His Substitute Wife by Dorothy Clark

Author:Dorothy Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“In this ledger I have listed every item for sale in the store.”

Audrey stared at the large black leather book on the counter and wished she could think of an excuse to move away. Blake was so close that when he lowered his head over the book, she could smell a faint trace of the Swiss Violet shaving cream he used. She’d never known violets could smell so...manly.

“—is the price per shipping container. The second column is the price per item or pound or ounce. That’s the way I do it. If you keep this book open beside the till box you will know how much to charge the customer. Though with your keen mind you will soon have the cost of things memorized.”

“I’ll do my best.” She took a deep breath she immediately regretted and stared down at the book. With your keen mind... She’d rather he thought she was beautiful...like Linda. As if that could ever be. She held back a sigh, wishing she had not gone to visit Mrs. Ferndale. The woman’s story about her grandfather and grandmother meeting by letter had put foolish, romantic thoughts in her head. Now, every time she looked at Blake she wondered What if? And that was pure foolishness.

“And this is my sales ledger.” He pulled another large black leather book off the shelf beneath the counter and opened it. “As you can see, I write every purchase in it—that way I know when I’m about to run out of the item and I order more.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful to record every sale.” She tugged at her jacket and used the movement as an excuse to edge a short distance away from him.

“Is something wrong, Audrey?”

“What?” She glanced up, shook her head. “No. I’m just a little...distracted. I was thinking of...dinner.” Sort of. “I want to start it before the next train arrives.” She tucked a curl beneath her hat. “I had thought to have the venison roast, but Mrs. Ferndale said it would be better to soak it and have it tomorrow. So...” Stop babbling! She looked down at the ledger. Smoked ham... “Do you like ham?”

“Yes. Listen, Audrey, if there is not time enough, or if you’ve decided it’s too much work and have changed your mind about helping in the store—”

“Not at all. I want to help. I enjoy working in the store. It’s only...” She focused her scattered thoughts to come up with an excuse. She couldn’t tell him the truth. “I can’t reach the hams. Or the other items hanging from the ceiling.” She tipped her head and looked up. “Is there a ladder in the back room?”

“Not for you to use. It’s not safe with your long skirts.”

“Then how shall I help the customer who wants a ham?”

“I’ll hang them from a shelf in the back room where you can reach them.”

“And the saws and other tools?”

“Have the man who wants to buy one take it down.”

“But—”

“Must you always argue? No ladder!” He scowled, walked to the hams and lifted one down.

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