Читать книгу The Proper Wife - Winnie Griggs - Страница 11

“Wild wiggly worms, what happened in here?”

At the sound of Danny’s horrified question, Eli abruptly released Miss Lassiter’s hand and they both spun around.

He straightened his cuffs, trying to regain his composure. Surely Cora Beth’s brother didn’t think—

A heartbeat later he realized Danny was staring, not at the two of them, but at the mess on the floor.

“Just a little accident with the honey crock,” Miss Lassiter explained. “Nothing to get all excited about.”

“Who—”

“It doesn’t really matter who dropped it. What’s done is done.”

Eli raised a brow at her hasty interruption. Did she have trouble admitting when she’d made a mistake?

Danny didn’t seem inclined to let the matter drop. “But that was the last of Cora Beth’s fruitcake honey.”

Fruitcake honey? What was that?

Miss Lassiter, however, seemed to have no trouble understanding the significance. “I know, and that’s unfortunate. But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to her.”

Eli took himself in hand while Danny and Miss Lassiter babbled on about the honey. No doubt his uncomfortable, off balance feeling of a moment ago was caused by sympathy for Miss Lassiter’s injury, nothing more. After all, it was quite natural for a gentleman to feel some concern for a lady in distress. Especially a petite little thing like Miss Lassiter.

It was time he set his mind to more important matters. Like pressing his suit with Mrs. Collins. He’d set a few pieces in motion this evening and then lay his case before her tomorrow.

No doubt she would think his proposal sudden, but Mrs. Collins struck him as a sensible woman, one not given to fanciful notions. And since his offer of marriage would afford her an opportunity to finally shed the onerous workload she bore as proprietress of this boardinghouse, he was confident she would view his suit most favorably.

He spared a glance for Miss Lassiter. She’d moved back to the table with Penny and the two of them were stirring something in a large bowl. They looked so comfortable together, as if they were old friends. How did she manage to coax that sweet smile from his sister so often?

He shook his head to clear it from those stray thoughts. This waffling was unlike him—he preferred an orderly, calculated approach to decision making. Cora Beth Collins was the logical choice and she would make a wonderful mother figure for Penny.

And after tomorrow it would be settled.

The evening meal passed pleasantly enough. The food, while not up to Mrs. Collins’s standards, was passable. And Miss Lassiter made a point of giving credit to Penny for making the dessert sauce. While his sister reddened under the attention, she also seemed pleased by it, as well. He would have to remember to thank Miss Lassiter for her consideration.

He was also pleased with the progress he’d made with Mrs. Collins. Earlier he’d sought her out and asked for her help with the selection of a cook-housekeeper for his new home. He’d solicited her opinion on what qualities he should look for, then asked for suggestions on which local women might be suitable. He’d been impressed with her thought processes—another signal that he’d selected the right woman. In the end, he’d convinced her to allow each of the three women she’d recommended to take a day and cook the meals here at the boardinghouse so she could help him evaluate their performances.

He’d dropped a few hints about how dearly he valued her opinion and how he hoped to find a woman ‘just like her’ to preside in his home. He’d been subtle, as propriety dictated, but he was confident she would not be completely surprised when he proposed tomorrow.

Once the meal ended, Eli stood, ready to make his exit with the other boarders so the family would have the freedom to clear the dining room, but Mrs. Collins detained him with a comment. “I understand the work is almost complete on your new home,” she stated.

Eli nodded, taking it as a positive sign that she had singled him out. “Yes. Unfortunately that means we’ll soon have to say good-bye to the wonderful hospitality we’ve enjoyed here at your fine establishment.” Of course, if things worked according to plan, she would soon be enjoying the relative ease that came with presiding over his household.

“As pleased as we’ve been to have you and Penny with us,” she replied, “I’m certain you’ll be happy to be settled into your own home.”

Eli found himself momentarily distracted by the sound of Miss Lassiter’s laughter. It was a sound he’d heard quite a bit during the past week, though rarely when he was in her immediate presence. Not a polite titter or girlish giggle, hers tended to be a robust laugh, full of merriment and outright enjoyment. Hard to believe all of that exuberance could be contained in such a petite frame. A second later he had to school his expression as he realized he’d smiled in response.

“At any rate,” Mrs. Collins continued, “it’s good to see the old Thompson place all spruced up. It was so sad the way it got so run down after Mrs. Thompson passed away last winter.”

Audrey approached them with Viola and Penny in tow. “Momma, is it true we have to wait until next week to find out what happens to Annabel Adams?”

“Afraid so, girls.”

Audrey’s lower lip poked out. “But that’s such a long time.”

“Which means you’ll have an opportunity to practice patience. Now back to clearing the table.”

Audrey didn’t seem at all happy with that answer, but she nodded and moved toward the table.

