Mail-Order Grooms: The Complete Boxed Set by Amelia Smarts

Author:Amelia Smarts [Smarts, Amelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Betsy accepted his offer to deliver supper, so Roderick headed to Mrs. Pierce’s house on the horse he’d previously ridden to town. He reflected on Betsy’s ability to know what to do in a crisis situation. She’d always charmed him, but in this instance she had also impressed him. His heart filled with pride that she was his girl. When he thought of his future, he could only see Betsy in it.

Roderick called out his arrival before hitching up his horse. “Hullo, the house!”

A little old lady appeared in the weathered doorframe, and he quickly introduced himself. “Hello, Mrs. Pierce. I’m Roderick Mason, Betsy’s beau, and she’s been held up so I’ve been sent to give you this.” He held out the basket of food.

She took the basket and invited him inside, mumbling about the weather and how loud the birds chirped in the morning. She seemed only to be talking to herself and not expecting a response, which gave Roderick ample opportunity to observe the structure of the small house. Immediately he saw why the Harringtons wouldn’t let anyone inside of it and why they were urging Mrs. Pierce to leave.

The roof bowed downward, looking like it was about to crash in on their heads any moment. The paneling and rafters were cracked and even broken in some places. But Roderick’s keen architect eye noticed something that the others hadn’t. The reason for the bowing of the roof was simple. When it was originally constructed, holes had been drilled into six places, where a crossbeam and two girders should have gone. He didn’t know why they weren’t there, though he suspected it had to do with money. A cabin could stand for some time without those expensive reinforcements. As time weathered the wood, however, the support became imperative. Providing it would eliminate the need for Mrs. Pierce to leave the cabin for safety purposes.

Knowing there was such a simple solution raised Roderick’s spirits. Later that day, he made quiet plans with the town carpenter, who built the materials needed and installed them inside her house. He paid for the materials and labor, of course, and word got around town about his minor good deed. He would have preferred for no one to make a fuss, but when Betsy found out about it, she acted like he was a hero.

She stopped by his hotel room and wrapped her arms around his waist for a hug, which he returned, enjoying the floral scent that wafted from her hair. Betsy took the liberty to hug him often, which drove him wild. She would innocently press her breasts against his chest and inspire all kinds of wicked thoughts about what he would like to do to her body.

Releasing her hold, she beamed up at him. “You were so kind to do that for Mrs. Pierce. Why didn’t you say anything. I could have—“

He held up his hand to stop her. “It was nothing, darling. I’ve been trained and I have experience in architecture, that’s all.

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