Patience_Bride of Washington by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance, Fiction, Forever Love, Victorian Era, western, Forty-Two In Series, saga, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, short story, American Mail-Order Bride, Bachelor, Single Woman, marriage of convenience, Christian, Religious, Faith, inspirational, Factory Burned, Pioneer, Getting Acquainted, Turbulent Period, Destined, Humorous, Washington, Older Gentlemen, Respectable Boarding House, Commercial Apple Orchard, Job, Future Stepson, Complications, wealthy, Distrust, Mother Deceased, Younger Son, Compromise, Business
Goodreads: 27773806
Publisher: Caroline Clemmons
Published: 2015-12-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

At work, Patience had the pay packets ready by Wednesday evening, and filed them into the safe in Andrew’s office.

“I’m surprised Andrew is away from the orchard so often,” she said as she shut the safe door.

Stone stood in the doorway. “He’s been playing hooky a lot the last six or seven months. I don’t know what’s going on. He’ll be here full time when harvest begins.”

“I’m sure that’s a hectic time.” She walked toward him, intending to squeeze by and go back to her desk.

Stone didn’t move and she turned sideways to slide past him. Her breath caught as she brushed against him. He smelled of pine and bay and healthy man. His blue eyes darkened to navy as he looked down at her when she passed. Tension spread through her body like an ocean wave.

No, no, no.

This would never do. She couldn’t be attracted to Stone. In two weeks she was marrying his father and he’d be her stepson.

Get a grip on yourself, Patience Eaton.

If only Andrew’s nearness created the sensations she had when close to Stone. Not only had Andrew not kissed her, he hadn’t even flirted with her. She was grateful, but the facts made her wary.

Obviously, Andrew wasn’t attracted to her any more than she was to him. Why hadn’t he backed out of the marriage? Perhaps he believed himself honor-bound just as she was. What was she to do to resolve the problem?

She went to the water bucket and drank from the dipper. Moistening her handkerchief, she brushed the cloth across her neck and forehead. Taking a deep breath, she turned to see Stone watching her. The look in his dark blue eyes increased her heartbeat and did funny things to her insides.

“Warm, Patience?” Leaning against the door jamb, he smiled at her and raised an eyebrow.

Fighting to appear calm and disinterested, she reclaimed her chair at her desk. “A little tired but the damp handkerchief refreshed me. Thank you for your concern.”

“Just trying to look after you. Let me know if you need anything.” He went into his own office and she exhaled her relief.

What was she going to do? Her attraction to him had been growing. She wanted to hit herself with the ledger as she’d done Stone yesterday. Perhaps she could pound sense into her wayward thoughts.

***

Stone had barely gone into his office when he decided to leave. “I’m going for a walk to check on things at the equipment barn. Back later.”

He left with no particular destination in mind. His intention was to put distance between himself and Patience. In a couple of weeks she’d be his stepmother. The thought sent him spiraling into despair.

What had he been thinking to flirt with her? The wrong part of his anatomy had taken over instead of his brain. He considered banging his head against a tree. Perhaps that would knock sense into his head.

Damn, he was physically attracted to the woman destined to become his stepmother. Attracted in a big way. He’d had trouble sleeping lately because of her.

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