Eli, however, was more focused on his sister. “Penny, am I to understand you’ve actually read this nonsense?”

She responded with a guilty smile. “Aunt Sadie read it to us this afternoon.” Her expression turned earnest. “And it’s not nonsense, Eli. Annabel Adams is so brave and good-hearted.”

Miss Lassiter, was it? He should have known. He’d have a word with her on the subject, but he wasn’t such an oaf that he’d dress her down in front of her friends.

As Penny moved away, Mrs. Collins offered him a smile. “It really is quite harmless and entertaining, you know. Everyone’s been talking about The Amazing Adventures of Annabel Adams ever since it appeared in the Gazette this week. Printing it was certainly a smart move on Fred Chalmers’ part. I reckon there’ll be a whole lot more folks than usual lined up for his paper next week.”

Eli supposed from a business perspective it did make sense. But that didn’t mean he approved of his sister reading such drivel. “Any idea who this Temperance Trulove really is?”

“No and Fred Chalmers isn’t talking.”

Why should he? Keeping the author’s identity a secret only piqued the subscribers’ interest all the more.

Time to change the subject. “I’m in the market for a carriage and a horse. Do you know where I might find something of quality?”

“Danny would be more able to help you with that than me.” They moved toward the boy, who was gathering up an armload of dirty dishes.

Once Eli explained what he needed, Danny nodded. “There’s a couple of rigs whose owners would likely part with them for the right price. What kind are you looking for?”

Eli was surprised at how grown up the eleven-year-old suddenly appeared. Apparently he was all business when it came to the livery stable. “Something suitable for getting around town and for short excursions. With enough room to seat three or four comfortably.”

“Mr. Anderson’s buggy is your best bet then. It’s extra roomy and still in fine shape, but now that his kids are moved on he wants to replace it with something that has less seating and more room to haul goods. As for horses—”

“My brother runs Kestrel Stables,” Miss Lassiter interjected. “He raises the finest horses in these parts. He and Josie are away right now, but I’d be glad to show you his stock.”

That’s right, Miss Lassiter’s brother was married to Mrs. Collins’s sister—that’s how the two came to know each other. He’d met Ryland and Josie Lassiter once when they’d visited Mrs. Collins. Ryland seemed like a fine man, much more levelheaded and grounded than his sister.

“She’s right,” Danny offered. “Ry and Josie raise some mighty fine mounts. It’s where I’d go if I was looking to make a purchase.”

Eli met Miss Lassiter’s gaze. “And can you make deals on his behalf?”

She lifted her chin as if taking offense. “Of course. Ry was the one who taught me most of what I know about horses, so he trusts me. And Henry, Ry’s foreman, will know which animals are for sale and which are not.”

Something flashed in her expression, there and gone so quickly he didn’t quite make it out. “In fact, since Cora Beth mentioned that we’ll have someone else in to do the cooking tomorrow, I was thinking I might take a trip out to the ranch. You’re welcome to accompany me to look over the stock if you like.”

Eli hesitated. Something about her smile made him a trifle uneasy. On the other hand, a horse was an important purchase and he wasn’t inclined to wait the month or so until her brother returned from his trip.

Besides, if she was up to something, he was certain he could handle it. “Thank you for your kind offer. Just let me know what time you wish to depart.”

Sadie placed the hamper next to the sack Mr. Reynolds had already loaded in the back of the buggy for her. As she stepped back she noticed him eyeing her suspiciously.

“Are you making deliveries to the ranch?”

She allowed him to take her hand and help her up. “You could say that. Kestrel is Viola’s home, remember? She wanted to send gifts to her friends there and Cora Beth let her raid the pantry. There are a couple of pears to feed to her pony, a few jars of preserves for the cook, a jug of apple cider for Henry—that sort of thing.” No point mentioning the items she herself had packed just yet.

She cast around for a change of subject as he climbed up beside her and decided the weather was as good a topic as any. She waved a hand to draw his attention to the clouds scattered against the dark blue field of sky. “Looks like we’re in luck weather-wise. If we are in for more rain today, it’s several hours out.”

He nodded as he picked up the reins. “I agree. We should be back in town well before any foul weather sets in.”

After that the conversation lagged. Sadie tried not to fidget as she wondered when and how she should broach her plans for her little side trip with him.

Dear Father above, help me find the right words. This all felt like the right thing to do last night when I planned it, but I’m just not certain he’s going to see it that way.

After about five minutes, Mr. Reynolds finally broke the silence. “There is something I wish to speak to you about.”

“Oh?” From his tone, this did not sound like a conversation she was likely to enjoy.

“In case it has escaped your notice, my sister is young and very impressionable. As are the other children in Mrs. Collins’s household. I think it would be best if you refrain from reading that weekly serial to them in the future.”

His words took her completely by surprise. “Why ever not? The children enjoy it and it seems harmless enough.”

