Page 24 of A Groom for Heather
Heather felt her blood boil. That was wives’ work. She was most definitely not anyone’s wife. “I don’t think I can do that.”
“Why not?”
“I might not be home every evening. What if I’m called away for a birthing?”
“Heather…,” Dalton said softly.
“No.” Heather lifted her hand. “I can’t be responsible for one more thing. Besides, I don’t even do my own laundry.”
“You don’t do your own laundry?” Dalton was flummoxed. “I thought all women did laundry.”
Heather gave him a smug smile. “Then you have a lot to learn about women, Mr. James. I take mine to Maggie in town. She needs the money. Does mending, too. Why just yesterday I took a dress over to her to have her repair the lace at the bottom of the skirt.”
She watched as Dalton leaned his head back and laughed. “How about this, Mrs. Barnes? I can’t keep eating at the diner. How about I take meals with you when you are home. As for the laundry, I’m more than happy to pay for Maggie to do mine as well. You just need to arrange it.”
Heather sighed. Dalton gave her a smile and a wink.Why did he remind her of Arthur?That small child knew exactly what to do or say to get Heather to melt. She would have to make sure that she kept her emotions in check around Mr. James. Giving a little nod, she turned to Mr. Cairn.
Mr. Cairn made some notes in the margin.
Once three copies of the lease were signed Mr. Cairn handed a copy to Heather, one to Dalton, and placed one in a paper folder on his desk.
Heather took her papers and folded them in thirds before stuffing them in her basket. Dalton held open the door so Heather could move into the bright sunshine.
“Let me escort you home, Mrs. Barnes,” he offered.
“That’s not necessary.”
“I’m not your enemy. You don’t have to be snippy with me.”
Heather looked contrite. “I apologize. That wasn’t my intention. I have patients to see in town. I won’t be going home until later.”
Dalton nodded. “I understand. I hoped to be able to move into the barn shortly.”
“How about tomorrow? I’ll make sure the bedding has been washed.”
“Are you taking that to Maggie?”
Heather laughed. “No. There are certain things, like bedsheets, that I will wash myself.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then, Mrs. Barnes.”
“Tomorrow then,” Heather responded softly.
“Oh, and please call me Dalton, since we will be living close.”
Heather quickly glanced around the town, making sure no one was listening. “Don’t ever say that,” she said through clenched teeth. “You don’t want the pastor showing up and insisting we get married.”
Dalton gave her another wink. “I suppose you are correct.”
“Heather!”
Both Dalton and Heather looked around to see Charity Green approaching them.
“Charity, what’s wrong. Did something happen to Nate? Or one of the children?”
Charity looked frantic. “I tried to find the sheriff, but he wasn’t in his office.”
“Was Linda there?”
