He shrugged again. "I heard someone was buying the land for sale next to yours. I imagine they would want electricity."
The more she listened to and observed Barrett, the more impressed she was with him - the more she loved him. She held his gaze until Ma interrupted them with a question directed at Barrett.
"You reckon how long it will take to get them logs out of there?"
Barrett immediately shifted his attention to Ma. "We'll have them out of there by the end of the week, and then we'll remove the trailer."
"What about the money?"
"I'm not in charge of that. I'm sure my Uncle will be out here to settle before we remove the lumber." His attention came back to Mary Jo. "He said he had a company car that they have replaced. It isn't much, but it's in good mechanical condition. He wanted to give it to you."
Ma looked at Pa. "We sold the trees so's we could buy a car."
Pa shook his head. "We'll pay for the car."
Barrett's gaze never left Mary Jo's face. "It's up to you. Can you drive it? Do you have a license?"
She shook her head and maintained eye contact, dismissing Ma and Pa. He was making it clear that this wasn't their decision. "I can drive, but I ain't got no…I don't have a license. I don't have money for insurance, either - or a job."
"I could take you to get your permit and driver's test. I can lend you the money for the insurance until you can get a job." His gaze was warm and tender.
At the moment, Mary Jo was glad a table separated them. She'd like to kiss him but Ma and Pa would have a cow.
She swallowed hard. "I'd like that."
"I thought you said you didn't have no money," Ma interjected.
Barrett turned to her. "No, I said I didn't have a permanent job."
Pa leaned back in his chair and fixed a hard stare on Mary Jo. "As long as you're living under my roof, you'll obey my rules. I don't want you running around all hours of the night, getting into trouble."
She looked at Barrett and he smiled. "An apartment is expensive. Staying here is your best option until you have some concrete plans."
"Do you think he'd hold that car for me?"
Barrett nodded. "I'm sure he will."