He raised a brow at that. “Do you truly think it appropriate reading material for children?”

“I wouldn’t have read it to them if I didn’t.” Did he think her so irresponsible? And what would he think if he knew she was the author? “The heroine exhibits high morals, healthy curiosity and steadfast courage. Have you even read the story?”

He brushed her question aside. “I didn’t need to. I’ve seen its ilk before. It’s a frivolous piece of work, one that is liable to put notions in innocent young minds that are at best nonsensical, and at worse dangerous.”

How dare he! She shifted in her seat to face him more fully. Did the man realize how pompous he sounded? “Dangerous? That’s a bit melodramatic, don’t you think? I suppose you’d prefer that I read to them from school books or perhaps morality plays.”

He didn’t seem at all ruffled by her sarcasm. “If you must read to them at all I will be happy to furnish you with copies of suitable material.” He glanced her way with a stern look. “Penny is my sister, and I must insist that you accede to my wishes in this matter.”

Sadie took a deep breath. As much as his criticisms stung, and as much as she disagreed with his perspective, he was Penny’s brother and guardian. It was not her place to argue with him about her upbringing.

I’ll trust in You to look out for the girl, Father. Goodness knows she’ll need some sort of intervention if she’s to be allowed any fun at all in her brother’s household.

“Very well.” Sadie was proud of the calm tone she managed. “I won’t read to her about Annabel Adams’s adventures without your permission.” Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d have much opportunity anyway. The installments came out once a week and he’d be moved into his new home soon. And she’d be headed back to Hawk’s Creek before long, putting even more distance between them.

Hoping to lighten the mood, she changed the subject. “So tell me about where you and Penny come from. That’s definitely not a Texas accent you speak with.”

“We come from Almega, New York, a city about thirty miles southeast of Albany. It’s much bigger than Knotty Pine with a nice variety of theaters, museums, fine restaurants, and even a hospital. All of the latest modern conveniences are available there and you can find more shops on one street than there are houses in Knotty Pine.”

She supposed she should be impressed, but it all sounded terribly crowded to her. “So what made you leave such a fine place to come out here?”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. She was probably being too nosy again.

“I thought the change would be good for Penny,” he finally said. “And the bank here was a good investment opportunity.”

He’d done all this for his sister? He must care a great deal for her. “Penny sure is a sweet girl and bright as all get-out. I know Cora Beth’s kids and Viola are all quite taken with her. She seems a mite shy, though.”

He stiffened. “She’s just naturally quiet.”

Sadie heard the note of defensiveness in his voice. “Of course. I didn’t mean to imply I thought there was anything wrong with her.” She smiled. “Any more than there’s anything wrong with Audrey for her natural chattiness.”

He seemed to relax at that, and his lips twitched in a smile. “True—no one would ever accuse Audrey of being a wallflower.”

Oh my, he really should smile more often. Then she caught site of an oak with a double trunk and a twisted branch. “You need to turn on that road off to the left up ahead.”

When he followed her directions without question, Sadie felt a twinge of guilt. She’d wait just a few minutes more, she told herself. Once they were off the main road a piece, she’d fill him in.

She kept up a stream of chatter hoping to keep him distracted from his surroundings as she watched for the milestones Danny had told her about.

Fifteen minutes later, he interrupted her mid-sentence. “Miss Lassiter, are you certain this is the right way? I haven’t seen any farmhouse or other sign of civilization for a while.”

“Oh, we’re going in the right direction—I’m sure of it.”

“Your brother’s ranch is out this way?”

Okay, time to come clean. “Not exactly.”

That brought the expected frown. “Explain, please.”

She winced at the frostiness of his tone. Perhaps she really should have let him in on her plans sooner. “I have an errand to run for Cora Beth and thought we’d handle that bit of business first.”

“An errand?”

Did she detect a note of suspicion in his question? “Yes. I need to fetch something she needs.” Oh dear, was he slowing the horse? “I assure you it’s important. We just need to go a little further down this road.”

He pursed his lips as if unhappy with the unplanned detour, so she quickly added, “And I promise you, Cora Beth will be very grateful.”

Finally he nodded, and to her relief he allowed the horse to resume its earlier pace. “I suppose, if Mrs. Collins asked you to do this, it’s the least we could do. But I hadn’t expected to be gone all day.”

“You won’t be.”

A few minutes later he cut her another sideways glance. “I’m beginning to feel like we took a wrong turn. Are you certain you know where we’re going?”

“Absolutely. I asked Danny to run through the directions twice and I’ve seen several of the landmarks he gave me. It should be just a little farther along.”

He didn’t seem reassured. “Exactly what is the nature of this errand you are running for Mrs. Collins?”

Sadie took a deep breath and then offered him her brightest smile.

He was not going to like the answer to that question.