Patience: Bride of Washington (American Mail Order Bride 42) by Caroline Clemmons Page A

sofa and a library table also were in the room.
    “I always enjoy reading. I’d begun a fascinating book but of course it’s at the boarding house. I’m reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court .”
    “Mark Twain always entertains, doesn’t he? I suppose you’ve read his other works?”
    “Yes.” She strolled along the shelves noting books she’d longed to read and hadn’t been able to afford. “Oh, you have such a nice selection of books. Is there a bookshop in Destiny?”
    “No, Stone orders them. A shop in Tacoma sends him a list of new titles and their descriptions. I suppose books are his vice.”
    She laughed. “I hope you don’t consider them a bad thing, Andrew. If you do then you won’t approve of me.”
    “No, nothing of the sort. I’ve always encouraged his reading and as a result Stone’s smart as a whip. I won’t worry when he’s in charge of things after I finally retire.”
    She hadn’t considered him as retired and home all day. “As vigorous a man as you are won’t retire for years, will you?”
    He smiled at her description and puffed out his chest. “Oh, I’m not ready to give it all up yet. Stone still needs help smoothing the way with our customers. Some expect coddling and he’s not one to pamper or cosset. In spite of the way he treated you today, he’s not usually rude. He knows all the facts but simply doesn’t have the talent for fussing over clients as they expect.”
    “Which is why you’re both going to this meeting you mentioned?”
    “Correct. Getting Lortz to go with us is imperative. Not that we can’t manage without his custom, but life will be much easier with him aligned with us.”
    “Then I do hope you’re successful, Andrew.”
    Later in her room at the boarding house, she gave in to her fatigue. Mrs. Shaw rapped at her door. “Miss Eaton, will you be dining with us tomorrow?”
    “I simply can’t say what my plans will be. I’ll have breakfast here and then go work in the Kincaid Orchards office each day. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific.” Would she be expected to dine with Andrew each evening? Possibly, but he must go out to see friends occasionally. She hoped she’d come to feel more relaxed in his company.
    Mrs. Shaw said, “That’s all right. We’ll manage to fit around your plans. Goodnight.”
    Patience questioned about her generosity since there were rules posted everywhere about failure to let her know this or that about her boarders’ schedule. Unwilling to worry about her landlady, Patience fell into bed too tired to write Mercy or her parents about the grand Kincaid home and her job at the office. Never mind, she’d have more to tell them in a few days.
    The next morning, Patience dressed with care after standing in line for the bathing room. No wonder her room came with a chamber pot. Today instead of her best dress, she wore a blue skirt and jacket and her white shirtwaist.
    Pulling her hair back, she tied it with a black ribbon that matched the trim on her jacket. She wished her hair had more red like Mercy’s instead of more brown like Papa’s. As she set her plain straw hat with the simple blue ribbon in place, she wondered if any woman was happy with her hair’s natural color.
    Book in hand in case she had time to read at noon and her purse on her arm, she descended the stairs. After breakfast, she awaited Andrew on the front porch. Careful not to snag her skirt on the wicker as she sat in one of the chairs provided, she wanted to enjoy the clear morning sunshine.
    Calling for her must inconvenience Andrew. While the office was too far to walk, he might have his stableman ferry her back and forth. Presently she saw him driving the buggy at a clip. She walked to the gate to wait for him.
    “Ah, punctual again, my dear Patience. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.” He climbed down to assist her.
    She settled onto the seat. “Not at all, I enjoy your weather here. And Mrs. Shaw’s flowers are lovely,