Courting Trouble

Courting Trouble Read Online Free PDF

Book: Courting Trouble Read Online Free PDF
Author: Deeanne Gist
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Ebook, Religious, Christian
Pa to bring the next one straight to you.’’
    Like there will be a next one, Hamilton thought.
    ‘‘Thank you,’’ she said.
    The Gillespie boy replaced his hat, then turned and hustled back to the Feed Store.
    ‘‘I’m so happy for them,’’ she said. ‘‘They’ll have food a-plenty now.’’
    Hamilton pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘‘Do you have any idea how much money you have cost me?’’
    She blinked. ‘‘Nonsense. No one is going to actually purchase that bearskin. Why, it would cost a fortune.’’
    ‘‘That may be so, but folks far and wide will go to the Feed Store to have a look at it, now, won’t they? And while they are there, they will make other purchases and then have no reason to come to the Slap Out.’’
    ‘‘Hmmm. I see what you mean.’’ She thrummed her fingers against her skirt. ‘‘Well, we will simply have to come up with something better.’’
    ‘‘Better than a black bear hide?’’
    ‘‘Yes.’’ She hooked her hands behind her, throwing her shoulders back and calling attention to the pale blue dimity shirtwaist she wore. It was a ready-made that he kept in stock and he’d easily sold three times the number he normally did. He felt certain it was because the style suited Miss Spreckelmeyer, and other women thought it might flatter them, as well.
    She took a few lazy steps toward him, her head cocked to the side, a blond wisp escaping her coif. ‘‘Any ideas?’’ she asked.
    He frowned. She stood close, so close that he could see each and every nuance of color in her blue eyes and smell the hint of clove she used for fragrance. He could even hear her breath coming and going in regular intervals.
    ‘‘Perhaps we should have a contest,’’ she murmured.
    His frown deepened. ‘‘There is no ‘we.’ ’’
    ‘‘Or a tournament.’’
    Hamilton studied her. He knew full well she was after a husband and he had no interest whatsoever. He hadn’t meant to encourage her. Had not, in fact, realized until it was too late that when he praised her for her performance, she took it in a much more personal manner.
    But in the month since Essie had forced herself on him and the Slap Out, his sales had soared—at least until she’d sent his business across the street to gawk at a bearskin.
    Never had he seen such a salesclerk, though. She sold leather preserver to the carriage and harness dealer. Sold books on midwifery to the doctor. Sold fancy goods to the ladies.
    And even though she freely squandered inventory on those in need, his profits had soared.
    As a shopkeeper she would do, but as a wife? Never. Hamilton knew he could do much better than the town spinster. Still, he had to tread carefully.
    He was an outsider to Corsicana, and though the townsfolk tutted behind their hands over Miss Spreckelmeyer’s unorthodox tomboyish ways and her ridiculous hats, she was a local and they were quite fond of her. Treated her much like they did Cat, the town stray.
    If the tabby showed up on their porch, they’d give her warm milk. If a storm was brewing, they’d give her shelter for the night. If mischievous boys were mistreating her, they’d interfere on her behalf. But their sympathies did not extend to the point of actually taking her home and calling her their own.
    No. Miss Spreckelmeyer was the town spinster and he, for one, deserved better.
    She noticed his scrutiny and her eyes brightened. ‘‘A checkers competition. What do you think about that?’’
    ‘‘I think, Miss Spreckelmeyer, that you and I need to have a talk.’’
    Her face softened. She took another step forward. He took one back.
    ‘‘All right, Hamilton. When would be a good time for our . . . talk?’’
    That was another thing. Calling him by his given name when he’d not given her leave to do so. No wonder the men of this town had shied away when she came calling. Never had he met a more forward, unpredictable and impulsive woman. And from such a good family, too. For their
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