A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

Author:Keli Gwyn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-06-14T16:00:00+00:00


Chapter Fourteen

The last thing James needed was for Becky to lick her lips like that. He was having a hard enough time keeping his thoughts from straying to that amazing kiss they’d shared. The rosy glow in her cheeks and sparkle in her eyes didn’t help, either. If she knew the effect she was having on him, she might decide not to come back.

With effort, he maintained the scowl he’d feigned. “You’ve already added two dollars to your debt. Are you sure you want to increase the amount?”

“In order to establish my business, I would require an initial investment. I don’t think it would take me long to repay it, though.”

“How much are we talking?” Not that it mattered. He’d gladly give her whatever she needed, although he knew better than to offer. She had a hard time accepting gifts from him.

She toyed with the fringe on her handbag. “I’m not exactly sure. I hadn’t calculated it yet, but to start off I’ll need—” she ticked off the items on her fingers “—a barrel of flour, a sack of sugar and a couple of gallons of molasses to make brown sugar, along with baking soda, vanilla and some spices. I’d say thirteen dollars would do.”

That was all? He’d expected at least twenty. “Hmm. That’s a considerable sum. How do I know you’ll make enough money to repay me?”

Her fidgeting ceased, and she lifted that pretty round chin of hers. “There are a number of bachelors who don’t have anyone to bake for them, so I’m sure I could convince Mr. Harris to sell my wares. And I would see if the hotels would be interested in them, too.”

One taste of Becky’s delectable desserts, and the owners would be eager to have her supply them. “Since I know you’re a hard worker and can bake better than anyone I’ve ever met, I would be willing to loan you the money—on one condition.”

A hint of a smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “You want to be my taster?”

He scrubbed a hand over the lower half of his face to hide his grin. “That goes without saying. In exchange for the use of my kitchen and all the milk, eggs and butter you would need, I’d like your help with some tasks in the orchard on occasion.”

“You weren’t all that eager to have my help in the past. Before the harvest, anyhow. Why now?”

“There are some tasks you would be well suited for.”

Wariness creased her brow. “Would I be working with you?”

That was the idea, but it was clear that didn’t appeal to her, which was understandable after last night. “I would have to instruct you, but you’d be on your own after that.”

“I’ll agree, then—on one condition.”

“And that is?”

Her cheeks turned Rome Beauty–red. “About that scene in the barn...”

“Yes?” He couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say.

“It can’t happen again.”

He rushed his reassurance, infusing it with a full measure of sincerity. For some reason it had become essential that he convince her to stay.



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