By the time she hauled enough water for Ma, she felt like she needed a bath again. She was glad Billy Ray hauled his own water. She went to her room to change clothes and get ready for their outing.
Mary Jo had one nice shirt that came close to fitting her lank frame, so she chose that. It wasn't the best color for her, but it was clean and relatively new - something she picked up at a second hand store when Pa took them to town. She didn't own a dress. She wouldn't wear it often enough to justify the cost. She selected the best of her worn jeans and then wiped her boots as clean as possible.
She had no reason to be ashamed of the way she looked, but she did want to be the best Mary Jo that she could be today. When her hair dried, she brushed it again. It fell in soft shiny curls across her shoulders. At least her hair was remarkable.
Someone knocked on the door and she hurried to her bedroom door. She stopped at the door and composed herself before opening it. She didn't want him to get the idea that she was desperate. Ma was already inviting Monroe into the house when she stepped out of her room. His gaze went immediately to her and he smiled his approval.
"You look nice."
She ducked her head. "Thank you."
Monroe looked neat and crisp in a white short-sleeved shirt tucked into dark indigo jeans. He wore plain black leather shoes that were clean, but didn't look freshly shined. His clothes were unremarkable, but the way he looked in them certainly was remarkable.
On hearing Monroe's voice, Billy Ray lunged from his room, a huge grin on his face. "Mr. Monroe!"
Monroe's smile broadened. "Are you hungry?"
Billy Ray nodded vigorously and the grin never left his face.
Monroe looked at Ma. "Are we all ready?"
At the car, Monroe took Ma's elbow and opened the door for her, assisting her into the car. Billy Ray watched him for a moment and then did the same for Mary Jo. Pa never opened the door for Ma, unless her arms were full of groceries. It suddenly occurred to her that having Monroe around might be a good thing for Billy Ray.
After a friendly lunch at a family restaurant, Monroe took them back home and offered to help Mary Jo with the chores. She declined his help, but he followed her to the barn anyway. She was grateful for the lunch, but it would have been more enjoyable if she hadn't felt like he was greasing them up for a sale.