An Inconvenient Match by Janet Dean

Author:Janet Dean
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

A small boy, shirtless under his overalls, bare feet, dusty and on tiptoe, struggled to choose from the selection of penny candy lined up in glass jars along the counter.

As Abigail waited for the youngster to make his decision, she inhaled the scent of coffee, molasses and pickles wafting from barrels on the floor. To celebrate her first payday at the Cummingses, she’d buy her nephews a rare treat.

The proprietor, Seymour Manning, wearing an apron over his clothing and a patient expression on his face, gave her a smile. Once a gambler, Elizabeth’s father had turned his life around and like Pastor Ted had encouraged and counseled Joe.

His selection made, the boy plopped a penny down while Mr. Manning sacked his purchase. Bag clutched in a dirty dimpled hand, the boy whirled to the door. “Thanks!” he shouted.

Mr. Manning, an imposing man with a handsome head of hair and wide girth, chuckled. “Sorry for the wait. If all my customers were as indecisive, I’d be pulling out my hair.”

Smiling, Abigail laid out her purchases. “The delay gave me time to think about buying candy for my nephews. Please add four red lollipops to my order.”

“Well, in that case, I may hire the lad,” he said with a wink, then popped the staples in one bag and the lollipops in another. “Appreciate your business.”

Harrison Carder appeared at her elbow and tipped his hat. Blond and gray-eyed with a neatly trimmed beard, he looked dapper. “You look mighty fetching, Miss Abigail,” he said in that charming Boston accent.

Smooth talk. Smooth manners. Smooth brow. “Thank you.”

“Which penny candy is your favorite?”

Once Wade had given her the candy. “Peppermints.”

Harrison dropped a coin on the counter. “Peppermints for the lady.”

As Mr. Manning tunneled into the jar with a brass scoop, Harrison turned toward her. “Those peppermints are my way of softening you up. Hoping you’ll take pity on a lonely bachelor and invite him for a home-cooked meal.”

A snicker drew Abigail’s attention to Cecil and Oscar Moore playing checkers beside the unlit stove.

“At least we don’t have to beg for Elizabeth Logan’s biscuits,” Cecil said loud enough for Harrison to hear.

Oscar snorted. “Young whippersnappers today ain’t got no clue on how to sway a female.”

In an attempt to tamp down the chuckle shoving out of her mouth, Abigail coughed behind a gloved hand. “I’m sorry but our kitchen table is overflowing with nine of us in one tiny apartment.”

That dejected look on Harrison’s face tugged at her conscience. A Christian should be hospitable, especially to a newcomer. “Once my sister’s family is back in their house, I’d enjoy preparing you a home-cooked meal.”

All smiles, he clasped his hands together. “I’ll look forward to it.”

Elizabeth Logan marched up with Wade Cummings in tow. Her wide-brimmed straw hat was adorned with silk flowers pretty enough to draw bees.

Elizabeth looked pleased with herself.

Wade looked…trapped.

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