovens. Reagan got fresh water and went back to scrubbing pots.

    Holly was hanging out the wash when Reagan arrived home. They hadn’t seen too much of each other outside of Reagan’s paying the rent and returning the borrowed things as she’d purchased blankets, sheets, and towels of her own.
    â€œHow are you, Reagan?” Holly asked. Reagan smiled at the sight of Alisa asleep in a basket at the end of the clothesline.
    â€œI’m doing fine. How are you?”
    â€œVery well, thank you. Jonah found a handkerchief in the bushes,” Holly said as she plucked a small white cloth from her pocket. “Is it yours?”
    â€œIt is,” Reagan said after she studied it. “Thank you. It must have blown away when I pegged out my own wash.”
    â€œAre you free to come to dinner tonight?” Holly offered on the spur of the moment. “I’ve got a chicken stewing, and you’re welcome to join us.”
    â€œWhy, thank you, I am free tonight.”
    Holly smiled at her.
    â€œIs there something I can bring?”
    â€œJust yourself.”
    They didn’t talk much longer, but after learning the time to arrive, Reagan went to her little house, her mood very light.
    â€œThat’s it,” she concluded as she prepared to bathe. “I don’t have any friends here. That’s why I’m so down. Tommy hasn’t sent my bicycle, and I have no friends. Who wouldn’t be down?”
    Having concluded this, Reagan stopped worrying about her mood. She had a plan now, and that was all she ever needed.

    â€œI don’t like school as much as Elly does,” Jonah informed Reagan that evening. Holly would not accept her help with dinner, so she sat in the living room with Alisa in her lap and Jonah visiting at her side.
    â€œWhy is that?” Reagan asked the seven-year-old boy.
    â€œElly can read lots better than me.”
    â€œBut you’ll learn, won’t you?”
    â€œThat’s what mama says.”
    Reagan smiled down into his dejected little face and thought she might be seeing herself. Most things came easily to her. When they did not, she wasn’t very