A Bride for Noah Read Online Free PDF Page A

you’ve come to ask for an increase in your wages, let me save us some time and tell you I am not in a position…”
    â€œNo,” she hurried to say. “That’s not it at all. I’d like to continue our conversation from a few nights past.”
    Mr. Coffinger rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and entwined his fingers across his middle. “I must confess to some surprise. When we spoke I had the impression I’d offended you.”
    No use denying the truth. “I was…taken aback by your parting comment. But I’ve since considered your words and have some questions.”
    A gleam of interest appeared in his red-rimmed eyes. “Questions concerning my nephew’s letter?”
    She nodded. “That and your offer.”
    His eyebrows rose. “I wasn’t aware I had made an offer.”
    She realized she had twisted the fabric of her skirt into a knot, and smoothed it out. “You said I should speak with you if I decided to go west. I am considering such a move.”
    Surprise colored his features. “Don’t tell me you’ve been bitten by the gold lust.”
    â€œNo, but it has occurred to me that there are many opportunities in the West besides the quest for gold. Your nephew’s venture, for instance.”
    He leaned back, eyes narrowed. “Has your fiancé a mind to try his hand at logging?”
    Heat rose in her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze to a point on the desktop in front of him. “We have…ended our agreement. If I decide to pursue a future in the West”—she met his eyes directly as she placed an emphasis on the word—“I will be alone.”
    A long silence followed, during which Evie forced herself not to shift in her seat. She had not actually told James of her decision yet. Nor had she informed him of her determination to end their engagement.
    Mr. Coffinger said, “I see. And tell me, exactly what do you intend to do when you get there?”
    That very question had occupied her thoughts throughout much of the early morning hours. Her initial assumption upon hearing Noah Hughes’s jesting request for “a wagonload of women” was that it had been a thinly veiled invitation for women of low reputation, which of course was out of the question for a Christian lady such as herself. But he wrote with such conviction of the bright future of the settlement he and the others were striving to establish. If so, there would be opportunities for upstanding women, especially if they were not afraid to work.
    She cleared her throat. “Every successful town needs commerce to thrive. Dry good stores, and clothiers, and blacksmiths…the list goes on.”
    Mr. Coffinger’s expression became thoughtful, and he nodded slowly.
    Evie took his silence for encouragement and straightened in the chair. “I’ve considered many opportunities—perhaps a restaurant?”
    Clearly, that had not been the answer he expected. His brow furrowed. “A restaurant?”
    Ignoring his lack of enthusiasm, she continued. “Just one possibility. The opportunity for business in a new settlement is practically unlimited, and I must consider my talents. I am a fair hand with meat and bread—and a needle, so a trade as a seamstress is a possibility. Surely men who work out of doors have mending needs and since there are very few women in the settlement, the demand for a full-time seamstress is undoubtedly limited.”
    He steepled his fingers in front of his mustache and dipped his head. “Go on.”
    Folding her hands in her lap to keep them still, she continued. “I’ve a good mind for finance, which would help in any number of ventures. Running a mercantile for instance.”
    â€œCertainly a necessity to a fledgling town,” he commented.
    Encouraged, she nodded. “There is a good deal of work involved in opening such a business. Suppliers must be secured,