Waiting for Spring Read Online Free PDF Page A

honestly. “My mind wandered.”
    â€œYou should be sorry.” Miriam’s normally sweet voice was laced with asperity. “You’ve practically ignored me since we left Madame Charlotte’s.”
    Madame Charlotte. Did the woman have a surname? Of course she did, even if Barrett had never heard Miriam refer to her any other way. Though the question of the lovely dressmaker’s name teased him almost as much as her protective air had, Barrett knew better than to ask his companion. Speaking of another woman, even if it was only the one who createdher dresses, was no way to treat a lady, especially one he was considering courting.
    â€œI’m sorry, Miriam. You didn’t deserve that. I assure you that you have my full attention now.”
    The look she gave him told Barrett she was still skeptical. “What were you thinking about?”
    It would be sheer folly to tell her the truth. Instead, Barrett changed the subject as they approached the four-block expanse of City Park. “Has your father said anything about beef prices dropping again? I’ve heard stories that some of the other cattlemen are selling more head than normal because they’re fearful of a harsh winter.”
    Miriam shot him another look, as if to say she recognized his deliberate evasion. She wasn’t simply an attractive woman, Barrett reminded himself. She was also intelligent. That was one of the reasons why she would be an ideal wife. Even if he never learned to love her, he could at least respect her.
    Twirling her parasol in what might have been a flirtatious manner, Miriam nodded. “Papa mentioned something, but you know Mama doesn’t like him to talk about business at dinner. She says it’s not good for the digestion.” Miriam waved at a friend on the other side of the street before she added, “He did say someone reported that beavers were making bigger dens than normal. It’s a silly story, if you ask me. What do beavers know about weather?”
    Her expression intent, Miriam laid her hand on Barrett’s arm and waited until she was certain she had his full attention. “Tell me the truth, Barrett. Are you certain green is the right color for my gown?”

    â€œIt’s beautiful.” Tears sprang to Charlotte’s eyes as she looked at the two-layer cake with its carefully swirled icing. Though the frosting was chocolate, Gwen had piped a white border around the top and at the base. She had even placed multicolored candies on the sides and had used them to outline a D on the top. It was a work of art, a great deal of effort to expend for a boy who could not see it. “This must have taken you hours.”
    Charlotte gave her son another hug, then placed him back on the floor, handing him the gourd rattle that had been his favorite toy for the past week. He’d been waiting for her as he did each day, sitting on the floor of the room that served as kitchen, dining room, and parlor, his head turning in her direction when she opened the door, his face lighting with a smile that made the day’s minor annoyances fade. This was her son, and today was his birthday. Though she doubted he would remember it when he was older, Charlotte had been determined that it would be a special one. Tonight she wouldn’t worry about the baron. She wouldn’t let her mind wander toward Barrett Landry. She wouldn’t even wonder what the future held. Tonight was for David.
    Charlotte smiled at the woman who shared the small apartment. “Thank you, Gwen. For the cake and everything.”
    The other woman shrugged, as if the effort of preparing a fancy cake while she cared for two rambunctious children had been insignificant. That was Gwen. Ever since she and her daughter had come to live with Charlotte, Gwen Amos had done more than expected, brushing off Charlotte’s thanks as unnecessary. “I’m glad to help” was the normal refrain from the