Page 60 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
He went reluctantly. “I’d sooner hide.”
Kit jumped out him from behind a tree and tagged him. “You’re It.”
Olivia ran away before he could catch her. “I’ll get you eventually,” he called.
“I’m counting on it,” she called from a safe distance.
The others hooted. He wondered if she referred to marriage.
They played until shadows crossed the pathway and pooled beneath the trees. He even managed to tag Olivia three times, each time sweeping her into his arms rather than just touching her. She’d squealed but he figured it seemed a joyful sound.
He was hot and happy when Matt ended the game by saying it was time for Lindy to go to bed. They said goodbye to the others and he and Olivia went to their house.
She drank a dipperful of water and handed him the dipper. “That was fun.”
He drank his fill. “I guess we’re still children at heart.”
They considered each other; expressions solemn. Much of her hair had escaped her usual braid and clung to her damp cheeks. He caught a strand and drew it behind her ear. Her indrawn breath seemed to signify enjoyment.
His fingers lingered on her skin. His thumb moved to the corner of her mouth. She leaned toward him. A clear invitation. He lowered his head. Footsteps sounded in the entryway, and he drew back as Alfred entered.
“Heard the lot of you playing,” Alfred said. “Happy sounds, as Iris stated.” He sounded pleased with himself and life in general and whistled softly as he made his way to his bedroom.
Riley and Olivia watched him until the door closed behind him. They glanced at each other and grinned.
The grin remained on his lips as he fell asleep.
* * *
Olivia’s heart felt light,washed clean by yesterday’s rain. Her cheeks stung with heat as she admitted it was more than the rain that had caused that.
As she served breakfast, Riley announced he would spend the day working in the office. “The office is in Andy’s house, in case you need me for anything. I’ve got to bring the records up to date.”
Olivia smiled, happy to know he’d be nearby.
“I guess I never thought of having to keep books, but it makes sense. Uncle Harris said it was the worst part of running a business. He had a bookkeeper but said the responsibility was still his, so he checked the books on a regular basis.”
“It’s an unwelcome job but someone’s got to do it. Being the oldest seldom gives me any privileges but times like this, gives me the responsibility.” He pushed away from the table. “I’m off to my unwelcome task.”
She watched him go, his walk firm, full of determination but there was no bounce in his steps. Poor man. She cleaned the kitchen, set meat to stew, prepared the vegetables, and mixed up a cake. As it baked, she sat at the piano and played. The aroma of the baking cake drew her attention. Honor had told her that her nose would inform her when things were done, and she hurried to take the cake from the oven. It looked perfect if she did say so herself.
Riley had informed her he preferred his cake uniced so even when it cooled, she wouldn’t need to do anything more with it.
She looked out the window toward the big house. Alfred and Mrs. Bennet were there. Riley was over there. And she was here by herself. Not that she minded. She returned to the piano stool and rested her fingers on the keys. She struck a few notes.
Mrs. Bennet had invited Olivia to visit any time she liked. Now seemed like as good a time as any. It wouldn’t hurt to take a piece of cake to Riley. She cut a large portion of the now cooled cake, wrapped it in a towel then changed her mind. She couldn’t take only enough for him, so she wrapped the whole pan and put it in a basket.
Hoping no one would guess the truth—that she didn’t like being here when Riley was over there—she went next door.
“Come in, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet called. “Have you come for tea?”
Alfred sat at the table pulling strings from green beans. Mrs. Bennet had an array of canning jars on the cupboard. A large pot of water simmered on the stove.
Olivia hesitated. “I can see you’re busy. I won’t bother you.”
“Nonsense, come and sit. We can work and visit at the same time, isn’t that right, Alfred?”
“It is indeed.”
