Read Online Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hanna - Free Book Online Page B

from the kitchen. “You will feel so much better afterward.”
    Rena took a couple of steps away then turned back as she heard the sheriff’s voice. “I hope you will forgive the boys for getting you wet earlier. I feel sure it was just a prank to welcome you to the fold. It won’t happen again.”
    Rena nodded and turned to face him. “Guess I’d better go on up. Will I see you at supper?”
    “I’ll be the one roping the boys to their chairs.”
    She had to look twice to see the twinkle in his eyes.
    “We put your bags on your bed, Miss Rena.” The girl with the blond hair offered a sweet smile.
    “And put lots and lots of bubbles in your bath,” the littlest girl added. “Hope you like ’em.”
    “Oh, I adore bubble baths.” She offered the children a smile of thanks. “And I’m in need of a hot soak. That train trip wore me out.”
    “Well, take your time, honey,” Carolina added. “When you’re done, c’mon down for supper. I’ve prepared a meal fit for a king.”
    “Smells heavenly. I can’t wait.”
    Rena followed behind the girls, who led her up the stairs. With each step, her hands quivered and her knees grew wobblier. Probably exhaustion. Either that, or fear had suddenly locked her in its grip.
    “This is your room, Miss Rena,” the younger girl said. “Ain’t it purty?”
    “It’s lovely,” Rena said. She took in the room, somewhat surprised to find it in good condition, right down to the four-poster bed and chenille spread. Likely Mrs. Wabash had left it this way for her benefit. Rena would have to remember to send her a note of thanks.
    “Yer bath is just past that door.” As Callie pointed, the dirt under her fingernails came into full view. Rena would have to do something about that. Tomorrow.
    In the meantime, she just needed to bathe, eat, and collapse onto the bed. Rena nodded and thanked the girls as they left her alone.
    A yawn threatened to escape as she made her way into the bathroom and saw the large claw-footed tub overflowing with bubbles. The girls had outdone themselves. Double-checking the door to make sure it was locked, she slipped out of her clothes, readying herself for a good, long soak.
    She stepped into the tub then eased her way into the water. As she attempted to sit, something sharp jabbed her in the backside—and not just in one spot, but several.
    Rena let out a holler then came shooting up out of the water, rubbing her bare backside. “What in the world?” She reached down into the bubbly water, coming up with several large pinecones. And pebbles. Dozens and dozens of pebbles.
    “Those children!” She wrapped herself in a towel, leaned over the tub, and fished out every last offending object Then, convinced it was safe, she climbed into the tub once again.
    Unfortunately, she’d somehow missed the biggest threat of all: a large, unhappy lizard.

    From the floor above, Gene heard Miss Jewel let out a yelp. At once he turned to look at the children. Lilly, the youngest of the girls, giggled. The other two girls turned red in the face. A couple of the boys began to cough, and William and Jacob snorted with laughter.
    “Okay, ’fess up. What have you done to her this time?”
    Lilly paled. “What do you mean?”
    “You know perfectly well. That was a holler I just heard, and it was coming from—” He never had time to say “Miss Jewel,” because she let out another cry from above. He sprinted up several stairs then stopped cold, realizing he couldn’t interrupt her bath to rescue her. “Mother!” He aimed his voice in the direction of the kitchen. “Mother, I need you.”
    She appeared in the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron. “What is it, Gene? I’m trying to make supper for this crew.”
    “Something’s wrong with Miss Jewel. Didn’t you hear her cry out?”
    “No, I couldn’t hear anything from the kitchen. Are you sure she—” Another piercing cry sent a shiver through the room. At this point, the three girls looked at