A Great Catch Read Online Free PDF

speak.’”
    Emily’s chest tightened at the mention of the Scriptures. Guilt pricked her like thorns on the gooseberry bush every time her grandmother brought up the Bible. From the beginning, she’d not consulted the Lord regarding her suffrage work. She hadn’t dared. It was too important for her to risk. What if God told her no?
    She glanced from her grandmother to Carter and let her anger grab hold at yet another man’s lack of support for the cause.
    “I didn’t say I was against women’s suffrage, Miss Graham, although your little outburst does seem to lend itself to the ‘too emotional’ argument many men use.” Flecks of gold sparkled in Carter’s brown eyes. “But I’m willing to overlook that given your condition.”
    She shot him a scorching look.
    Britta delivered Emily’s plate of waffles topped with a generous helping of strawberries. The berry syrup cascaded down the side of the stack, and Emily’s stomach rumbled.
    “Perhaps we could hold off on suffrage discussions until after you’ve eaten your breakfast and are in a more cordial frame of mind.” Emily’s grandmother paused to allow her the chance to say grace. “Are you aware Carter graduated this last spring from Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanics?”
    Emily blinked and shot a puzzled look in her grandmother’s direction. Carter? What happened to calling him Mr. Stockton? While her grandmother had never been one to adhere to strict social rules, the two of them could not have become so familiar in such a short time.
    “Congratulations. I’m sure your parents are very proud.” Emily forced the words out and eyed the pile of waffles, her mouth tingling. The empty gnawing in her stomach reminded her she hadn’t eaten supper last night, and the plump berries begged to be plucked from the plate.
    Carter blotted the corners of his mouth with his napkin and laughed. “My family would be happier if I put my education to work in my father’s bank.”
    Emily picked up her fork and contemplated eating the waffles left-handed in front of Carter. Her skin prickled as she imagined a trail of strawberry syrup cascading down the ruffles of her pristine blouse.
    “Aren’t you going to eat, Emily?” Grandma Kate asked. “Your waffles will get soggy.”
    “I like it when the syrup soaks in.”
    “Nonsense.” Her grandmother waved her hand in the air, shoved her own empty plate away, and set a leather-bound ledger on the table.
    Emily bit her lip and used the side of her fork to try to cut off the corner. Ah. Success.
    She glanced up and caught Carter grinning at her. Heat flooded her cheeks, and she dropped her gaze back to her breakfast. Even without looking, she knew he was still watching. She’d show him she was a woman who could tackle anything—big or small.
    Her grandmother thumbed through the ledger. “And Carter studied finance, Emily. Since your brother is busy running your father’s business, I’ve asked Carter to help me manage my assets.”
    “But I thought—” Emily jerked. The bite of waffle on the tip of her fork, drenched in strawberry syrup, went flying across the table.

4
    Instinct alone propelled Carter to catch the chunk of waffle midair. The contents squished in his palm, and he grabbed his napkin from the table. When he’d managed to scrub the worst of the berry stain off, he looked up and met Emily’s horrified gaze. Laughter rumbled in his chest, but with great effort he kept it in check.
    “Carter, here are the current investments. As you can see, they are quite diverse.” Grandma Kate nudged the open ledger in his direction, clearly unaware of the entire waffle fiasco. “Of course we’ll have much to discuss, which means you’ll have to join us for breakfast on a regular basis. Will that be a problem?”
    He grinned at Emily and watched her cheeks bloom pink. “Not at all, ma’am. Not at all.”
    Grandma Kate glanced at Emily’s plate. “Why haven’t you touched your waffle? Oh my,