Jamie by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Olivia was run off her feet. Mama’s sprain was so bad she wasn’t recovering as quickly as everyone had hoped. Here they were three days later and Mama still couldn’t put weight on her foot. Doctor Miller had been summoned and ordered her to keep her foot elevated and her to remain in bed as much as possible.

Between the children’s lessons, waiting on Mama and combining the other woman’s chores with her own, she hadn’t been this busy since the last canning season in her parents’ home. Carrying a mop, a bucket of soapy water, a dust rag, and with a few other supplies in her apron pocket, Olivia moved from room to room.

Since she’d arrived, they’d only swept the floors except for the kitchen. Today she intended to give every room a good damp mop to remove all traces of dust. After polishing all the furniture, she shined the windows. Draperies would have to wait for another day when the weather was agreeable. She wrung out the mop and set to work on the Jamie’s study floor.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

She whirled to find Jamie glaring at her. “I’m baking a cake, Jamie. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“I meant why are you working in here. Only Mama and I come in here.”

She swished the mop around his desk. “Mama is off her feet, or did you forget that? What brings you here at this time of day?”

“Today is pay day for the hands. I always pay them on Friday so they can go into town Saturday if they want.”

“Don’t let me stop you. I’ll work across the room.” She moved to the opposite side and started in the corner.

“Olivia, the cash is in here. No one but Mama or me can open the safe.”

She stopped and stared at him as the impact of his inference dawned on her. Anger boiled up and erupted. “You don’t trust me. That’s what you’re trying not to say, isn’t it?”

“Now, Olivia, think about what you’re saying. We may be married, but I’ve only known you just over a week. You seem nice, but for all I know you could be a black widow waiting to learn where my money is so you can make off with all my money.”

“For your information, black widows kill their husbands. They don’t have to make off with his money because they inherit everything.” She took a step toward him. “I always thought that was cold-hearted and ruthless, but I’m beginning to understand how a woman might be driven to do so.”

He held up a hand, palm outward. “Olivia, you’re over reacting.”

She leaned on her mop handle. “Oh, didn’t you know? I came here to rob you. I’m a famous safecracker wanted worldwide for robbing the men I’ve duped.”

He backed away. “Calm down and think about the situation. I have to keep a lot of cash on hand here.”

“You are the orneriest man I’ve ever met.” Without stopping to think about her actions, she thrust the mop in his face, swirled the handle, turned around, and left the room.

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