Page 512 of Conveniently Wed
“Of course not. I’m just taking a breather.” That sounded stupid even to his own ears.
His housekeeper arose from her chair. “Do you need more coffee?” She headed toward the coffeepot sitting on the back of the stove.
“Sure.” He moved his earthenware mug closer to her.
“Good. I wanted some, too.” She filled both cups.
“I hope you saved some supper for me.” Lorinda’s voice drifted toward them from behind Mrs. Oleson.
Without thinking, Franklin let out a deep breath. Both women stared at him.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Mrs. Oleson set the pot back on the stove.
He nodded, then got up to pull out Lorinda’s chair for her. Scooting her close to the table, he noticed how her presence completed the circle. He sat down again. His hunger returned, and he reached for a biscuit, taking the time to smear softened butter on it. “Just wanting another of these delicious biscuits.”
“You’ll have to thank Lorinda for them. She cooked all of supper.”
“Everything is delicious. Thank you.” He glanced at Lorinda just as a rosy glow made its way up across her cheeks.
He smiled at her. Maybe she wasn’t used to receiving compliments.
For the rest of the meal, he enjoyed the light conversation. In his mind, they felt like a family already.
When she finished eating her serving of peach cobbler with thick cream poured over it, Lorinda stood and started removing the empty dishes from the table. While she put the first load of dishes in the dry sink, she stood with her back to the two of them. “Franklin, I’d like to talk to you after I finish cleaning up the kitchen.”
Maybe she was shy about what she had to say, since she never looked at him when she said it.
“I’ll be in the parlor, readingRocky Mountain Newsthat came in the mail from Denver today.” He pushed back from the table.
“Oh, go on, you two.” Mrs. Oleson gathered more of the dirty dishes.
Lorinda turned and opened her mouth as if to disagree.
“I’ll clean up the kitchen, since you cooked everything.”
Lorinda stared at his housekeeper for a moment before she gave a quick nod. He wished he could tell what she was thinking. Would she agree with his proposal? He wasn’t really sure which thing he wanted more. He was afraid she would agree to stay. Actually, he was afraid she wouldn’t, and if she left, not only would she take the boy, but he would miss having her here...to help Mrs. Oleson.
She headed out the door, and Franklin followed. His heart leapt. She didn’t look upset or angry. Maybe...just maybe, she would agree with his plan.
She stood by the front window when he got to the parlor. After staring outside for a moment, she took a deep breath and turned toward him.
Clasping her hands, she let her gaze rove over the room where she’d spent so much of the time since she’d been in his home. But she never looked straight at him.
The dancing flames of the lamps and lighted candles shot glimmers of gold through her upswept hair. A few stray wisps lay gently against her neck. He wondered if they were as soft as they looked.
He needed to change his focus. His gaze roved the room trying to find something to concentrate on but was drawn back to Lorinda.
“Your proposal surprised me, Franklin. I had never considered such a thing before.” Finally, she looked straight at him. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
He stuffed his hands in his back trouser pockets. “I am.”
“What if circumstances change?” She seemed to be holding her breath.
“I won’t enter into marriage lightly. When I make a vow, I stand by it.” He hoped that was what she needed to hear.
Lorinda wrung her hands, braiding the fingers together. “I can think of all kinds of things that could affect this relationship.”
“When a man and a woman enter a marriage filled with love for each other, they have no real guarantees either, except their vows to remain faithful.” He tried to read the depths of her eyes, but couldn’t. “We’ll be no different from any of them.”
