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

aren’t they?”
    He sprang onto the seat and picked up the ribbons. “Are you nervous or eager about your day?” he asked as they drove toward his property.
    She smiled at him and opted for honesty. “A little of both. I’m eager to learn all I can about your business and help in any way possible. I’m nervous about working with Stone. I hope I can win his respect if not his friendship.”
    “I’m sure he’ll come around. How could he not, my dear, with as lovely a person as yourself? I’m sure you’ll become fast friends before long.”
    She wasn’t so sure. “You know him well, but I wonder. He appeared so set against your marrying me.”
    “Truth be told, he doesn’t want me to marry anyone. He says I should choose someone from the women in town, but then he finds something wrong with each of them. You see, somehow he feels I’m being unfaithful to his mother’s memory by taking another wife.”
    “Oh, but that’s not fair.” She gasped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to criticize. I’m sure many sons and daughters have trouble when their parent wants to remarry after losing a loved one.”
    A sad expression came over him and his blue eyes no longer twinkled. His posture sagged slightly. “Perhaps, but he’s old enough to realize that I have enough love to give without detracting from that I have for his mother. The heart doesn’t hold a finite amount of love. I’ll never forget or cease loving her but she’s gone and I’m still here. When she was dying, she asked me to find someone else.”
    “What a loving woman she must have been.”
    He nodded and appeared to push away his sadness. “She was and that’s a fact. I’ve waited long enough, though, in my opinion. Stone will have to come to terms with that fact. If he makes you uncomfortable, just tell me.”
    Never would she do that for she had no wish to cause a rift between father and son. She’d simply have to handle the situation better than she did those jobs in Lawrence that she botched so badly. She’d learned better how to deal with people by now—especially since Stone wouldn’t be making lecherous passes at her.
    “Generally, I get along with everyone. Of course, there are a few exceptions, but my sister and I always had lots of friends o-of all a-ages.” She should have worded that differently. Did he think she was prevaricating to include him?
    Patience took a deep breath. “I’m sure I can manage to work in your office without upsetting Stone.” She prayed she told the truth, but she had doubts.
    He stopped the buggy at the office and sent one of the workmen to deliver the rig to the carriage house.
    Patience put away her purse, gloves, and book and sat at the desk. “What day did you say Mrs. Belvedere cleans?”
    “Mondays. Well, I’ll let you get settled while I go into my office. If you need anything, let Stone or me know.” Humming under his breath, Andrew went into his office and shut the door.
    Flummoxed, Patience went to the cleaning closet and dug out an unused can of furniture polish and a cleaning rag. Mrs. Belvedere either used up the former polish or hadn’t bothered to even open the one provided. Looking around, Patience thought the latter was correct.
    She’d just cleared off the desk and was bent over dusting the sides when Stone came out of his office. “Is this how you plan to learn the business, from the bottom up?”
    Straightening, she felt the heat of a blush stain her face. “Apparently, the lady who’s paid to tidy hasn’t bothered much. I didn’t want to soil my clothes or the records.”
    He scooted a chair near hers. “If you’ve finished your housemaid duties, Miss Eaton, perhaps you’d like to learn about the records we keep.”
    She took her seat and adjusted her skirts. “I’m quite ready to get to work. First, remember I asked you to call me Patience.”
    “In the bottom drawer on your right, there’s a pair of sleeve protectors Miss Youngblood left. Now, let’s get to