Page 12 of The Payback Adventure
“I’m Henry Davenport.” He extended his hand. “You’re Elisabeth’s…brother?”
“Sam Wheeler.” He shook Henry’s hand, but mistrust echoed in his voice.
Sam acted like a dog whose territory was invaded. Manny might run the farm, but ever since their parents’ deaths almost four years ago, Sam had been the man of the house. He took the job seriously.
He straightened his narrow shoulders and puffed out what little chest he had. “You know anything about farming, Mr. Davenport?”
“Sam,” Elisabeth cautioned. She needed to work on the children’s manners. Not to mention a million other things. How did women make it as mothers? It was going on four years, and she still hadn’t figured it out.
“It’s okay.” Henry met Sam’s wary gaze. “First, call meHenry. My father was Mr. Davenport. And second, I don’t know much about farming.”
Sam shot her a why-is-he-here look. Elisabeth felt the same way. Henry might not be qualified, but he looked strong and healthy. All his bones seemed to be intact, and he was breathing. And there was the twenty-five thousand dollars that came with him. The rest would…follow.
Henry smiled. “Don’t worry, Sam, I’m a fast learner. I graduated from Harvard.”
“Harvard?” Eight-year-old child prodigy, Abby, perked up. “Do you think you got your money’s worth from your Harvard education? After all, if you amortized the cost difference between a state university and an Ivy League college and added in an—”
“That’s enough for now, Abigail.” Elisabeth tugged on Abby’s braid and hoped their financial situation changed by the time her sister was ready for college. At this point, none of them would be able to attend without scholarships and financial aid. “You’ll have plenty of time to discuss higher education options later.” Elisabeth turned her attention to Henry. “Abby’s what you might call gifted.”
“She’s a freakin’ genius,” Sam added.
Elisabeth sighed. “Why don’t you two check on Caitlin?”
For once, they both did as they were told.About time.
Elisabeth rubbed her lower back. She stared at Henry’s face, unable to find any fault with what she saw. He wasn’t so much a pretty boy as a classically handsome man. Okay, he was totally gorgeous if she wanted to be honest with herself, which she didn’t. Every instinct screamed to keep her distance.
A mischievous glint shone in Henry’s eyes.
“You’re good with children.” The words tumbled out of her mouth. Had he realized she was staring? Probably.He’ll think you like him.
Unfamiliar warmth flooded her cheeks. Great. Now shewasblushing. This wouldn’t do. So he was good-looking. She could handle it. Elisabeth squared her shoulders. “Do you have any children of your own?”
“No,” he answered quickly. “I don’t plan on having any. Kids are too much work.”
“But there are lots of rewards.”
“I know. Parenthood is wonderful for many people,” he said. “But not me.”
She didn’t like that. Nor did she get it. He seemed a natural with Caitlin. “Why not?”
“I’m not father material,” Henry admitted. “Too much responsibility. Someone always counts on you to be there or do something for them. I like to have too much fun.”
He sounded like Toby, a large child living inside a man’s body.Kids only get in the way. We’ll be living our lives for them, not ourselves.
She hated to call the job off when she needed the money so badly, but not even for twenty-five thousand dollars would she subject the kids to someone who didn’t like them. Elisabeth stiffened. “If you don’t like kids, this may not be the job for you.”
“I like kids, provided they aren’t my own.”
She reminded herself he wasn’t here forever. Only until Manny returned.
She sighed with resignation. “Welcome to Wheeler Berry Farm. We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Elisabeth Wheeler.”
“Henry Davenport, but you already knew that.”
His perfectly straight teeth flashed in a brilliant smile, reminding Elisabeth that Sam’s braces were coming up. “Cynthia told me your name so I could check your references.”
His eyes widened. “You checked my…references?”
