Page 14 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Olivia took her fingers from the piano keys, lowered the cover, and rested her hands in her lap. Slowly she turned to face him.
“Feeling better now?” he asked.
Her smile seemed a little mocking, but her eyes flashed. “I do. I apologize but that’s how I manage difficult things.”
“It’s a good enough way. Doesn’t hurt anyone.”
She jerked her head in acknowledgment. “Only their ears.”
He chuckled. It was good to know she had a sense of humor. “I’m sorry about this Gerald fellow.”
“He made me believe he loved me.”
“I can see why. I read the letter. Lots of sweet talk.”
She looked thoughtful as if she meant to say something.
He waited but she shook her head and pushed to her feet. “I’m keeping you up. Good night.” She retreated to her room and closed the door softly.
It was early but morning came soon enough so he headed for his room. Realizing he still clutched the note Gerald had written, he tossed the slip of paper back into her trunk but then he reached for it again. Maybe he should destroy this reminder so she wouldn’t read the false words over and have her pain renewed. But he didn’t have the right to make that choice. He left it where it fell, grabbed the book she’d lent him, and continued on his way. He lit the lamp and lay on his bed to read.
Only his mind didn’t see the page before him. Instead, he reviewed the events of the very strange day. She’d been confident when she met him at the train station. Or was she brave? Then the nerve of her following him out here and insisting she was staying.
His frown turned to a chuckle.
But to see her vulnerability when she talked of her parents and then read those sweet, meaningless words. Only days before rejecting her. That must have shaken her world as much as the loss of her parents.
He set aside the book and turned down the lamp. He didn’t want to feel sorry for her. He was not about to let a pretty face and sad story influence his decision.
No sir. He wasn’t going to repeat past mistakes.
Next morning,he wakened and looked around. His room was not like he normally left it. His clothes were all hung neatly. The floor had been swept. Then he remembered that his sisters-in-law had cleaned his house in anticipation of him bringing home a wife.
He fell back against his pillow. He did not have a wife. But he had a visitor. Two, counting Alfred. With a grunt of acceptance, he got out of bed. No doubt he’d be cooking for three instead of only himself. This was not what he had in mind.
When he entered the kitchen, Olivia stood in front of the stove, a desperate look on her face. “I’ll prepare your breakfast as soon as I get the fire going.”
She grabbed a handful of kindling and stuck it in. Joining her, he saw she’d done this several times and smothered the flames with too much wood. “This is what you do.” He showed her how to place wood around the kindling, and how to adjust the damper, and soon heat filled the room.
“Thanks. I’ll do better next time. Now, if you’ll give me a few minutes…”
“Fine. I’ll go tend to the barn chores.” He glanced into the pantry. “I see you have eggs, but I’ll bring more when I return.” Before he left the house, he looked over his shoulder.
Olivia stared at the stove as if it was her worst enemy.
Good. The sooner she admitted defeat, the sooner he could get on with his life.
His solitary bachelor life.
He lengthened his stride. When he saw Matt and Luke headed for the barn, he shifted direction. Today was not a good day to answer their persistent questions or listen to their equally persistent ribbing.
The chicken coop offered no relief as Honor left carrying a basket of eggs. He couldn’t switch directions quickly enough. She called out to him.
“Riley, I was hoping to see you. How’s Olivia doing?”
“How’s she supposed to be doing?” He flinched at treating her so rudely simply because he was riled.
“It’s all new to her. I figger she’ll have lots to learn.”
