The Engagement Charade. Karen Kirst

course, your meal will be on the house.”

      His unkempt brows formed a deep V.

      “You’re welcome to your choice of dessert, as well.” Ellie piped up. “We have rhubarb pie and fried apple pies.”

      “Go with the rhubarb,” another patron called out. “Finest pie I’ve put in my mouth.”

      “Harry!” the lady beside him complained.

      “Oh, not as fine as yours, my dear.”

      A few chuckles filtered through the room.

      “I’ll take you up on your offer,” Mr. McCauley consented. “Rhubarb it is.”

      Alexander had managed to calm a customer. Glancing at Ellie, he acknowledged she was the reason he’d gotten involved. Once he had the mess sorted out, he joined her at the stove where she was sprinkling salt and chopped herbs into a fragrant potato soup.

      “In the future, I want you to alert me immediately if another scene like that one arises.”

      Dusting her fingers on her no longer pristine apron, she tilted her head to one side, causing her ponytail to swing wide. “Sally and I are accustomed to dealing with unruly customers.”

      He grimaced as once again he pictured her squaring off against the giant of a man. “It’s my responsibility.”

      Clearly mystified, she nodded. “All right. I’ll let Sally know.”

      “Thank you.”

      He was about to turn away when he noticed she was wearing the unflattering gray blouse and skirt beneath her frilly apron, the same clothes she’d worn several days in a row. Suspicion wound through him.

      He made sure Flo was properly occupied on the other side of the room before voicing his thoughts.

      “I don’t mean to be insensitive, but is that your only outfit?”

      Her eyes rounded before she became inordinately interested in the simmering soup. “At the moment it is.”

      While he knew he’d embarrassed her, he couldn’t let the matter drop. “Did your in-laws prevent you from taking your belongings?”

      The spoon’s stirring slowed. “H-how did you guess?”

      The soft pink hue tingeing her cheeks mirrored her rosebud mouth and lent a feminine delicacy to her features. She wasn’t beautiful, exactly, but definitely intriguing.

      Shaking off the thoughts, he answered her. “They’re spiteful enough to forbid you to utilize one of their horses for transportation. Based on your comments of how they took the news, not to mention the fact you had only a quilt with you the other night, it was a logical conclusion.”

      “Ralph snuck the quilt out to me. He wasn’t able to get anything else,” she said. “I don’t wish to be an embarrassment to the café. Once I save up enough money, I’ll buy fabric to make new clothes.”

      Without thinking what he was doing, he grasped her chin and gently tipped up her face. “You’re not an embarrassment, Ellie. That’s not why I asked. As I said before, I’ve had brushes with bullies and I detest such behavior. I won’t allow an employee of mine to be treated that way.”

      Moisture gathered in her molten eyes. “Oh.”

      Her warm breath fanned over his fingers. He had but to move his thumb an inch to test the texture of her bee-stung lips. Lowering his hand and shoving it in his pocket, he edged back a step.

      “Immediately following breakfast tomorrow, I will accompany you to collect your things.”

      Blinking fast, she laid the soup spoon on the table behind her. “That’s not necessary—”

      “Oh, but it is.” His tone brooked no argument. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

      Slipping outside into the tranquil evening, he gazed up at the stars, the same stars that overlooked his Texas ranch and the graves of Sarah and Levi. The familiar weight of grief and anger squeezed his heart.

      “I don’t know what Your purpose is in bringing her here, God, but I won’t be part of it. I’ll do this thing for her, and that’s it. No more.”

      Chapter Five

      She was going to be sick. “Please pull over.”

      Alexander shot her a dubious look. “The turnoff isn’t far ahead.”

      “Please, hurry!”

      He must’ve recognized the panicked note in her voice, because he hauled back on the reins and directed the team to the lane’s edge.

      “Let me assist you.”

      Ignoring him, Ellie scrambled down from the buggy and dashed into the woods. The trees and profuse underbrush hid her wretched state. Many minutes later, when she was somewhat reassured her stomach had settled, she trudged over ferns and fallen leaves, mortification seizing her. Alexander would have questions.

      She’d awoken that morning with a vague sense of dread. There was no way of knowing how this confrontation would pan out, but having her boss there as a witness added a layer of anxiety to an already problematic situation.

      He was waiting for her when she emerged into the lane. Standing on her side of the buggy, he swept her with his gaze, uncertainty an ill-fitting mantle on the usually unruffled gentleman.

      He took a single step forward. “What’s the matter? Are you ill?”

      “I’m afraid my nerves got the better of me. It’s quite embarrassing, losing my breakfast within my boss’s hearing. Let’s agree to forget about it, shall we?”

      His frown deepened. Turning away, he removed a canteen from beneath the seat and held it out to her. “You looked peaked. Perhaps a couple of sips of water would help.”

      After she’d finished, he withdrew a handkerchief from his vest pocket and dampened it. “Here.”

      Touched by his patient manner, Ellie wiped her face. The damp cloth felt wonderful. Although mid-September, the days weren’t much cooler than those they’d experienced in the height of summer.

      When she made to return it, he said, “Use it for as long as you need. Are you ready to resume our journey or do you require more time?”

      She forced a smile. “I’m ready.”

      Alexander didn’t immediately move aside. Beneath his bowler hat, his expression was difficult to read. “I could go without you. Spare you the trouble.”

      Stunned, she worked to form a reply. “That’s kind of you to offer,” she said at last. “However, this is my battle to fight. While I don’t relish the thought of you having to witness this ugliness, I’m grateful for your presence.”

      A peculiar emotion passed over his face. With a dip of his head, he lightly gripped her arm and assisted her into the buggy. The conveyance jerked into motion, and Ellie pressed her hand against her tummy, praying it would quieten. Her body tensed as the twin cabins came into view. Nadine was on her porch churning butter. Spying them, she moved to stand on the steps, arms crossed over her chest and her eyes flashing.

      She waited until they’d disembarked to demand, “What do you want, Ellie?”

      Tall like her mother, Nadine had flyaway blond hair offset by sunbaked skin stretched over harsh cheekbones. She wore plain, everyday work clothes that accentuated her slenderness. When Ellie had accepted Nolan’s proposal, she’d been thrilled by the prospect of gaining a sister. Unfortunately, Nadine hadn’t returned the sentiment. It was almost as if she’d been jealous of Ellie’s intrusion into their family unit. Prone to grumbling about everything under the sun, she’d found plenty to complain about concerning Ellie.

      Drawing strength from Alexander’s watchful presence beside her, she said,