Breaking Josephine by Brooke Stanton

Author:Brooke Stanton [Stanton, Brooke]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Forbidden Romance Series, Brother Abandons, Oklahoma Travel To Manhattan, Newspaper Ad, Farm Hand Job, Restraints 0f Society, Domestic Discipline, Family & Domestic Life, Young Children, Stubborn & Willful, Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Romantic Schemes, Life-Changes, Action & Adventure, Second Chances, Beautiful & Feisty, Hot Western Romance, 20th Century History, Widower & Single Father
Publisher: Coco And Bee
Published: 2018-10-29T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Later that day, they all headed into town—Ruby, Tommy, Jack, and Jo—to restock supplies for the farm and house. Jo hadn't been to town since she'd arrived; Jack picked up anything she needed from the store when he rode the six miles to town. But she was glad for a distraction from all the thoughts running through her head.

The town was one street, with small storefronts lining one side that ended at the hotel and train depot. But there was new construction at both ends. Jack explained that many of the homesteaders were now gaining profits from their efforts with their cattle farms, and the town was growing.

After they hitched the wagon, Jo and the children went into Willis’s General Store to pick up the items on her list. There were some canned apples, and Jo put one in her basket. She'd yet to learn how to bake anything except biscuits, but planned to ask Lucy to teach her a few basic recipes later that week. Neither her brother nor she had a sweet tooth. But Jo had watched Jack wolf down two large pieces of apple pie at the picnic.

"Can I get this?" Tommy held a small recorder in his hand.

"I'm not sure your father would like that."

"I'll get it for him." James stood behind them in line, only a bag of salt and flour in his basket. “The boy should have a little fun."

"That's so nice of you. Isn't that nice, Ruby?" Jo tried to get James to turn his attention to Ruby, but she marched away.

"Don't mind her," Jo said, and smiled politely.

"I don't. But I'm glad to see you." He placed his hand over hers, but before she could pull away, Jack walked in.

Jo turned and paid for the items in her basket, including the small recorder for Tommy.

"It was nice seeing you, Mr. Lucas. Good day." Jo swooshed past Jack but could feel the burn of his disapproval on her back.

"Everyone in the wagon. Now." When Jack growled, they all scurried to obey. Dark clouds moved in overhead, and Jack sped the horses home. Jo gripped the sides of the wagon for fear she'd be bumped out.

"Is a storm coming?" Jo asked.

"Not a bad one," Jack said. "It'll bring much-needed rain, but the winds won't be too strong."

"How can you tell?" Jo asked.

"When you've been farming as long as my family has, it's in your blood."

Tommy began to play on his little recorder, and Jack spun around and glared. "Where did you get that?"

"Jo bought it for me."

Jo waited for a reprimand, but Jack didn't say anything else further, so Tommy began to play again, the notes jarring with no tune attached.

"If you want to court James Lucas, you should," Jack said.

"Father!" Ruby protested.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but it’s like Jo says, you can’t make someone love you. And it seems he’s turned his attention to Jo."

“He hasn’t! I barely know him,” Jo protested.

Jack strangled the reins, Tommy's recorder grinding on Jo's nerves. "If you want to be with him, there's nothing stopping you," Jack said.

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