Lorraine by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Lorraine stared at Grant, as if daring him to say the wrong thing. He had hurt her deeply and crushed her enthusiasm, but he appeared genuinely repentant. Perhaps there was a chance for them after all.

He stood and guided her to her feet. “Please say you’ve forgiven me.”

They were only inches apart. Did her presence affect him as his did her? As if in answer to her thoughts, he clasped her arms gently.

She took a deep breath. “I’ve wanted to work with you, Mr. Pettigrew, so I suppose we should at least give this arrangement a try.”

A broad smile split his face and his brown eyes sparkled. “Thank you. Please, since we’ll be working together, will you call me Grant?”

Since that’s how she thought of him, his request was an easy one. “All right, Grant, and I suppose you should call me Lorraine.”

The anger she’d harbored had fled and with it, most of the hurt. Was she so inconsistent that one apology could completely change her attitude? Apparently she was—although he had groveled. She focused on the chain that secured his pocket watch when what she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck.

He released one of her arms to tip her face upward then gently brushed her lips with his. Instead of bristly as she’d expected, his mustache was soft. She should have resisted his advances but melted against him. His arms tightened around her.

He whispered against her hair, “Ah, Lorraine, I’ve dreamed of holding you like this since I met you.”

She nestled against his strong chest. “Have you? You acted as if you didn’t like me.”

“That was never my intention.” He backed away but took her hand in his. “Please understand that this kiss has nothing to do with whether or not you work with me. Will you come back to the office today?”

Should she? Here she was, vacillating again when he’d apologized and offered her a job and recognition.

“I suppose. I’ll tell Lydia and get my purse then I can go.” She slipped out the door Lydia had used, the one that led to the kitchen.

Lydia waited, smiling. “All cleared up now?”

Wondering if Lydia could tell she’d been kissed, Lorraine smiled and sensed the heat of a blush on her face. “He’s offered me a job as assistant editor. If you’ve no objection, I’ll go with him to the office.”

Mrs. Murphy handed her a bundle. “We expected as much. I’ve made you sandwiches since you’ll miss your dinner.”

Lorraine took the package. “Thank you, Mrs. Murphy. And you, Lydia, for your kindness.”

Lydia hugged her. “I fetched your purse from your room just in case he pled his case well. Get going. I’ll let the others know where you are.”

Lorraine and Grant strolled to the office. Several of those on the road or who they met on the boardwalk called a greeting. Others waved from across the street. Grant was acquainted with everyone in town.

Between her attending church, the dances, and selling advertisements for the paper, she had met many of the townspeople.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.