Your Heart's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

“After that I had a very good secretarial job at a Minneapolis factory.” She sighed. “I’d been there nearly five years, throughout the war.”
    “Laid off because of the returning servicemen?” His expression looked sympathetic.
    “Actually I was one of the few women not laid off,” she confided. “I quit my job when we decided to come out here.”
    “I see…”
    “I hope I didn’t do it backward though.”
    “Backward?”
    “Yes. I keep wondering if I should’ve secured a job out here before giving up the one back there. You know the old saying, a bird in the hand…” She frowned. “I was just reading an article in Life magazine. Jobs are scarcer than ever.”
    “Over all, I’m sure that jobs are scarce. But opportunities vary from region to region. And you’re right about MG Chocolates. We are hiring for the assembly line.”
    “We?” She studied him closely. “You work there, too?”
    “Yes.” He nodded.
    “I suspect you don’t work on the assembly line.” Of course, as soon as she said this, she regretted it. People took all kinds of jobs these days. Work was work and you were lucky if you could get it. Who was she to judge?
    “I’ve worked the line before.”
    “Really?” She blinked in surprise.
    “As a matter of fact, I got rather good at it. You have to have fast hands and a quick mind.” He studied her. “Do you think you’d have those skills?”
    She set the newspaper aside to look down at her hands, spreading her fingers. “Well, I can type pretty fast, and that takes some quick thinking. But to be honest, I’m not sure how that would translate to an assembly line.”
    “Well, you never know until you try.” He took a sip of coffee, glancing over his shoulder.
    “Right. And if I don’t find something else…something more suitable to my training and background…” She shrugged. “Well, the assembly line would be better than nothing.” She wanted to add that she would do almost anything to support herself and her son, but knew that would sound desperate…and pathetic.
    “Then I suggest you get your application in as soon as possible. I hear they’ve received quite a stack already.”
    “I plan to go in first thing on Monday.”
    “Good luck with that.” He pointed to a small table on the other side of the coffee shop that had just vacated. “And now I will leave you to your paper and your peace.” He tipped his head politely. “Thank you.”
    She picked up her paper, but peace was nowhere to be found now. Something about that man, the way he questioned her, the way he looked at her, well, it just made her uncomfortable. Too familiar…too personal…too disconcerting. And she didn’t even know his name! If this was how people—particularly male people—behaved out here in California, well, maybe she was in the wrong place!

Chapter 4
    Caroline pushed thoughts of the disturbing stranger from her mind as she strolled up and down Main Street, going from store to shop, visiting with the various businesses as she attempted to locate the miscellaneous items on her list. From basic cleaning supplies to slipcover fabric, table lamps to area rugs, it felt like she needed a little bit of everything. And to her relief the small town of Golden Oaks seemed to have it.
    By noon she had unearthed all sorts of treasure and most items on her list were crossed off. Not only that, but many of the shops, when they discovered she was on foot, arranged for free delivery later in the day. Her last stop was at the grocery store, where she pulled out another list. When she discovered their delivery service was free for anyone with a revolving account, she agreed, gratefully handing the young man her rather large list. As he made a rounded tally, she filled out the form for her account.
    “We’ll get that to you around three,” he said as she handed him a check. As he made her a receipt, she totaled what remained in her checkbook, trying not to cringe at the surprisingly low