Page 61 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
Olivia joined them at the table, hoping they wouldn’t notice that she glanced down the hall wondering where Riley worked. Mrs. Bennet poured her tea.
“Oh. I almost forgot. I brought a freshly baked cake.” She withdrew it. “Sorry, it isn’t iced but Riley prefers it that way.”
“Eh, and so do we, don’t we, Alfred?”
“Indeed.” He looked at Mrs. Bennet with such fondness that Olivia knew a moment of envy.
Mrs. Bennet brought small plates and forks for each of them and a cutting knife. Olivia sipped her tea and ate her cake. Mrs. Bennet and Alfred said the cake was delicious.
“Exactly the right amount of spice,” Mrs. Bennet said.
It was on the tip of Olivia’s tongue to say it was how Riley liked it but stopped herself. She couldn’t keep on gushing about what Riley liked.
Her cup was empty. Her plate cleaned. “I suppose I better be going.” No disguising the reluctance in her voice.
“Oh, my dear, you can’t leave without taking Riley cake and tea.” Mrs. Bennet hurried to get another plate and filled another cup.
Olivia needed no further urging and cut a large portion of cake. “Where is he?” She’d been in the kitchen and the living room but no further.
“Down the hall, first door on your right.”
She was across the room before Mrs. Bennet finished speaking. She hesitated at the door before she tapped. “Riley, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
She opened the door. A bookcase ran clear up to the ceiling on one side holding an eclectic collection of books, ledgers, and items she could only guess the Shannons had collected over the years—a wide set of horns, a few rocks, several framed pictures, and a clock that didn’t tick. Riley sat facing her behind a large oak desk that filled a large portion of the small room. His hair was mussed as if he’d run his fingers through it a number of times. A stack of papers sat to one side. A money box on the other.
“I hope you’re ready for a break because I brought tea.”
He pushed his chair back. “I am sure glad to see you. Have a seat.” He indicated a wooden chair tucked into the corner.
She gave him the refreshments and then down. She’d like to think he welcomed her presence for her sake, but she suspected it was only because he didn’t care for doing the ledgers.
He took a bite of cake. “Umm. Good. Exactly the way I like it.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, pleased with her success.
It didn’t take long for him to finish the snack. He set the plate and cup on the corner of the desk.
She rose. “I’ll take the dishes and leave you to your work.”
“I don’t mind if you stay and keep me company.”
At his unexpected invitation and the welcome in his tone, her gaze jerked to his and stayed. Her heart hammered against her ribcage. Did he desire her company for her sake or simply because he didn’t enjoy the bookwork? Though how would her remaining in the room change that?
“Why?” she asked.
He lowered his gaze and shrugged. “Strange as it sounds, having you here calms me.”
She sat again. “Very well, if it helps in any way I’ll stay.”
“Feel free to read a book.” He jabbed his thumb toward the shelves.
She examined the titles. An array of thin booklets:Farmstead Development.Modern-Day Breeds. Necessary Medical Knowledge. None made her want to pull them out.
She moved along the shelf studying the items until she found a title that sounded interesting.Flora And Fauna of The American West.She took the book to the chair and opened it. Each page had colored drawings of flowers, animals, trees, or bugs. Seeing the pictures filled her with a desire to create her own collection of drawings. She memorized the names of each flower she studied, turning page after page.
“That’s the one,” she whispered and glanced up hoping she hadn’t disturbed Riley.
