Harvey House Bride (Harvey Girls Book 1) by Teresa Ives Lilly

Author:Teresa Ives Lilly [Lilly, Teresa Ives]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier-Pioneer Era, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Harvey Girls, Harvey House Waitress
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications
Published: 2017-11-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

W hen the last passenger of the day left the Harvey House, Sheila and Annie both took a deep breath.

“That was an ornery crowd.” Annie began wiping the countertop. “Must be the weather. It’s usually pretty cold in January. This is the first time I remember it being so warm, but it was a mild winter.”

Sheila collected the plate and cup from her station and carried them toward the kitchen. “I’m just glad they’re gone. I don’t think even one of them was happy today.”

Just then the door opened again, and a tall man strolled in, a Stetson hat on his head and a gun in the belt on his hip. Sheila was amazed. The dark-haired man was the epitome of the gunslingers in the penny novels some of the girls read.

The man sat at the counter, glaring at Sheila defiantly. Sheila put down the dishes and returned to her spot. Annie stepped in front of the man to take his order. Sheila waited until Annie turned the cup then moved to fill it with coffee.

“You’re a new girl?” the man’s deep voice questioned.

“Yes.”

“Pretty, too.”

Sheila didn’t answer.

“Shy?”

Again, Sheila didn’t answer. She poured the coffee and turned away. The man reached across the counter and grabbed her arm.

“What’s wrong, little gal? You too good to speak to me?”

Sheila knew the rules in the Harvey House were to be polite to all customers so she smiled at the man. “Not at all, Sir. I have my duties to attend to.”

“It’s not busy. I’m sure you could stay and talk a little while.”

Sheila swallowed. Her thoughts were on the picnic where she was supposed to be. This man was keeping her from that.

Annie pulled Sheila away from the man “Mr. Barton, this girl is done with work. I’ll be waiting on you.” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at the man.

Sheila noticed his hand hover over his gun but finally drop to his side. “Okay, Annie. I won’t pick on your new little girl.” He chuckled deeply.

Sheila realized she’d been holding her breath. She stumbled out of the restaurant and rushed up the stairs to change out of her uniform.

Without any further thought of Mr. Barton, she traipsed down the stairs and rushed out the back door.

~

“There you are,” Susie shouted as Sheila neared the family. Mrs. Bennet had a quilt spread out on the ground beside several other families’ blankets.

“We’ve got lots of food!” George held up a chicken leg.

Sheila glanced at the bounty of food curiously. She didn’t think her mother could afford so much.

“Mr. Howell asked to join us. He supplied most of the food.”

Sheila watched the woman tuck her head coyly.

“Mother, you like him, don’t you?”

Her mother swiped some crumbs off the quilt. “He’s a very nice man.”

Just then, Sheila looked up and noticed Mr. Howell walking towards them. Beside him was Dale.

“Hello, ladies.” Dale waved his good hand as they neared.

Mr. Howell clapped his hands together. “I can hardly wait to eat. I’ve gotten used to eating while working, it will be nice to sit and relax through a meal.

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