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"Why, thank you," she said sweetly "I will Coirls, let's unpack the food and spread the blanket out beneath the tree"

Tess plucked up Caleb's wicker basket and held hi patiently

Then not so patiently

Behind her, she could hear the sweet, high-pitched giggling of the girls as they struggled to se plaid blanket Jack was up at Red's head, fiddling with soy Tess was pretty sure it was a diversionary tactic No doubt the leather thing was perfectly clean and adjusted correctly

It was time to force his attention

"Oh, Jack," she called out in her best I'm-a-southern-lady-in-distress trill, "I could use a hand"

"I' up

She cleared her throat "The longer I sit in the wagon, the longer we'll be here"

He groaned?and Tess was fairly sure there was a curse buried in the sound "Fine"

Tess smiled "Fine"

He wrenched the reins around a s knot Then, s his hat lower on his forehead, he stalked across the knee-high grass to the wagon and shoved his hand up at her

"You'll need both hands"

Eyeing her, he cautiously offered her his other hand

Before he could say a word, Tess placed Caleb's basket in his outstretched hands Jack glanced down at the bundle

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