Wanted: Barkeep (Silverpines 13) by Lynn Donovan

Author:Lynn Donovan [Lynn Donovan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sunlight poured into Flora’s window, she stirred awake. When had she fallen asleep? She stretched and yawned. Hazel dropped something in the kitchen and a horse neighed in the carriage house. What time was it? She lifted the timepiece brooch she laid by her bed every night and blinked to force her eyes to focus. It was nearly noon!

She leapt out of bed and washed her face, quickly dressed, dabbed on her makeup, and pinned up her hair. The aroma of Hazel cooking in the kitchen met Flora’s nose and caused her tummy to growl. She rushed out to see what was so enticing. Hazel looked up as Flora’s dress rustled with her movement and poured her a cup of coffee.

“You slept good last night?” Hazel turned around before Flora could answer and dished up a meat pie onto a plate and handed it to her.

She smiled her appreciation for the food. “Not really. I got up and had some chamomile tea, after that, I don’t remember anything other than waking just now.”

Hazel laughed. “That’s because that tea is what I got from Miss Hattie. She adds a little valerian root to the chamomile, it makes for a nice night’s rest, don’t you agree?

Flora tilted her head as she sipped the coffee, “I reckon I do have to agree. I’m glad you had it on hand. It was just what I needed last night.”

“Yes…” Hazel squinted one eye and looked closely into Flora’s face. “What’s got you stirred up so’s you can’t sleep, Hon?”

Flora sighed and pulled the plate closer, dragging her fork through the meat and vegetables. “Oh, I don’t know.”

She took a bite and chewed to avoid any more of Hazel’s questions.

Hazel had worked for her a long time. Nearly as long as she’d lived here in Silverpines. She’d helped raise Jackson, being here in the house when Flora was busy at the saloon. But she didn’t know all her darker secrets about her past or what actually brought her to Silverpines.

Flora considered how much to tell Hazel. After all, she was a dear friend, not just a housekeeper. “A man answered my ad for a barkeep.”

“Oh?” Hazel still squinted that one eye, a curious habit of hers when she was seriously considering what a person was saying to her. “So, what did you think about him? Are you going to invite him to come interview with you?”

Flora glanced at Hazel and returned her gaze to her food. She pushed a carrot around to join a chunk of meat, then flipped over a sliver of golden crust. “Actually, he’s already here.”

“What?” Hazel slapped her fork down on the table next to her plate. “How’d he get here without you inviting him?”

Flora chuckled. “Well, I suppose he presumed he was the right man for the job and sent a letter to apply at the same time he boarded a train. It seems he and his letter arrived at the same time.”

“I don’t like it!” Hazel huffed. “I don’t like him already! How rude! How presumptuous! How arrogant! How—“

Flora touched Hazel’s arm.

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