The Unexpected Bride by Griggs Winnie

Author:Griggs, Winnie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: WinOver
Published: 2019-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Caleb put a hand to his back as he straightened. He’d spent the past hour putting finishing touches on the final two pieces in his current order. The extra effort he’d made these past few days had paid off. He ought to be ready to take it all to town by Friday, right on schedule. Not bad considering all that had happened recently.

As he cleaned his tools, he mulled over Elthia’s unorthodox plan to get herself a new wardrobe. He’d had the impression she had money of her own, but maybe he’d been wrong. Had she been afraid to ask him to buy clothes for her or just too proud?

He had vague memories of his father giving his mother money periodically. Pin money they’d called it. Should he do the same for Elthia? He sure couldn’t go on having her trade her things to his neighbors for the necessities he should be providing.

He just wished she’d come to him to start with.

“Hello.”

As if his thoughts had conjured her, Caleb looked up to see Elthia standing in the doorway. She was wearing one of the dresses Granny had brought, and he was surprised by the change it wrought. Gone was the high-class socialite. She’d been replaced by a shy-faced, small-town girl. There was something about her expression, a softness that hadn’t been there before.

He most definitely approved.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your work.” She fidgeted with a fold in her skirt, as if uncertain of her appearance. “Zoe made some lemonade, and I thought you might like a glass.”

“Thanks. Come on in.” Now what had sparked that friendly gesture? Not that he minded—it was a promising turn of events.

“I’m just getting my brushes and tools put away.” He pointed a brush. “That one of the frocks Granny brought?”

“Uh-huh.” She fanned out one side of her skirt. “What do you think?”

He thought she must not have looked in the mirror if she was worried about her appearance. The pale green shade complemented her, and the simple style gave her a wholesome, fresh-faced look. She didn’t seem so out of place here anymore. Oh yes, he liked it just fine. “Looks nice.”

She rewarded his faint praise with a smile. “Thank you.”

As he put away his tools, she placed the lemonade on the worktable beside him. Then she wandered farther into the room, setting one of the larger rocking horses in motion with her hand.

Caleb searched his mind for some way to take advantage of her mood. If he wanted to make real progress on his scheme to woo her, he’d have to get her alone occasionally. Sure, he could do some teasing and flirting, even with the kids around, already had in fact. Casual touches and meaningful looks, handled properly, could do a lot to get her in the right frame of mind.

But serious sparking required privacy.

Then he hit on it. “How’d you like to take a walk with me. There’s a spot back in the woods that was a favorite of mine when I was a boy.

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