A Bride for Noah by Lori Copeland

and face. “I thought you believed in this venture.”
    â€œOh, I do,” Uncle Miles rushed to say. “And so does the bank manager, which is why he agreed to loan us the funds we need.”
    â€œUs?” Her voice, shrill with alarm, drew the attention of those at nearby tables.
    He frowned. “It’s your business too, my dear.”
    With an obvious effort she lowered her voice, though she could not look at him as she spoke. “Are you saying you borrowed money on my behalf, in my name?”
    â€œOf course. After all, we are partners in this venture, as you keep reminding me.”
    The flush on her face deepened to an alarming shade of purple, and her hand trembled. “Your role in our partnership was to provide the funding.” Her voice shook, and she clamped her teeth together for a moment before continuing. “If you have failed in that, then our partnership is no longer valid.”
    â€œOh, my dear, of course it is. I have secured the necessary finances, just as I promised.”
    â€œUsing my name,” she ground out.
    â€œUsing our names.” He leaned back in his chair. “That was why the approval process took so long. The bank managers are not accustomed to loaning money to women.” His shoulders lifted in an apologetic shrug. “Without my assurances that I would personally oversee the venture and do all in my power to ensure its success, their answer would have been no.”
    The color in her cheeks faded, and her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried, and failed, to speak.
    Noah had listened silently long enough. He’d followed their conversation enough to draw a few conclusions, and he didn’t like what he heard.
    â€œAm I to understand that the two of you intend to open a restaurant at our settlement?”
    Evangeline tore her glare from Uncle Miles and turned it on him. “That is correct. At least, that was the plan before you stole half of the produce we need.”
    Noah ignored the accusation. Clearly she was upset and lashing out wherever she could find an easy target.
    â€œI think the idea has merit.” Uncle Miles’s finger traced the thick rim of his glass. “A new town needs trade to thrive.”
    â€œWhat town?” Noah shook his head. “You don’t understand. The settlement isn’t even a proper lumber camp. There are no buildings, no blacksmith, no general store. There is no place to put a restaurant.”
    Doubt darkened the round eyes across from him, but Uncle Miles dismissed him with a wave. “Not yet, but there will be. In your letter you spoke of your dreams to turn that camp into a proper settlement.” He slapped Noah on the shoulder with a large hand. “We believe in your dream, boy, and we’re prepared to invest in it.”
    Noah shook his head. “But a restaurant? The men eat for free. We provide their meals at the camp.”
    Now Evangeline’s jaw softened enough to speak. “And what does your cook make, Mr. Hughes? Beans and salt pork?” Her tone dripped scorn.
    â€œActually, we have a pretty good cook at the camp.” He went easy on the praise because of late the men had grumbled about the number of meals consisting of beans and boiled venison.
    â€œI am better than pretty good .” She spoke with confidence.
    â€œAnd not only that,” put in Uncle Miles. “She’s a woman. And there are more coming with us.”
    Noah turned toward his uncle. “You brought women with you?”
    â€œOnly three. Four, counting Evangeline. But that’s four more than you’ve got now. And all of them are unmarried.”
    She cast one more glare toward Uncle Miles and then turned a sweet smile on Noah. “Don’t you think the men would prefer a delicious home-cooked meal served by a woman to beans and salt pork around the campfire?”
    â€œWe have a cook shack.”
    She sniffed. “Our restaurant