Hearts in Hot Springs by Kari Trumbo

Author:Kari Trumbo [Trumbo, Kari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inked in Faith Publications
Published: 2017-11-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Mathias watched her dash into her store in the reflection of the glass of his own, but he couldn’t look himself in the eye. He’d recklessly chased her after church the day before, fully intending to apologize for avoiding her. But then he’d almost run her down in the street. His heart had been beating fit to burst and the first thing that had come from his mouth had not been what it should’ve. He’d joked instead of saying he was sorrier than he’d ever been before. And he’d hurt her. The tracks of tears were still visible on her cheeks.

Now he couldn’t go talk to her. She didn’t want him to. Her every deed had said so. She’d run from him at every opportunity. Just like Elanor. Katy had been right the whole time. Nora might not have acted the same as Elanor, hadn’t stepped out on him, but had walked away just the same. His heart had been good and attached.

He strode back into the store and slid the broom back in the narrow wedge where he kept it. Katy sat on her stool behind the counter, a smug look tilting her mouth.

“Didn’t I warn you about her? She couldn’t even be bothered to wave back at you. She thinks she’s so good, better than you.”

He turned from his gloating sister as Aunt Georgia burst through the door. She never did anything quiet.

“Mathias, I’ve just finished talking with that lovely lady from across the street. You have chosen so well. My brother would be so proud of you.”

She took short strides as her booted feet clicked across his floor, and she crushed him in a tight hug. Katy sniffed indignantly.

“Katy, you hush. You’re nothing but a sourpuss. Now, Nora will be coming in here to buy some notions for her store. You give her my rate. You understand?”

He wouldn’t ever deny his aunt anything, but Nora wouldn’t be coming into the store, not with Katy there, and Katy would never allow a discount. She’d probably charge double behind his back.

“If she comes in I’ll be sure to do that.”

“Oh, she will. I told her to. We bought everything she had left available. By some miracle, she had just enough of what each of us wanted.” She gave Mathias a hearty wink. How he loved his aunt and her audacious spunk.

She glanced at Katy for a moment, then back at Mathias. “Dear, could you show me the plows out back? I suddenly think I need a new one.”

Katy sputtered. “A plow? You live in town. You don’t own one to replace!”

Aunt Georgia patted her hand. “Just sit here in your seat, dear. When a woman wants to buy a plow, you just let her.”

Mathias followed his aunt to the back of the store, chuckling at how she always managed to keep his sister a little flustered.

They only had two plows, a small hand plow for garden plots, and a large one to be pulled by a horse, but he suspected that one might never sell now that more farmers were hiring the use of tractors.

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