A Bride for Noah Read Online Free PDF

inventory purchased, trade routes established.” She spread her hands. “I have no contacts in the area, so forming these relationships would take time, and a great deal of money.”
    â€œOpening a restaurant would also require suppliers and the purchase of inventory.”
    â€œYes, but the initial expenses would not be as high. We would not need to purchase inventory to stock shelves, merely cooking equipment and a good supply of basic ingredients.” She reached into her apron pocket and drew out the list she’d made. “Tables and benches, but surely in an area rich with timber those would not be difficult to find.” She glanced down. “Oh, and table linens of course. We want to provide a homey atmosphere so the men will feel welcome and relaxed. Our restaurant would be a hospitable place, a respite from the demands of their labor.”
    As she spoke, Mr. Coffinger’s eyebrows edged upward toward his hairline. “ Our restaurant?”
    Evie busied herself in folding her list. “That is the matter I hopedto discuss with you. Though I am able to run such a business competently, and am confident enough in my cooking ability to have no fear about my ability to attract a satisfactory clientele, there is an obstacle.” She slid the paper back into her apron and settled her hands once again in her lap. “I have no money to finance such a venture.”
    â€œNone?”
    Her thoughts turned to the small sum secured in her hope chest at the boardinghouse, squirreled away from her meager wage as Mrs. Coffinger’s housemaid in anticipation of setting up a home as James’s wife. “Very little.” She cleared her throat. “I am aware that in the past you have occasionally invested in causes you deem worthwhile.” With that thought she fell silent, the unspoken question deafening in the silence that fell between them.
    His mustache twitched from side to side, and she fancied she could almost hear the faint tapping of his steepled fingers against one another. Then she realized the noise was the sound of her own pulse.
    Finally, he spoke. “I see merit in the venture.” Her chest inflated with a hopeful breath as he continued. “There is only one problem.”
    â€œAnd that is?”
    â€œIn an unsettled territory the amount of money to finance a fledgling business is significant.” He splayed his hands. “In all conscience I cannot entrust such a large investment to someone I hardly know. Especially a woman.”
    Was he saying she was untrustworthy? Evie stiffened her spine but remained silent when he raised his finger.
    â€œThe journey to Oregon Territory is arduous, and doubly so to a woman traveling alone. You must first arrive in California and book passage from there. If you travel overland, you risk starvation, thirst, and attack by savages. The journey by sea is hardly better, with the threat of cholera, malaria, and pirates in the waters to the south.”
    The breath deflated from her lungs through a suddenly constricted throat. It appeared that Mr. Coffinger had spent at least some time investigating the possible routes. How would she, who had never ventured beyond the borders of the Chattanooga valley, hope to undertake such a journey? She swallowed. “I assume there are wagon trains that one may join?”
    â€œA young woman alone, carrying a large enough sum of money to start a business?” A scowl scrunched his features. “In the past I’ve been known to hand over money for likely ventures only to have it disappear with the borrower. It is a foolish man indeed who repeats his past mistakes.”
    And a foolish woman who would ask him to.
    Her shoulders slumped. The idea had held such promise in the dark of night, without the light of logic to point out the shadows of uncertainty. But he was right. This was a fool’s errand. She rose to leave, an apology for wasting his time on her