The Love Blossoms in Oregon Series by Miralee Ferrell

Author:Miralee Ferrell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-11-29T18:49:12+00:00

Footfalls paused outside Beth’s room, then went back the way they’d come. Aunt Wilma? How strange. If she remembered correctly, her aunt planned a trip to town with Dr. Marshall—Dr. Caleb as he’d asked to be called—and couldn’t have returned yet. She had been due to leave a scant thirty minutes ago, and she wouldn’t have broken her appointment.

Beth read the letter again, then dropped it on her bed. She’d considered talking to Jeffery more than once since it arrived, but he’d been distant ever since he’d bumped into her and Brent in town. Besides, he’d surely have received the same type of missive as she, and he hadn’t put out an effort to discuss the subject. Aunt Wilma was her priority, not Jeffery.

She opened her door and stepped into the hall, grateful her aunt’s room was close by. More than likely Jeffery was hunkered over his desk working on his next book. A pang of guilt smote her—she’d turned in three of her four illustrations, but the last one was due soon. Would Jeffery be happy with the work she had accomplished so far?

Beth tapped at the adjacent room. “Auntie? Are you in there?”

“I’m resting for a while, dear.” The quavering voice barely penetrated the door.

“Is something wrong? I thought you were going to tea with Dr. Caleb. May I come in?”

“No. I’m fine. You go along, and I’ll join you later.” The words were subdued.

Beth wanted to swing the door wide and see what was wrong, but she hesitated, hating to impose. Her aunt had been busy since the doctor arrived, so it was possible fatigue had set in. “All right. I’ll check on you in an hour or so.”

She moved away. Brent wanted to meet again today, but Beth hadn’t felt it wise. Aunt Wilma had been so wrapped up in renewing her relationship with her old friend that she’d not noticed Beth’s absences. But something else held her back. Brent had mentioned his debts again. If nothing else than because she once cared for him, she wanted to help, but this last mention bothered her. She craved time apart to think things through. Maybe a brisk walk out to her hill might be in order.

With a purposeful stride she headed down the hall and rounded the corner toward the stairs.

Jeffery came to an abrupt halt and gripped her shoulders. “Pardon me. One more step and I’m afraid I’d have toppled us both.”

Beth’s skin tingled under the fabric where his hands lay, and she drew away. “Jeffery. I didn’t hear you come down.”

He twisted his mouth in a wry grin. “That’s because I stopped not long ago and stood there considering whether I should knock on your door and ask you to join me, but I went back to my room. I reached the conclusion that going to the parlor might be a better choice. I started out with that in mind when you rounded the corner.

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