Little Love Affair (Southern Romance Series, #1) Read Online Free PDF

so absorbed in thought that she was nearly to the wagon hitch before she saw the man waiting there. She started, and bit back a very unladylike exclamation.
    “Hello.” He was without a coat once more, but he had made an effort to comb his hair, and he had shaved. He ducked his head but did not come any closer.
    “What’re you doing here?” Clara demanded without preamble, surprise making her short-tempered.
    “I came to thank you,” he said awkwardly. “Miss, I don’t like taking charity, I assure you, and I know we’re...my comrade and I...”
    “What?” Clara asked icily. “Confederate soldiers? Is that what you meant to say?”
    “Yes.” He met her eyes without flinching. “You helped us. It was a very noble thing to do.”
    Clara strongly doubted that anyone in town would agree. She stood silently, sun warming her skin. She wanted him to leave so that she might return to her work. She did not want him here, polite and earnest. She did not want to remember what she had done, and the affront to Solomon’s...
    To Solomon. Solomon, who was gone. No! She refused to believe he was gone. She looked down at the ground, clenching her teeth to keep from speaking. Charming manners and a handsome face should mean nothing to her.
    “Thank you,” the man said finally, when Clara did not answer him. “We’ll be on our way. We have imposed on your hospitality enough.”
    It was when she heard the heavy tread of his boots that she looked up at last.
    “Wait!” Her voice rang out louder than she meant it to.
    He turned slowly, early morning light glinting in his rich brown hair, a half smile on his face like he knew why she was staring. His eyes when they met hers, were very warm.
    “Yes?”
    The voice sent a shiver down her spine, and Clara swallowed. For a moment she could not think of a single thing to say, and then inspiration hit her in a flash.
    “We need to hire someone to work on the farm.”
    They stared at one another, Clara frozen, the man seeming suddenly unsure of himself.
    “We could...if you wanted food...” Clara shrugged, trying desperately not to behave as if this mattered to her at all. What was she doing?
    A sound business decision, she told herself and tried to ignore the suspicion that this was one part running from Cyrus and one part foolish infatuation. Because it was a good business decision, wasn’t it?
    Of course it was.
    “I would be happy to work for our keep. I’m afraid Horace—my friend, that is—”
    “Horace?”
    “Yes.” He stared at her, confused by her interest.
    Her father’s name had been Horace. He had hated it but the mention of his name brought a softness to her heart. Clara relaxed slightly, and shook her head to clear it of memory. “You said your friend is ill?”
    “Very. Some clean bandages, perhaps and a bit of food. He needs to rest before he can travel.”
    He was so earnest, so polite. The sunlight shone in his dark hair.
    “I thought you said you were leaving today.” For some reason, she felt herself smiling.
    “I would never impose.” But he was smiling, too. “I have forgotten my manners. My name is Jasper Perry.”
    “Clara Dalton.” Her voice came out much too softly, but he heard her.
    “Clara.” His voice was as low as her own.
    With a jolt, she realized she was standing in a field, smiling at a Confederate soldier. Clara shook her head to clear it and raised her chin.
    “Very well, then. The men have gone out to the field. We’ll see you for your supper at one o’clock.”
    She turned on her heel before he could say one more word, before he could smile again—most certainly before he could say her name again in the way that made her heart do that strange sideways leap—and marched back into the house.

Chapter 5
    T he midday sun beat down as Jasper swung the scythe rhythmically. He was too exhausted to care he was in Pennsylvania. He might be back home, helping with the harvests he’d witnessed. They had not owned a farm, but